REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Armageddon?

Saturn waited nine years before sending into orbit something other than its S-Series coupes, sedans and wagons. And the "other" is the range of L-Series sedans and wagons, which may not have reinvented the automobile (remember the corporation’s slogan?) but are entering the market with a trunkload of good ideas beamed down by GM’s other satellite operations.Before venturing inside, a few words on the L-Series’ esthetics. At first glance, it seems a shame that instead of trying for an original effect Saturn decided to copy a number of visual features found on the S-Series. Now take a second look. The hood line and the headlights that seem to wrap around the bumper look a lot like something you see on a Saab. The sedan’s taillights (without the large multicolored band that runs along the trunk) bear a definite resemblance to the Audi A6’s. What about the rear windshield? A bit like the Volvo (S80) or the Volkswagen (Passat), maybe? In any event, designers were under a decidedly European spell when they concocted these models’ forms and colors. And the impression extends to the interior. The tasteful presentation features quality materials that are good-looking and in most instances, good- feeling, as well. A shame that all that effort should be undermined by poor quality manufacturing.

The front doors open onto a bright interior, classically styled and inviting, with well-designed seats (but no side air bags). Seat adjustments are easy to use and ensure optimal passenger comfort. The surprisingly simple dashboard houses clear and easy-to-read instrumentation (only the automatic transmission speed indicator is missing) and within very easy reach the driver can find all of the controls that make life on the road a pleasant experience.

Rear seat passengers will find that doors open more than wide enough to make entry/exit a breeze, but they’ll be baffled at how long it takes to lower themselves onto the cushion. And whoever is assigned to the middle seat will have to cope with a lap belt and the lack of a third headrest. Too bad!

As for the trunk, unlike the cargo area found on competitive products, the sedan’s 495.2 litres can easily take on even jam-packed baggage. The wagon is just as accommodating, except that the new Legacy, to name only one model, lets little Johnny or Jane bring a few more toys to Grandma’s house (with 847 as opposed to 832 litres).

Before setting out, one small observation: the windshield wipers aren ’ t high enough and, more importantly, in the A- pillar area they hinder visibility to the point that driving in poor weather conditions is fairly hazardous.While the specifications for the LS and LW sedans are a partial photocopy of the Opel Vectra’s, Saturn swears that the components borrowed from its German cousin could almost fit into a thimble.

The in-line DOHC 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine has a 137-hp output, is smooth and responsive and promises to guzzle an average of only 10.2 litres of regular gasoline for every 100 km. All the better if its appetite for black gold is moderate, because this Saturn has a very small stomach: its tank holds only 49 litres at a time. Users should schedule more frequent stops when the alternative V6 engine is tucked under the hood.

Against all odds, the four-cylinder ( LS100 ) is very well suited not only to the model, but to the optional automatic transmission. Worried about cost? Saturn offers a standard manual transmission, courtesy of Saab. And Saturn engineers apparently managed to make a gear shift that ’ s much less rubbery and more precise.

Lighter from a number of standpoints, the four-cylinder version is more fun to drive and more agile than its counterpart, equipped with a 3.0-litre V6 (200 and 300). On the other hand, the V6 provides much better acceleration and pick-up and stays responsive regardless of how hard you choose to press down on the gas pedal. Even more astonishing, it runs quietly (startup and slowdown), a quality not found on previous models. (By the way, this is the same engine you ’ ll find under the hood of Saab 9-5.) With good road stability and a responsive and precise steering system (a bit too light for my taste), this Saturn has a front assembly that suffers absolutely no torque effect, even without a traction control system (an important option for drivers travelling in northern climes). When it comes to handling ease this Saturn does fairly well, but its turning radius (11.1 metres) can be a bit of a problem during parking maneuvers. The suspension is slightly stiff, although this doesn ’ t affect passenger comfort and is effective at preventing body roll. The standard disc/drum brake combination (the 200 and 300 have rear discs) is easy to gauge and sufficiently powerful. But with no anti-lock brake system (yet another option), the rear wheels on our Saturn test- drive models tended to lock during braking, throwing the car off balance.

Competitively-priced, fun to own and very safe-feeling, Saturn’s L-Series is definitely born under a lucky…planet!

PROS
Pleasing V-6
Handling ease
Comfortable front bucket seats

CONS
Ho-hum styling
Small gas tank
Insufficient brake power without ABS

CRASH TEST (five stars indicate the best protection)
Driver: * * * *
Passenger: * * *

Standard side head-curtain air bags
Standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with traction control
2003