[Washington Times] Saturn trots out the turbo Sky Redline for dessert

[KappaMan]

What appears to be the first of the Sky Redline articles is out. Interesting and encouraging reading.

Saturn trots out the turbo Sky Redline for dessert
By Russ Heaps
SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES
August 18, 2006

http://www.washingtontimes.com/autow...0912-1897r.htm

Saturn trots out the turbo Sky Redline for dessert
By Russ Heaps
SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES
August 18, 2006

Barely giving us time to fork a bite or two of the main course into our mouths, Saturn has trotted out the bananas Foster. The main course in this case is its hot-looking two-seat roadster Sky while the turbo-charged Sky Redline plays the role of dessert.
It's tough to concentrate on the meat and potatoes when 2 feet away a guy in a tuxedo is setting your ice cream topping on fire.
That's the sort of predicament more than a few shoppers will face in Saturn showrooms this winter when the Redline arrives to join the Sky.
There are differences and there are similarities, but basically the Sky is hot while the Redline is on fire.
Topping the list of differences is the Redline's extra firepower thanks to its turbocharged Ecotec four. A new engine, this is the first North American application of direct fuel injection by General Motors.
Enhancing both power and fuel economy, direct injection mixes the fuel and air in the combustion chamber rather than in an intake manifold or port. The fuel is burned more completely and at a lower temperature; consequently, less fuel is needed.
At 260 horsepower, the Redline has 83 more ponies under its hydroformed hood than the normally aspirated Sky.Peak torque is also up by 94 foot-pounds to 260. While the Sky lopes to 60 mph from a standstill in about 7.2 seconds, the Redline sprints it in about 5.5 seconds. The difference is clearly noticeable and exhilarating.
Although the final drive ratios are a bit different, both models use the same five-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions.
When fitted with the manual transmission, the Redline bests the Sky by 2 miles per gallon both in city and highway driving. It has an Environmental Protection Agency rating of 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The EPA rates the automatic version of Redline at 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. This is three miles per gallon less than the Sky's city numbers, but one mile per gallon better than Sky's highway performance.
Carried over to the Redline virtually intact is Sky's exceptionally well-engineered four-wheel independent suspension. Neatly balanced with just the right amount of stiffness for effortless cornering, this architecture is one of Sky's strongest attributes.
In the Redline it is given more to do by the turbocharged four. In light of this, Saturn has beefed up both front and rear stabilizer bars. The front is up by 6.1 mm and the rear by 1.2 mm. Filling the wheel openings of both models are 18-inch alloy wheels and rubber. They are model-specific.
A four-wheel antilock disc brake system shoulders stopping responsibilities.
However, where Sky doesn't offer traction control or electronic stability control even as options, they are standard on the Redline.
Purists will be encouraged by the ability to either reduce the degree of stability control or eliminate it completely through the three-stage traction-control button.
In addition to the Redline-specific badging and wheels, other exterior styling cues include the polished dual exhaust ports in the rear and the restyled front air dam featuring functional brake cooling vents.
Most available interior space is devoted to the passenger area. Both Sky and Redline are cargo-space challenged. Forget the golf clubs. What little room there is in the trunk is mostly consumed by the top when it is lowered.
The cockpit, however, is as roomy as anything in this class.
The seats are well bolstered and all the controls are close at hand.
The Redline's interior changes aren't simply cosmetic. Sure, it has Redline seatback and floormat embroidery, stainless-steel pedal covers, metallic sill plates and Redline-specific gauges; but it also features a leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant audio controls, the aforementioned traction-control button and a digital turbo-boost gauge.
The convertible top on both models is manually operated. Despite its layer of sound insulation, it is light and easy to raise or lower. It fits neatly out of sight into the trunk when lowered. It is remarkably sound resistant and watertight when raised.
Visibility isn't optimal to the rear when the top in its raised position, but that's about par for the course, especially in smaller roadsters.
Making a choice between these models will boil down to cost and performance needs. Saturn already can't keep up with demand; so whichever version you choose, expect to stand in line. At $27,295 the Redline is $3,605 pricier than the Sky.
That heftier bottom line buys a lot; but if you don't want to spend it, the Sky is plenty of automobile.
On the other hand, if off-the-line velocity is a key criterion and the extra money is no problem, it's the Redline. Essentially they are both head-turners, but one is a heart-stopper as well. You won't go wrong with either.
Ultimately it's just a choice between black and cayenne pepper.

[MRSSKY]

great article!!

[Teacher1]

Agree, great article!

[IslandHopper]

Great reporting, I guess it because what we want to hear!! I'm sending this page to those reporters at Forbes.

[Superman]

That was an awesome review! I love how they said such positive things about the cornering ability of the SKY. Most of the others reviews seem to keep skipping that part...

Although it mentions "Redline-specific badging and wheels". Wheels? Is it just that the polished Al is standard on the RL, but the painted Al is the standard on the base? Heck, if that's the only thing the writer got wrong, he dun good!!

[Ahnuld]

Its a decent piece... but its not a review.

Nothing in the article says the writer actually drove the car. Where are the comments about the power... the throaty exhaust sounds... being pressed back into the seats.. the feeling of the sport suspension.. the standard lines about how he was challenged at a red light...??

He knows the sky, drove the sky, and then built an article on the RedLine based on the published information on the Redline.

Published to be in synch with the RLs rolling off the assembly lines...


Maybe I'm just bitter for not putting my money down at Pitcoms dealer?!

[Axel]

Good find. Thanks for posting! The three-stage traction-control will definitely be used!

[SunneySky]

[Matman]

I think i just drooled a little

[GetAboutRL]

This positive article encourages me to continue the wait.

Every so often I think about throwing the towel in on this waiting game.

It would not be as bad if only the dealers communicated, actually submitted our orders instead of sitting waiting for a call to submit from their Regional, gave deposited customers our order number and had a UPS tracking system in place so we could check as we please.

Thirty plus thousand dollars can buy many nice cars and after all is said and done, it is a fancy sexy car but a car. I am use to being treated with a degree of respect and this process has much to be dresired.
But that article helped remind me why I even placed a thousand dollar deposit down and continue to wait with no communications and no delivery date.

What a country ... go GM go!

[nighttripper]

Good to hear

[Victor Juarez]

Am new to the form but this was great but i been a saturn driver since 97 frist new car was a saturn SL2 Black gold now i got the 2006 R/L Vue chille pepper red / white 2006 Ion / and when I saw the Sky had to have it. Built 10/06 Del 11/16 BlueStone. I love my sky even if its not a R/L.

[marlboromike]

Does anyone other than GM really care what they say? When they bad mouthed the roadster...did u really care? We went out and bought it...matter of fact, we bought the car without test driving, without a history and being color blind...so, DO WE REALLY CARE. I don't!

[KimberlySky]

WOOOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KappaMan]

Originally Posted by KimberlySky

WOOOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dontcha mean

?

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by marlboromike

Does anyone other than GM really care what they say?

NOPE When they bad mouthed the roadster...did u really care? NOPE We went out and bought it...matter of fact, we bought the car without test driving, without a history and being color blind...so, DO WE REALLY CARE. NOPE

Guess you and I think alike--

[wt2ga]

Originally Posted by KappaMan

Dontcha mean

?

http://www.disgalaxy.addr.com/Charac...igger/ttfn.wav