Saturn successfully completed its first series of small cars. Now it's poised for the next generation. General Motors' upstart Saturn division, was formed in 1985 with a mission to boldly go out and domestically manufacturer small cars that turned a profit. Clings and time warps were the least of Saturn's problems. Worthy warriors like Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Honda posed the biggest threat. During the 1980s, these foreign rivals set their phasers on 'stun,' putting a stranglehold on the small- car market. Their well-constructed vessels miserly sipped fuel, while currency exchanges rates made Japanese products less expensive to American consumers. Saturn's crew had its work cut out. Well, it's now the 1990s, and the automobile universe has changed remarkably. The Japanese yen has strengthened, making domestically-made vehicles more economically appealing. The Big Three automakers have energized themselves, with sweeping technological and management changes, leveling out the small-car playing field. The first generation of front-wheel drive Saturns went on sale in the fall of 1990 as '91 vehicles. The 1996 model year marks the division's first major redesign of its sedans and wagons. Two-door coupes receive mechanical updates for 1996, but don't get a major exterior face lift until the 1997 model year. Currently, Saturn manufacturers three sedans (SL, SL1 and SL2), two coupes SC1, SC2) and two four-door wagons(SW1, SW2). All Saturns are manufactured at the company's employee-friendly Spring Hill, Tenn. plant. New generation sedans arrived at suburban dealerships in August. The 1996 wagons beam down in mid October. The Saturn crew, however, was thoughtful enough to ship down pre-production 1996 Saturn SW2 wagons for members of the media to pilot. The average price increase for 1996 base models is approximately 2.9 percent. Saturn's least-expensive model, the entry-level SL Sedan starts at $10,495. The SW2 Wagon starts at $12,695. Our pre-production test model was loaded with options including automatic transmission, power locks and windows, air conditioning, cruise control and anti-lock brakes with traction control. The bottom line was $18,445. The first generation of Saturns were generally well received by the media, but they weren't without faults. Noise, especially from the four-cylinder engine, seeped into the passenger compartment and was a common complaint. Engineers addressed this challenge in new models by insulating numerous areas, including the dashboard, and constructing the vehicles with fewer parts. One of the wagon's most notable exterior redesigns is a higher, rounder, roof line with C-shaped rear-door pillars. Visually, its a sleeker arrangement. Also new are narrow, plastic, inward-bending, lipped channels which keep rainwater away from drivers when opening doors or windows. Daytime running lights, which automatically illuminate when the car starts, are also standard. All doors, front and rear fenders and the liftgate continue to be produced from ding-resistant polymer materials. The hood and roof panels are steel. The hatch area boasts a new lipped pocket, making it easier to open and close the back door. The rear, red stop lamp is now positioned on the inside top of the rear glass. Also new this year is an optional, keyless entry system, This unlocks the driver's doors and activates the dome light with one press of a key fob. A second touch unlocks all doors. While the exterior is strikingly different, the wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) remains unchanged from last year at 102.4 inches. The wagons overall length of 176.8 inches, is also unchanged. The engines also remain virtually unchanged from last year. The more potent 1.9-liter, four-cylinder, double overhead cam engine with 124 horsepower continues under the SW2's hood. SW1 models feature a single overhead cam, four-cylinder engine with 100 horsepower. One notable addition is an updated sequential port fuel injection system. Interior headroom is increased by nearly one-half inch. Temperature and stereo controls are positioned between the driver and front-seat passenger in a black, square-shaped console which resembles a small, portable television. Rear window defogger and traction control buttons are found on top of this console. For the first time, Saturn offers traction control on vehicles with manual transmissions. This system automatically engages when the engine is turned on, and can be manually turned off. Saturn's dashboard layout is new. Gauges are smartly positioned and easy to read. Dual cup holders are found between the front bucket seats ahead of the floor mounted transmission. A removable ashtray fits into one of the cup holders. Side mirror adjustments and power window levers are also located between the bucket seats. All Saturns have dual airbags standard. Remote rear-hatch release and fuel door release knobs are on the floor, left of the driver's bucket seat. The door-mounted power lock buttons are large and easy to operate even in the dark. Three adults can fit relatively comfortably in the back seat, which can be folded down, enhancing cargo space. Saturn gets high marks for a well-designed owner's manual. This hard-cover, four-color booklet is written in everyday language, not techno babble, with useful graphics and easy-to-follow glossary. Saturn's customer-friendly approach of selling cars has been well received. Its no-haggle selling philosophy, which all 325 Saturn dealerships participate in, provides a set price upfront with no hidden charges, eliminating the need for customers and salespeople to dicker back and forth. The showrooms are designed in an open, friendly and non-threatening manner. Saturn wagons get better-than-average fuel economy. Our vehicle registered 24 miles per gallon in city driving, and 34 m.p.g. on the highway. The fuel tank holds 12.8 gallons of unleaded gasoline. A fuel cap holder on the inside of the square fuel door is also new. Saturn's next generation of wagons should keep customers trekking to dealerships for millenniums to come. |