Saturn Relay

Saturn Relay
Overview
Manufacturer	Saturn Corporation
Production	2005–2008
Assembly	Doraville, Georgia
Body and chassis
Class	Minivan
Body style	4-door van
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive/Four-wheel drive
Platform	U-body
Related	Buick GL8 Buick Rendezvous Buick Terraza Chevrolet Uplander Chevrolet Venture Pontiac Aztek Pontiac Montana SV6
Powertrain
Engine	3.5 L LX9 V6 3.9 L LZ9 V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	121.1 in
Length	204.9 in
Width	72.0 in
Height	68.6 in
Curb weight	4426 lb
Chronology
Successor	Saturn Outlook

The Saturn Relay is a minivan from the Saturn brand of American automaker General Motors. It was introduced for the 2005 model year, and was built alongside its sisters, the Buick Terraza, the Chevrolet Uplander, and the Pontiac Montana SV6 in Doraville, Georgia. The Relay was the first Saturn vehicle without polymer side paneling.

The Relay was introduced with a 3.5 L LX9 V6 that generates 200 hp (149 |kW) and 220 ft·lbf (298 N·m) torque, going from 0-60 mph in 10.2 seconds. For 2006, a 3.9 L LZ9 V6, with 240hp (179kW) and 240ft·lb (332Nm) torque, was added as an option. For 2007, the 3.5 L V6 was dropped, leaving the 3.9 L as the base engine. Consequently, the optional AWD system was also dropped, since it could not handle the torque of the 3.9 L engine. Unlike it's siblings, the Relay did not receive an optional flex-fuel engine for 2007. The Relay scored three "Good"s (the highest possible score) and two "acceptable"s (the second highest possible score) in IIHS crash tests. In terms of gas mileage, the Relay is rated at 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway.

The Relay started at US$22,850. There were three available trim levels, 2FWD, 3FWD, and 3AWD. All Relays seat seven via folding/removable 2nd row captains chairs and a 50/50 third-row bench. The third-row bench folds flat but did not fold entirely into the floor. OnStar assistance and a DVD rear entertainment system came standard on all Relays. A navigation system was optional on Relay 3s. Front side airbags were standard on 3s and optional for the 2. Second-row side airbags were optional on all models.

Future

GM intended to redesign the Relay for 2008 on the Lambda platform, but this has been canceled, mostly due to poor sales. GM has dropped the Relay for the 2007 model year, and its Doraville Assembly plant is scheduled for closure. The Relay has been replaced by the Outlook crossover SUV, a Lambda-based 8-passenger vehicle. The Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV6, Buick Terraza and Saturn Relay are the safest any vehicle can get, with a 'Good' Rating, the best rating there is. See external links for the official video. The last Relay rolled off the line in November 2006. The Relay still has a chance of being redesigned. Although General Motors will produce a new redesigned version of the Pontiac Montana soon (which might mean a redesigned version of the Buick, Chevrolet, and possibly Saturn Relay), there will also be a brand new GMC minivan by 2009. (See external Links, below).

External links

• Official American site
• Official Canadian site
• GMC to add minivan, GM to discontinue others.
• Chevrolet Uplander's 5-Star Crash Test