Cars - Saturn S-series

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	Cars - Saturn S-series

The S-series is a family of compact cars from the Saturn automobile company. This was the first series of Saturn vehicles. The automobile platform used, 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 original S-series was sold from the fall of 1990 through the end of the 2002 model year, with a redesign in 1996.

The SW wagon debuted at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

In the late 1990s, right hand drive versions were exported to Japan. A change partway through the 1999 model year gave the SC a small suicide door.

The S-series was replaced by the larger Saturn ION in 2003, but it has yet to match the S-series' success.

Coupes and sedans equipped with a manual transmission were among the most fuel-efficient cars available at the time, reaching 40 miles per gallon (17 km/L or 5.9 L/100km) in EPA highway tests.

First generation SL/SW

The first generation SL and SW were made from 1991 to 1995. The first Saturn to leave the assembly line in the Spring Hill factory was on July 30,1990. It was maroon with a tan interior. Originally there were two avaiable trim levels. The SL1 trim level featured a SOHC 1.9 L I4 engine that was rated at 85 hp, which was upgraded to 100 hp for the 1995 model year. The SL2 trim level featured a DOHC 1.9 L I4 engine that was rated at 124 hp. After 1992, the sedan bodystyle also came in a base SL trim level which was mechanically identical to the SL1 but with less avaiable options. For 1993, the line expanded to include the SW1 and SW2 wagons, which were mechanically identical to their SL1 and SL2 counterparts. All S-series cars were offered with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission. There was also a special Homecoming edition of the SL2 which was released for 1994. It had a special Pearl White Paint, spoiler, leather/cloth interior,rear headrests,sunroof and power locks and windows.

First generation SC

The first generation SC was made from 1991 to 1996. Originally, only one trim level, SC, was available, with a DOHC 1.9 L I4 engine that was rated at 124 hp. For 1993, the orignal SC trim level was reneamed SC2 and an SC1 trim level featuring a SOHC 1.9 L I4 engine that rated at 85 hp was added. The SC1 engine was later upgraded to 100 hp for the 1995 model year. All S-series cars were offered with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Second generation SL/SW

The second generation SL and SW were made from 1996 to 2002. 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. For the 1999 model year the interior was updated again, and in 2000 the lower body panels were redesigned, adding 1.2 inches to overall length.

Second generation SC

The second generation SC was made from 1997 to 2002. 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, the interior was updated again and a small suicide 3rd door was added. For 2001, the lower body panels were redesigned.

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