Saturn Sky will be featured in a road test this week on
MotorWeek. Check your local listings to see when it will air on your local PBS station.
Quote:
2007 Saturn Sky
Program #2536
GM's Saturn division has always been a maverick. Conceived in the early 1990s as an answer to inexpensive imported small cars, they also made innovative no-haggle pricing part of the Saturn mantra. But compact cars were not enough to ensure long term growth, so Saturn expanded into mid-size cars, minivans, and SUVs. Well, now Saturn is reaching for the stars with the 2007 Sky roadster, a car that should open Saturn up to a whole new audience.
It doesn't take more than one look to know that the 2007 Sky roadster is not your average Saturn product. Inspired by the VX Lightning concept car built by General Motors' European Vauxhaul division, the Sky is a bold step forward for a brand better known for friendly showrooms than aggressive designs.
And the Sky is a very aggressive looking roadster, built on GM's stiff and compact Kappa rear-wheel-drive chassis, which it shares with the Pontiac Solstice. But while the Solstice speaks curves, the Sky goes its own way with sharp angular lines. In fact, no body panels are shared between the two. The Sky's long-hood front with its deep cooling ducts and small chrome accented grille looks like it can eat the asphalt off the road. While the short-deck rear with its high mounted cat's eye taillights provides those who follow with a lesson in modern Euro design. No surprise that the Sky will also be sold in Europe as the Opel GT.
The Sky's manual fabric top with glass rear window and defroster is pretty much straight from the Solstice. While you do have to get out to fold it, the top quickly drops beneath a solid tonneau cover, leaving a pair of aerodynamic headrest fairings in view. Like its Solstice sibling, the Sky rides on a 95.1-inch wheelbase. Supporting hardware includes independent short/long arm suspensions at both ends and 18-inch alloy wheels available in standard painted or optional chrome finish.
The Sky's striking lines are initially pushed through the air by the same 2.4-liter Ecotec dual-cam 4-cylinder used by the Solstice. Output is the same too, at 177 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque.
The transmissions are both 5-speeds, either manual or automatic, and a limited slip diff is available. With the manual 0 to 60 is a par-for-its-class 7.2 seconds.
The other side of that coin are respectable EPA fuel mileage ratings of 20 city/28 highway with the manual transmission, and 22 city/26 highway with the automatic. Those demanding more performance should keep their wallets closed until the higher flying Sky Red Line, with a 260-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo 4, arrives this fall.
But we couldn't wait and hit the roads around Miami, Florida for our first drive in the Sky. We were immediately impressed with the solid feel and better-than-average roadster ride quality which is softer than the Solstice. Body shake is minimal, though you do hear a fair bit of tire and suspension noise with the top up.
With almost 3,000 pounds of weight to move, the 177 ponies do have to work a bit, and the exhaust note is a little short on character. But transmission performance is very good for both manual and auto, with clean shifts and gear ratios well matched to engine output.
Compared to the Solstice, there is a little more front cornering push, yet rear grip remains strong and easily managed with wheel and throttle. Both cars' standard 4-wheel disc brakes produced a solid pedal with excellent feedback. But while ABS is optional on the Solstice, it's standard on the Sky.
Pop open the cabin, and the Sky offers a clear alternative to the boy-racer cockpit of the Solstice. The Sky's more upscale and reserved interior is fitted with piano black and chrome trim, as well as better looking materials. Air conditioning, power locks, windows and mirrors are standard, as is GM's OnStar with Automatic Crash Notification, which is triggered by the deployment of the dual-stage front airbags or in a rollover. Unfortunately, no side airbags are yet available.
Seating is by nicely tailored cloth buckets with manual adjust. Leather is available as part of the Premium Package. A tilt wheel is also standard, but could use another inch or two of travel. CD audio with auxiliary input jack is included, too, though you can opt for upgrades that include a 6-disc changer and XM satellite radio.
If all this is giving you a case of roadster fever, then get out your checkbook. A brand new Sky with manual transmission carries a base price of $23,690. Opt for the automatic, and the prices start at $24,540. That's three-grand more than the less well equipped Solstice.
The 2007 Sky is not only the coolest Saturn yet, it's one of the best looking roadsters ever to drive the American road. Indeed Sky puts a whole new shine on the Saturn brand, and combined with other new products due this year should, for many, make a first trip to Saturn a must.
i drove a yellow 1 already
dumping the clutch at 5500 rpm isnt much fun , LOL
yeah the 260hp or so redline version , should be alot more fun
but only if you can turn off the stabil-i-track , completely OFF
I saw the yellow one too. Ahh, looks kool. I like it better then the pontiac. " no body parts are intechangeable betwen pontiac solstice and saturn sky" wait til the turbo version comes aout and then it'll be fun dumping the clutch at 4k rpms
Stock '00
2200 cavy
sedan!!!!
man i want to get to a dealer and drive one of these, i love em!
