reviewed for Times Union’s Autos Weekly
by Dan Lyons

Halo cars - head swiveling, gotta-have-it type of cars - are good for a company, for lots of reasons. They draw people into the showroom, for one thing. And while those customers may not drive out in the sports car they came to check out, they may well buy something else in the lineup that’s more suited to their needs. Halo cars also add some colors to a company’s pallet: a Hawaiian shirt, in a closet of grey flannel suits.

Sky is Saturn’s first sports car, and the effect of this sleek, sheet metal hottie on the lineup is all good, as far as I can see. To keep families brand loyal, it’s important to offer a family of car choices. Saturn has plenty of cars in their lineup that emphasize the practical. Sky is about fun.

That’s fun, as in fun to drive. Beneath the skin, the chassis is fitted with a fully independent, short/long arm suspension, and the rack and pinion steering is power assisted. Eighteen inch wheels are shod with a set of 245/45R18 Goodyear Eagles. The engine is GM’s Ecotec 2.4 litre four cylinder, connected to an Aisin five speed manual transmission (automatic available for $950). Good for 177 horsepower and 166 lb. ft. of torque, the Sky has sports car speed. Sixty miles an hour arrives from a standing start in the low seven second range - enough to keep up its end of the balanced performance formula. EPA says that your gas mileage will be 20 mpg’s city and 28 highway. Sky is a blast to drive. The little roadster rides comfortably, handles capably and looks good doing it. Its nearly even weight distribution (52% front/48 rear) and well sorted platform give the car a grippy, well planted feel on curvy roads.

The Sky looks more angular and edgy than its corporate sibling, the Pontiac Solstice. And both the GM sibs in turn look different from the Mazda Miata, the benchmark sports car that they were created to compete with. Aside from looks, Sky is distinguished from Solstice by its packaging. Parked slightly upscale from Solstice, it’s higher base price reflects a correspondingly higher level of standard equipment. The MSRP for Sky is $23,115, which includes antilock brakes, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, remote keyless entry and power mirrors, locks and windows. Staying with the cabin for a moment, one nice spot to spend some option dollars is on the Premium Trim Package. Your extra $750 buys redundant controls on the steering wheel, brightwork on door sills and pedals and good looking, two-tone leather trim. The two hues, added to the standard, piano black console trim makes the well constructed interior also well dressed. My test car had three other options. Chrome plated aluminum rims add some attitude for $795. The Monsoon Premium Audio System ($590) has a CD/MP3 player and enough quality sound to be heard even going down the road, top down at highway speeds. XM satellite can be included for $325 (includes three months service). Sky shares the same drawbacks as all small sports cars – lack of storage spots in the cabin and limited cargo capacity. The trunk measures 5.4 cubic feet with the top up; 2.0 with the top down. Let’s put it this way. If the kids call up and say they need help moving home from college, this won’t be the first set of keys that you reach for.

However, when the sun is shining, you may have to hide the keys from the kids, to make sure the car is still in the driveway when you want it. Sports cars are all about spontaneous sun worship, so how and how fast the top drops is key. Sky’s manual, cloth, convertible top has a heated glass backlight. It’s snug and reasonably quiet when raised, and folds easily into a flush stack beneath the rear hinged deck lid. Like Solstice, the twin fairings built into the tonneau give the top down Sky car a rakish, rear look.

Saturn has built a nice reputation over the years for its customer care, but they’ve never really had a model that could put some sizzle into the showroom. Until now.

Number and Dollars

2007 Saturn Sky

MSRP: $23,115

As tested: $26,150

Drivetrain

Engine: 2.4 litre four cylinder

Horsepower: 177 hp @ 6,600 rpm

Torque: 166 lb. ft. @ 4,800 rpm

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Weights and Measures

Wheelbase: 95.1" Height: 50.1”

Length: 161.1” Weight: 2,933 lb.

Width: 71.4”

Interior

Head Room: 38.4” Leg Room: 42.7”

Cargo Volume 5.4/2.0 cubic feet (top up/down)

Chassis

Suspension: Four wheel independent

Brakes: Four wheel disc, standard ABS

Mileage

EPA city/highway mpg - 20/28

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