Saturn Sky

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Saturn Sky
2007 Saturn Sky
Manufacturer General Motors
Also called Opel GT
Production 2006–2009
Model year(s) 2007–2009
Assembly Wilmington, Delaware
Class Sports car
Body style(s) 2-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform GM Kappa platform
Engine(s) 2.4 L LE5 I4
2.0 L LNF I4
Transmission(s) 5-speed Aisin AR5 manual
5-speed 5L40-E automatic
Wheelbase 95.1 in (2416 mm)
Length 161.1 in (4092 mm)
Width 71.4 in (1814 mm)
Height 50.2 in (1275 mm)
Curb weight 2,940 lb (1,330 kg)
Related Pontiac Solstice
Daewoo G2X
Designer Franz von Holzhausen

The Saturn Sky is the first ever sports car from the Saturn marque of American automaker General Motors. It was released in the first quarter of 2006 as a 2007 model. It uses the Kappa automobile platform shared with the Pontiac Solstice and Opel GT. The Sky concept was shown at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, with the production version following at the 2006 show. It is built at GM's Wilmington, Delaware plant, alongside the Solstice and the Opel GT. The Sky features 18 inch (457 mm) wheels and a 2.4 L Ecotec LE5 straight-4 engine that produces 177 hp (132 kW) as well as an all-new straight-4 2.0 L direct injected turbocharged engine that makes 260 hp (194 kW). Both five-speed manual and automatic transmissions are available.

The styling for the Sky, penned by Franz von Holzhausen, is based on the Vauxhall VX Lightning Concept's design. It is available in some European markets as the Opel GT. A rebadged version named the Daewoo G2X was unveiled as a concept vehicle for the South Korean market in 2006. The production version was released in September 2007. The Solstice, Sky, and GT are built in Delaware, as was the G2X until 2008. The aggressive styling has garnered praise as a welcome departure from traditional Saturn design.

The Wilmington assembly plant is currently scheduled to close in July 2009, effectively ending production of the Sky. [1]


Contents

[edit] 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 receives a standard torque-sensing limited-slip differential, standard StabiliTrak stability control, and an enhanced sport suspension over the standard Sky (currently available as a dealer-add on for regular Skys). Other exterior enhancements include dual exhausts, 18 inch 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 gauges, and a digital boost gauge in the Driver Information Center.

Prices start at $29,795 for the Red Line model, which started shipping in the third quarter of 2006.

Models
Trim Engine Power Torque Transmission
Base 2.4 L LE5 I4 177 hp (132 kW) 170 lb·ft (230 N·m) 5-speed Aisin AR-5 manual (Optional 5-speed GM 5L40-E automatic)
Red Line 2.0 L LNF I4 260 hp (194 kW) 260 lb·ft (353 N·m)

[edit] Specifications

Base Model Specifications:

  • 0-60 mph (97 km/h): 7.3 seconds
  • 0-100 mph (160 km/h): 21.9 seconds
  • 1/4 mile: 15.9 seconds @ 93 mph (150 km/h)
  • 70 mph (110 km/h)-0 mph braking: 174 ft (53 m)
  • 300 ft (91 m) skidpad: 0.86 g
  • EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg-US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg-imp) city/28 mpg-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg-imp) highway

Red Line Specifications:

  • 0-60 mph (97 km/h): 5.5 seconds
  • 0-100 mph (160 km/h): 14.7 seconds
  • 1/4 mile: 13.9 seconds @ 100 mph (161 km/h)
  • Top speed: 141 mph (227 km/h)
  • 70 mph (110 km/h)-0 mph braking: 168 ft (51 m)
  • 300 ft (91 m) skidpad: 0.90 g
  • EPA fuel economy: 22 mpg-US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg-imp) city/31 mpg-US (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg-imp) highway

[edit] Yearly American sales

Calendar Year Total American sales
2006[2] 8,671
2007 11,263
2008[3] 9,162

[edit] Mallett V8 conversion

The company Mallett Cars, an Ohio conversion firm that specializes in high-performance versions of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, says it will offer a limited-production run of both cars with V8 engines.

The base Mallett conversion uses an LS2 engine from GM performance parts producing 400 hp (298 kW) and 400 lb·ft (542 N·m) of torque. Optional configurations include an LS7 engine, larger custom brakes, even turbo-charged versions exceeding 750 hp (559 kW).

[edit] AMP Electric Vehicle Conversion

Advanced Mechanical Products Inc., based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is working on producing an all electric conversion of the Sky. Of note is the Sky's relation to the Lotus Elise as well as Tesla Motors product called the Roadster.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "GM Pulls Ahead U.S. Plant Closures; Reaffirms Intent to Build Future Small Car in U.S.". GM Media Online. http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=827&docid=54632. Retrieved on 2009-06-01. 
  2. ^ "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. 2007-01-03. http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=6&docid=31596. Retrieved on 2009-05-01. 
  3. ^ "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. 2009-01-05. http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=2&docid=51161. Retrieved on 2009-05-01. 

[edit] External links

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