SATURN SEDANS FOR 1999 HIGHLIGHTED BY POWERTRAIN IMPROVEMENTS

TROY, MICH. -- Product quality and value for the money -- keys to developing and maintaining a leadership position in the marketplace. Saturn's sedan series for 1999 receives a number of significant changes that enhance the ownership experience.

All three sedan models ... SL, SL I and SL2 ... benefit from a continued emphasis on improving powertrain noise, vibration and harshness. The net effect of this year's changes reduce not only total sound levels both inside and out, but also the overall quality of the sound that remains. It's all part of Saturn's on-going commitment to continuously improve.

Power Modules

Manufactured and assembled within its Tennessee complex, the Saturn fan-lily of 1.9 liter four-cylinder engines and transmissions (referred to as power modules) continue to provide uniquely high levels of durability, performance and economy that owners appreciate. For 1999 the automaker has again raised the bar for these standards.

Due in part to utilization of lost foam casting techniques and smart engineering techniques, Saturn is able to produce a single aluminum engine block that is common to both the single- and dual-overhead cam versions. Crankshafts, also cast by the lost foam process, and connecting rods are also shared components for the SOHC and DOHC variants. Although not visible to the owner, these changes for '99 further assure a high degree of uniformity and quality while maintaining minimal in-plant machining requirements and complexity.

Over the years, Saturn products have benefited from significant changes in acoustical applications and exterior surface redesigns, as well as modifications to their powertrain mounting system and sound sources to reduce noise. Details that have fine-tuned the vehicles not only in comparison to previous Saturn models but also to levels that equal or exceed those of their comparably-equipped direct competitors.

Mid-way through the 1998 model year, a new exhaust system was introduced. Consisting of a larger-volume muffler and changes to the resonator, down-pipe and flex joint, mid-range frequency noise peaks were significantly reduced. Now, just months later, customers can enjoy an even quieter ride as soon as the ignition is turned on and they start toward their destination.

Attention to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics have brought forth a number of hardware changes to all Saturn engines. Among them are a crankshaft with eight counterweights (versus four in the previous design), new lighter-weight aluminum alloy pistons, longer powdered metal connecting rods, a new 8mm pitch timing chain and a revised engine front cover.

Under its redesigned composite cam cover, there are some enhancements specific to the dual-overhead cam engine. A new roller follower hydraulic valve train with racing-type needle bearing rocker arms contribute to lower operating friction, mass reduction and improved fuel economy.

For those states that require Low Emission Vehicle (L.E.V.) levels be met, the DOHC SL2 model is now equipped with an Air Injection Reaction (A.I.R.) system and a specific exhaust manifold and warm-up converter.

Fed through a sequential port fuel injection (SPFI) system, the 16-valve DOHC produces 124 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 122 lb. ft. of torque at 4800 rpm. When outfitted with the standard close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox, the SL2 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under nine seconds; with the available four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission that speed can be attained in 9.6 seconds.