Welcome the Saturn SKY

[BigAls87Z28]

Glimpse of the Sky

Automotive News / November 29, 2004

Saturn's first roadster finally has a name: Sky. Saturn revealed the name Monday, Nov. 29, when it released the first sketches of the rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Saturn says the Sky shows the new design cues that will appear across Saturn's product lineup. The Sky will debut at the Detroit auto show in January. The car will be built at GM's Wilmington, Del., assembly plant. It will arrive at Saturn retailers in early 2006.

It will be built along side the Solstice at Wilmington.

[foff667]

hmmm...whats the powerplant gonna be?

[BigAls87Z28]

No offical word, but Im sure that the base will be the new Ecotec 2.4 making 175-185hp, and then a supercharged or turbocharged "Red Line" model.

[foff667]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

No offical word, but Im sure that the base will be the new Ecotec 2.4 making 175-185hp, and then a supercharged or turbocharged "Red Line" model.

[skorpion317]

Originally Posted by foff667

hmmm...whats the powerplant gonna be?

from what I hear, the Solstice will have a supercharged Ecotec making 240 HP, while the Sky (it was called the Curve, previously) will get a turbochraged version. I doubt the whole turbo thing, they'll just use the supercharged Ecotec to keep costs down.

On a side note, they cleaned up the appearance of the Sky since it was first shown. This one looks a LOT better.

[skorpion317]

those headlights look badass....

[foff667]

they look like c6 lights

[BigAls87Z28]

I have, for a long time, a battle going on in my head for what is the hotter roadster between the Solstice and C6.... this one might trump the 2. More agressive front end like the C6, but a sexy rear end (just the way I like'em) like the Solstice...and if priced at the same as the Solstice...SKY takes #1 spot.

[skorpion317]

it might be priced lower than the Solstice, being Saturn and all. I wonder if the Sky will have plastic body panels too...

[BigAls87Z28]

Get rid of the idea of Saturn being the lowest rung on the latter....if its not priced the same, it will be more expensive as Saturn takes on the role where Olds once stood, between Buick and Caddy. Â*
Saturn will become a true import fighter, and with that they will make import fighting cars. Â*Just like the Accord and Camry have moved upmarket, so will Saturn. Â*This is one of three new cars that have "wowed" the media at Peble Beach. Â*They cannot talk about what the cars look like, or really what they saw, but one is a new sedan, one is a roadster, and the other is an XUV. Â*I do not know what they look like, but they are said to look like nothing you would expect from Saturn. Â*They will, as example of this roadster, probably take on a lot of the new Opel design. Â*I can only hope. Â*The sedan will be made off the Epsilon chassis, and the XUV will be made of Lambda, a chassis that will be coming into effect soon. Â*They will turn Saturn around, as Saturn has plans to make so many cars over the next few years. Â*The Spring Hill plant has been given more money to adapt to the new chassis.

[ar0ck]

Its ok, Id hit it.

[Tru2Chevy]

Eh....the front looks ok, but I've seen better.

Originally Posted by TransAm4Life

Its ok, Id hit it.

Dude....that's not saying much. Hasn't it been over a year?

- Justin

[foff667]

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

Eh....the front looks ok, but I've seen better.

Dude....that's not saying much. Hasn't it been over a year? Â*

- Justin

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

Eh....the front looks ok, but I've seen better.

Dude....that's not saying much. Hasn't it been over a year? Â*

- Justin

[formula4speed]

Not too bad...I didn't know the Solstice was being made in Wilmington, that plant is like 20 minutes from my house. I wonder if they'll let me take a field trip if I promise to buy one...

[Fasterthanyou]

Reminds me of the c6 style but at least this time the style is all GM. That's a good thing, I'm tired of cars coming out that look too much like a competitors previous years model! Should be interesting seeing some roadsters come from Saturn. They might just spark something that was lost when the s2000 and spyder came out. Sure hope so, I want more American cars on the road! If we all want to stop the whole shipping jobs overseas then stop dealing with them. I've stopped buying Linksys equipment because their tech support is based in India. Worst tech support EVER, not to mention the weak hardware.

[foff667]

sorry to bring this back from the dead but i got to see actual pics from the recent autoshow and it looks pretty good

[kamikaz]

We should set up a Class Trip to the Javits Center when they do the Autoshow

Later,

Santos

[GP99GT]

The 2007 Saturn Sky
**GM Press Release**
SATURN UNVEILS SKY ROADSTER


Two-seat convertible signals new design direction

DETROIT – With its dynamic design and quick and agile performance, the Sky roadster delivers a bold message about the next generation of vehicles from Saturn.

The Sky, introduced at the North American International Auto Show and slated for production in 2006, is the first vehicle to feature a new look that will influence Saturn’s entire future product lineup. The roadster will be followed by a new midsize sedan and a large crossover SUV as Saturn’s product portfolio doubles during the next 24 months.

“Building on its accomplishments in customer sales and service satisfaction, Saturn is introducing a bold new product design to our vehicles,� said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. “For Saturn, the Sky is not the limit. It’s only the beginning.�

Starting price for the Sky is expected to be less than $25,000. It will be built at GM’s Wilmington , Del. , assembly facility.

Technical harmony

The Sky roadster was inspired by the Vauxhall VX Lightning Concept – created at GM’s Advanced Design Studio in Birmingham , England – signaling the adoption of an international design language for Saturn.

“The Sky’s exterior conveys a sense of technical harmony, combining taut, controlled lines with fluid surfaces to create a dynamic feeling,� said Ed Welburn, vice president of Design for GM North America . “The vehicle’s strong front end is the new face of Saturn, with a pronounced fender peak and a bold, chrome bar that carries an integrated Saturn badge.�

The Sky’s design also features a wide stance with short overhangs and 18-inch wheels pushed to the corners. The convertible top folds completely into the rear compartment and the clamshell hood provides excellent accessibility and reinforces the sports car aura. Projector halogen low beams and reflector optic halogen high beam headlamps extend the exterior’s sophisticated look.

The design philosophy is carried through to the interior, which is driver-focused with integrated controls and displays. Creative use of piano black and chrome finishes combine with available leather seats and technical grains to emphasize richness and precision. Jewel-like detailing on the HVAC and lighting controls is executed with tight fits, highlighting the attention to detail.

Roadster performance

The Sky also has the hardware to back up its bold styling. It is equipped with a 2.4L, 170-horsepower Ecotec engine with variable valve timing and a five-speed Aisin manual transmission with a short throw shifter. A five-speed automatic will be optional.

“The Sky’s performance matches its impressive styling,� said Lori Queen, vehicle line executive for GM’s small cars. “Powertrain, suspension and handling components were carefully selected to provide quick and agile performance.�

Other technical highlights include:

Four-wheel independent short/long arm suspension for optimal handling and stability
Coil-over Bilstein monotube shocks for excellent wheel control and road isolation
Hydraulically assisted rack- and-pinion power steering for quick, responsive vehicle control
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS for excellent stopping performance
Wide track width for excellent stability and superior handling
Near 50/50 weight distribution for balanced handling feel
Structural tunnel design and hydroformed longitudinal rails for a stiff body that results in greater vehicle responsiveness and better overall feel
Hydraulic engine mounts for a smoother engine feel

OnStar

With 3 million subscribers, OnStar is the nation's leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services using the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network and wireless technologies. The 2006 Sky will offer OnStar. Sky owners can interact with OnStar's voice recognition system in Spanish, French or English. With the push of a button an OnStar advisor can change the system to allow the subscriber to interact with the system in their preferred language. Other core OnStar services are stolen vehicle location assistance, remote door unlock, roadside assistance, emergency services and automatic crash notification.

GM is the only automotive manufacturer committed to offering a full range of vehicles with safety protection before, during and after a collision. All OnStar-equipped vehicles come with Automatic Crash Notification. If air bags deploy, the system sends a signal to a highly trained OnStar Emergency Advisor, who contacts the vehicle to see if help is needed, and can contact an emergency responder to send for help. In many cases the occupants are severely injured and cannot speak for themselves. OnStar’s GPS unit allows Advisors to tell emergency responders the vehicle’s location. OnStar responds to at least one air bag deployment in the US or Canada every hour.

Additionally, the Sky will offer the GM-exclusive Advanced Automatic Crash Notification system. The AACN system detects collisions, even rollovers, regardless of whether air bags deploy. AACN also transmits other crash data, such as the direction of impact force, the number of and which air bags deployed and the maximum change of impact velocity, so that emergency responders are more prepared with this critical information before they arrive at the accident scene.

Saturn lineup

The expansion of the Saturn product lineup began this year with the introduction of the Relay family utility vehicle. The Relay combines SUV-like exterior styling, a rich interior and the functionality of a mid-van.

The Saturn Ion is significantly refined for 2005, with the sedan receiving improved interior and exterior appearances and more responsive and refined performance. The Vue’s clean styling, numerous safety features and vast array of accessory choices continue to make it a popular choice among customers with active lifestyles. Saturn’s 2005 lineup also includes two performance variants, the 205-horsepower Ion Red Line and the 250-horsepower, performance-tuned Vue Red Line.

SATURN SKY PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

General

Body/chassis structure:
integral hydroformed tube and stamped steel structure

Body materials:
hydroformed stamped steel, conventional stamped steel, sheet molding compound

Chassis material:
aluminum/steel

Suspension


Front:
SLA w/coil-over, monotube shock

Rear:
SLA w/coil-over, monotube shock

Wheels (in):
18 x 8 aluminum

Tires


Front:
Goodyear Eagle RSA P245/45R18 96V

Rear:
Goodyear Eagle RSA P245/45R18 96V

Brakes:
4-wheel disc w/ ABS

Steering:
rack and pinion with hydraulic assist

Dimensions


Height (in / mm):
49.8 / 1274

Length (in / mm):
161.1 / 4091

Width (in / mm):
71.4 / 1813

Wheelbase (in / mm):
95.1 / 2415

Track (in / mm)


Front:
60.7 / 1543

Rear:
61.44 / 1561

Weight (lb / kg):
2860 / 1300 (estimated)

Powertrain


Powertrain Configuration:
front engine, rwd

Engine:
2.4L DOHC I-4 Ecotec (LE5)

Displacement (cu in / cc):
145 / 2400

Horsepower (hp / kw) @ rpm:
170 / 127 @ 6400 (estimated)

Torque (lb-ft / Nm) @ rpm:
162 / 220 @ 4800 (estimated)

Transmission:
Aisin 5-speed manual (standard)
5-speed automatic (optional)

[camaro2you]

ya c6

[BigAls87Z28]

Deffinatly the best interior GM has out. There is a deffinate difference from interior designed by GM NA and Holden/Opel-Vaux

[foff667]

that looks really good...cant wait to see it in person hmmm

[formula4speed]

Its not so much a C6 look as an Opel Speedster. I think thats the model, but definitly Opel.

[BigAls87Z28]

It is Opels new Kappa roadster.

[formula4speed]

The speedster