“From the beginning, innovation has been a key to Saturn’s competitiveness," said Cynthia Trudell, chairman and president of Saturn. "The head curtain air bag, an exclusive Saturn technology designed to provide added protection in side-impact collisions, is the latest example of how this focus on innovation benefits
our customers.”

In addition to the new head curtain air bags, all 2001 S-Series sedans and wagons are enhanced with 100,000-mile automatic transmission fluid. Sedans will be equipped with another safety feature, an emergency trunk release handle that will be factory-installed beginning mid-year. In addition, for 2001 several features become standard on the base level SL sedan, including power steering, right-side manual exterior mirror and painted fascias. ”
 

More standard equipment than the base sedan

New for 2001

For the 2001 model year, Saturn has made the following improvements to the S-Series sedans and wagons:

• Front and rear head curtain air bags (optional on all vehicles).
• Painted fascias added as standard equipment on SL.
• Right-side manual exterior mirror added as standard equipment on SL.
• Power steering added as standard equipment on SL.
• Emergency trunk release handle (available mid-year).
• Extended life automatic transmission fluid (100,000 miles).
• New exterior colors: Black Silver and Cranberry.

Small-Car Value

When Saturn first launched its S-Series in 1990, it marked the beginning of a new and innovative way of developing and selling U.S.-manufactured small cars. From the very beginning, the collective voice of the customer has guided every aspect of Saturn’s business.

Small car customers expect a lot from their cars in terms of design, features and durability, but they also expect a good value. While the 2001 S-Series sedans and wagons have evolved significantly from their predecessors, they still remain a top value. In fact, for the seventh year in a row, IntelliChoice has selected the Saturn SL and SL1 as "The Best Overall Value of the Year" in the Compact Under $15,000 segment, and the Saturn SW2 wagon as "The Best Overall Value of the Year" in the Small Wagon segment.

Exterior

All S-Series models retain the dent-resistant polymer body panels that help keep Saturns looking new longer by helping to prevent parking-lot dings and rust. Exterior panels are covered with a universal primer-finisher before the application of an environmentally friendly waterborne basecoat color. As a finishing touch, a clear topcoat provides a rich appearance and a long-lasting finish.

A number of safety features are woven into the S-Series styling as well. For example, the front and rear bumper systems include an aluminum bar coupled with a honeycomb energy management design underneath one-piece injection-molded fascias. The combination is designed to meet or exceed all federal requirements, including protection up to five mph with no visible damage.

The SW2’s distinctly designed rear hatch is manufactured from sheet molding compound and is supported by counterbalanced gas struts. It automatically locks each time it is latched and can be easily released via an interior remote mechanism located alongside the driver seat or by key from the outside. The hatch also includes a standard rear wiper/washer system.

Base curb weight for SL1 models equipped with manual transmission and air conditioning is 2,331 pounds. A similarly equipped SL2 weighs in at 2,425 pounds. Base curb weight for a similarly equipped SW2 is 2,452 pounds.

Overall length for the Saturn sedan series is 178.1 inches, width stands at 66.4 inches and height at 55.0 inches. Overall length of the Saturn wagon is 178.1 inches, with a width of 66.4 inches and height of 55.6 inches.
 

Interior

The interior of the 2001 Saturn S-Series begins with an instrument panel design featuring a one-piece top cover for improved appearance and enhanced squeak and rattle performance. Contained within the instrument panel is an instrument cluster with telltale display to provide vehicle information to the driver.

The center console features storage for audio tapes, cupholders and provisions for an optional six-disc CD changer. On SL2 and SW2 models, the console also includes an armrest with fore/aft adjustment. Additional storage space can be found in the door panels, which include a provision for a 12-oz. soda can in the pocket.

For greater driver convenience and added safety, the horn button is located in the center of the steering wheel and cruise control buttons are located on the spokes of the steering wheel. This places the horn button in a more intuitive location and allows drivers to operate the cruise control while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel.

• An anti-lockout feature prevents the doors from locking if an interior door lock switch is pressed while a door is open and the keys are in the ignition. When this occurs, the doors lock, but then immediately unlock.
• A delayed locking feature is standard on 2001 models. In the event a locking command is given via the keyless remote while either a door or decklid is open, the horn will chirp three times to confirm the lock request has been received, but locking and lamp flashing occur only after all doors and the decklid are shut.
• The range of the Keyless Remote is approximately 30 feet.
• The Saturn Security System can be disarmed using the ignition key or the keyless remote.
• Trunk security protects against unauthorized entry when the system is armed.
• An amber "Security" telltale flashes within the instrument panel when the Saturn Security System is armed.

• AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD player.
• An AM/FM stereo with cassette, Automatic Tone Control and CD changer controls. Automatic Tone Control uses one button for the selection of pre-programmed settings for pop, rock, country & western, classical, jazz, news, flat and custom settings.
• A premium upgrade sound system, which adds an in-dash CD player to the previous system.

All radios feature automatic preset, allowing the user to automatically find and preset the strongest six AM and 12 FM stations when traveling away from home. Deactivation of this feature automatically returns the previously stored presets.

The 2001 Saturn S-Series models are powered by the 1.9-liter four-cylinder engines produced in Saturn’s Spring Hill powertrain manufacturing facility. These powertrains continue to provide uniquely high levels of durability, performance and economy that Saturn owners have come to appreciate and expect.

Helping conserve valuable natural resources – and saving Saturn owners money in the process – is the built-in oil change monitor. A computer algorithm that monitors vehicle mileage, engine revolutions and engine temperature alerts a customer to the need of changing the engine oil. When the calculated oil life is 90% depleted, an instrument panel light signals the driver with a "Change Oil Soon" message.

A reset switch is located in the underhood junction box and is reset whenever the oil is changed.

Chasis

Saturn’s steel space frame provides an impressive combination of benefits. Thanks in part to computer-aided design techniques, the space frame provides stiffness for optimum ride and handling characteristics. It also provides front and rear crumple zones to help absorb the impact of a crash, while protecting the occupants with a rigid passenger compartment.

A constant-flow power-assist system that maintains steering effort at an even rate remains standard on the SL1, and also becomes standard on the 2001 SL model. SL2 and SW2 models deliver a sportier feel thanks to a variable-effort power steering system that increases effort as vehicle speed increases.

SL and SL1 models are shod with P185/65R14 all-season tires. To enhance stability and handling while maintaining good ride quality, SL2 and SW2 models feature P185/65R15 touring radials.

Head Curtain Air Bags

Outstanding safety is a hallmark of Saturn cars. This commitment to safety takes a dramatic step forward in the 2001 S-Series, with the addition of Saturn’s new air bag technology designed to reduce the severity of head and neck injuries in side-impact collisions. These new "head curtain" air bags are available as an option on all S-Series models.

Side impacts account for approximately 30 percent of crashes in small and mid-size cars, and about half of the serious injuries produced by these crashes involve head and neck injuries. Side impact head curtain air bags are intended to help cushion the head and neck in many of these types of crashes, and are expected to significantly reduce these injuries. Of course, no restraint system is capable of preventing injury in every circumstance, and air bags are most effective when used with safety belts.

Head curtain air bags also are engineered to minimize the risk of harm to out-of-position adults and children. Extensive testing and development were conducted to evaluate out-of-position performance.

Beginning in 1999, Saturn retailers began offering a modified trunk latch designed to help reduce incidences of trunk entrapment. Beginning mid-year, this trap resistant latch will become standard equipment on S-Series sedans and coupes.

This modified trunk latch requires a lever to be manually reset before the trunk lid will close. The manual reset is easily operated by adults standing outside the car, but requires a level of dexterity that most very young children do not possess.

To further enhance safety, the trunk is equipped with an escape handle that glows in the dark, making it more visible to young children who may become trapped in a trunk.

Customer Service

As a continuing part of Saturn’s commitment to its customers, every new Saturn vehicle comes with a 30-day/1,500-mile Moneyback Guarantee that allows the owner to return the vehicle (in the same condition in which it was delivered) if they are not satisfied for any reason.

Saturn offers a 3 Years/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper new vehicle limited warranty with no deductible. Tires are covered separately by the tire manufacturer.