Small, affordable, and fun-to-drive roadster enthusiasts rejoice as GM introduces another hot new model into the segment.

By the amount of fun I had driving the all-new 2007 Saturn Sky, and the many positive comments I got whenever I passed by or parked the vehicle, Saturn has a genuine hit on its hands.

The all-new Sky is the new face of Saturn with innovative and exciting styling backed up with higher performance, comfort and safety levels.

The Sky's design was inspired by GM's English arm, Vauxhall, and the Vauxhall 'VX Lightning' concept created at GM's Advanced Design studio in Birmingham , England .

A team of designers at GM's design studios in Warren, Michigan adopted some of the Lightning's innovative styling and created the Sky to establish Saturn's new design direction. The Sky's strong front end is the new face of Saturn, with pronounced fender peaks and a bold, chrome bar that carries an integrated Saturn badge. The use of several other chrome pieces and door handles give the Sky a more up-level look.

With a commanding road presence and stance, aggressive, edgy and sharp lines, and clean, sleek surface, the Sky offers a distinctly European look. In fact, the Sky is offered for sale in Europe under GM's Opel brand and called the Omega GT. Decorative hood vents further emphasize its dynamic performance character and accentuate its long dash-to-axle appearance.

Several of the car's key body panels are produced using sheetmetal hydroforming. Like its twin, the Pontiac Solstice, the Sky is the only other vehicle using this method for sheet metal fabrication. Sky's large, sharply-creased clamshell hood, as well as its door inner and rear quarter panels, could not have been made with conventional stamping.

Besides the innovative styling, another difference between the Pontiac Solstice and Sky is its more upscale interior that features the same driver-focused cockpit but you'll find contemporary, upscale black, aluminum and chrome finishes on the center stack, console and door trim. Both cars display excellent attention to detail and a tight fit of all components.

Also like the Solstice, the Sky has the hardware need to back up the bold styling.

The Sky comes with a 2.4 liter Ecotec 4-cylinder, all-aluminum engine with VVT. It produces 177hp at 6,600rpm and 166lb.ft. of torque at 4,800rpm for outstanding low-end torque. This high-output engine is mated to a smooth shifting, short-throw Aisin 5-speed manual transmission. A 5-speed automatic is optional. Both feature electronic throttle control for quick, precise engine response. I had a blast quickly running up to redline and feeling my back digging deeper into my high-back bucket seat as the car reached 60mph in just 7.2sec.

The Sky uses a hydroformed tube structure for an extremely strong and rigid chassis, especially for a convertible. With its purpose-built chassis, Sky looks the part of a true sports car and has all the stiffness and torsional rigidity necessary to make it a nimble, fun-to-drive roadster for the enthusiast driver. I never felt vibrations or cowl shake while traveling over rough roads.

The Sky's modified double-wishbone suspension was engineered to optimize ride quality without compromising handling. Key design elements include a short-long arm suspension setup at each wheel featuring aluminum control arms, coil-over Bilstein monotube shocks, and a 27.2mm hollow stabilizer bar with ball joint sockets up front and 24.2mm hollow stabilizer bar with ball joint sockets in the rear.

The ride is smooth over poorly paved roads and very stable with no body lean going into and through turns, steep or sweeping. Saturn says that the Sky can pull up to 0.90g's on the skip pan. I had a blast dicing it up on mountain switchbacks and hairpin turns, letting the rear get loose to have some sliding fun.

The Sky's power rack & pinion hydraulic steering system provides the performance expected from a high-end roadster. It gave me excellent on-center feel with very quick response to my inputs, making the drive precise and easy.

The Sky's standard four-wheel disc braking system is designed to provide optimal driver feedback. The power-assisted dual-diagonal brake system features 11.7in. vented discs and 10.9in. solid rear discs. Working together, these components give a responsive, solid and linear braking feel with minimal pedal travel. To enhance braking even more, ABS and dynamic rear brake proportioning comes standard.

The all-new Saturn Sky rides on big, 18X8in. five-spoke, aluminum wheels wrapped with Goodyear Eagle RSA 245/45R18in. high-performance, all-season radial tires that enhances the vehicle's stance, increases traction, and provides excellent longitudinal grip.

The Sky's manual fabric top is easy to operate, and provides an excellent seal against the elements and outside noise when the top is up. The rear hinged deck lid closes over the entire mechanism, hiding everything in a seamless flow of sheet metal; with no visible evidence the vehicle has a top neatly stowed in the rear trunk.

Sky also comes with a host of safety features including front airbags, 3-point safety belts with load-limiters and pretensioners, front and rear crush zones, steel beams in each door and Daytime Running Lamps. Security features include standard OnStar communications system, remote keyless entry, including panic alarm, and engine immobilizer with PASSKey III theft deterrent feature.

The all-new 2007 Saturn Sky hits on all cylinders. It is very stylish, fun to drive and priced very attractively starting at just $23,115.00. I've driven the new Miata MX-5 but felt more connected and at home behind the wheel of the all-new Sky.

The Sky's the limit as Saturn charts a new course with all-new, up-level vehicles at reasonable prices. Who said that the General can't build inexpensive, sporty, fun-to-drive cars?

ALL NEW 2007 SATURN SKY
"AFFORDABLE ROADSTER FUN IN THE SUN"

COPYRIGHT:2006:HARVEY SCHWARTZ - EDITOR, AUTOMOTIVE ADDICTS

Other Specifications:

Type: Compact Convertible
Where Built: United States

Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 161.1 in.	Width: 71.4 in.
Height: 50.2 in.	Wheel Base: 95.1 in.
Curb Weight: 2933 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 38.4 in.	Front Shoulder Room: 52.7 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.7 in.	Luggage Capacity: 5.4 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 5 cu. ft.	Maximum Seating: 2
Performance Data
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 4	Base Engine Size: 2.4 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 4	Horsepower: 177 hp
Max Horsepower: 6600 rpm	Torque: 166 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4800 rpm	Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 34.9 ft.

Fuel Data