The Saturn S-series is a family of
compact car
Compact car is a vehicle size class — predominantly used in North America — that sits between subcompact cars and mid-size cars. "Small family car" is a British term and a part of the C-segment in the European car classification. However, p ...
s from the
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, after Jupiter. It is a gas giant with an average radius of about nine and a half times that of Earth. It has only one-eighth the average density of Earth; h ...
automobile
A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with Wheel, wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, Car seat, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport private transport#Personal transport, pe ...
company of General Motors. Saturn pioneered the brand-wide "no-haggle" sales technique.
The
automobile platform
A car platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components, over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of cars, often from different, but somewhat related, marques. It is pract ...
, the
Z-body, was developed entirely
in-house
Outsourcing is an agreement in which one company hires another company to be responsible for a planned or existing activity which otherwise is or could be carried out internally, i.e. in-house, and sometimes involves transferring employees and ...
at Saturn, and it shared very little with the rest of the
General Motors
The General Motors Company (GM) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is the largest automaker in the United States and ...
model line. It implemented a
spaceframe
In architecture and structural engineering, a space frame or space structure ( 3D truss) is a rigid, lightweight, truss-like structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames can be used to span large areas with ...
design, used on the
Pontiac Fiero
The Pontiac Fiero is a mid-engine sports car manufactured and marketed by Pontiac (automobile), Pontiac for model years 1984-1988. Designed by George Milidrag and Hulki Aldikacti as a sports car, it was the first two-seater Pontiac (automobile) ...
during the 1980s, with non-load-carrying side panels made of
plastic
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as a main ingredient. Their plasticity makes it possible for plastics to be moulded, extruded or pressed into solid objects of various shapes. This adaptab ...
instead of
metal
A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...
. These
polymer
A polymer (; Greek '' poly-'', "many" + ''-mer'', "part")
is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules called macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. Due to their broad spectrum of properties, both synthetic a ...
panels were dent-resistant, something that remained a selling point for Saturn until just a few years before the Saturn brand was discontinued.
The S series was marketed from the fall of 1990 for the 1991 model year through the end of the 2002 model year. Significant design updates were made in 1996, 1997, and 2000 for all cars. Although nearly every year of the S-series's existence brought some minor changes to the architecture of the car, each model kept the same basic body styling throughout its respective production period.
History
The S-series debuted for model year 1991 with the Sport Coupe (SC) and Sedan Level (SL) models. The SC was only available with the DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam) engine whereas the SLs had an option for the SOHC (Single Overhead Cam) engine (SL1) or the DOHC (SL2).
For the 1993 model year, the SC gained an SOHC option (SC1) in addition to the existing DOHC option (SC2, renamed from SC). The SL & SC families were joined by the SW (Station Wagon) models, in both SW1 and SW2 flavors.
The S series all used either the
SOHC LK0/L24 or the
DOHC LL0 version of the completely original, designed in-house
Saturn 1.9L engine. SL1s, SC1s, and SW1s were only offered with the
MP2 manual transmission and the
MP6
The Rise mP6 was a superpipelined and superscalar microprocessor designed by Rise Technology to compete with the Intel Pentium line.
History
Rise Technology had spent 5 years developing a x86 compatible microprocessor, and finally introduced ...
automatic, while SL2, SC2 and SW2 models came with either the
MP3
MP3 (formally MPEG-1 Audio Layer III or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III) is a coding format for digital audio developed largely by the Fraunhofer Society in Germany, with support from other digital scientists in the United States and elsewhere. Origin ...
manual or
MP7 automatic. The only difference in each case is the selection of gear ratios, with the SOHC-associated transmissions being geared taller for more efficiency, and the DOHC-associated transmissions having shorter, more closely spaced ratios for performance. As a result, it's not uncommon for enthusiast-owners to swap a tall-geared MP2 manual into a car equipped with a DOHC engine for better fuel economy on the highway.
Aside from the engine and transmission, the level 2 models also included 15-inch instead of 14-inch wheels, a correspondingly larger tire size, EVO steering, a rear
swaybar, the option of rear
disc brakes
A disc brake is a type of brake that uses the calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or a "rotor" to create friction. This action slows the rotation of a shaft, such as a vehicle axle, either to reduce its rotational speed or to hol ...
(standard on the 1991-1992 SC), color-matched bumpers and door handles, and more interior options such as power locks, power windows, rear defroster, & a sunroof (SC2 only). Aside from the wheel size, it was almost impossible to tell a 1 from a 2 externally, except for the SC2s which had
retractable headlamps
Hidden headlamps, also commonly known as pop-up headlamps, pop-up headlights, flip-eye headlamps, or hideaway headlights, are a form of automotive lighting and an automotive styling feature that conceals an automobile's headlamps when they are not ...
throughout model year 1996.
A redesign beginning with the 1999 model year gave the SC a small
suicide door
A suicide door is an automobile door hinged at its rear rather than the front. Such doors were originally used on horse-drawn carriages, but are rarely found on modern vehicles, primarily because they are perceived as being less safe than a fron ...
(more correctly a clamshell door) on the driver's side to improve rear-seat access. This type of door had previously been used in extended cab
pickup truck
A pickup truck or pickup is a light-duty truck that has an enclosed cabin, and a back end made up of a cargo bed that is enclosed by three low walls with no roof (this cargo bed back end sometimes consists of a tailgate and removable covering) ...
s, but was an innovation in
coupe
A coupe or coupé (, ) is a passenger car with a sloping or truncated rear roofline and two doors.
The term ''coupé'' was first applied to horse-drawn carriages for two passengers without rear-facing seats. It comes from the French past parti ...
design.
The level 1 S-series equipped with a
manual transmission
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission (mechanics), transmission ...
were among the most
fuel-efficient
Fuel efficiency is a form of thermal efficiency, meaning the ratio of effort to result of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier ( fuel) into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, ...
car
A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods.
The year 1886 is regarded as ...
s available in the United States when they were produced, reaching in
EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it be ...
highway tests at the time (this would likely translate to under current methodologies).
The S-series was replaced by the
Saturn ION
The Saturn Ion is a compact car sold by Saturn between the 2003 and 2007 model years. It used the GM Delta platform. The Ion replaced the Saturn S-Series in 2002,
and was replaced by the new Saturn Astra in 2008. Production of the Ion ended on Ma ...
for model year 2003.
Export markets
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the nort ...
and Japan were the only two Asian countries to import Saturns. From 1992 to 1996, the first- and second-generation sedans plus the first-generation coupes were sold in Taiwan. From 1997 to 2001, the second-generation versions were sold in
right-hand drive
Left-hand traffic (LHT) and right-hand traffic (RHT) are the practices, in bidirectional traffic, of keeping to the left side or to the right side of the road, respectively. They are fundamental to traffic flow, and are sometimes referred to ...
in Japan. Some ''
Toyota Netz
Toyota vehicles in Japan are distributed to numerous dealership chains throughout the country. Up to May 2020, each dealership chain had a different product offering, with some models restricted to one chain to maintain exclusivity. Since May 2020, ...
'' dealerships and former
Isuzu dealerships also offered Saturn products until 2001.
Canada imported all available Saturn models from 1992 onward.
First generation
First generation SL
![1993 Saturn SL1 1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/1993_Saturn_SL1_1.9L_rear_6.13.18.jpg)
The first generation SL was constructed for model years 1991 through 1995, with the first Saturn rolling off the assembly line in the
Spring Hill, Tennessee
Spring Hill is a city in Maury and Williamson counties, Tennessee, located approximately south of Nashville. Spring Hill's population as of 2020 was 50,005. Spring Hill is recognized as the 4th fastest growing city in Tennessee by the U.S. Cen ...
factory on July 30, 1990, the same day that then-CEO of GM,
Roger Bonham Smith
Roger Bonham Smith (July 12, 1925 – November 29, 2007) was the chairman and CEO of General Motors Corporation from 1981 to 1990, and is widely known as the main subject of Michael Moore's 1989 documentary film ''Roger & Me''.
Smith seeme ...
, retired. It was maroon with a tan interior.
From 1991 to 1992, the Saturn SL-series Sedan trim levels consisted of the SL, the SL1, and the SL2.
The base SL model featured the
MP2 5-speed manual transmission only, and it had manual steering. On the exterior, the car featured unique hubcaps different from the SL1 and came equipped with only a driver's side exterior mirror (a passenger mirror was a popular dealer-installed option). On the inside, the SL featured an AM/FM radio with no cassette player and a lower-grade cloth material on the seats. No factory options such as power windows, power locks, air conditioning, or cruise control were available on the SL. The SL1 trim level added power steering, a passenger mirror, different hubcaps for the 14-inch wheels, an AM/FM cassette player, and softer cloth material on the seats. It featured as standard equipment the same MP2 manual or the
MP6
The Rise mP6 was a superpipelined and superscalar microprocessor designed by Rise Technology to compete with the Intel Pentium line.
History
Rise Technology had spent 5 years developing a x86 compatible microprocessor, and finally introduced ...
4-speed automatic transmission could be had as an option. The SL1 could be optioned with power windows, power locks, power mirror (passenger side only - driver's side retained manual control), cruise control, and air conditioning. Both were offered only with the
SOHC 1.9L I4 "LKO" engine that produced , which was rated at 27 mpg (8.7L/100 km/32 mpg) City, 34 mpg (6.9L/100 km; 41 mpg) Highway. The SL2 trim level featured the
MP3
MP3 (formally MPEG-1 Audio Layer III or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III) is a coding format for digital audio developed largely by the Fraunhofer Society in Germany, with support from other digital scientists in the United States and elsewhere. Origin ...
5-speed manual transmission, or the
MP7 4-speed automatic transmission, both exclusively with the
DOHC 1.9L I4 LL0 engine that was rated at , 24 mpg (9.8L/100 km; 29 mpg) City, 34 mpg (6.9L/100 km; 41 mpg) Highway. The SL2 also brought body-color bumpers, 15-inch steel wheels (alloys were optional), and higher spec cloth on the seats (including the seatbacks - on SL and SL1 the seatbacks were vinyl). SL2's could be optioned with power windows, locks, mirror (again, pass. side only), cruise control, air conditioning, sunroof, and leather seats. Anti-lock brakes were available as an option as well, which brought along rear disc brakes.
For the 1995 model year, the seatbelts were changed from the power passive restraint type to the conventional 3-point type. The interior of the vehicle was redesigned with a new dashboard and the addition of a front passenger's airbag. The center console was updated as well, adding previously absent cup holders. Also for 1995, the SOHC (LK0) engine was given
MPFI
Manifold injection is a mixture formation system for internal combustion engines with external mixture formation. It is commonly used in engines with spark ignition that use petrol as fuel, such as the Otto engine, and the Wankel engine. In a mani ...
to create the L24 engine.
The S-series had a fuel tank, which means that both cars got around on a single tank based on average of . Owners of the base model typically report real-world fuel mileage of about 38–41 mpg
-US (6.2–5.7 L/100 km; 46–49 mpg
-imp) on the highway with the manual transmission.
First generation SW
![1st-Saturn-SW-rear](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/1st-Saturn-SW-rear.jpg)
For the 1993 model year, a station wagon variant of the SL was added to the model lineup. This was offered in SW1 and SW2 trim levels. The station wagon used the same doors as the sedan, but the bodywork behind the C-pillar and the roof differed.
First generation SC
The first generation Saturn SC coupes were made from 1990 until 1996. The first generation Saturn SC coupes were originally only available in one trim level which was the SC.
The 1990-1992 Saturn SC featured a DOHC 1.9-liter ''LL0''
inline-four engine
A straight-four engine (also called an inline-four) is a four-cylinder piston engine where cylinders are arranged in a line along a common crankshaft.
The vast majority of automotive four-cylinder engines use a straight-four layout (with the ...
that was rated at . For the 1993 model year, the original regular SC coupe model was renamed as the SC2 and a new SC1 trim level was introduced. For the 1994 model year, the SC1 and the SC2 had both gotten revised power door locks and a recalibrated automatic transmission. The first generation SC2 had received a minor refresh in 1995 in which the lower front bumper and the vehicle's taillights were both updated. For the 1995 model year, both the SC1 and the SC2 had gotten a redesigned interior with a new redesigned dashboard with a front passenger's airbag.
The first generation SC1 coupe featured a SOHC 1.9-liter ''LKO'' inline-four engine that was rated at . The SC1's engine was later upgraded to the L24 engine for the 1995 model year.
The first generation Saturn SC1 coupes shared the same fixed headlight front fascia as the SL sedans and the SW station wagons, rather than the
pop-up headlight design used on the SC2 and the original SC. The SC1 also lacked a rear trunk lid reflector and a rear stabilizer bar.
SL3
For the 1994 model year, a highest-trim "SL3" model was planned. Saturn owner's manuals from this period made mention to the SL3- it would have featured an SC front end on an SL2 body, with all options as standard. An inline-six engine derived from the 1.9L was to be offered.
File:1992 Saturn SC2, front right side (Hershey 2019).jpg, 1992 Saturn SC (pre-facelift)
File:1st-Saturn-SC.jpg, 1995-1996 Saturn SC2
File:1993-96 Saturn SC1, front left.jpg, 1995-1996 Saturn SC1
Second generation
Second generation SL and SW
![Saturn SW1 -- 01-28-2010](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Saturn_SW1_--_01-28-2010.jpg)
The second generation SL sedans and SW station wagons were made from 1996 to 1999. They had both featured a completely redesigned exterior. The interior was mostly the same as on the first generation vehicles, while mechanically they went largely untouched. The redesigned second generation S-series went on sale in 1995 for the 1996 model year.
A few minor changes were made for the 1998 model year S-series vehicles. Due to multiple complaints about the noise coming from the vehicle's trip odometer that had been in all of the Saturn S-series since 1995, had replaced with a new type of trip odometer in an effort to correct the problem. For the 1998 model year, a new cluster with a digital trip odometer had been introduced. Rear disc-brakes were no longer available as an option on the S series due to high costs for them as well as very little improvement in braking performance over the conventional rear drum-brakes setup.
Beginning with all of the Saturn S-series vehicles that were made in late 1999 (sometimes referred to as 1999.5 models) had received improvements to both the SOHC and the DOHC engines in the S series. These changes included revised pistons, new connecting rods, and new crankshaft counterweights in the engine as well. The Twin Cam cylinder head had now featured a new roller-rocker setup with hydraulic tappets and roller cams replacing the conventional bucket lifter setup of the previous engine in the S series.
Also introduced for the 1999 model year S-series vehicles that were sold in California was a different type of exhaust manifold that housed an upstream catalytic converter (this converter had heated up much faster than the conventional unit, and it had also decreased exhaust emissions faster as well), and it also had provisions for an air-injection reaction system (This had injected fresh air into the exhaust to reduce hydrocarbons during the startup of the vehicle, as it would help the oxygen sensors and catalytic converters reach their operating temperatures faster). These vehicles were made to meet the all-new CARB ULEV standards for the 1999 model year.
Second generation SC
![2nd-Saturn-SC](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/2nd-Saturn-SC.jpg)
The second generation SC coupes were made from 1997 until 2002. The second generation SC coupes had also moved to the longer wheelbase that the SL sedans and the SW station wagons had used, resulting in an equal wheelbase length across all S-series models. The redesign had resulted in a more curved look for the SC coupes, which gave a slight increase in the vehicle's interior room/space, as well as a completely redesigned exterior of the vehicle itself. For the 1999 model year, a front-opening clamshell door was added to the driver's side of the vehicle. Even though this door on the driver's side of the vehicle had allowed easier access into the vehicle's rear seat, the driver's seat in the vehicle was also able to slide forward to allow easy access to the vehicle's rear seat as well. As a clamshell door, the rear driver's side door could not open unless the front door was open, because the door handle was on the inside of the door itself. Like the first generation SC coupes, the SC1 model lacked a rear sway bar.
Third generation
Third generation SL and SW
![00-02 Saturn SL 2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/00-02_Saturn_SL_2.jpg)
In 1999 for the 2000 model year, the Saturn S-series had been redesigned for the final time before being discontinued in 2002. This resulted in the third generation Saturn S-series.
The exterior of the Saturn SL sedans received new body panels from the belt-line down. The rear end of the SL sedans received a redesigned applique on the trunk, and the headlights of the SL sedans had received orange turn signal indicators.
The interior of all the Saturn S-series models received a completely redesigned dashboard, center console, and steering wheel, but the rest of the interiors were mostly unchanged. The SL2, SW2, and SC2 got the storage compartment with a sliding armrest in the center console as standard, whereas the SL1, SW1, and SC1 did not.
Like the 1999 model year SL sedans and the 1999 model year SW station wagons that were made in late in 1999, the 2000 model year SL sedans and the 2000 model year SW station wagons had also included a digital trip odometer, which did not cause any issues like the analog trip odometers that were used in the 1991-early 1999 model year S-series vehicles.
The third generation Saturn S-series was also the first Saturn to use the body control module (BCM), and the powertrain control module (PCM) systems in tandem with each other. In the third generation Saturn S-series models, the PCM system was used strictly for the vehicle's transmission and engine, whereas the BCM system was used strictly for the vehicle's interior functions such as the digital trip odometer and speedometer.
Beginning with the 2001 model year, side curtain airbags became available as an optional feature. The optional side curtain airbags were only available on the 2001 to 2002 model Saturn SL1 and SL2 sedans.
Third generation SC
![01-02 Saturn SC-b](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/01-02_Saturn_SC-b.jpg)
The third generation of Saturn SC continued to be available in SC1 and SC2 models. While retaining the previous generation's bodywork, it was facelifted with redesigned fascias front and rear, as well as new headlamps and tail lamps. The front fenders and door panels were also changed, continuing the character line all the way down to the fog light beneath the front bumper. A PCM and BCM were added. A new GT trim package had become available for the Saturn SC coupes for the 2001 model year, along with the option of American Racing Wheels that was only available on the GT version of the Saturn SC coupes. A rear spoiler on the vehicle's rear trunk lid was also made available for the 2001 to 2002 model year Saturn SC GT coupes.
Special edition Saturns
![1991-1995 Saturn SL2 -- 03-16-2012](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/1991-1995_Saturn_SL2_--_03-16-2012.JPG)
A special Homecoming edition of the SL2 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
Spoiler is a security vulnerability on modern computer central processing units that use speculative execution. It exploits side-effects of speculative execution to improve the efficiency of Rowhammer and other related memory and cache attacks. Ac ...
, "teardrop" wheels, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, grey leather/cloth interior, rear headrests, fog lamps, and power locks and
window
A window is an opening in a wall, door, roof, or vehicle that allows the exchange of light and may also allow the passage of sound and sometimes air. Modern windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent materia ...
s. Options included a sunroof, CD player, and the 4-speed automatic with traction control.
In 1998 and 1999, prospective buyers of a red or white SC2 had the option of purchasing the "Black Top Coupe Package" for $225.00 (US). The models were referred to as the "Red Hot Coupe" or "White Hot Coupe", based on the exterior color. The package came with a black roof panel, black outside rearview mirrors, black emblems, white face gauges and black accented teardrop wheels. These are extremely rare.
In 1999, a second Homecoming Edition was produced in a special "Mint Color" with tan leather interior, special off-white gauge faceplates, and black Saturn badges to commemorate the second "Homecoming" visit to the Spring Hill, Tennessee manufacturing facility. The 1999 Homecoming Edition also had the same features offered as the 1994 Homecoming Edition.
![Saturn Limited Edition Interior-Seat](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Saturn_Limited_Edition_Interior-Seat.jpg)
In 2001, a special yellow SC2 coupé model was also built. The model was officially named "Limited Edition", but soon became known as the "Bumblebee Edition". 99 were produced, each with a certificate of authenticity. The "Bumblebee Edition" included embroidered headrests, black leather interior with yellow leather inserts on the seats and door panels, black roof and mirrors, number designation inside the fuel filler door, and a certificate of authenticity. These are not to be confused with the regular issue Yellow Sport Coupe.
For the 2001 model year only, a special edition of the Saturn SL2 sedan that was called the Saturn SL2 10th Anniversary Edition (also known as the Silver Anniversary Edition) was made available. The Saturn SL2 10th Anniversary Edition had included several upscale features that were not available on any other Saturn S-series vehicles like power windows, leather interior, standard side curtain airbags, and several other upscale features. The Saturn SL2 10th Anniversary Edition also had "Saturn 10th Anniversary" stitched onto the front seat adjustable leather headrests. The Saturn SL2 10th Anniversary Edition had also featured a rear spoiler on the vehicle's rear trunk lid.
Right-hand drive
In addition to the above-mentioned "Special Edition" Saturns; there was also the 1999–2001 Saturn SWP "Postal" station wagon that were produced (450 in 1999), intended to be marketed to rural route mail carriers. These station wagons were right-hand-drive vehicles.
There were also a limited number of Saturns that were exported to Japan as right-hand-drive vehicles circa between 1997 and 2000 (during the lifetime of the second-generation model). Aside from having the steering wheel on the other side, Japanese market Saturns were also fitted with slightly different light units. The rear lamps had amber turn signals and the front indicators were mounted closer to the corners rather than inboard. The SL and SW's engine displacement and dimensions were within the Japanese government's
dimension regulations and engine tax brackets (as only 1.9-liter engines were offered for the second-generation models), although the SC did not meet the dimension regulations and would have been subjected to annual taxes.
Saturn faced a hard time in Japan, where it played directly into the strengths of the Japanese manufacturers, comparing unfavorably with better-priced and more competent Japanese compact cars.
The interior, especially, received criticism. A mere 602 units were sold in Saturn's first year in Japan (April to December 1997).
Another problem was that Japanese car dealers have always excelled at customer service; this meant that Saturn's main sales argument in the United States was meaningless in the Japanese market. The introduction of Saturn was also ill-timed, as the economy was in the midst of a
recession
In economics, a recession is a business cycle contraction when there is a general decline in economic activity. Recessions generally occur when there is a widespread drop in spending (an adverse demand shock). This may be triggered by various ...
due to the effects of the 1980s "
bubble economy
An economic bubble (also called a speculative bubble or a financial bubble) is a period when current asset prices greatly exceed their intrinsic valuation, being the valuation that the underlying long-term fundamentals justify. Bubbles can be ...
". As the Japanese had less money to spend on "luxury goods", as imported products are regarded, Saturn found very few buyers.
Theft
The 1995 Saturn SL was the most stolen vehicle in 2003, while the 1994 SL took third place in CCC Information Services's 2003
most stolen vehicle report.
According to the Lynnwood, Washington police department, when use of the key wears on the door and ignition mechanisms, a filed blank key can be used to open the door and start the engine.
Racing
Saturn SC's competed in the
SCCA World Challenge
The GT World Challenge America is a North American auto racing series launched in 1990 by the Sports Car Club of America. It has been managed by the Stephane Ratel Organisation since 2018, and has been sanctioned by the United States Auto Club s ...
in the 1990s, winning several races from 1995 to 1997.
Several S-series cars have been used as rally race cars. S-Series cars are also popular in dirt oval racing and autocross.
Safety
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
NHTSA
Production numbers
Listed below is a rough estimate on the numbers of S series produced from 1990 to 2002.
References
{{Saturn Corporation
Compact cars
Front-wheel-drive vehicles
S series S series or Series-S or ''variation'', may refer to:
Transportation
* Bedford S series, trucks
* Chevrolet S-series, pickup trucks
* GMC S-Series, school bus
* International S series, trucks
* International S series (bus chassis)
* S series (T ...
Coupés
Sedans
Station wagons
2000s cars
Cars introduced in 1990
Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States