WIP…filling up with info in the future.
For customers on very tight budgets, the Vital clearly lives up to its name - it’s basic transportation, nothing more, but it’s quite good at what it does, which is being small, cheap and economical to run.
That story has some strong Opel vibes (and I like it)
2002-2009 SAARLAND SIEGEL
The Saarland Siegel, launched in 2002, was supposed to replace two model series: The smaller Origo and the larger Ambrosia. Though, while the Origo was discontinued at the launch of the Siegel, the Ambrosia was produced until 2004.
The first generation Siegel was available with three different bodystyles, a 4 door sedan, a 5 door liftback (“Aerosedan”) or like here, the station wagon (“Pilger”).
The range of engines was large. Four cylinders ranging from 1.6 to 2.2 litre (the 2 litre available as a turbocharged version), a 2.8 or 3.2 litre V6, and a range of diesels from an 1.9 litre 4 cylinder to a 3 litre V6. Transmission alternatives were a 5-speed manual, 6 speed manual or 6 speed auto.
All first generation Siegels were front wheel drive (unlike later versions that could be had with all wheel drive too). It had a Mc Pherson strut suspension up front and a multilink rear axle. Of course, there was a bunch of different equipment packages to choose from, too.
The first generation Siegel was produced until the second generation arrived in 2009.
The interior looks nicer than in the, umm, real world equivalent
1.6 in such a large car… that must be fun. Is it heavy?
Are povo spec large euro cars ever fun?
It’s been a while, but you’ve finally started reimagining your thread on the Saarland company - and the Siegel, with its highly detailed interior, is one of your better efforts.
I could have detailed it a bit better too, but as a QFC entry I didn’t bother since I don’t want to end up like in the last QFC that you probably remember
But I like some of the new interior fixtures, like the dashboard I used for this one, and it’s a pity that they are so awkward to work with, not centered around their own axis, some of the parts showing the inside of the textures, so for example cloth or leather is impossible to use… considering how good looking they are, those things are bugging me a bit.
I actually like the Vectra C/ Signum interior a lot.
Given that Saarland is based on Opel, using the 3D interior mod fixtures based on the Vectra C makes a lot of sense for the Siegel.
You can rev it to the redline and still be under the speed limits. Profit, I guess?
2014-2019 SAARLAND VITAL
When the Saarland Vital was released in 1982, it was the smallest model in the lineup. The fifth generation, released in 2014, may no longer have been the smallest model, but still stayed true to its origin as simple, cheap transportation
It was available as a 3- or 5 door hatchback. The engines ranged from an 1.0 litre 3-cylinder to an 1.6 litre turbo, with this 1.4 litre N/A 4-cylinder being the volume model. Also available was an 1.3 litre diesel. Gearbox choices were a 6 speed manual, or a 6 speed auto.
The fifth generation Vital was produced until the 2019 model year.
1985-92 SAARLAND ADJUNKT
The Saarland Adjunkt was introduced in 1962, and by then it was Saarland’s smallest car. It was also the car that introduced front wheel drive to the brand. The fifth, and last, generation of the Adjunkt was introduced in 1985.
Not only did it introduce an all new design language for Saarland, it was rather futuristic for a compact car in its time overall. Multiple bodystyles were available, 3- or 5 door hatchback, 4 door sedan, 2 door convertible, 3 door station wagon, or as shown here, the 5 door station wagon. The Adjunkt was also the base for the Saarland Kumpel van, replacing the old Kumpel that had been built since 1973 on the third gen Adjunkt.
The base engine was an 1.2 litre pushrod unit, harking back to the first gen Adjunkt, but there was also a range of more modern SOHC units, ranging from 1.3 to 2 litres. In 1988, the hot hatch version (with the ES moniker) recieved a 2 litre DOHC 16V unit. To distinguish it from the regular ES, it was called the ES-16.
Also available was an 1.5 or 1.7 litre diesel. Gearboxes available were a 4- or 5-speed manual, as well as a 3 speed auto.
The chassis engineering was what was more or less the standard formula at the time. Transverse engine, struts up front, torsion beam in the rear. Rack and pinion steering, disc brakes up front on all models, rear disc brakes on the ES.
The interior was maybe more functional than futuristic. It was somewhat spiced up in the top of the range versions though, with digital instrumentation and more exclusive interior materials.
Regardless of trim level, it could never be accused of being cozy or exciting inside, though. Some of its competitors really had an edge over it there.
At least the station wagon offered decent loadspace for its class.
The fifth generation Adjunkt was produced until 1992.
In 1992, the Adjunkt range was replaced by the Kosmos, which is a story for another time.
Congratulations for the good work, a smart and practical car. I highlight the attractiveness of the rear and the very interesting interior for the time. I would definitely go see the car at the dealership
1985-92 SAARLAND ADJUNKT ES CABRIO
With small and affordable convertibles being on the rise in the 80s, the Adjunkt was, for the first time, offered in a convertible version (albeit with a targa bar for increased safety).
The convertible was only available in the ES trim. That meant that, like the ES hatchback, it had a 2 litre engine (in the ES-16, produced from 1988 onwards, with 16 valves and DOHC) mated to a close ratio gearbox, 14" alloy wheels on 60 profile tyres, a stiffer suspension tune, “sportier” front end styling, fog lights, a hood scoop, clear indicators, painted mirrors, bumpers and side trim, a 2 tone interior, digital instrumentation and a 4 spoke leather wrapped steering wheel instead of the 2 spoke plastic one.
1996-2002 SAARLAND ORIGO
The Saarland Origo was introduced in 1988, replacing the Saarland Kaplan. In 1996, the second generation Origo was introduced.
The second generation Origo was available as a 4 door sedan, 5 door liftback (“aerosedan”) and 5 door wagon (“pilger”). The 2 door “aerocoupé” continued on the old platform until 1998, and never got a direct replacement.
Technically, the second generation was more advanced than its predecessor, with the torsion beam rear axle replaced with a multilink unit. It was also much safer, with a stiffened bodyshell, dual front airbags and headrests and 3 point seatbelts even for the middle passenger in the back.
There was a wide range of engines, starting with an 1.6 litre inline 4, and at the other end of the spectrum, a 2.5 litre V6. You preferred a diesel? 1.7, 2.0 and 2.2 litre 4 cylinder units were available. There was a choice between 4 speed auto and 5 speed manual, and like its predecessor it used front wheel drive.
The top of the range model was the ESP shown on the pictures. The V6 was tuned to 196 hp, and mated to the manual transmission, giving it a 258 km/h top speed and a 0-100 time of 7.4 seconds.
The ESP was an answer to the criticism Saarlands had recieved for being bland even in their sports versions. When the Bischof ES was introduced in 1970, its mechanical fuel injection was still hot stuff, but 26 years later, all cars were using fuel injection, and the “Einspritzung Sport” moniker had lost its glory.
One step towards becoming a more “sporty” manufacturer was to become the major shareholder in the Swedish sports car manufacturer RAUK in 1988. Among the first results of that was the RAUK-Saarland Ambrosia ET-24 built in the early 90s in a limited number. However, that was an one-off special and the sporty image had to be transferred even to in-house mass produced models.
The “ESP” line of cars was the result, slotting in above the “ES” models, and first out was the 1996 Origo ESP. On the outside, you could spot an ESP on its rectangular grille mesh, more aggressive bodykit, 17 inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, smoked taillights and dual exhausts. Interior wise, it had a 3 spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, aluminium panels, “sportier” aluminium pedals, and sports seats with perforated leather inserts. Technically, the sportier tune of the V6 was complemented by a limited slip differential and a lowered suspension with stiffer tuning.
The second generation Origo was produced until 2002, when it got replaced by the Siegel.
This is one of your better-looking efforts at a '90s car of any kind. The headlights (which I suspect are the Escort headlamp mod) gel very well with the grille shape, and the ESP’s body kit and mechanical upgrades suit its mission statement to a T.
It is the Escort lights yes (had to check the mod up since I somehow had gotten the idea that they were EG Civic lights, but turns out they are indeed Escort lights).
Oooh, nice. It just so happens that I have a roughly complete direct competitor to the ESP in my sandbox.
The interior is very nice, believable and really fits the brand
Well, this is one of the cars I am entering to Hippo’s crime show challenge, so maybe they could go head to head there?