"The new design of Saturn vehicles are heavily influenced by global design trends and conveys a sense of technical harmony," commented Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Design. "Taut, controlled lines combine with fluid surfaces to create a dynamic feel."
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| General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz drives out onto the stage in the new 2006 Pontiac Solstice Sunday, January 4, 2004 at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit. The Solstice will share its Kappa architecture with the Sky. (Photo: General Motors) |
The new Sky will also feature rear-wheel drive, in true sports car character. The rear-drive layout will be another first for Saturn, but essential in making it competitive with Mazda's Miata, the roadster sales leader. General Motors' Pontiac division will introduce its production-trim Solstice roadster at the Detroit show as well, which also rides on GM's Kappa rear-drive chassis architecture the Sky shares.
Analysts say GM's decision to bring two new roadsters to life in a market that has been all but friendly to sports cars is a bold and potentially risky move. Interest in the sporty segment is down, coupes included, with few models, excepting Ford's new Mustang, bucking this flat sales trend.
No matter how well the two roadsters perform on the sales charts, however, the Solstice and Sky will fulfill their first duty of providing an image enhancing halo over the brands each represents, attracting new buyers into their respective dealer showrooms and improving morale among sales staff.