Saturn S-Series
Saturn SL2 (1990-1995)
The S -Series was part of a family of compact cars the automaker Saturn. They were the first vehicles of the manufacturer. The vehicle platform, the Z- structure, was developed entirely in-house at Saturn and shared very few components with the rest of the General Motors model program. This introduced the space frame, which you can find at some Pontiac models, which meant that the side parts of the body carried no weight, so you could use plastic pieces instead of metal. These polymer parts were bump- resistant - this was long a main selling point for Saturn.
The S -Series was produced from autumn 1990 until the end of 2002.
From 1990 to 1991, the S- Series ( sedan " sedan level" =) and SC was as SL ( "sports coupe " = Coupe ) available. The SW ( " sedan wagon " = station wagon) was introduced in early 1992 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Taiwan and Japan were the only two Asian countries that imported Saturn. From 1992 to 1996, the saloons of the first and second and the first-generation coupes were sold in Taiwan. From 1996 to 2003, the vehicles of the second generation was offered as a right-hand drive in Japan.
All available Saturn models were imported from 1992 to Canada.
A change in the fall of 1998, the SC received a small suicide door on the driver's side. This type of door had previously been used in a double cabin pickups, but was for a coupe an innovation.
The S -Series was replaced in 2003 by the larger Saturn Ion, up to the end of its production could not come close to the sales of the S -Series in late 2007.
Coupes and sedans with the base engine, which was a single overhead camshaft, and the manual transmission, among the most fuel-efficient cars that were available in the United States at this time, since they in EPA highway tests 5.9 L/100 km reached, which by today's measurement methods probably correspond to about 6.5 L/100 km.
- 3.1 SC ( 1996-2002)
SL / SW (1990-1995)
The SL and the first generation SW were built by the fall of 1990 until mid-1995. On the day of the resignation of the then GM CEO Roger Bonham Smith, the first Saturn left the assembly line at the factory in Spring Hill, Tennessee. He was a chestnut brown with light brown interior.
Originally there were two trim levels. The SL1 had a SOHC 1.9L -R4 - LK0 engine that made 85 hp (63 kW) and in model year 1995 on the L24 engine with 100 hp (70 kW) has been upgraded. The two engines were apart of the upgrade from TBI to sequential MPI mechanically identical. The SL2 had a DOHC 1.9L -R4 - LL0 engine, which made 115 hp (86 kW). Both the SL1, and the SL2 reached 8.1 L/100 km in the city and 6.7 L/100 km on the highway.
The Saturn model years 1991 and 1992, was a special base "SL" (only with manual transmission ), " SL1 ", " SL2 " and " SC".
For model year 1993, the range was extended to the SW1- SW2 and station wagon, the mechanically aligned their SL1 or SL2 counterparts. All models received in the spring of 1995, a revision of the interior.
All variants of the S -Series were offered with either a 5 - speed manual or a 4 - speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission offered a power mode, which offered crisper shifts at high speed, and enabled a setting for traction, the more controlled approach by use of second gear. The gear of vehicles with DOHC engines were geared to acceleration while the force transmission should serve in the SOHC models of economy.
The S- series had a 45 liter tank, so about 620 km range were possible at an average fuel consumption of 7.4 L/100 km.
SC (1991-1996)
The first generation SC was made from the beginning of 1991 until the spring of 1996. Originally only the SC trim level was associated with a DOHC 1.9 L -R4 engine, which made 115 hp available. From 1993 was the previous trim level SC2 and SC1 variant has been introduced. In 1995, the lower portion of the front bumper, the reflector on the trunk lid and the interior of SC2 were revised as part of a minor facelift.
For model year 1993, the SC1 was introduced as an entry-level coupe series. After the SC1 was initially equipped with the SOHC 1.9 L- R4- LKO engine with 85 hp, it has been upgraded for the 1995 model year on the 100 hp L24 engine. The first generation SC1 the front end did not share with the SC2, which had pop-up headlights, but with the SL models. SC2 from SC1 also the difference due to the absence of a reflector on the boot lid and the rear transverse strut.
Saturn SC (1991-1996)
Special models
For 1994, a special special model called "Homecoming " was put on the market. It combined pearl white paint with black Saturn emblems, spoiler, 15 -inch " tears " rims, four wheel disc brakes with ABS, a gray interior with headrests on the rear seats, fog lamps and central locking and electric windows. For an additional charge, among others, sunroof, CD player and 4- speed automatic transmission were available. A total of about 3500 copies of this special model were produced.
1998 and 1999 had potential buyers the opportunity to order for $ 225, the "Black Top Coupe Package". These models were called, depending on the exterior color as " Red Hot Coupe " or " White Hot Coupe ". The package included a black roof, black mirrors, black emblems, white and black instruments accented tears rims. These are extremely rare.
Production figures for these special models:
Model year 1998: White - 213 Red - 657
Model year 1999: White - 285 Red - 284
Also a second "Homecoming " edition was sold in 1999, which is characterized by a special " mint color ", light brown leather in the interior, special cream ads and black Saturn logo to commemorate the second homecoming to the factory in Spring Hill. For the 4000 vehicles produced this special model, the same equipment were offered as for the first "Homecoming " edition of 1994.
2001, of a special yellow coupe SC2 was built. The 99 specimens produced this " Bumblebee Edition" special model above were supplied with a certificate of authenticity. The " Bumblebee Edition" included wider headrests, a black leather interior with yellow leather inserts on the seats and doors. It is distinguished from the normal yellow coupes.
In addition to these special models, there were 1999 450 RHD Saturn SWP "Post- suits " that were meant for postmen in rural areas.
SL / SW (1995-2002)
The SL and SW of the second generation were built from mid- 1995 until the end of 2002, for the 2000 model year there was a far were small revision. The redesign resulted in a rounder appearance of SL and SW connected with a slight enlargement of interior and entrance. Mechanically changed to its predecessor, very little, although 1996 was the first year for the OBDII PCM.
For the 1999 models ensured improvements to both SOHC, as well as on DOHC engines, not for performance, but for a less rough engine running. These changes included revised pistons, connecting rods, crankshafts and More. The consumptions of these optimized models improved.
The carried out in autumn 1999 facelift included a change in interior and polymer body panels, whereby the length of the vehicles by 1.2 inches grew, although the technique has remained virtually unchanged.
Saturn SW1 (1995-1999)
SC (1996-2002)
The second generation SC was offered by the summer of 1996 until the end of 2002.
With the second generation of the wheel base of the SC was raised to the length of the SL / SW models. The redesign resulted in a rounder appearance of the SC associated with a slight enlargement of interior and entrance. Technically changed to its predecessor, very little.
In the fall of 1998 a small suicide door on the driver's side was added. Although passengers could thus reach the back seat without having to move the driver's seat, this additional door was meant mainly to be able to easily stow luggage behind the driver's seat, so the placement of the handle leads in the doorway, that this can only open driver's door open.
Unlike SL and SW in the fall of 1999 changed only the interior, the slight revision of the exterior was followed a year later as part of the facelift.
Saturn SC (2000-2002)
Theft
The report on the most stolen cars of CCC Information Services According to the 1995 Saturn SL 2003 was the most stolen car in the U.S., during the 1994 SL took place 3. The police, according to Lynnwood it may happen that a key blank can unlock and start the car due to wear of the key in the lock and ignition mechanisms.
Successor
The successor to the S -Series from 2003 was the Saturn Ion. Unlike the S -Series this was not a complete in-house development of Saturn more, but has shared platform and engines with other GM models such as the Chevrolet Cobalt or Pontiac G5. Even its successor, the Saturn Astra, continued to use this platform.
Production figures
The following production figures are taken from "The Encyclopedia of American Cars" from the "Auto Editors of Consumer Guide ," Copyright 2002.