1997 Saturn SC1 Value and fun in a design home run. By Mike Knepper, New Car Test Drive .com

It's difficult to find more quality, more

good looks, more fun and more value in a coupe than Saturn has given its

pair of two-doors, the SC1 test driven here and the slightly pricier SC2.

For 1997 the coupes are wearing a completely new aerodynamic skin. New,

yet it manages to carry over some of the styling cues from the distinctive

look of the 1991-1996 originals. And there's a new interior to go with

the exterior changes.

Much less obvious but mechanically more important, the coupes are now

on the same 102.4-inch wheelbase as the sedans and wagons. That means a

3.2-inch increase in wheelbase which means a more stable platform for improved

ride quality and more interior headroom.

The SC1--from $12,895, including destination--has a 1.9-liter, four-cylinder,

single overhead cam engine that produces 100 horsepower at 5000 rpm and

114 pound-feet of torque at 2400 rpm. Our test car had the standard five-speed

manual transmission, but a four-speed automatic is optional.

The SC2 uses a double overhead cam 16-valve version of the same engine

that produces 124 hp. In addition to the horsepower, the SC2 comes with

more comfort and convenience features, bigger wheels and more aggressive

tires, which adds up to a premium of about $1200 compared to the SC1.

Sedan pricing starts with the very bare bones Saturn SL, from $10,995

and the wagons begin with the SW1, at $12,595.

The word value popped up back there. The ever-popular V word has been

a key to Saturn's marketing philosophy from the start, and GM's newest

division is still serious about it.

Our test car had an option package that included power locks with remote

keyless entry, power windows, air conditioning, power remote right-hand

mirror and cruise control. In addition, the optional ABS included traction

control. Add in the $400 destination charge and the total was $15,450.

Model to model comparisons are difficult to make because different manufacturers

roll items into packages, but a quick check of base price--including destination

charge--and air conditioning only revealed: Cavalier, $12,275; Neon, $11,895;

Eclipse, $15,141; Avenger, $15,944; Probe, $15,575. So we think Saturn's

value claim stands up to scrutiny.