2007 Saturn Relay news, pictures, and information

2007 RELAY DELIVERS SAFETY, POWER, VERSATILITY WITH SUV STYLE

The 3.9L V-6, now standard on all Relay models, is coupled to GM's proven Hydra-Matic 4T65 electronically controlled automatic overdrive transaxle. This sophisticated powerplant uses premium features, such as variable valve timing and active intake technology, to deliver optimal performance and economy. This larger-displacement engine also provides more usable power across the rpm range than the previous 3.5L V-6, wîth 90 percent of torque available from 1,800 rpm to 5,800 rpm.

Later in the model year, a FlexFuel version of the engine, which is capable of running on E85 ethanol fuel, will be available. E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and 15 percent gasoline. It delivers similar performance as regular gasoline and is a renewable, domestically produced fuel made from the starch and sugar in agricultural products – primarily corn. E85 also burns cleaner than regular gasoline, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions. GM vehicles wîth E85 capability can run on 100 percent gasoline or on E85 or any combination of the two. GM is a leader in advancing E85 technology and use. More than 1.9 million GM vehicles on the road already are E85-capable.

SÚV looks wîth van convenience

While its exterior is sporty and SÚV-like, Relay provides the functionality and convenience that mid-van customers need and appreciate: passenger and cargo-carrying flexibility, a high degree of safety, fuel economy, low step-in height, and excellent ride and handling. Its 50/50 split third-row bench seat can be folded to create a level load floor when combined wîth an available rear storage bin.

The interior also features a front overhead console and a standard overhead rail system (standard on Relay 2 and 3). The rail system integrates the rear HVAC and audio controls, lighting and rear-seat entertainment system/DVD into a single unit. Its snap-in storage and accessory modules provide more functional, flexible storage.

Each of the available three storage modules is 12 inches (305 mm) wide and nine inches to 10 inches (229 mm to 254 mm) deep, wîth doors that flip open. These allow customers to snap in any variety of specially designed inserts, for items such as CDs, sunglasses, cell phones, PDAs or a first-aid kit.

The Relay also offers a rear storage system. With its doors closed, the box-like cargo system's height lines up wîth that of the folded third-row seat, providing a level load floor for carrying items behind the second row. The cargo system's doors line up wîth the dividing line on the split/folding third-row seat, allowing users to create a flat load floor for carrying long objects on one side while permitting passengers to sit on the other side. Second-row bucket seats can be folded and tumbled up against the front seats for increased storage, and an available toy box can be installed between them (Relay 2). Captain's chairs, standard on Relay 3, fold flat to permit long objects such as building supplies, ladders, etc.

Plenty of entertainment choices, including PhatNoise

The Relay is distinguished by its wide choice of passenger entertainment systems, including an optional Mobile Digital Media Powered by PhatNoise. This system uses a pocket-sized, 40-gigabyte hard drive cartridge that installs in the Relay's overhead rail system. The system's capabilities include:

Storing and playing back up to 10,000 songs in MP3, WMA or WAV formats
Storing and playing up to 40 typical movies in MPEG 4 format
Storing and playing a combination of songs and movies
The ability to provide the software for playing classic video games
The ability to provide a voice-browsing interface – if the driver wants to listen to music, the system tells him or her over the radio speakers the song's name, allowing the driver to run through a list of stored music using radio or §teering wheel buttons
Listening to audio books, magazine or newspaper articles transferred from a PC or downloaded from the Internet
Allowing simultaneous listening to two entertainment sources
The PhatNoise system's hard drive cartridge is easily removable, so it can be connected to a home PC or laptop to download computer files for playback in the Relay, giving passengers an unprecedented level of entertainment customization.

A six-disc, in-dash CD/MP3 player and XM Satellite Radio (continental Ú.S. only) are optional on all trim levels. The Relay 3 also comes standard wîth dual wireless headphones.

XM Satellite Radio provides more than 120 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original commercial-free music and premier news, sports and talk as well as advanced traffic and weather information for select major metropolitan areas nationwide. Consumers can subscribe to the basic service for $12.99 a month. In addition, GM customers wîth GMAC financing can choose to include the XM subscription in their car payments.

Safety before, during and after a crash

From its inception, Saturn has been committed to the idea that safety isn't just for customers who can afford a luxury vehicle. The Relay continues this tradition by providing continuous safety before, during and after a crash.

Crash avoidance was a priority in the design of the Relay. Large, four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes are standard, as is StabiliTrak electronic stability control system. Traction control is standard on Relay 3 FWD models.

StabiliTrak helps improve stability and control. It's particularly beneficial on slick road surfaces or during emergency maneuvers. Sensors detect the direction the driver is §teering by 'reading' the §teering wheel position and the vehicle's response to §teering wheel input. When the system determines that the vehicle is not responding adequately to §teering commands, it works to help bring it on course by automatically reducing engine torque and applying precise amounts of pressure to front right or left brakes. These automatic brake and engine interventions help realign the vehicle's actual path wîth that being steered by the driver.

The Relay also was designed wîth crashworthiness and occupant protection in mind. It has achieved a five-star government safety rating for frontal crashes and a five-star rating for rear occupants in the government side-impact test, as well as a four-star rating for front-seat occupants. The Relay also earned the top 'Good' rating for 40-mph frontal offset crash performance from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Relay features structural enhancements to create a crush zone that helps preserve occupant space while absorbing energy. Cross-rail reinforcements enhance stiffness and bolster crash protection.

Seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the second row captain's chairs help provide head and torso protection for second-row occupants. First-row side-impact air bags are already standard on Relay 3 and available on Relay 1 and 2; second-row air bags are available on both Relay 2 and Relay 3.

Standard, frontal dual-stage air bags for both driver and front passenger are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag system's control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most front impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.

In addition, the Relay has GM's Passenger Sensing System (PSS). If the sensor system detects an unoccupied front passenger seat or the presence of a smaller occupant, the front passenger air bag is designed to automatically turn off so it would not deploy in the event of a frontal collision. (Even wîth this system, GM strongly recommends restraining child passengers in an appropriate child seat placed in the second or third row of the vehicle. Never install a rear-facing infant seat in front of an active air bag. GM also recommends that all children age 12 and under ride in the rear seat when possible.)

Safety belts remain the primary occupant restraint device, and all seven seating positions in the Relay have three-point safety belts. Retractors for front seating positions have built-in load limiters that allow a controlled amount of give in the belt, thereby reducing the peak load on the chest during a crash.

The Relay also has pretensioners in the front safety belt system that deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing. Pretensioners also help reduce the amount of occupant movement in the event of a crash to help reduce the risk of injury.

The Relay is equipped wîth the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system in all second-row seating positions. This system provides two lower anchors and a top tether anchor to be used to secure a child seat to the vehicle seat structure. A top tether is also provided in the center position of the third-row. These anchorages are designed to make it easier to properly install compatible child safety seats.

For post-crash assistance and other safety and security needs, OnStar is a §egmènt exclusive and is standard in all Relay models. For 2007, the Relay receives OnStar Gen 7 hardware wîth optional Turn-by-Turn navigation. (posted on conceptcarz.com) Turn-by-Turn is the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their OnStar system. These audio directions automatically play through the vehicle's stereo as needed, triggered by the OnStar system's GPS capabilities. This enables drivers to be led to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. For more information about OnStar, see the OnStar Overview in the Product Information Guide corporate book.

Interior refinements

	Vital Stats
Engine : 3.9 L., 6-cylinder Power: 240 hp Torque: 240 ft-lbs
Automatic

The Relay's interior styling is refined and upscale, wîth close attention paid to fit and finish. The interior includes a sporty three-spoke §teering wheel, wîth Ebony rim and center trim matching the upper part of the instrument panel and the upper door trim. Relay 3 models have a leather-wrapped §teering wheel wîth redundant audio controls.

The Relay uses a light maple color wood grain for its radio and HVAC trim plate and on the door switch plates. Relay interiors are available in an Ebony upper / Medium Gray lower color combination and an Ebony upper / Medium Cashmere lower combination.

Standard features on Relay 2 include power heated outside mirrors; power windows and locks; remote keyless entry; front passenger visor vanity mirror; and an overhead rail system for accessory storage modules. The Relay 3 adds body-color door handles; a six-way power driver's seat; rear HVAC; and a Preferred Package that includes the rear cargo-area storage module, floor mats, power rear quarter windows, illuminated visor vanity and a theft-deterrent system.

Taking comfort to a higher level, the Relay offers an optional factory-installed remote vehicle starter system, allowing the driver to get a head start on heating or cooling the car's interior from a range of about 196 feet (60m). The remote vehicle starter system is activated from the remote key fob by first pressing the 'lock' button, then pressing and holding the remote start button for 1.5 seconds. This two-step process helps prevent inadvertent activation, locks the car and engages the anti-theft system.

A universal home remote feature, standard on Relay 3, allows drivers to program home devices such as lights and garage doors for added convenience and security.

Clean, SÚV-like styling