Action Cars: Saturn

Saturn Sky | Action Cars Since its inception in 1992, Saturn hasn�t exactly flown the performance flag for GM. Not that it was ever meant to. The company has brought its share of design, manufacturing, and sales innovation to the market, and Saturn have a reputation for being well-built and easy to buy. But in terms of actual, get-your-adrenaline-pumping thrills, I suppose there�s not much one can expect from a car company named after a Roman god of agriculture. Heck, until recently, presumably the only �rush� Saturn owners got was while viewing an unscathed plastic door after a good whack from a shopping cart.

Saturn continues its product revitalization with the 2007 Sky Red Line performance roadster, which is debuting at the 2006 New York International Auto Show. The Red Line, available at Saturn retailers this fall, builds on the Sky�s established performance character, offering even more power and sportier driving dynamics combined with a bold design and driver-focused interior.

The Red Line gets a boost in performance from an Ecotec turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, GM�s first direct injection offering in North America. It produces 260 horsepower* (194 kw) at 5300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. of torque* (353 Nm) at 2500 rpm, making it GM�s highest specific output engine ever at 2.1 horsepower per cubic inch of displacement (130 hp / 97 kw per liter) and the most powerful engine in the Ecotec family.

Gasoline direct injection technology helps the Ecotec engine produce more power while maintaining the lower fuel consumption of a small displacement port-injected engine.

With direct injection, fuel is delivered directly to the combustion chamber to create a more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. Less fuel is required to produce the equivalent horsepower, especially at normal cruising speeds, of a conventional port-injection combustion system.

Direct injection technology works well with turbocharging and helps deliver a great balance of power and economy.

Other Red Line technical highlights include:

Standard torque-sensing limited-slip differential
Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control

Performance-tuned suspension
2007 Saturn Sky Red Line Turbo - Indicator Panel View

2007 Saturn Sky Red Line Turbo - Indicator Panel View
2007 Saturn Sky Red Line Turbo - Interior View

2007 Saturn Sky Red Line Turbo - Interior View

Technical elements also standard on the 2007 Sky roadster include:

Four-wheel independent short/long arm suspension for optimal handling and stability
Coil-over Bilstein monotube shocks for excellent wheel control and road isolation
Hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion power steering for quick, responsive vehicle control
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS for excellent stopping performance
Wide track for excellent stability and superior handling
Near 50/50 weight distribution for balanced handling
Structural tunnel design and hydroformed longitudinal frame rails for a stiff body that results in greater vehicle responsiveness and better overall feel
The Red Line also features several unique interior and exterior differences compared to the Sky roadster, including dual exhaust with chrome polished outlets, 18-inch polished aluminum alloy wheels, and specific front lower fascia with large brake cooling vents and black headlamp bezels.

The interior features a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, unique seatback and floormat embroidery, metallic sill plates, stainless steel pedal covers, Red Line-specific gauges and a digital boost gauge included in the Driver Information Center.

The Sky Red Line has numerous safety features, including dual-stage frontal air bags, GM�s Passenger Sensing System, four-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS, side-impact door beams, three-point safety belts with pretentioners and load-limiting retractors, and more.

*Preliminary, pending certification. A new voluntary power and torque certification procedure developed by the SAE Engine Test Code committee was approved March 31, 2005. This procedure (J2723) ensures fair, accurate ratings for horsepower and torque by allowing manufacturers to certify their engines through third-party witness testing. GM was the first auto manufacturer to begin using the procedure and expects to use it for all newly rated engines in the future.

Glimmers of hope for leadfoot junkies emerged in model year 2004 with the new Ion Red Line. With its supercharged 2.0L engine, the 205hp Ion introduced the Red Line edition of vehicles to Saturn�s lineup and the first bit of excitement Saturn drivers had ever known. But it still lacked a lot in the styling department and, perhaps more significantly, a true performance-oriented driveline layout. Plus, 205 hp, while a big improvement over the standard 2.2L motor�s 140, didn�t exactly create class-leading performance.

Model year 2007 builds substantially on this slow-to-get-going excitement theme at Saturn with the introduction of the Sky roadster. One of the coolest looking cars introduced in recent years, the Sky�along with its Kappa platform sibling, the Pontiac Solstice�is poised to compete with successful convertibles like the Honda S2000 and the Mazda Miata (come on, nobody calls it the MX-5). With a base price of $23,690, the Sky has been on showroom floors since late spring and is selling well. But its 2.4L, 177hp LE5 engine leaves something to be desired for those of us seeking serious speed. Fortunately, the automotive aftermarket has already started to catch on to these vehicles, with exhaust systems, turbo kits, and the like. But for a car with such a capable chassis and looks to kill, you�d think GM could cook up something a little more impressive under the hood.