Saturn Sky Roadster

brettmeyers · 01-07-2005, 03:54 PM

The Saturn Sky Roadster is unleashed!

http://www.saturnspot.com/headlines/sky1.jpg http://www.saturnspot.com/headlines/sky2.jpg
View more pictures of the Sky Roadster

This Roadster will be available early in 2006 and will feature many firsts for Saturn. The Sky will include a 170-hp, 2.4-L, 4-cylinder engine, 162 ft. lbs. torque, a 5-spd manual transmission with short throw shifter and self adjusting clutch. Projector beam halogen headlamps and foglamps will light up the road like no other while you are riding safe with dual-stage front air bags. Disc brakes will be featured on all 4 wheels with ABS and each wheel will be an 18" flangeless alloy wheel.

This rear wheel drive Saturn is a one of a kind! Stay tuned for more information on it.

We've got wallpapers for your desktop! (Resolution 1024x76

http://www.saturnspot.com/forum/albu...php?pic_id=834 http://www.saturnspot.com/forum/albu...php?pic_id=833 http://www.saturnspot.com/forum/albu...php?pic_id=832 http://www.saturnspot.com/forum/albu...php?pic_id=830 http://www.saturnspot.com/forum/albu...php?pic_id=829
Saturn Sky Wallpapers

Source:
Saturn.com

brettmeyers · 01-07-2005, 05:30 PM

Saturn is about to launch a multi-billion dollar sink-or-swim product rollout that could determine the long-term future of the struggling General Motors division â and indeed, help set the stage for a turnaround at GM itself.

Once considered the âmaverickâ brand among General Motors divisions, Saturn has struggled in recent years to regain its edge, largely due to internal corporate rivalry that left it starved for cash and product. But over the next three years, it will more than double the number of segments it competes in with an assortment of new cars, trucks and crossovers.

The first two of these products will make their debut in Detroit during this monthâs North American International Auto Show. The Saturn Sky is a peppy little roadster designed to put a halo around the tarnished brand, while the more mainstream Aura sedan may will surprise skeptics with its sleek exterior design and refined interior.

âIf the clock could be turned back to 1993, Iâm sure people would like to make different decisions,â general manager, Jill Lajdzick says of Saturnâs long product drought.

It canât, but after years of steady decline, the division now has a serious shot at revival with products that âhave the potential to attract import intenders, whether Asian or German,â added GMâs âcar czar, Bob Lutz.

How high the Sky?

The two-seat Sky is likely to catch the most immediate attention. Itâs based on the same Kappa âarchitectureâ â GM-speak for chassis â as the sporty Pontiac Solstice roadster, which goes into production later this year. While Sky will add about $5,000 to the base Solstice, itâs expected to be a significantly more refined and powerful vehicle.

The aggressive front end will be defined by the strong chrome crossbar grille with its integrated Saturn badge. With subtle tweaks, this will be the new face for all future Saturn products, according to General Motors design chief, Ed Welburn.

Skyâs stance will be long, low and wide, though the carâs actual footprint isnât all that much bigger than the MINI Cooper. Short overhangs, with the standard 18-inch wheels pushed to the corners should further enhance Skyâs sporty appearance. The top is a quick-action manual.

A 2.4-liter Ecotec in-line four with variable valve timing will be the standard engine, for one thing, pumping out 170 hp. It will be mated to a short-throw five-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic will be optional.

The roadsterâs suspension should also exceed expectations, considering Skyâs price point. Itâs a four-wheel independent short/long arm suspension, with coil-over Bilstein monotube shocks for improved wheel control and road isolation. The Sky will boast hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion power steering, and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

When Sky hits market, early in 2006, it will feature one of the more refined interiors to roll off a domestic assembly line, especially considering the price tag. The center console, for one thing, will trade the cheesy-looking black plastic found in most GM products for chrome and piano black.

Source: The Car Connection

my99sl1 · 01-07-2005, 07:03 PM

damn i want the new Saturns.

jegster · 01-07-2005, 07:55 PM

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of this car. I'm saving my pennies as we speak.

yellekkel · 01-25-2005, 10:00 PM

There was a video of the Aura and the Sky on MSN at the Detroit Auto show.

http://autoshow.msn.com/as/article.a...ow2005Coverage

MSN Auto News
Story Filed:1/9/2005 6:30 PM
Sky Roadster to Revitalize Saturn

Saturn debuted the all-new Sky roadster and Aura sedan concept, revealing a new look for the brand.

The Saturn brand is the latest division of GM to benefit from new products and new styling. According to Gary Cowger, president of GM North America, there will be three new products coming for Saturn in the next few years, doubling the brandâs lineup.

The first of the new models is the sporty Sky roadster. Sharing a platform with the Pontiac Solstice, the Sky is a two-seater with a retractable soft-top that folds completely into the trunk for a clean look.

Powering the Sky is a 2.4-liter 170-horsepower Ecotec engine teamed to a short-throw 5-speed manual transmission. A 5-speed automatic will be an available option.

The Sky will go on sale early next year with a price expected to be below $25,000.

There are two more models coming in addition to the Sky. As Saturn general manager Jill Lajdziak put it, âFor Saturn, the Sky is not the limit. Itâs only the beginning.â

The Aura sedan concept also debuted, and weâre told that the final production model shouldnât be very different from the concept.

âThe Aura is a sneak peek at a new generation of emotionally compelling Saturn vehicles,â said Lajdziak. âItâs the kind of vehicle that perfectly supports Saturnâs firm commitment to provide great customer service combined with equally outstanding vehicles.â

The Aura shares a platform with the Pontiac G6, but as a show car it features 19-inch polished alloy wheels, low profile tires, a distinctive mesh grille, and a unique panoramic roof.

A large crossover SUV will be the third new model for Saturn, but no details of this vehicle were released.

Satyllac · 01-30-2005, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motortrend.com

General Motors dances with the branding devil yet again with a badge-engineered Saturn version of the Pontiac Solstice sports car. Both are rear-drive Kappa platform two-seaters, but the Sky has sharper creases in its sheetmetal, styling borrowed heavily from the Vauxhall Lightning concept. Other changes versus the Pontiac include more standard equipment, such as OnStar, power windows and air conditioning (although you can option out a Solstice with all of the Sky's equipment) and a more elegant interior with piano black inserts and LED backlighting. The Sky will have the same suspension tuning and standard 170-horsepower, 2.4-liter Ecotec four as the Solstice, with probably a supercharged 2.2-liter four available sometime after launch. GM hopes enough buyers will discriminate between the two roadsters enough to help elevate Saturn upmarket, as a more prestigious, sophisticated brand than Pontiac.

Full article with pictures.

Great to see that Saturn will be among the higher-ups in the GM lineup.