Saturn S-Series
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Manufacturer | Saturn Corporation |
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| Parent company | General Motors |
| Production | 1991–2002 |
| Successor | Saturn Ion |
| Class | Compact |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | GM Z platform |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
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.[1]
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 40 miles per US gallon (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg-imp) in EPA highway tests.
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[edit] First generation SL/SW
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| Also called | Saturn SL Saturn SW Saturn SC |
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| Production | 1991–1995 SL 1993-1995 SW 1991-1996 SC |
| Assembly | Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupe 4-door quad coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon |
| Engine(s) | 1.9 L LK0 I4 1.9 L L24 I4 1.9 L LL0 I4 |
| Wheelbase | SL & SW: 102.4 in (2601 mm) SC: 99.2 in (2520 mm) |
| Length | SL & SW: 176.3 in (4478 mm) 1991-93 SC: 175.8 in (4465 mm) 1994-96 SC1: 173.2 in (4399 mm) 1994-96 SC2: 174.6 in (4435 mm) |
| Width | 67.6 in (1717 mm) |
| Height | SC: 50.6 in (1285 mm) SL: 52.5 in (1334 mm) SW: 53.7 in (1364 mm) |
The first generation SL and SW were made from model year 1991 to 1995. The first Saturn to leave the assembly line in the Spring Hill, Tennessee factory was on July 30, 1990, the same day that then-CEO of GM, Roger Bonham Smith, retired. It was maroon with a tan interior. Originally there were two available trim levels. The SL1 trim level featured a SOHC 1.9 L I4 LK0 engine that was rated at 85 hp (63 kW), which was upgraded to the 100 hp (70 kW) L24 engine for the 1995 model year. The SL2 trim level featured a DOHC 1.9 L I4 LL0 engine that was rated at 124 hp (92 kW). Both the SL1 and SL2 got 29 miles per US gallon (8.1 L/100 km; 35 mpg-imp) city, 35 miles per US gallon (6.7 L/100 km; 42 mpg-imp) Highway. The SL1 and SL2 had a 12 US gallons (45 L; 10 imp gal) fuel tank, which means that both cars got around 384 miles (618 km) on a single tank (based on average of 32 mpg-US (7.4 L/100 km; 38 mpg-imp). Owners of the base model typical report real-world fuel mileage of about 38 mpg-US (6.2 L/100 km; 46 mpg-imp)-41 mpg-US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg-imp) on the highway with the manual trans.[citation needed] 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. My 1995 SL2 owners manual states that Sl1 and SL2 Saturns have a 12.8 gal fuel tank.
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-equipped model transmissions were geared toward economy.
[edit] Special 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 3,500 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 models were referred to as the "Red Hot Coupe" or "White Hot Coupe", based on the exterior color. 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 - 652 Red - 657
Model year 1999: White - 285 Red - 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 embroidered headrests, black leather interior with yellow leather inserts on the seats and door panels, black roof and mirrors, number designation inside fuel filler door and certificate of authenticity. 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 tan leather interior, special off-white gauge faceplates, and black Saturn badges to commemorate the 2nd Homecoming visit to the Spring Hill, Tennessee manufacturing facility. The 1999 Homecoming Edition also had the same features offered as the 1994 Homecoming Edition. There were 4,000 of the 1999 Homecoming Edition produced.
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.
[edit] First generation SC/SC2
The first generation SC was made from model year 1991 to 1996. Originally only one trim level, SC, was available, with a DOHC 1.9 L I4 LL0 engine that was rated at 124 hp (92 kW). 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.
[edit] 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 85 hp (63 kW). The SC1 engine was later upgraded to the 100 hp (70 kW) 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.
[edit] Second generation SL/SW
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| Also called | Saturn SL1 Saturn SL2 saturn SW1 Saturn SW2 Saturn SC1 Saturn SC2 |
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| Production | 1996–2002 SL 1996-2001 SW 1997-2002 SC |
| Assembly | Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupe 3-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon |
| Engine(s) | 1.9 L L24 I4 1.9 L LL0 I4 |
| Wheelbase | 102.4 in (2601 mm) |
| Length | 1996-99 SW & 1996-97 SL: 176.8 in (4491 mm) 2000-01 SL & SW: 178.1 in (4524 mm) 2001-02 SC: 180.5 in (4585 mm) 1997-2000 SC: 180 in (4572 mm) 1998-99 SL: 176.9 in (4493 mm) |
| Width | 1996-99 SW: 66.7 in (1694 mm) 2000-01 SW: 66.4 in (1687 mm) 2001-02 SC: 68.2 in (1732 mm) 1997-2000 SC: 67.3 in (1709 mm) 2000-02 SL: 66.4 in (1687 mm) 1996-99 SL: 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
| Height | 1996-99 SW & SL: 54.5 in (1384 mm) 2000-01 SW: 55.6 in (1412 mm) 2000-02 SL: 55 in (1397 mm) SC: 53 in (1346 mm) |
The 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 1.2 in (30 mm) to overall length, though it was virtually unchanged mechanically.
[edit] Second 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.[1]
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.SL2
[edit] 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.[2]
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
| 1991- 48,629 built | 1992- 169,959 built | 1993- 244,621 built
Introduction of Wagon Model/SC Designation for Sport Coupe changes to SC1/SC2 |
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| approx. 10,000 SC | SC | SC1/SC2 | ||
| approx. 38,629 SL/SL1/SL2 | SL/SL1/SL2 | SL/SL1/SL2 SW1/SW2 | ||
| 1994- 267,518 built | 1995- 302,988 built | 1996- 294,198 built | ||
| SC1/SC2 | SC1/SC2- 62,434 | SC1/SC2 | ||
| SL/SL1/SL2
SW1/SW2 |
SL/SL1/SL2- 221,102
SW1/SW2- 19,452 |
SL/SL1/SL2
SW1/SW2 |
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| 1997- 314,992 built | 1998- 219,765 built | 1999- 275,633 built | ||
| SC1/SC2- 70,711 | SC1/SC2- 38,591 | SC1/SC2- 52,965 | ||
| SL/SL1/SL2- 213,182
SW1/SW2- 31,099 |
SL/SL1/SL2- 160,759
SW1/SW2- 20,415 |
SL/SL1/SL2- 203,578
SW1/SW2- 19,090 |
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| 2000- 169,866 built | 2001- 117,842 built | 2002- Figures not available from referenced material at time of publication | ||
| SC1- 8,517
SC2- 8,724 |
SC1- 23,584
SC2- 17,414 |
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| SL/SL1- 74,085
SL2- 68,907 SW2- 9,633 |
SL/SL1/SL2- 73,428
SW2- 3,416 |
Figures not available from referenced material at time of publication |
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Saturn SC2: Finding a Jackpot Behind Door No. 3". edmunds.com. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=97060. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
- ^ "1995 Saturn SL Tops Most Stolen Vehicle List". saturnfans.com/. http://www.saturnfans.com/Company/2004/1995slmoststolen.shtml. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
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| Saturn, a division of General Motors, automobile timeline, 1991–present | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Type | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Compact | S-Series | Ion | Astra | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | L-Series | Aura | |||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover | Vue | Vue | |||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Minivan | Relay | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | Sky | ||||||||||||||||||||
| See also: Penske Automotive Group | |||||||||||||||||||||
