Saturn L sedans affect European airs with American styling
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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SUNFLOWER, Ariz. -- Arizona's paved route 87 from Phoenix to Payson travels over a modern interpretation of Screwtail Hill, a twisty kink on an old stagecoach route wound around the Mazatzal Mountains.
Traffic, moving at a quick clip off the Sonoran Desert, often slows to a crawl at the Screwtail obstacle as one car after another struggles to navigate the switchbacks. However, that's not the way it worked during a recent trek because we were able to run that course at autobahn pace, thanks to precise handling traits and the European poise of a worldly new sedan from the Saturn brand of General Motors.
This new vehicle, which stretches the wheelbase for four inches more than Saturn's existing S series of compact sedans, provides a spacious cabin rigged with four doors, seats for five and comfortable appointments which extend to optional leather seats and safety gear like anti-lock brakes.
It totes the largest trunk in the mid-size class and for locomotion lists a pair of engines, including Saturn's first V6.
Labeled as the L series and available in three trim levels for notchback sedan styling and two more for a station wagon variation, these cars represent a new dimension for Saturn: They're larger, more powerful and far more sophisticated than anything else in the Saturn stable, and with a platform, suspension and parts derived from various GM cars produced in Germany and Sweden, they take on definite European airs for performance and handling.
What's going on here?
Well, it looks like Saturn has virtually doubled its product fleet by creating a larger class of sedans and wagons. To speed up the development, Saturn borrowed a platform and parts from GM's Opel of Germany, took a transmission from Saab of Sweden, then revamped a GM plant in Delaware to assemble the cars. Yet the resultant L series sedans and wagons represent more than European retreads, since the platform was enlarged to fit American frames and interiors were designed for American tastes, with exterior styling unique to Saturn.
Here's the way it all came together.
Saturn's design team began the L series development by dipping into GM's European car parts bin, pulling out the chassis and basic suspension components of an Opel model called the Vectra. That's a good vehicle, although perhaps the ride quality would seem too harsh to an American and the cabin would be too narrow and lacking in leg and head space to qualify as a mid-size model.
To increase the size of the cabin, Saturn's designers extended the Vectra wheelbase by 2.5 inches and also added a couple of inches to the width. As a result, the L series foundation measures more than an inch longer than its intended rivals, a pair of best-selling Japanese sedans, and it's far larger than the compact S series Saturn sedans.
The steel space-frame body was beefed up at critical points to improve structural rigidity for quicker movement as well as crash worthiness, and suspension elements were de-tuned to deliver a smooth yet compliant ride quality.
&&& For the front suspension, a MacPherson strut design is in place with a large stabilizer bar mounted to the subframe as a check against lateral sway. In back, the multi-link system pits two unequal-length lateral control links on each side against one longitudinal link for fore-aft control.
&&& The power-assisted rack and pinion steering mechanism uses quick gear ratios to set up a sporty feel, with a special spring-loaded valve in place for all steering gears to transmit a solid on-center feel to the wheel.
&&& Brakes, off the Vectra, consist of power-assisted front discs with rear drums and the option of anti-lock controls on the base LS sedan and LS1 version. The top model, LS2, attaches a disc at every wheel and has as the standard a four-wheel anti-lock device.
To power the L series cars, Saturn used something borrowed and something new.
The new plant, a dual-cam four-cylinder design displacing 2.2 liters and generating 137 hp, was developed as a universal engine for eventual service in various GM brands around the world but for the next year will remain exclusively at Saturn. It drops into the LS and LS1 sedans, as well as the base wagon, LW1.
The borrowed plant, a two-cam 3.0-liter V6 with output of 182 hp, is based on an engine that powers Opel's Omega sedan in Europe. Built by GM in England, it can run at autobahn speeds.
Only the top models -- the LS2 sedan and LW2 wagon -- get the V6.
A four-speed automatic transmission, GM's workhorse 4T45E edition which shows up in many GM products, mates with either the four-cylinder or V6 engine and does a good job of shifting in a smooth and unobtrusive manner.
The four-cylinder plant also connects to a manual five-speed shifter, which Saturn obtained from Saab. It's tight and precise, with a short throw and easy synch.
After devising the structure and assembling all of the mechanical components for the L series, designers dressed the package in slick individual styling which conforms in shape and tone to the S series models -- it's immediately identifiable as a Saturn, with a low nose and canted hood initiating a graceful arch over the passenger compartment to an abbreviated tail accented by corner tail lamps.
The wagon looks like the sedan with roofline and windows extended to the forward-tapering rear lift gate.
Like other Saturns, these new models wear side fenders and door panels constructed from a molded polymer.
The pliable plastic resembles sheetmetal but flexes in the face of parking-lot mishaps like encounters with grocery carts. Panel snaps back to original shape following such a collision, leaving no dent or ding -- and no chipped paint.
On the inside, the family resemblance of a Saturn continues in the shape and bold size of analog gauges and the look and feel of seats and fabrics. The layout sets one front bucket seat for driver and another for the front rider between a multi-tiered console, with a bench for three in back and rear seatbacks split 60/40 and foldable to expand the trunk's space. Seats are quite comfortable, particularly those front buckets, and there's ample room for legs and shoulders and elbows.
&&& Saturn does a good job of stocking these cars with convenience features. Even the base LS sedan comes with air conditioning, power steering and a tilting steering wheel. More amenities apply to the LS1, like power windows and a stereo sound package, with options for leather seats, deluxe stereo gear, a sunroof and more.
All adds up to fine new mid-size cars from Saturn which bring European ride and handling characteristics but American refinements, Saturn-style.
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| 2000 SATURN L VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
106.5 inches
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| Overall Length: |
190.4 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.2-L I4
DOHC 3.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
2.2: Manual/5, Auto/4
3.0: Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
2.2: Power disc/drum/ABS
3.0: Power 4-disc/ABS
Opt. TCS
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| Airbags: |
2
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| Gas Mileage: |
2.2: 22/30 mpg
3.0: 20/26 mpg
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| MSRP Price: |
$ 15,000 to $ 22,000 |
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