 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
Image credits: © Saturn. GM Corp
2003 Saturn VUE news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
SATURN VUE BLENDS THOUGHTFUL FEATURES, CUSTOMER-FRIENDLY INNOVATIONS
With its array of thoughtful features and customer-friendly innovations, the Saturn VÚE broke new ground in the compact sport utility §egmènt when it made its debut as a 2002 model.'The Saturn VÚE blends the versatility and performance of a traditional SÚV along wîth the comfort and performance normally associated wîth a well-engineered sedan,' said Scott McLaren, marketing manager for VÚE. 'We designed the VÚE to lead the next generation of compact sport utilities by combining a contemporary design, leading technology, a high level of safety and a number of features not available wîth any other vehicle in the §egmènt.'
2003 enhancements
For 2003, the Saturn VÚE adds a number of up-level touches. New solar glass reduces ÚV ray penetration into the passenger compartment, helping to keep it cooler on sunny days.
New leather seats wîth heated front seats are offered as an option on 2003 models. The seats are part of a package that also includes driver lumbar support, a leather-wrapped §teering wheel that matches the seat color, and leather-wrapped, ebony-colored shifter knob. For added enjoyment on the road, a new advanced audio sound system is offered as an option. The system is composed of an 8-inch subwoofer, a 180-watt amplifier and six door-mounted speakers.
Adding to the VÚE's wide range of powertrain choices, V6 models in 2003 are available for the first time wîth front-wheel drive as well as all-wheel drive. Four-cylinder models continue to be available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configuration.
New exterior colors for 2003 include Bright Blue and Medium Green. In addition, Black exterior paint replaces Black Silver; Olympic White replaces White, and Victory Red replaces Red. The 2003 VÚE also sports revised Saturn badges on the front fascia and fenders. The badge features a chrome frame raised above the rich red background of the Saturn logo.
Contemporary design
The VÚE's exterior design is recognizably Saturn - clean and contemporary, but wîth a sturdy and substantial sport-utility presence. Saturn's unique polymer bodyside panels provide a rugged and dent-resistant body that can boost resale value by helping prevent parking-lot dings and rust. The polymer body panels also eliminate the need for add-on side cladding that would clutter the VÚE's clean appearance.
Car-friendly bumpers provide increased protection from parking lot damage. The spare tire is mounted inside the vehicle, not on the back, keeping it clean while significantly reducing the potential for damage from low-speed rear impacts.
Versatility inside
The Saturn VÚE's interior balances style, space and versatility, in a spacious yet efficient package wîth room for five people plus 30 cubic feet of cargo space. The well thought out interior design also includes a number of innovative storage solutions.
The VÚE's spaceframe design helps give a low step-in height for easy entry and exit. The front seats provide both excellent comfort and a commanding view of the road, while the rear seat features a two-position recliner.
The VÚE features a rear cargo opening wide enough to accommodate a 4-foot wide object. The roomy rear cargo compartment is free of clutter, wîth the spare tire stowed beneath the load floor. An ingenious pop-up organizer helps prevent groceries and other objects from sliding around or tipping over. The rear cargo area also includes tie-down points, hooks for plastic grocery bags and a pair of storage receptacles large enough to hold a gallon jug each.
Versatility is enhanced wîth a 70/30 split folding rear seat and a front passenger seatback that also folds flat, allowing long objects such as an 8-foot ladder or a surfboard to be carried inside the vehicle. For added convenience, major operations like folding the seatbacks are designed for easy one-hand operation.
Gauges and controls were designed to be clean, direct and easy to understand and operate. A unique center console design includes a handy space for a purse or planner.
Advanced safety features
The VÚE builds on Saturn's reputation for safety and security wîth its world-class structural design and other notable safety advancements, including an optional head-curtain air-bag system.
Saturn's spaceframe construction, unique among SÚVs, allows engineers to combine optimum strength wîth minimum weight. The spaceframe's front and rear crush zones help absorb the energy of a crash while protecting the integrity of the safety cage.
Saturn's innovative head-curtain side air bags help provide protection from head and neck injuries in certain side-impact collisions. The available head-curtain air bags are designed to complement the standard driver and front passenger air bags and safety belts. Also, three-point safety belts are used for all five seating positions. The child safety seat system, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) is standard and can be used to secure child safety seats in any of the three rear seat positions, including the center wîth the 30-percent seat portion folded down.
Among the many other safety and security features standard on VÚE are daytime running lamps, child safety door locks, and a theft deterrent system that prevents start-up without a proper ignition key. Customer peace of mind also is enhanced by the optional OnStar system, wîth its available array of safety, security and convenience features.
Fun-to-drive
The Saturn VÚE was designed to provide a feeling of driving fun, whether on city streets, unpaved roads or mountain switchbacks. Both the four-cylinder and V6 engines are dual-overhead camshaft designs that are responsive, quiet and efficient. The Ecotec 2.2-liter, inline four-cylinder, 16-valve 143-horsepower engine is available wîth a European-built five-speed manual, or wîth the advanced VTi.
The VÚE is the only sport utility to offer a VTi variable transmission, part of GM's family of transmissions. The VTi uses a pair of variable-diameter pulleys and a special steel belt to precisely match engine output to vehicle speed. The VTi allows the engine to operate more efficiently than a traditional step-ratio automatic transmission, achieving virtually the same fuel economy as a manual transmission, as well as excellent acceleration and hill-climbing performance.
The optional 3.0-liter, 181-horsepower V6 is mated to a five-speed automatic. Compared to a traditional four-speed, the five-speed automatic provides closer steps between ratios for smooth acceleration, particularly during passing, along wîth outstanding fuel economy.
Four-wheel independent suspension is a key to VÚE's controlled ride and responsive handling on a wide range of surfaces. The VÚE also features an advanced electric power §teering system for precise §teering at lower speeds and confident feel on the highway. Únlike a conventional §teering system, no engine power is needed to drive a hydraulic pump. As a result, the electrically assisted power §teering system helps improve fuel economy.
The VÚE is available wîth front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, which is available on models wîth the V6 and five-speed automatic as well as on models equipped wîth the four-cylinder engine and VTi. The all-wheel-drive system features a transfer case located just ahead of the rear axle line that can smoothly transfer torque to the rear wheels if the front wheels start to slip. The system is fully automatic, maintenance free and so compact it requires no driveshaft tunnel in the interior, allowing a flat floor.
Personalization
The clean, contemporary design of the Saturn VÚE makes it a natural for the growing customization trend, especially among customers wîth active lifestyles. VÚE customers can personalize their vehicles wîth a choice of more than 40 retailer-installed accessories available at Saturn retailers. An optional sunroof also adds to the enjoyment of driving the VÚE.
During the 2003 model year, Saturn also will offer the Active Expression VÚE, a limited edition all-wheel-drive model. The special edition comes wîth Light Yellow exterior paint, gray interior, black emblems on fascias and fenders, and a number of retailer-installed accessories. Exterior accessories include front grille guard, side step bars, and roof rack cross members wîth an accessory attachment. The retailer-installed interior accessories include black neoprene front seat covers wîth embroidered yellow VÚE and Saturn logos, a cargo area liner and rubber floor mats. The package will be priced to provide savings compared to individually purchased and installed accessories.Source - Saturn
| ALL-NEW 2014 FIAT 500L EXPANDS FIAT BRAND'S PRODUCT LINEUP AND COMMITMENT TO INNOVATIVE AND VALUE-LOADED ITALIAN CARS | |
 | ◾Loaded with value: all-new 2014 Fiat 500L arrives to FIAT studios this June with a starting price of $19,100 and four well-equipped models ◾Leveraging: taking the FIAT brand's DNA, the all-new Fiat 500L expands the appeal of the iconic 500 while adding two more doors plus best-in-class interior volume (120.1 cu. ft.) providing comfortable accommodations for five passengers ◾Large: a Fiat 500 designed on the new 'small-wide' vehicle architecture for 27 inches more length, plus six inches more ...[Read more...] |
| All-New 2014 Fiat 500L Expands The Fiat Brand'S Product Lineup And Its Commitment To Innovative And Value-Loaded Cars | |
 | ◾All-new 2014 Fiat 500L arrives to FIAT studios this June with a starting price of $19,100 and four value-loaded models ◾No-charge Premier Package on 500L Easy, Trekking and Lounge models ◾All-new Fiat 500L expands the appeal of the iconic 500, while adding two more doors, accommodations for five passengers, best-in-class interior volume (120.1 cu. ft.) and advanced European technology May 24, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Expanding on the style, efficiency and driving enjoyment that ...[Read more...] |
| SOUL RANKED HIGHEST IN ITS SEGMENT IN STRATEGIC VISION'S TOTAL QUALITY INDEX STUDY | |
 | ◾Soul recognized by veteran consumer research-based consultancy, Strategic Vision ◾New car buyers selected Kia's urban transport based on quality perceptions and ownership experience IRVINE, Calif., May 17, 2013 – Kia Motors America (KMA) has been one of the fastest-growing car companies in the U.S. over the last five years1, and its edgy urban passenger vehicle, the Soul – a key factor in that growth – was recently named to Strategic Vision's 2013 list of Total Quality Vehicles. The ...[Read more...] |
| 2014 MAZDA6 NAMED TO WARD'S ‘10 BEST INTERIORS' LIST | |
| The all-new 2014 Mazda6 today was named to WardsAuto World's 10 Best Interiors list, as chosen by the publication's editors. The redesigned mid-size sports sedan features Mazda's new design language called KODO 'Soul of Motion,' which translates muscular movement and power into agile proportions, detailed sculpting and expressive character. The Mazda6 also was recently named one of the top three vehicle designs in the world for 2013 by the World Car Awards. 'The automotive industry, regardl...[Read more...] | |
| READER'S DIGEST NAMES KIA SOUL 'BEST CAR DEAL UNDER $15,000' | |
 | •Soul combines out-of-the-box design, quality, safety and technology features with a low cost of ownership •Reader's Digest accolade adds to Soul's long list of awards IRVINE, Calif., March 7, 2013 – Kia Motors America (KMA) has been one of the fastest-growing car companies in the United States over the last five years1, and its top-selling urban passenger vehicle, the Soul, adds another award to the collection after being named one of the 'Best Car Deals Under $15,000' by Reader's ...[Read more...] |
 2003
Saturn
models |
| Saturn Ion |
| Saturn L-Series |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Cadillac | Chevrolet |
| Chrysler | Dodge |
| Ford | GMC |
| Hummer | Jeep |
| Lincoln | Mercury |
| Pontiac | |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 2003 |
| Acura NSX |
| Acura RL |
| Acura TL |
| Aston Martin DB7 GT |
| Aston Martin DB7 Vantage |
| BAR 005 |
| BMW 5 Series |
| BMW Z8 |
| Bristol Project Fighter Concept |
| Cadillac CTS |
| Saturn: 2001-2010 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Saturn |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| 2003 Chicago Il |
| 2003 Detroit MI |
| 2003 Harrisburg PA |
| 2003 New York City, NY |
| 2003 Philadelphia PA |
| 2002 Chicago IL |
| 2002 Columbus OH |
| 2002 New York City NY |
| 2002 Washington DC |
| Astra | Aura | ION | Outlook | SC | Sky | Vue |
© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
