Sky Redline: GM unleashes a half-price Corvette

[91 s-10baja]

2007 Saturn Sky Red Line First Drive GM unleashes a half-price Corvette by Christian Wardlaw Introduction


Saturn Sky Red Line – First Drive: Buying a new Chevrolet Corvette Convertible requires almost $53,000, a sum that delivers a world-class sports car with stunning performance. If your budget can't handle the Corvette, we recommend trying a Saturn Sky Red Line, which costs almost half that figure at $27,895 and puts an impressive sports car with entertaining performance in the driveway. No, it won't keep up with the Corvette and isn't quite as sophisticated in terms of engineering or execution, but in most respects driving a Sky Red Line is similar to Chevy's hot roadster, and the Saturn looks just as good as its corporate General Motors cousin.
No, we aren't smoking the public relations pipe. The reason the Sky Red Line does a fair impression of a Corvette is because it's been infused with a 260-horsepower turbocharged and direct fuel-injected four-cylinder engine that can propel the two-seater from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Combine the thrust and speed of the blown four with a view over a hood that mimics the topography of the Corvette, and all the Saturn is missing is the rumble of an all-American V8.
In addition to the huge injection of power and performance, the 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line gets black headlamps bezels, dual exhaust outlets, polished aluminum wheels wearing Eagle F1 performance tires, a sport-tuned suspension, a limited-slip differential, functional brake cooling vents, and StabiliTrak stability control. Inside, the Red Line receives specific embroidery on the seats and floor mats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with stereo controls, stainless steel scuff plates, stainless steel pedal covers, unique gauges, and a digital turbo boost gauge in the Driver Information Center.
Otherwise, the Red Line is identical to standard Skys, which come well equipped with power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, air conditioning, and a stereo with a CD and MP3 player. The Red Line's options list is limited to leather upholstery ($475), an automatic transmission ($850), a decklid spoiler that looks totally out of place ($275), Monsoon sound system ($590), a six-disc CD changer ($300), XM satellite radio ($199), chrome wheels ($545), and a garish paint color called Sunburst Yellow ($195). Saturn invited us to Santa Barbara's wine country for a day of driving great Central California roads in the new Sky Red Line, and the roadster proved itself worthy against its closest competitors, the Honda S2000 and Mazda MX-5. The only downside is that, like a Corvette stacked up against a BMW Z4 M Roadster, the Sky Red Line relies on its brawn and appealing design to make up for a lack of finesse and refinement in comparison to the Honda and Mazda.


http://www.autobytel.com/content/sha...le_id_int/2125

[gotz_otto]

This is when a Corvette division would be fun to have, but it would wreck it for every other brand that has a sports car.

It is nice to see a Saturn getting compared to a Vette.

[desmo9]

Per the last comment ... I recently drove brand new S2000 and Miata back-to-back, and it revealed that the Mazda is not altogether "refined" and "finessed." Lots of cowl shake, hard plastic parts where there shouldn't be, and not a whole lotta power. I have little doubt the Sky will hold its own against the Mazda in terms of refinement and performance. As for the Honda? Yeah, it's quite refined. Very tight, as if it had a roof, and still looks quite good, imo. But the Sky will still be a formidable alternative, because much as I like a high revving engine in a bike, in the S2000 it equates to no torque where you need it and lots of NVH up where the power is. The Sky's turbocharged and meaty alternative will bridge any gaps in refinement. The Saturn will not beware imports. The closest thing will be the M-series Z4, which is about $20K more dear.

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by desmo9

But the Sky will still be a formidable alternative, because much as I like a high revving engine in a bike, in the S2000 it equates to no torque where you need it and lots of NVH up where the power is.

I felt the same way w/ my Vibe GT. It was fun for the first 6months, then it got annoying. Keep the noise down, and have no power, or Rap the ???? out of the motor and listen to the bees!

[A Bum In A Bus]

Plain and simple Autobytel is nitpicking, I too have driven the competition and finesse is in the eye of the beholder. I personally like the Sky's interior better than the Honda or Mazda and the exterior seams are actually closer and more consistant than either of it's competitors. The auto reviewers are finding it difficult to give credit where credit is due, they have a hidden belief if it's not imported it's not quite as good. When it comes to the Auto Magazines a large portion of that belief comes from major advertising dollars spent by the foreign marques.

[kenman923]

A half priced Vette. I like that.

[Bggriffi]

260hp. I really like that.

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Originally Posted by kenman923

A half priced Vette. I like that.

The Sky is not a half-price Corvette. It is a Saturn sports car.

[Dumb_Ass_2003]

About the author:

"His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano."

Thought it was funny when I saw this.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by Dumb_Ass_2003

About the author:

"His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano."

Thought it was funny when I saw this.

That means this reviewer actually knows and loves sporty roadsters. Which is a good thing in this case, right?

You really don't want someone who prefers to drive a big SUV or a minivan to review a roadster.

[Mrbowtie]

Originally Posted by genjy

That means this reviewer actually knows and loves sporty roadsters. Which is a good thing in this case, right?

You really don't want someone who prefers to drive a big SUV or a minivan to review a roadster.

Yeah and it also means the reviewer would rather drive an import than a Saturn. Too bad the Sky looks better and is overall a better car than his Mazda but he can't bring himself to admit it.

[SigEpCutlass]

My preference for the kappa twins is the Solstice. However, I'm glad to see a reviewer who happens to be a Mazda owner, recognizes the quality roadsters GM has produced on the Kappa platform. Overall, I thought it was a decent & relatively unbiased review.

[eaton53]

I own a Miata and the only decision I have to make next time is this one.... Solstice GXP or Sky Red Line??

[ChevyLaxMan]

Originally Posted by genjy

That means this reviewer actually knows and loves sporty roadsters. Which is a good thing in this case, right?

You really don't want someone who prefers to drive a big SUV or a minivan to review a roadster.

It tells me he's a tiny little man. Miata's are a friggin pack of gum on the inside.

[johnny smallblock]

Originally Posted by Mrbowtie

Yeah and it also means the reviewer would rather drive an import than a Saturn. Too bad the Sky looks better and is overall a better car than his Mazda but he can't bring himself to admit it.

In fairness to the writer, the Sky just went on sale, so he wouldn't have had much of a chance to buy one yet. And besdies, if you were an aut writer, wouldn't you wait to test drive a car before you bought it?