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Saturn Coupe in two versions embarks on a second generation
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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JENNER, Calif. -- Cinch that seatbelt tight and get a good grip going: We're running up to redline in racy tests of a curvy new coupe and the best stuff's still to come on serpentine coils of blacktop winding with the Russian River on a redwood-shrouded route to the California coast.
For an aggressive motorist manipulating turn sets like a rallye driver, the 2-lane river road through Guernerville presents a thrilling challenge, with corkscrew corners and switchback sections of pavement.
To play it right takes a sport-tuned machine, as you might assume.
Thankfully, this slick little tester totes the kind of suspension and steering and powertrain components which make driving so satisfying.
There's power underfoot when you need it, the shifter feels tight and controllable, rack and pinion steering's quick in response to the slightest flick of driver's wrist, as various independent suspension gizmos smooth out road bumps and check body roll through so many hard corners.
From the driver's seat, instruments in analog design stand where you can see them best, visibility appears generous, the form-fitted front bucket seat feels firm but comfy and a 3-point belt system pins your posterior in place without intruding.
Overall, the coupe behaves itself with active manners which generate excitement and fun on four wheels.
Saturn, it seems, has produced an assertive new generational edition of its original subcompact coupe with gutsy mechanical equipment that develops sporty flavors.
It features sleek shapes outside in a classy look, yet this one's not expensive.
An examination of price points reveals a range of mid-teen figures beginning as low as $12,500.
This first revision of Saturn's coupe, which traces to angular introductory models in 1990, represents a dramatic step ahead in terms of contemporary systems added to enhance safety, comfort and performance.
As the newest brand from General Motors, Saturn through seven annual models stocked a line of sedans and wagons and coupes which remained essentially the same as the originals. Some improvements in 1995 included a boost in power for the base coupe, revamped interior with new instrument panel, plus safety systems added like airbags.
Remarkably, Saturn's delay in modernizing its line failed to dampen consumer enthusiasm because the brand consistently earns high marks in surveys measuring product quality and sales satisfaction -- and Saturn ranks above other brands in terms of customer loyalty and resale value.
Then last year a new generation of sedans emerged.
Changes for Saturn's three 1996 sedans extended beyond integral safety elements and external styling to revisions in chassis designs with new structural support elements, upgraded interiors and improved powertrains with more spirited performances and improved fuel economy numbers.
Saturn's design for two 1997 coupe models spins off from the improved sedans, as coupes ride on the same wheelbase and carry essentially the same chassis components.
The two coupes -- SC1 and SC2 -- differ primarily in terms of power output and upgraded interior features.
Each receives a daring new exterior shell with sharply streamlined forms suggesting action. The nose tapers to a virtual point, and the dramatic slope of front hood mirrors an aggressive slant to the bold windshield.
Pillars supporting the roof have been de-emphasized so from certain angles the car looks like it carries the canopy of a fighter jet.
In back a broad band of lights wraps from side to side.
As with previous Saturns, the coupes support body panels constructed from molded polymer. This pliable plastic resembles sheetmetal but flexes in the face of parking-lot mishaps like encounters with grocery carts.
Amazingly, the panel snaps back to original shape following such a collision, leaving no dent or ding, and no chipped paint. All cars should have such sides.
The new streamlined shape of Saturn's two coupes conceal changes which occur throughout the structure to make these cars easier to drive and certainly more fun.
A week's worth of home tests proved that point.
Increases in dimensions for wheelbase (+3.2-inch), overall length (+6.8 inches) and height (+1.6-inch) produce significant gains in interior space, particularly in room for passenger heads and legs.
On the inside, front bucket seats for driver and front rider were improved with new fabrics and raised cushion height. Also, the track for driver's seat was extended rearward to gain even more legroom.
A modular dash houses instruments and twin airbags.
The two side doors now contain steel reinforcements to protect occupants from the forces of side impacts.
With new sound deadening insulation, engine noise has been drastically reduced.
Then for power Saturn shoppers get two choices.
Both coupes carry an aluminum 1.9-liter 4-in-line engine produced exclusively by Saturn. The single-cam edition generates 100 horsepower and shows up in Saturn's base SC1 coupe, but the SC2 installs twin cams to boost output to 124 hp.
Either the standard manual 5-speed transmission or an optional automatic 4-speed applies to these engines. The automatic gets new fuzzy logic computer components in the powertrain control module to govern shift patterns after studying the driver's initial performance habits.
Chassis and suspension systems for Saturn's sedans continue from the previous editions, only with evolutionary improvements and new tires on the ground to improve ride quality and road handling capability.
Despite these changes and equipment added, prices reflect only modest increases over last year's models.
The entry SC1 coupe, for instance, applies only $300 more to the bottom line, which now totals to $12,495. The more powerful SC2 with upgraded equipment also lists for only $400 more, beginning at $13,695.
1997 SATURN SC COUPES
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1997 SATURN SC COUPE Specs |
| Description: |
Subcompact coupe |
| Model Options: |
Subcompact coupe |
| Wheelbase: |
102.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
180.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 1.9-L I4
DOHC 1.9-L I4
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum
SC1: Opt. ABS
SC2: Opt. 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
SC1-M/5: 28/40 mpg
SC2-M/5: 27/37 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 12,500 to $ 17,000 |
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