The Saturn Aura is a midsized sport sedan that received the 2007 North American Car of the Year award. The company now intends to build on this critical success for Aura's second model year. For 2008, Saturn expands on Aura's appeal by adding a four-cylinder model for buyers who desire Aura's styling panache, but want the economy of a four-cylinder engine under the hood.

The Saturn Aura XE features a 2.4-liter, DOHC, Ecotec four-cylinder engine. One of the most powerful and efficient four-cylinder engines in its class, it is rated at 169 horsepower and 160 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to GM's Hydramatic 4T45 four-speed automatic transmission. Also available on Aura XE models is a 3.5-liter V-6 with variable valve timing (VVT). This power plant, also mated to the Hydramatic 4T45 four-speed automatic, generates 219 horsepower and 219 pound-feet of torque. The Aura XR model is equipped with a 3.6-liter, DOHC, V-6 with VVT, rated at 252 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a Hydramatic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission. The Aura Green Line is equipped with GM's affordable hybrid system mated to a 2.4-liter, Ecotec VVT, four-cylinder engine and Hydramatic 4T45 four-speed transmission. This innovative hybrid powertrain offers 164 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, and 159 pound-feet of peak torque at 5,000 rpm.

The Saturn Aura sports the bold styling elements that helped to establish Saturn's new design language, including the distinctive headlamps with their jewel-like appearance and the chrome grille bar. Premium design cues include the halogen headlamps, which are covered in clear housings that wrap upward and round the corners of the vehicle, thereby adding a sense of motion to the vehicle. A major focus of the design is the refined interior. Premium materials with low-gloss appearance throughout the interior of the vehicle exhibit excellent fit and finish, while unique color combinations for the trim and upholstery exude a contemporary style.

Saturn Aura's standard safety features include dual-stage frontal air bags with GM's passenger sensing system; head curtain side-impact air bags; front seat-mounted thorax protection air bags; front safety belt pretensioners; Latch child safety seat anchors; four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brakes; StabiliTrak electronic stability control system; traction control; OnStar safety and security system, and more.