2007 Saturn Sky

To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, "There goes General Motors again." The automotive monolith is dancing with the branding devil by releasing a badge-engineered Saturn version of the Pontiac Solstice sports car. The steel-bodied Sky does two things for GM: It helps reposition Saturn upmarket, past Pontiac, and closer to the import-fighting position that most recently was Oldsmobile's charge; and it helps absorb the production of the plant for the small, rear-drive Kappa, a new platform that'll be launched late this summer and serve as basis for both.

Recognizing that the Sky stems from the Solstice isn't hard. Some classify the look as more subtle and elegant, with a more upscale interior. A horizontal open dash replaces the Solstice cockpit, which is designed to close off the driver from the passenger in the two-seat roadster. Featuring piano-black inserts, tech grains, and jewellike instrumentation with LED backlighting, the Sky is a handsome, inviting car designed to compete with everything from Mazda Miatas to BMW Z4s.

Saturn says the Sky will have standard features that'll be optional on the Solstice, including OnStar, power windows, remote locking, and air-conditioning, which is to say the Pontiac actually will have roll-up windows and no standard A/C to keep its price below $20,000. But GM admits you'll be able to kit out a Solstice with all the equipment available on the Sky.

Reports differ on suspension tuning--one saying that the Saturn will ride a bit softer, another that Solstice and Sky ride/handling dynamics will be identical. GM doesn't believe in oversteer here; the only way you'll be able to break the Sky's (or Solstice's) tail loose is via trail-braking. "It'll be an extremely good track car," the automaker boasts.

The engine at launch will be the same 2.4-liter variable-valve Ecotec four the Solstice will have, making 170 horsepower at 6400 rpm. GM won't confirm if a more powerful engine is already planned, saying only that it's studying a supercharged or other uplevel engine for the future--about one year after the Sky's early-2006 launch. GM showed the Solstice concept and the Vauxhall Lightning concept ("News," August 2003) with a 240-horse, 2.2-liter Ecotec four.