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Saturn compact SUV preview

Saturn's entry into the rapidly growing compact SUV market features a platform unique to Saturn, with spaceframe construction, polymer panels, and some advanced GM technology unique to its U.S. offerings. The SUV will join the compact S-Series and midsize L-Series at Saturn dealerships in fall 2001. According to G. Richard Wagoner, Jr., President and CEO of General Motors, the compact sport-utility market is expected to nearly double in volume by 2005. The Saturn will compete with a number of vehicles including the Honda CR-V and Mazda Tribute. However, Saturn intends to leapfrog those products in terms of design, performance, and user-friendliness.

Saturn's first SUV is due in fall 2001 as a 2002 model.

The Saturn SUV's distinguishing technology features include a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and electrically assisted power steering. The electric steering provides assist on demand, consuming less fuel than traditional hydraulic systems. Engine choices will be a 103-kW (138-hp) four-cylinder or a 135-kW (181-hp) V6. The suspension is independent, front and rear, and all-wheel drive is an option. The SUV's spaceframe is constructed almost entirely from high-strength steel and incorporates full-length frame rails and a steel safety cage. There are dent-resistant polymer body-side panels and car-height bumpers.

The SUV's interior design is said to set a benchmark for user-friendliness. There is a 70/30-split folding rear seat with a two-position recliner and a flat-folding front-passenger seatback that allows long objects to be carried inside. Major seat operations are designed for one-hand operation, and the step-in height is low for easy entry and exit. Saturn's new head-curtain airbags will be available on the SUV for protection in side-impact collisions. Rear cargo area spaciousness is aided by a spare tire that is stowed beneath the load floor, and there are tie-down points, hooks for plastic grocery bags, and a cargo organizer for smaller objects.

The Saturn SUV spaceframe is constructed
almost entirely of high-strength steel and
incorporates full-length frame rails.

Both the four-cylinder and V6 engines are dual-overhead camshaft designs. The 2.2-L four will be available with a European-built five-speed manual transmission or the CVT, the latter using a pair of variable-diameter pulleys and a special steel belt to provide stepless acceleration and improved fuel economy compared with traditional automatic transmissions. In GM testing, engineers have documented a fuel economy improvement of 7% for the CVT vs. a four-speed automatic transmission. These fuel economy benefits are achieved without compromising performance due to the CVT's wider overall "gear" ratio and its ability to target maximum power output during hard acceleration. The V6 gets a five-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive system features a transfer case located just ahead of the rear axle line that can direct up to 100% of drive torque to the rear wheels should the front ones start to slip. It is so compact that it requires no driveshaft tunnel in the interior, allowing for a flat floor.

Basic dimensions of the SUV are 4605-mm (181.3-in) length, 1817-mm (71.5-in) width, and 1684-mm (66.3-in) height. Its wheelbase is 2707 mm (106.6 in), with curb mass ranging from 1442 kg (3172 lb) for the front-wheel-drive five-speed-manual four to 1577 kg (3470 lb) for the AWD five-speed-automatic six.

The Saturn SUVÕs CVT uses a pair of variable-diameter pulleys and a special steel belt to provide stepless acceleration and a greater ratio spread for improved fuel economy over traditional automatic transmissions.

For the SUV and Saturn's next-generation small car, General Motors is investing $1.5 billion in its Spring Hill, TN, facility. The investment includes new tooling and modifications to allow cars and trucks to be built on a split line, in addition to a facility for four-cylinder engine production.

Kevin Jost

Jaguar X-type revealed

Jaguar has released pictures and limited details of its forthcoming all-wheel-drive X-type compact sport sedan. Developed under the engineering code name X400, the X-type is slated to be officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show at the end of February and will be on sale in the summer of 2001. The appearance of a prototype at October's British International Motor Show was deemed by the company to be too far in advance of production.

The X-type's styling particularly of the frontbears clear visual cues of the big XJ sedan. The design of the hood and the area at the base of the C-pillar involve complex curves that are likely to have caused particular tooling and manufacturing challenges. The X-type, which represents the first level of the Jaguar range in terms of cost, is an all-new model, albeit with a chassis based on Ford's Mondeo. All-wheel drive is standard on all models. Engines consist of 2.5-L and 3.0-L V6, both derived from the AJ-V6 powertrain used in the S-type. Power output of the 3.0-L S-type is 179 kW (240 hp), and it is likely to be close to that for the X-type, which would give it very strong performance. It will compete with the BMW 3-Series, the new Audi A4, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Jaguar's new all-wheel-drive X-type enters production next year with front styling that
carries XJ sedan cues.

The X-type is the first production Jaguar to have all-wheel drive, which allows it to compete with Audi's quattro models. Jaguar underlines that the X-type is a luxury model with plenty of interior wood and leather. The dashboard, and particularly the center console, have strong design links with the XJ rather than the S-type, the interior of which is not one of Jaguar's best efforts. The X-type was designed and developed at Jaguar's Whitley Engineering Center in England. It will be built at Halewood, which until recently manufactured the Ford Escort, production of which has ceased. The plant is now being redeveloped and refurbished for X-type production, which is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2001. Jaguar is likely to develop a station wagon version of the X-type; all its market rivals have one. This would be another first as a company design, although low-volume specialist companies have produced wagon versions of Jaguar sedans and its XJS coupe. A diesel version of the S-type is also something Jaguar has made clear it needs.

The new Jaguar X-type has a dashboard and center console
that bear some similarity to the XJ sedan's.

The X-type gives Jaguar a four-model lineup. Joining the S-type and XJ sedans, plus the XK in coupe and convertible versions, the car is expected to play a significant part in taking the company toward an annual output of at least 200,000 units. This figure will distinguish it as a major competitor in the premium car segment rather than a niche producer, according to the company. This year, production will total about 85,000 cars. Jaguar's Managing Director, Jonathan Browning, said the X-type will "challenge existing perceptions" about the company. He sees it attracting a new generation of buyers, although the car is still aimed to appeal to driving enthusiasts. Further details will be released in early 2001.

Stuart Birch

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