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2006 Saturn Sky Preview

Blue Sky for GMs Saturn Division

If you had told me a year or two ago that Saturn would be vying for best domestic nameplate on my personal pecking order, Id have said you were crazy.

Well, GMs import fighting division has changed its direction, all for the better. The ION Red Line Quad Coupe started me believing that the brand could build a car that is at least really fun to drive, if not particularly inspired in design or interior execution. The updated 2005 ION is improved inside and out while the Relay minivan, based on the same mid-van architecture as the Buick Terraza, Chevy Uplander and Pontiac Montana SV6,

If a year ago somebody had told me that Saturn would be vying for best domestic nameplate on my personal pecking order, I would have laughed. (Photo: General Motors)

ups Saturns interior quality ante substantially, while showing the brand can be competitive in the mid-van segment right out of the box.

Whats next? A car that until a month ago I would have never expected, or at least not in the form that

Saturn has chosen the name Sky to represent its new roadster model, pulled from the Sky Concept that debuted the year prior. (Photo: General Motors)

will debut next week at the North American International Auto Show. I figured that Saturns first sports car would be based on the exciting Curve concept that debuted at last years Detroit show, but now that Ive been set straight, Saturns future looks to blue sky in more ways than one.

Saturn has chosen the name

The new roadster will usher in a completely new styling direction for Saturn. (Photo: General Motors)

Sky to represent its new roadster model, pulled from the Sky Concept that debuted the year prior. Unlike the concept, which sported a unique "convertible" two-seat, four-seat configuration, the production Sky will just offer two seats. Actually, GM states there is no design link between the production and concept Sky models at all.

While a dynamic car in its own right, the new roadster will

The new Skys convertible top folds into the cars rear compartment without the need of a cumbersome add-on cover. (Photo: General Motors)

also usher in a completely new styling direction for the brand, one that seems influenced heavily by GMs European Opel division the Skys front grille and headlight design. In actual fact, the Sky was inspired by Vauxhalls VX Lightning Concept, which was created at GMs Advanced Design Studio in Birmingham, England. Vauxhall, if you didnt know, is British for Opel, being that the Vauxhall brand supplants Opel in England. GM says that the Vauxhall styling

The Sky is driver-focused, featuring controls and displays that are right at hand. (Photo: General Motors)

cues signal "the adoption of an international design language for Saturn."

"The vehicles 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," commented Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Design.

The new Skys convertible top folds into the cars rear compartment without the need of a cumbersome add-on cover. Rather, a body-color clamshell cover hides the fabric roof, looking ultra-sporty when in place

High quality cloth will cover the seats and door trim in base models, with optional "technical-grain" leather available. (Photo: General Motors)

due to its 50s racecar-style double-bubble shape.

Low to the tarmac and featuring a wide, grounded stance with abbreviated overhangs and a substantial 18-inch wheel and tire package pushed to right out to each corner, makes the Sky look capable of taking on any competitor, and any roadway that winds in between its point of origin and destination. Saturn has equipped it with powerful projector halogen low beams and reflector optic halogen high beam headlamps for optimal night vision, and a top-tier premium-level appearance.

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