CREATING A DIFFERENT KIND OF SPORT-UTILITY VEHICLE

The Saturn VUE is an innovative new vehicle that offers the space, security and versatility of a traditional SUV in an efficient, intelligent, fun-to-drive package.

As a company, Saturn was created for two reasons:
- To develop innovative new products for customers who might otherwise not consider American-made vehicles;
- To build lasting relationships with customers through a retail network that would reinvent the way cars were sold and serviced.

In keeping with this spirit of innovation, Saturn has developed an SUV that will help define a new segment in the SUV market.

Customers have told Saturn that they love many things about traditional SUVs - the higher seating position, good visibility, ample space for people and cargo, and sense of security. The VUE is designed to provide all of these benefits - and more - without the tradeoffs typical of truck-based SUVs.

The VUE is an all-new vehicle, unique to Saturn. It will be build in Spring Hill, Tenn., and will go on sale at Saturn retailers nationwide in the fall of 2001.

The VUE will compete with vehicles such as the Honda CR-V and Mazda Tribute. However, the VUE is intended to leapfrog these products in terms of design, performance and user-friendliness.

ON THE OUTSIDE

The Saturn VUE has a clean, functional, yet substantial design, both inside and out. Designed from the inside out by the Saturn Studio at GM Design, the VUE offers a sense of purpose and balance found only in the best industrial designs.

Building on themes first explored with the Saturn CV-1 concept vehicle, the VUE features a horizontal bar between large rectangular headlamps, strong flares over the wheels and a subtle swoosh on the lower body sides.

Saturn's unique polymer bodyside panels provide a rugged dent-resistant body, without the clutter of lower-body cladding. Sixteen-inch wheels and tires help provide all-weather traction and excellent ride and handling.

Car-height bumpers not only provide enhanced protection from parking lot damage, they also give the vehicle a balanced, integrated form. The spare tire is mounted inside the vehicle, not on the back, significantly reducing potential damage from low-speed rear impacts.

Although it is instantly recognizable as both a Saturn and an SUV, this newest member of the Saturn family has its own face and personality, which will help it stand out in an increasingly crowded market segment.

ON THE INSIDE

Because space and versatility are important to SUV customers, Saturn designers paid special attention to the interior of the VUE.

Saturn's space-frame design helps provide a low step-in height for easy entry and exit. The front seats are designed for excellent comfort and support while providing a good view of the road. The rear seat features a two-position recliner.

The rear cargo compartment is large and free of clutter, with the spare tire stowed beneath the load floor, as it is on most passenger cars. The rear compartment also features a pair of storage pockets to keep milk jugs and other smaller items from rolling around in the back, as well as three hooks for plastic grocery bags and four tie-down loops for securing larger items.

The rear seat is a 70/30 fold-down design, so customers can tailor the space to meet their needs. The front passenger seat backrest folds flat and it features a durable scuff-resistant surface, so objects like an eight-foot ladder or surf board can be carried inside the vehicle. For added convenience, major operations like folding the seatbacks are designed for one-handed operations.

All gauges and controls are logically place for intuitive operation. Instrument panel surfaces gently slope away from the occupants to enhance the feeling of spaciousness. Large center-mounted air conditioning outlets help deliver cool air to the rear seat occupants. A unique center console design includes a handy space for a purse or planner, and the interior features a number of well-designed storage areas.

ON THE FUN SIDE

The Saturn VUE is designed to provide a feeling of driving fun that is often missing from traditional SUVs. Both the four-cylinder and V6 engines are dual-overhead camshaft designs that are responsive, quiet and efficient. The 138-horsepower four-cylinder engine will be available with a European-built five-speed manual transmission, or with an advanced continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT uses a pair of variable-diameter pulleys and a special steel belt to precisely match engine output to vehicle speed, providing seamless acceleration and improved fuel economy over traditional step-ratio automatic transmissions. Saturn VUEs with the 181-horsepower V6 will feature a five-speed automatic transmission for responsive performance and good fuel economy.

The VUE will be equally at home on city streets, unpaved roads and mountain switchbacks. Its right-sized exterior makes it easy to maneuver and park, while the four-wheel independent suspension will provide a controlled ride and responsive handling on a wide range of surfaces. The VUE also features an advanced electronic power steering system that provides precise steering at lower speeds, confident feel on the highway and enhanced fuel economy.

The Saturn VUE will be available with front-wheel-drive or all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive system features a transfer case located just ahead of the rear axle line that can smoothly transfer up to 100 percent of drive torque to the rear wheels should the front wheels start to slip. It is fully automatic, maintenance free, and so compact it requires no driveshaft tunnel in the interior, allowing a flat floor.

ON THE SAFE SIDE

Since building its first small cars in 1990, Saturn has earned a reputation for safety and security. The Saturn VUE is designed to further enhance this reputation.

The VUE is based on the next evolution of Saturn's space-frame construction, which allows engineers to put the structure where it provides optimum strength with minimum weight. The space frame for the VUE is constructed almost entirely from high-strength steel. It incorporates full-length frame rails and a rugged steel safety cage in a single, welded unit. Front and rear crush zones in the space frame help absorb the energy of a crash while protecting the integrity of the safety cage.

Saturn's polymer bodyside panels help protect the VUE against dents and dings. Car-height bumpers help reduce damage from low-speed impacts.

Saturn's new head-curtain air bags will be available on the SUV, providing additional protection in the event of a side-impact collision. The Saturn VUE also features three sets of child seat anchors for the rear seat and three-point safety belts for all occupant positions.

The Saturn VUE features an all-new four-wheel independent suspension system to help provide predictable handling and excellent maneuverability in a wide variety of driving conditions. The eight-inch ground clearance accomodates unpaved roads and other day-to-day driving.

From the overall package to the smallest detail, the Saturn VUE is designed to hit the sweet spot in the SUV market, providing all the things customers love about SUVs in an intelligent, efficient, enjoyable vehicle. It truly is a different kind of sport utility vehicle from Saturn, a different kind of company.

Source:  General Motors Corporation

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