GM Saturn ASTRA - Manual (Page 11)

2008 Saturn ASTRA
Performance, Ride & Handling
9 2008 ASTRA Product Guide
Solid, Stable Foundation
• Very stable footprint with a long wheelbase
and wide tread
• Body Frame Integral (BFI) structure combines
a unibody design with underbody rails running
from front to rear for added strength. This allows
for optimal tuning of the suspension, steering, brakes
and other chassis features for a heightened sense
of stability and driving confidence. It also provides
a refined, high-quality feel with greater overall
stiffness that minimizes noise and vibration.
• Hydroformed front subframe with hydraulic
bushings help prevent steering wheel shake and
the transmission of noise and vibration from the
front suspension
• Hydraulic (manual transmission) or elastomeric (auto
transmission) engine mounts isolate the engine and
reduce vibration
Front and Rear Suspension Designs
• MacPherson strut front suspension includes a
stabilizer bar for flat, stable cornering. The decoupled
strut mount provides better damper tuning and
improves noise isolation.
• Rear suspension has a torsion beam axle which acts
as a large stabilizer bar to improve cornering and
handling. The controls arms are integrated with the
wheel carriers in a one-piece aluminum design to
reduce weight.
• Front and rear gas preloaded shocks have an
optimized valve system for an excellent balance
between ride and handling
• Lowered, Sport-tuned suspension is standard on 3-
Door XR, available on 5-Door XR. The chassis is
lowered by 15mm and both the front and rear roll
rates are adjusted for a firmer, flatter handling feel.
Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS)
• Optimized rack-and-pinion steering has a very linear
response for smooth, consistent feel at all speeds and
cornering angles
• Hydraulic pump only operates as needed, thereby
reducing engine load and enhancing fuel efficiency
• Responsive 15:1 ratio standard on 5-Door models for
crisp handling and response to driver inputs
• Quicker 14:1 ratio on 3-Door, available on 5-Door XR,
provides faster response to driver inputs for a more
nimble feel
• Variable-effort standard on 3-Door and 5-Door XR,
available on 5-Door XE with StabiliTrak. Additional
assist at low speeds makes maneuvering easier. Less
assist at high speeds assures excellent response.
ASTRA’s rear suspension is a highly
sophisticated and refined torsion
beam axle design. Why was this
chosen instead of an independent
design like that found on the
competitors? There are several
advantages:
• Exceptionally sturdy and able
to handle high loads
• Very compact and light weight,
allowing for a lower cargo floor
and increased interior space
• Extremely adjustable and
tunable for very specific ride
and handling characteristics
Large, Road-Gripping Tires
ASTRA comes equipped with larger, wider tires for added road-gripping traction. See page 7 for wheel details.
5-Door XE 5-Door XR 3-Door XR
P205/55R16 all-season touring tires S S –
P225/45R17 all-season performance tires – A S
P215/45R18 summer-only* performance tires – – A
* Caution your customers that these tires are designed to perform on dry or wet pavement. They are not recommended for driving
in cold or winter conditions where the roads may be icy or snowy. Customers who select this option must change to all-season or
winter tires if they plan to drive on snow or ice.
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