Saturn Sky

Saturn Sky

Saturn Sky
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aka	Opel GT Daewoo G2X
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The Saturn Sky was a roadster automobile manufactured by Saturn. It used the Kappa platform shared with the Pontiac Solstice. The Sky concept was shown at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, with the production version following at the 2006 show. It was built at GM's Wilmington, Delaware plant, alongside the Solstice and the Opel GT. The Sky featured 18 in (457 mm) wheels and a 2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4 engine that produced 177 hp (132 kW). Manual and automatic transmissions were available, both with five gears.

The styling for the Sky, penned by Franz von Holzhausen, was based on the British Vauxhall VX Lightning design. It was available in the UK as the Vauxhall VX Lightning, in some other European markets as the Opel GT, and in Korea as the Daewoo G2X. The Solstice, Sky, and GT were built in Delaware; the G2X was produced by GMDAT in Korea. The aggressive styling garnered praise as a welcome departure from the typical, conservative "Saturn Look". The car went out of production in 2009 due to the discontinuation of the Saturn brand.

Recent Changes

• A Red Line model of the Sky was introduced on April 11, 2006 at the New York Auto Show. It uses the same 260 hp (194 kW) turbocharged Ecotec engine as the Pontiac Solstice, as well as the same standard 5-speed Aisin manual transmission. An automatic transmission is optional. The Red Line had a standard torque-sensing limited-slip differential, standard StabiliTrak stability control, and an enhanced sport suspension over the standard Sky (available as a dealer-add on for regular models). Other exterior enhancements included dual exhausts, 18-inch wheels, and a specific front fascia modeled for the Red Line. On the inside, the Red Line had a special leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, special embroidery on the seats and floor mats, metallic door sill covers and stainless steel pedals, special tachometer and gauges, and a digital boost gauge in the Driver Information Center. The Red Line model started shipping in the third quarter of 2006, with a retail price starting at $29,795.

Styles and Major Options

The Sky is available in two models: Sky and Red Line. Even in base form, the Sky is very well equipped.

Sky Standard Features

• 2.4 liter DOHC inline-4
  • 16-valves
  • Variable Intake and Exhaust Valve Timing
  • 10.4:1 Compression Ratio
• 5-speed Manual Transmission
• 18" Painted Alloy Wheels
• Air Conditioning
• AM/FM Single CD Stereo with 6 Speakers
• Glass Rear Window with Defroster
• Power Windows, Door Locks and Mirrors
• Remote Keyless Entry

Sky Red Line
In addition to or in place of Sky Standard Features

• 2.0 liter DOHC Turbocharged and Intercooled inline-4
  • 16-valves
  • Direct Injection
  • Variable Intake and Exhaust Valve Timing
  • 9.2:1 Compression Ratio
• 18" Polished Alloy Wheels
• Unique Red Line Gauges and Grille Accent
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Limited Slip Differential
• Stability Control

Pricing

Today's actual prices for the Saturn Sky can be found at CarsDirect.

Sky Trims
Sky	Red Line
MSRP
$24,725	$28,425
Invoice
$23,117	$26,577

Gas Mileage

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Miles Per Gallon (City/Highway)
Sky Manual	Sky Automatic	Red Line Manual	Red Line Automatic
20/28	22/26	22/31	21/29

Reliability

The Sky received an "Above Average" reliability rating in 2007 (Consumer Reports). However in the second year, quality dropped to "Well Below Average". The Sky was not rated in 2009, its final year.

Safety

Standard Safety Equipment

• Daytime Running Lamps
• Dual-Stage Driver and Front Passenger Airbags
• Front Safety Belts with Pretensioners and Force Limiters
• OnStar
• 4-wheel Disc Brakes with ABS
• Side Impact Door Beams

The 2007 Aura was tested by the NHTSA and the full results can be found at safercar.gov.

Rating (Stars)
Front		Side		Rollover
Driver	Passenger	Front Seat	Rear Seat	2WD	4WD
4	4	4	-	5	-

Photos

Colors

Sky exterior and interior availability and color samples.

Exterior Color	Cloth	Available Premium Trim	Cloth Top
Midnight Blue	-	Black/Tan	Black/Tan
Sunburst Yellow	-	Black	Black
Forest Green	-	Black/Tan	Black/Tan
Black Onyx	Black	Black/Red/Tan	Black/Tan
Silver Graphite	Black	Black/Red	Black
Silver Pearl	Black	Black/Red	Black
Silver Pearl	Gray/Tan	Gray/Tan	Black
Bluestone	Black	Black/Tan	Black/Tan
Chili Pepper Red	Black	Black/Tan	Black/Tan
Polar White	-	Black/Red/Tan	Black/Tan

Exterior Colors

Bluestone

Silver Pearl

Silver Graphite

Chili Pepper Red

Polar White

Midnight Blue

Forest Green

Sunburst Yellow

Black Onyx

Interior Colors

Black Cloth

Black Leather

Tan Leather

Main Competitors

Mazda Mx5 Miata

BMW Z4

Nissan 370Z and 350Z

Unique Attributes

The Sky used a hydroformed structure and used the Kappa platform, basically a cheaper Corvette Platform.

Resale Values

Skys are usually sold for $12,000-$20,000

Criticisms

The Sky was criticized for a poorly designed top that was difficult to put up or down and required getting out of the vehicle. The trunk also had little to no space, and the car was not as fun as the Miata.

Technical information

The Sky is based on GMs Global rear-drive platform named Kappa. This platform also underpins the Pontiac Solstice and Opel GT and Vauxhall VX Lightning concept. The Sky's edgy styling mimics the VX Lightning's, with sharp creases and slab sides. The Sky and Saturn's new mid-size sedan, the Aura, moved Saturn into a new, more European styling direction, leading it to effectively becoming GM's Opel distribution chamber in the North American market.

The Sky shares its engines and powertrain with the Solstice, although no sheet metal stampings are interchangable. The suspension and steering tunings are unique to each car, lending the Sky a more upscale, relaxed feel. The Sky uses GM's LE5 2.4 liter inline-4 and LNF 2.0 liter Turbo-4 mated to an Aisin AR-5 manual or GM 5L40-E automatic.

Red Line

A Red Line model of the Sky was introduced on April 11, 2006 at the New York Auto Show. It uses the same 260 hp (194 kW) turbocharged Ecotec engine as the Solstice GXP, as well as the same standard 5-speed Aisin manual transmission. An automatic transmission is optional.

The Red Line will get a standard torque-sensing limitied-slip differential, standard StabiliTrak stability control, and an enhanced sport suspension over the standard Sky (currently avalible as a dealer-add on for regular Skys). Other exterior enhancements include dual exhausts, 18 in wheels, and a specific front fascia modeled for the Red Line. On the inside the Red Line will receive a special leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, special embroidery on the seats and floormats, metallic door sill covers and stainless steel pedals, special tachometer and guages, and a digital boost gauge in the Driver Information Center.

The car arrived in Saturn dealerships in fall 2006 for $27,895.

Worldwide

The Saturn Sky was sold as the Opel GT in Europe.

Design quirks and oddities

The Sky had chrome air intakes on the hood and lots of other chrome bits. The Sky also had a storage bin between the seats, and awkwardly placed cupholders under this cubby

Awards

The Sky Redline's twin, the Solstice, beat the 350Z and Z4 in a Motor Trend test.

The Sky got a 8/10 in the "Enthusiast Rating" category in Car and Driver's 2007 buyer's guide.

See also

• Vauxhall VX220 and Opel Speedster, the European-markets predecessors, both based on the Lotus Elise and built by Lotus Cars.

External Links

• GM Ecotec Store - Performance Parts and Accessories
• 2007 Saturn Sky Redline Forums and Info
• Saturn Sky Discussion Area
• Vauxhall VX Lightning
• Saturn Sky Information