The Future Of Saturn & 2007 Saturn Vehicles

Saturn is going from three basic models for people who don't like cars--Ion, Vue, Relay--to six, including some for people who do like cars, by the 2008 model year. Much of the new lineup bowed at the New York motor show. While the fourth model, the Sky roadster, is just now hitting those lovable Saturn dealerships, New York unveiled the high-performance Sky Redline. It's an American-market Opel GT, as revealed at the Geneva show in March.

Saturn also previewed the 2008 Vue, basically a rebadged version of the Opel Antara GTC three-door crossover concept coupe from last year's Frankfurt motor show. The division also showed the production version of the midsize, midprice Aura, first revealed as a "concept" at Detroit in January, and unveiled the production version of its 2007 Outlook.

The clean, Acura MDX-like Outlook is on the same platform, codenamed Theta, as the Buick Enclave, but sports much different styling. There'll be a GMC version, as well. Saturn appears to be fitting nicely between Pontiac and Buick, and with relatively few dealerships nationwide, the division could become hot for individual retailers. Bottom line: These are not your earth-mother's Saturns.

SKY REDLINE Need To Know
• Engine is the 260-horsepower "LNF" 2.0-liter turbocharged four that made its debut in the Opel GT. Pontiac will install this engine in the Solstice GXP.

• Suspension is tuned for higher handling levels than the standard Sky's, using thicker anti-roll bars and steering described as "a little quicker on center." Electronic stability control and traction-control are standard. Tires are 245/45-18 Goodrich Eagle F1 GS2s.

• Polished wheels are standard (optional on Sky); chrome wheels optional.

• Black headlamp bezel (versus chrome on Sky) gives away the higher-output engine. Rings around the lamps under the headlamp cover are chrome, as are foglamp surrounds.

• Brake-cooling duct is functional , and lower grille is enlarged.

• "Redline" and "turbo" badging is subtle inside and out; gauge cluster-face is unique to Redline.