RELAY is First Saturn to be Built Alongside Similar GM Vehicles
Saturn, following through with what analysts have been predicting for years, is about to undertake a risky step in its brand evolution. Its dent resistant polymer panels, the one completely unique selling feature the GM division's vehicles offer over competitive brands, will be scrapped for more conventional steel panels.
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| The dent resistant polymer panels, which are Saturn's one unique selling feature, are being replaced with traditional steel panels in their upcoming crossover sport van (not necessarily similar to the CV-1 concept shown here). (Photo: General Motors) |
Currently Saturn vehicles, such as the compact ION sedan and coupe, midsize L-Series sedan and VUE SUV, feature sheetmetal roofs, hoods and rear decklids for structural stability purposes, in combination with polymer on the majority of vertical panels including doors and fenders.
The first vehicle to feature a full metal jacket will be the upcoming RELAY, a CSV (crossover sport van) that will also be Saturn's first minivan. GM has been concerned about quality perceptions of the polymer panels, particularly regarding inherently wide gaps between the composite panels. Steel panels can be fit closer together, solving this problem.
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| GM has been concerned about quality perceptions of the Saturn polymer panels, particularly regarding inherently wide gaps. (Photo: General Motors) |
Not only will the new 7-occupant RELAY be the first Saturn with sheetmetal bodywork, but it will also be the first Saturn manufactured alongside a similar GM product - or in this case products.
What other similar GM products? The RELAY will be GM's fourth minivan based on the GMT201 architecture, joining the new Buick Terraza to double fill a vacancy that will become available when the Silhouette soon becomes discontinued along with the entire Oldsmobile division. The new Chevy will be called the Uplander and Pontiac the Montana SV6, retaining the first portion of the current minivan name.