THE story of the
Saturn S-Series sedans is
probably as interesting
as the cars themselves.

The first S-Series sedan,
introduced in 1990, was GM’s
answer to the Honda Civic
and Toyota Corolla. It was a
clean-shect design produced in
an all-new Saturn manufactur-
ing plant in Spring Hill,
Tennessee. The Spring Hill
plant introduced Japanese-style
guality contol methods, team
decision-making, and other
successful Japanese production
methods such as the ability of
assembly-line workers to stop
the assembly line at any time.

The first model imitated,
and in some areas, improved
upon the design of its import
competitors. It offered a fuel-
efficient overhead-cam tour-
cylinder engine, a fully inde-
pendent suspension, nimble
handling and steering, and a
reasonable price. It also
offered some unique features
such as its dent-resistant, rust-
proof polymer body panels.

Though the S-Series didn’t
replace the Civic and Corolla
as North America’s best-selling
small car, it did provide North
Amenican buyers with a home-
grown, statistically-reliable alternative in the small sedan marker.

Still, it’s been no easy task for the S-Series to keep up with
import competitors. While Toyota and Honda redesign their
models every four years, it took six years to redesign the first
Sarurn (in 1996), And though the 2000 S-Series has been
restyled and updated, a completely redesigned S-Series may be
another couple of years away.

Freshened appearance

As before, there are three Sarurn S-Series sedan models, the
SL, SLI, and SL2 Touring Sedan, and one wagon model: the
$W2 station wagon. The SW1 wagon was discontinued for 2000.

The restyled 2000 $-Series sedans now have a strong “family”
resemblance to the SC coupe and the new, mid-sized LS sedan.
Like their Saturn siblings, the S-Series headlamps are larger and
curvier, the front bumper is more aerodynamic, and the restyled
taillights wrap around the tail. Almost all the body panels are
new: fenders, bumpers, hood, doors and quarter panels — only
the trunklid and roof have been carried over.

Highway, Burnaby.

Other exterior differences include larger P185/65R-14 inch
tires on base models and new wheel covers and optional alloy
wheels.

Restyfed interior

While exterior changes to the 2000 Saturn SL.2 are mostly
cosmetic, interior design changes have improved the overall finc-
tionality of the instrument panel and seating positions.

The previous semi-circular instrument hood has been replaced
by a larger one that extends towards the passenger side. “The new
dash features a larger instrument cluster, including a tachometer
and a new oil-change monitor, all on a black background to pre-
vent glare. Like other Saturns, die SL2 has an unusual horizontal
dial for fan speed, but heat and ventilation controls are the more
commnion dial type.

The steering wheel now has a centre horn button instead of
those annoying horn buttons on the spokes, and the cruise con-

See Instruments page 28

Friday, July 14. 2000 - North Shore News - 25

NEWS photo Julie Iverson

SATURN’S compact sedans, the SL, SL1 and SL2, have been given a freshened appearance for the 2000 model year, and a redesigned
interior. Built in Spring Hill, Tennessee, these American compact sedans are noted for their good fuel economy, nimble handling, above-
average reliability record, and ding-resistant, rust-proof polymer body panels. Test drive the Saturns at Morrey Saturn, 4451 Lougheed

At A Glance

“Exterior changes to the 2000
Saturn SL2 are mostly cosmetic,
but interior design changes
have impreved the overall func-
tionality of the instrument panel
and seating positions.”

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