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2008 Saturn Sky
2008 Saturn Sky
The Sky's the Limit
The Saturn Sky is an affordable and entertaining roadster in the classic European tradition.
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The two-seat Saturn Sky roadster was conceived to help wake up Saturn's ho-hum image. The Sky shares its platform and powertrain with the Solstice, though the car looks quite different inside and out, and the Sky isn’t marketed as a bargain-basement roadster like the Solstice.
Like its Pontiac twin, the Sky contemporizes the quintessential 1960s European roadster — known for nimble handling and simplicity of design rather than raw power. True to form, the Sky is rear-wheel drive, with two seats, a cloth top, a reverse-opening clamshell hood and an affordable price.
The Saturn Sky has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which is about as strong as the one in the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Sky’s engine is mated to a short-throw, slick-shifting, five-speed manual transmission. An optional five-speed automatic is available.
The Saturn Sky Red Line comes powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is almost 50 percent more powerful than the base engine, and slightly more powerful than the Porsche Boxster in base form.
The Sky is entertaining to drive, with slot-car-like handling through the corners. The roadster benefits from a wide stance, near-perfect weight distribution, large wheels and tires, as well as a fully independent suspension.
As with most low-slung sports cars, the suspension favors firmness over compliance, sacrificing some comfort and cushioning over rough roads for improved handling. Stability control is not offered. Roadster purists might relish this lack of electronic intervention, and not having it also reduces weight and mechanical complexity. Traction control systems intervene before an accomplished driver can deliberately cause the tires to lose their grip in order to slide around a turn — which is quite fun, but not advisable on public roads. Antilock brakes are standard on the Sky and optional on the Pontiac Solstice.
The Saturn Sky Red Line delivers added cornering prowess with a performance-tuned suspension and StabiliTrak stability control. Better cornering traction is afforded by a standard limited-slip differential.
The Sky’s exterior reflects Saturn’s new, more aggressive look, which will also find its way to other future models. This is especially evident at the vehicle’s angular front end. The Red Line is denoted by front and rear styling cues and polished aluminum alloy wheels on the outside. Inside are unique gauges, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, metallic sill plates, and stainless-steel pedal covers.
A manually operated fabric roof folds neatly under a clamshell cover immediately behind the passenger compartment, providing a clean and streamlined top-down look. The top is a bit odd in the way it retracts, and raising it is a chore. Unlike the competing Mazda Miata’s excellent manual top, which is light enough to raise or lower while sitting in the car, the Sky forces occupants to get out to work the top. Plus, the Sky’s trunk can’t hold much with the top down.
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The Saturn Sky comes well equipped with standard features like air-conditioning, power locks, mirrors, and windows, an adjustable steering wheel, keyless entry, a theft-deterrent system, automatic headlamps, and a satellite-radio-ready CD stereo with an auxiliary input jack to accommodate MP3 players and other portable audio devices. Leather upholstery is optional.
The standard dual-stage front airbags for driver and passenger reduce the likelihood of injuries by deploying in two different levels of force depending on the severity of an accident. Every Saturn comes with GM’s emergency communications and response system, OnStar, along with a one-year subscription.
You want an affordable sports car that doesn’t sacrifice style; you like small sporty cars; you’re looking for a basic convertible.
You require more passenger room and cargo capacity; you're willing to spend for a more luxurious or higher-performance convertible; you favor comfort over sportiness.
As with most vehicles of this type, tall and/or portly occupants will likely find the cozy cabin claustrophobic and a challenge to enter and exit, especially with the top up.
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