It is larger, it has more creature comfort, it's larger, it's a
Saturn and it's larger. Combine European heritage with
Saturn's philosophy of doing things just a little differently than parent General Motors, and you get the all new
Saturn L-series. Simply put, these cars surprised the heck out of us.
What dealers and customers alike have been telling Saturn for quite awhile is, "give us a larger vehicle." That is exactly what Saturn has done. And they've produced a vehicle that exceeds our expectations.
Along with the need for a bigger car, Saturn has needed an influx of enthusiasm for its product lineup. Loyal Saturn customers have been forced to move to another brand to fulfill their needs for greater roominess and comfort. Well, they now have what they asked for. In fact, we believe they have gotten more than they bargained for. It is a big challenge to design something to compete against the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Volkswagen Passat and other highly capable mid-size sedans. However, it appears this totally new car from Saturn is up to the task.
Saturn likes to keep model selection simple, just like the rest of its buying experience. So, they have made the new LS available in three versions of the sedan plus two wagons. The sedan comes in LS, LS1 and LS2 versions. The wagon gets two models, the LW1 and the LW2. The LS, LS1 and LW1 are powered by the 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. The LS2 and LW2 are equipped with the larger, more powerful V6.
Though there are many platforms in the General Motors pipeline,
Saturn made a conscious decision to build its new large car on the same structure used by the Opel Vectra. (Opel, a highly respected German automaker, is a GM subsidiary.) Major changes were made to the structure. This new
Saturn sedan retains its German heritage, but is better suited for North American roads and the way we drive here. This platform appears to have been an excellent choice because the body structure is quite rigid.
Over this impressive structure are Saturn's trademark composite (plastic) body panels. Saturn continues to use these innovative composite panels because its customers have found that they resist rust and minor dents and dings. It also offers some important benefits during the manufacturing process. Unlike Saturn's smaller S-series of compact sedans and coupes, the L-series cars use steel for the rear fenders and trunk lid. Saturn engineers felt that a large car dictates a large cargo area and that this area must have the added rigidity facilitated by steel.
Even though this new Saturn is loosely based on the Vectra, body designers were adamant that the all new car retain its ties with the Saturn family. There is no mistaking the LS with anything but a Saturn. The car's rackish front hood and fender line, tied to the steep slope of the windshield, the swooping line of the rear doors combined to the high rear deck signals your visual sensors that you indeed are gazing upon a Saturn.
