SPS

The radical new 1999 Saturn coupe, with its innovative rear access door (RAD), is a truly exciting and remarkable vehicle. The rearward-swinging rear access door, located just behind the driver’s door, adds value and convenience to the sporty coupe without detracting from the Saturn’s appearance or structural integrity. And the new feature’s nominal effect on the Saturn’s value-based MSRP ensures increased value for Saturn owners and a strong market position for GM’s newest and most "different" division.

But while many will view the rear access door as a mostly practical new feature, a large part of its true beauty is its ability to add convenience without detracting from the Saturn’s fun demeanor. In fact, when closed, the rear access door is barely visible. It adds less than fifty pounds to the Saturn’s base curb weight. And it resulted in no loss of structural integrity to the Saturn’s sturdy steel spaceframe.

The 1999 Saturn RAD SC2 Concept vehicle is an exercise that explores the "fun" potential of the newest Saturn coupe while also creatively displaying the new rear access door feature. When creating the RAD SC2 Concept, Saturn borrowed ideas from amateur club racing and from the exploding West-Coast inspired compact car performance trend. Both cultures are increasingly using the sporty Saturn platform – and both are certainly representative of today’s "fun" small-car-buying enthusiast.

Saturn Spearheads Joint Effort to Create First-of-its-Kind Concept Vehicle

In order to create the 1999 RAD SC2 Concept, Saturn Corporation orchestrated input from several internal entities, suppliers, and aftermarket partners. The result is an atypical vehicle that is the product of a typically Saturn-like "team" effort.

Most of the chassis and powertrain performance modifications are from aftermarket tuner SPS in Dayton, Ohio. SPS is nationally credited with starting the burgeoning Saturn performance market. And their effective array of parts and enthusiastic willingness to participate in the 1999 RAD Concept led to their intense involvement in the planning and execution of the project.

Saturn also utilized original-equipment supplier-partners Enkei and Firestone in the creation of the 1999 RAD SC2 Concept. Enkei, manufacturer of the Saturn OE Teardrop IV alloy wheel, contributed its newest 17 inch aftermarket wheel, the Shogun. And Firestone, manufacturer of the Saturn OE 680, Affinity, and Firehawk GTA tires, supplied its high-performance Firehawk SZ50 in a 215/45ZR-17 variety.

The unique Hot-Rod Red exterior paint, perforated red leather interior, leather shift knob, and white-faced gauge cluster are from Saturn’s Vehicle Engineering Center in Madison, Michigan. Saturn team members at the VEC facility also completed final assembly and vehicle preparation.

Saturn RAD Concept Includes "Go" Beneath "Show"

Unlike many "concept" vehicles bound for the auto show circuit that are little more than sheet metal models with little or no functional appeal, the 1999 Saturn RAD SC2 Concept is a completely functional creation. And while its stunning exterior demands attention at the show podium, enthusiasts can take heart in the knowledge that highly operational performance modifications lay dormant beneath the glitter.

The stock Saturn 1.9L, DOHC, 16-valve powerplant, which normally produces 124 HP and 122 ft. lbs. of torque, has received an assortment of carefully selected SPS-engineered breathing aids which includes specially polished intake and exhaust manifolds, larger throttle body, and free-flowing performance exhaust system. Revised output is estimated at 150 HP and 145 ft. lbs. of torque.

Similarly revised is the RAD Concept’s suspension and chassis. In addition to the performance-oriented Firestone rubber, the RAD SC2 Concept utilizes SPS’ 1998 SCCA Showroom Stock club-racing suspension package which includes a noticeably reduced ride height, firmer coil springs, specially-valved gas struts, and an adjustable rear sway bar that is 1.5mm larger than the normal production unit. Other additions include an attractive and functional upper front strut-tower brace and cross-drilled brake rotors that are visible through the large open Enkei wheels.

The complete roster of the 1999 Saturn RAD SC2 Concept’s "performance" modifications continues below.

Chassis Modifications