Saturn S-Series

Infobox Automobile


name=Saturn S-Series
manufacturer = Saturn Corporation
parent_company = General Motors
production=1991–2002
class=Compact
successor=Saturn Ion
layout=FF layout
transmission=4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
platform=GM Z platform

The S-Series was part of a family of compact cars from the Saturn automobile company. This was the first series of Saturn vehicles. The automobile platform, the Z-body, was developed entirely in-house at Saturn and shared very little with the rest of the General Motors model line. It implemented a spaceframe design, also seen on some Pontiacs, which meant that the side panels did not carry load and could use plastic pieces instead of metal. These polymer panels were dent-resistant—something that has remained a major selling point for Saturn through its later models. The S-series was sold from the fall of 1990 through the end of the 2002 model year, with redesigns in 1996/1997 and in 2000/2001.

The S-series debuted with SC (“sports coupe”) and SL (“sedan level”) models in 1990 as 1991 models. The SW (“sedan wagon”) debuted at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Taiwan and Japan were the only two foreign countries that imported Saturns. From 1992 to 1996, the first- and second-generation sedans plus the first-generation coupes were sold in Taiwan. From 1996 to 2003, the second-generation versions were sold in right-hand drive in Japan.

A change partway through the 1999 model year gave the SC a small suicide door on the driver's side. This type of door had previously been used in extended cab pickup trucks, but was an innovation in coupe design.Cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=97060|title= Saturn SC2: Finding a Jackpot Behind Door No. 3|accessdate=2008-04-03|work=edmunds.com]

The S-series was replaced by the larger Saturn Ion in 2003, which was unable to match the S-series' success before the end of its own production at the end of 2007.

Coupes and sedans equipped with a manual transmission were among the most fuel-efficient cars available at the time, reaching convert|40|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp in EPA highway tests.

First generation SL/SW

Infobox Automobile generation
name=First generation
aka=Saturn SL
Saturn SW
Saturn SC


production=1991–1995 SL
1993-1995 SW
1991-1996 SC
body_style=2-door coupe
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
wheelbase=SL & SW: Auto in|102.4|0
SC: Auto in|99.2|0
length=SL & SW: Auto in|176.3|0
1991-93 SC: Auto in|175.8|0
1994-96 SC1: Auto in|173.2|0
1994-96 SC2: Auto in|174.6|0
width= Auto in|67.6|0
height=SC: Auto in|50.6|0
SL: Auto in|52.5|0
SW: Auto in|53.7|0
engine=1.9 L "LK0" I4
1.9 L "L24" I4
1.9 L "LL0" I4
assembly=Spring Hill, Tennessee 1.9 L I4 LL0 engine that was rated at Convert|124|hp|kW|0|abbr=on. Both the SL1 and SL2 got Auto mpg|29 city, Auto mpg|35 Highway. The SL1 and SL2 had a Convert|12|usgal|L impgal|0 fuel tank, which means that both cars got around convert|384|mi|km|0 on a single tank (based on average of convert|32|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on. Owners of the base model typical report real-world fuel mileage of about convert|38|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on-convert|41|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on on the highway with the manual trans.Fact|date=September 2008 1991-1992 model year Saturns featured the base "SL" available with a manual transmission only, an "SL1", "SL2", and "SC". For model year 1993, the line expanded to include the SW1 and SW2 wagons, which were mechanically identical to their SL1 and SL2 counterparts. All models received an interior redesign for 1995.

All S-Series cars were offered with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Saturn transmissions in the DOHC-equipped vehicles were geared to enhance acceleration, while the SOHC-equpped model's transmissions were geared toward economy.

pecial edition Saturns

A special Homecoming edition of the SL2 was released for 1994. It had special Pearl White paint (a "silver-tint" pearl, shared with Cadillac models of this year), black Saturn emblems, spoiler, 15" "teardrop" wheels, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, grey leather/cloth interior, rear headrests, foglamps, and power locks and windows. Options included a sunroof, CD player, and the 4-speed automatic with traction control. Approximately 6,000 Homecoming cars were produced.

In 1998 and 1999, prospective buyers of a red or white SC2 had the option of purchasing the "Black Top Coupe Package" for $225.00 (US). The package came with a black roof panel, black outside rear view mirrors, black emblems, white face gauges and black accented teardrop wheels. These are extremely rare.

Production Numbers on these limited editions:

Model year 1998:White - 652Red - 657

Model year 1999:White - 285Red - 284

In 2001, a special Yellow Sport Coupe model SC2 was also built. The model was dubbed the "Bumblebee Edition", of which 99 were produced with a certificate of authenticity. The "Bumblebee Edition" included special gauge faceplates as well as embroidered headrests. These are not to be confused with the regular issue Yellow color issued Sport Coupe. 1999 also produced a second Homecoming Edition that was a special "Mint Color" with special white gauge faceplates, to commemorate the 2nd Homecoming visit to the Spring Hill, Tennessee manufacturing facility.

In addition to the above mentioned "Special Edition" Saturns; there were also a limited number of "Postal" Saturn Station Wagons that were produced, specifically for use by mail carriers. These Station Wagons were Right Hand Drive vehicles. There were also a limited number of Saturns that were exported to Japan as Right Hand Drive vehicles circa between 1996-2000.

First generation SC/SC2

1.9 L I4 LL0 engine that was rated at Convert|124|hp|kW|0|abbr=on. For 1993, the original SC trim level was renamed SC2, and an SC1 trim level was introduced. The first generation SC2 received a minor refresh for 1995. The lower front bumper, trunk lid reflector, and interior were redesigned.

First generation SC1

Introduced for model year 1993, the SC1 was created as a base-level coupe. The SC1 featured an SOHC 1.9 L I4 LK0 engine that rated at Convert|85|hp|kW|0|abbr=on. The SC1 engine was later upgraded to the Convert|100|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on L24 engine for the 1995 model year. The first generation SC1 was notably different from the up level SC2, with a completely different front fascia lacking the pop-up headlights (but identical to the 1991-95 SL/SL1/SL2 fascia), and a slightly different rear end lacking a trunk lid reflector.

econd generation SL/SW

Infobox Automobile generation
name=Second generation
aka=Saturn SL1(1996-99)
Saturn SL2 (2000-2002)
saturn SW1 (1996-99)
Saturn SW2 (2000-2002)
Saturn SC1 (1996-97)
Saturn SC2 (1998-2002)


production=1996–2002 SL
1996-2001 SW
1997-2002 SC
body_style=2-door coupe
3-door coupe
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
engine=1.9 L "L24" I4
1.9 L "LL0" I4
wheelbase=Auto in|102.4|0
length=1996-99 SW & 1996-97 SL: Auto in|176.8|0
2000-01 SL & SW: Auto in|178.1|0
2001-02 SC: Auto in|180.5|0
1997-2000 SC: Auto in|180|0
1998-99 SL: Auto in|176.9|0
width=1996-99 SW: Auto in|66.7|0
2000-01 SW: Auto in|66.4|0
2001-02 SC: Auto in|68.2|0
1997-2000 SC: Auto in|67.3|0
2000-02 SL: Auto in|66.4|0
1996-99 SL: Auto in|66.7|0
height=1996-99 SW & SL: Auto in|54.5|0
2000-01 SW: Auto in|55.6|0
2000-02 SL: Auto in|55|0
SC: Auto in|53|0
assembly=Spring Hill, TennesseeThe second generation SL and SW were made from model year 1996 to 2002, with a refresh for the 2000 model year. The redesign resulted in a more curved look for the SL/SW, which gave a slight increase in interior room and doorway size as well as an updated appearance. Mechanically, very little was changed from the previous model, though 1996 was the first year for the OBDII PCM.

1999 models received improvements to both SOHC and DOHC engines that did not affect power output, but did smooth out the some of the harshness associated with them. These changes included revised pistons, connecting rods, etc.

The facelifted 2000-2002 model features a redesigned interior and exterior polymer panels, resulting in an addition of Auto in|1.2|0 to overall length, though it was virtually unchanged mechanically.

econd generation SC

The second generation SC was made from model year 1997 to 2002, with a refresh for the 2001 model year. The second generation SC also moved to the longer wheelbase of the SL/SW models, resulting in an equal wheelbase across all models. The redesign resulted in a more curved look for the SC, which gave a slight increase in interior room and doorway size as well as an updated appearance. Mechanically, very little was changed from the previous model. For the 1999 model year, a small suicide third door was added to the driver's side. This door provides easier access to and from the rear seat. The door's latch is on its front edge, and is thus inaccessible unless the front door is open; this prohibits a user from opening (or closing) the rear door if the front door is not open.

The 2000 model kept the same exterior but featured the redesigned interior of the SL and SW. The facelifted 2001-2002 model adopted minor exterior styling revisions.

Theft

The 1995 Saturn SL was the most stolen vehicle in 2003, while the 1994 SL took third place in CCC Information Services's 2003 most stolen vehicle report.Cite web|url=http://www.saturnfans.com/Company/2004/1995slmoststolen.shtml|title=1995 Saturn SL Tops Most Stolen Vehicle List|accessdate=2008-04-03|work=saturnfans.com/]

2003

Production of the S-Series ended after model year 2002. The car was replaced by one based on the GM Delta platform, the Saturn Ion. This also marked the end of Saturn's use of mostly in-house designs, as unlike the S-Series, the Ion shared its platform and engine with other GM models such as the Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac G5 and its eventual successor, the Saturn Astra.

Production numbers

Listed below is a rough estimate on the numbers of S-Series produced from 1991-2002. This information is referenced from "The Encyclopedia of American Cars" written by Auto Editors of Consumer Guide, Copyright 2002.

References

External links

* [http://www.saturnfans.com/ saturnfans.com]
* [http://www.sixthsphere.com/ sixthsphere.com]