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Saturn S-Series
Manufacturer	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 to where Saturns were exported. 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 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/100 km) in EPA highway tests.

Quite a few custumers have complained that the transmission linkage bushings in the manual transmissions are made of plastic and prone to breaking, costing hundreds of dollars at a Saturn dealer to replace. However, aftermarket (with a supposedly improved design, though unproven) is available at a fraction of that price.

Critics (from auto magazines) have complained of the shifter's long throws and a clutch that had no feeling, however, neither are out of place in a car of this size and price class, are are perfectly acceptable to most drivers.

Contents 1 First generation SL/SW 2 First generation SC/SC2 3 First generation SC1 4 Second generation SL/SW 5 Second generation SC 6 Theft 7 2003 8 External links

First generation
Production	1991–1995 SL 1993-1995 SW 1991-1996 SC
Assembly	Spring Hill, Tennessee
Body style(s)	2-door 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. 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 mpg (U.S.) (8 L/100 km) city, 35 mpg (U.S.) (7 L/100 km) Highway. The SL1 and SL2 had a 12 gallon (45.4 litres) fuel tank, which means that both cars got around 384 miles (618 km) on a single tank (based on average of 32 mpg (U.S.) (7 L/100 km)). Owners of the base model typical report real-world fuel mileage of about 38-41 MPG on the highway with the manual trans. 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.

There was also a special Homecoming edition of the SL2 which 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.

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.

Introduced for model year 1993, the SC1 was created as a base-level coupe. The SC1 featured a 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.

Second generation
Production	1996–2002 SL 1996-2001 SW 1997-2002 SC
Assembly	Spring Hill, Tennessee
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) 2000-02 SC: 180.5 in (4585 mm) 1997-99 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) 2000-02 SC: 68.2 in (1732 mm) 1997-99 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.

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.[2]

The facelifted 2001-2002 model adopted minor exterior styling revisions and the redesigned interior introduced to the SL and SW the previous year.

The 1995 Saturn SL was the most stolen vehicle in 2003 (a design flaw that allowed the vehicle to be started simply by jamming a screwdriver in the ignition and turning probably contributed to this^{[citation needed]}), while the 1994 SL (with the same flaw) took third place in CCC Information Services's 2003 most stolen vehicle report. [3]

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 and Pontiac G5.

• Detailed year-to-year model changes

v • d • e Saturn, a division of General Motors, automobile timeline, 1990s-present
Type	1990s									2000s
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Compact	S-Series					S-Series							ION					Astra
Mid-size										L-Series							Aura
Crossover												VUE						VUE
																	Outlook
Minivan															Relay
Roadster																	Sky