Saturn L-Series

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.

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.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Saturn L-Series Review.

Recent Changes
The model was discontinued in 2005. It has been replaced with the 2007 Saturn Aura.

Year by Year Changes 2001: Inflatable side-curtain airbags became optional. Trim names changed (see Design Quirks and Oddities below.) 2002: Curtain side airbags made standard. Optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system, 6-disc in-dash CD change and automatic climate control. 2003: Restyled front fascia and interior. Sixteen-inch alloy wheels standard on 300 models, optional on 200. 2004: Standard anti-lock brakes. 2005: Wagon model dropped.

Styles and Major Options
The L-Series was available in sedan or station wagon configuration. The sedan model could be equipped in three trim levels, the wagon in two. Listed below are notable differences between trims for the 2000 model.

L100
 * 4 cylinder engine
 * Power assisted front disc/rear drum brakes
 * 5-speed manual transmission
 * Air conditioning
 * AM/FM radio

L200 In addition to or in place of L100 features
 * Power windows
 * Cruise control
 * AM/FM CD radio

L300 In addition to or in place of L200 features
 * V6 engine
 * Automatic transmission
 * Alloy wheels
 * AM/FM CD/Cassette radio

Wagon models were equipped similar to sedans, but were only available with the automatic transmission. They also came standard with rear cargo cover and roof rails.

Major Options Not available on all trim levels
 * Head curtain airbags
 * Alloy wheels
 * ABS with Traction Control
 * AM/FM CD radio or AM/FM CD/Cassette radio
 * Leather upholstery
 * Sunroof
 * Six-way power driver's seat

Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Reliability
Warranty options and scheduled maintainence information should be mentioned here.

Safety
Standard Safety Features
 * 1st and 2nd Row Curtain Airbags
 * Traction Control
 * Driver and Passenger Front Air Bags

The 2002-2005 L-Series was tested by the NHTSA and the full results can be found at safercar.gov.

Colors
Exterior colors are listed based on interior appointments.

Main Competitors

 * Toyota Camry
 * Chrysler Sebring
 * Honda Accord
 * Nissan Altima
 * Dodge Stratus
 * Pontiac Grand Prix

Hybrid Models
No hybrid models of the L-Series were produced.

Unique Attributes
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Resale Values
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Criticisms
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Worldwide
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Design quirks and oddities
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. (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.)

Awards
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