Photo submitted THE SATURN SC Coupe is one of the few North American-made sporty coupes on the market. Equipped with front-wheel-drive, a 123-horsepower 1.9 litre four- cylinder engine, and a simple, functional and roomy interior, the SC Coupe has a base manufacturer's suggested retail price of $14,620. THE CHASM between those who prefer domestic cars and those who like im- ports is quite wide, and convincing either side to _ switch camps is a difficult task. Nevertheless, North American -car manufacturers have lost many customers to imports over the years, particularly in the economy car segment. Now they are trying to convince import buyers to return to the domestic fold, a task that will probably take many years THE SATURN‘S simple white-on-black instruments (including ta- chometer) are placed'in a raised hood behind the tilt steering- wheel, and ventilation, heater, and stereo controls are positioned in the centre console, within easy reach. Saturn SC coupe New sporty coupe has user-friendly features to achieve, if it can be achieved at all. One of General Motors’ better ideas was to build a car that im- itated the best features of the best-selling import cars (remember when the Japanese did that?). Saturn automobiles look, feel, and drive like Japanese subcompasts, and they’re cheaper. Though this sounds like an instant formu: for success, don’t look for Saturn to displace Honda or Toyota just yet. The hard part is establishing a reputation for reliability, quality, and good service, something that will take years to accomplish. Saturn automobiles were designed, developed and built in the United States, and are unlike any other domestic cars (except for those that are really imports but badged as domestics). Saturns are nimble, fun to drive, fuel- efficient, roomy, and seemingly well put together. The four-door, front-wheel-drive Saturn sedan that was introduced to Canadians last year is enjoying brisk sales, despite its rather piain appearance and untried presence in the market place. The other Saturn automobile, the two-door sports coupe, is not as well known, and is up against some pretty stiff competition in- cluding the Mazda MX-3, Toyota Paseo, and Nissan NX. Never- theless, the SC Coupe stacks up rather well. The front-wheel-drive Saturn SC Coupe seats four, and comes with a standard 123-horsepower, Price as tested $16,505 Base price $14,620 Type two-docr, four-passenger coupe Layou! transverse front engine/rear wheel drive Engine 1,901 cc 1.9 litre four- cylinder, DOHC, 16 valves, multi-port fuel injection Horsepower 123 @ 6,000 rpm Torque 121 ft.-lbs. $ 4,800 tpm we 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. Electronic, multi-port fuel. injection for quick, sure starts is standard. The engine provides peppy perfor- mance, but it is not quite as smooth and free-revving as some or its competitors. It is, however, significantly better than most other domestic four-cylinder powerplants, and provides a good combination of low-end torque, highway cruising ability, and good fuel economy, averaging 8.1 litres per 106 kilometres (36 mpg). A smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and an equally smooth four-speed automatic transmission is available as an option, The electronically-controlled automatic transmission has driver-selectable Normal and Performance modes for economi&l or sportier shift patterns. Transmission five-speed man- ual {four-speed automatic, electronically controlled, Nor- mai/Performance modes) 1,077 kg/2,375 Curb weight Ibs. Wheelbase 2,520 mm/99.2 in. Length 4,465 mm/175.8 in. ‘Width 1,714 mm/67.5 in. Height 1,286 mm/50.6 in. Tires P195/60R-15 radials Trunk space 309 litres/10.9 Greg Wilson AUTOMOTION The handling and ride of the SC Coupe are very good. Its fully in- dependent suspension (MacPher- son strut up front, independent tri-link in the rear), provides a Stable, firm ride that is comforta- See Interior page 26 cu.ft. Fuel economy City 9.9 1/100 km, 29 mpg; Hwy. 6.6 1/100 km, 43 mpg Warranty Basic 60,000 km; Powertrain yrs./100,000 km three yrs./ five Check out the Saturn SC coupe at Morrey Saturn Saab Isuzu, 4444 Loughheed Hwy, Bur- naby.