Last September SaturnFans.com reported that General Motors was planning on Saturnizing the upcoming Opel Antara GTC sport-utility as its replacement for the current Vue in the 2008 model year. Earlier today, Edmunds.com's Inside Line website posted what looks to be the first spy photos of the next-generation Saturn Vue. While the vehicle is disguised, you can still make some distinguishing features.

According to Inside Line, the "spy photos show just how close the 2008 Saturn Vue will get to the Opel concept. As expected, the prototype is a four-door instead of the GTC's sleeker two-door configuration. Although the windshield of the Saturn prototype isn't laid back quite as far as the concept, the A-pillars still have the same overall shape. The numerous vents and port holes used on the show vehicle are gone, too, along with the razor-thin side mirrors. A close look at the front end reveals a Saturn Vue with at least some of the details shown on the GTC concept. The grille looks roughly the same with two horizontal slats sitting just below a spot for the emblem in the center. Under the bumper is another air intake with a single horizontal slat similar to the grille above. The complex headlight cluster isn't quite as detailed as the LED units on the concept, but they are more upscale than anything you would find on the current Vue sport-utility. Dual-exhaust pipes indicate a good size V6 under the hood."

Click here for links to the Saturn spy photos, including the '08 Vue.

While we have yet to see undisguised pictures of the new Vue, Opel unveiled a concept version of the Antara GTC last fall at the Frankfurt International Auto Show.

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Source: Inside Line