Saturn L-Series

Infobox Automobile


name = Saturn L-Series
assembly = Wilmington, Delaware
platform = GM2900 platform
layout = FF layout
manufacturer = Saturn Corporation
parent_company = General Motors
production = 2000-2005
406,300 produced
class = Mid-size
body_style = 4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
engine = 2.2 L "L61 Ecotec" I4
3.0 L "L81" V6
wheelbase = auto in|106.5|0
length = auto in|190.4|0
width = 2003-05: auto in|68.5|0
2000-02: auto in|69.0|0
height = Sedan: auto in|56.4|0
Wagon: auto in|57.3|0
transmission = 5-speed manual
4-speed 4T40-E automatic (I4)
4-speed 4T45-E automatic (V6)
fuel_capacity = Convert|15.7|usgal|L impgal|1
related = Opel Vectra
Saab 9-3
Saab 9-5
successor = Saturn Aura

The Saturn L-Series was a line of automobiles sold by General Motors' Saturn marque.

The L-Series mid-size sedans and station wagons were introduced in 2000. They were based on the Opel Vectra B and manufactured at a GM plant in Wilmington, Delaware. The L-Series was available with I4 and V6 engines with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions.

Poor sales of the L-Series caused GM to cancel the line for 2005. The first L-series car was built in May 1999, and the last one rolled off the Wilmington line on June 17, 2004, after a short run of 2005 models. About 406,300 L-series cars were built in this period. The plant was then retooled to build the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters.

The replacement for the L-Series, the Saturn Aura, arrived in August 2006 for the 2007 model year. The Aura is built on the Epsilon platform, also shared by the Pontiac G6 and the Opel Vectra C.

The name game

The L-Series cars were originally designated the LS (for sedan) and LW (for wagon). However, this caused great confusion and anger from both Toyota and Ford, who both sold LS-series cars (the Lexus LS and the Lincoln LS). The vehicles were then renamed L-Series for 2001. (Some have also suggested that the name changes were a result of customer complaints over Saturn's "SL" and "LS" series cars, which were both on sale at the same time.)

Model history

*2000: The L-Series consisted of 5 models: The four-cylinder LS and LS1/LW1, and V6 LS2/LW2. The base LS sedan, which did not have a wagon counterpart, came equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission (sourced from Saab, another GM subsidiary) manual windows and locks, air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo. The LS1/LW1 added power windows, mirrors and locks with keyless entry, and other comfort features. The LS2/LW2 featured additional standard amenities including fog lights, as well as the more powerful V6 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission; the latter being optional on the 4-cylinder models. Anti-lock brakes with traction control was an option on all models.
*2001: The L-Series received new model designations: the LS became L100, LS1 became L200, LS2 became L300, LW1 became LW200, and LW2 became LW300. All models received a larger fuel tank (Convert|15.7|usgal|L impgal|0|abbr=on) and shoulder belts for the center rear seat position. Head curtain side airbags became available later in the model year.
*2002: Anti-lock brakes with traction control were standard this year, along with curtain side airbags. A new six-spoke chrome alloy wheel became available, as was automatic air conditioning and rear DVD entertainment later in the model year.
*2003: Sedans were facelifted, front and rear; wagons received the new front along with new taillights. Silver dash trim replaced wood trim, and there was new cloth upholstery and a new available alloy wheel design (borrowed from Saab). The L100 sedan was canceled, and anti-lock brakes with traction control were made optional again.
*2004: Anti-lock brakes and traction control were standard again, the automatic air conditioning was discontinued (leaving all models with the manual air conditioning), and the manual transmission was dropped, leaving all models with a four-speed automatic. The "L200" and "LW200" names were discontinued. Both L-Series sedan and wagon models were officially renamed "L300," adopting a trim level structure like that of Saturn's Ion compact. The previous L200/LW200 were now the L300.1, powered by the 2.2L Ecotec and having no available options. The L300.2 was powered by the 3.0L V6 and had the same range of options as before. The L300.3 had the chrome alloy wheels and a standard power driver's seat, and was unique in offering the "Premium Choice Package." This offered the choice between OnStar, rear DVD entertainment, or (on sedans) a power sunroof at no extra charge.
*2005: Wagons were discontinued this year and the lineup was trimmed to one model, the L300.2 sedan. The only option was a power moonroof, as all other options were dropped to reduce production complexity. The last L300 rolled off the Wilmington Assembly line on June 17, 2004.