Future SKY

[OLDMX4]

Spoke to a GM person this wekend, got talking about our SKY and he says "you know they are coming out with a V-6 soon and have even talked about a small block V-8 in 2012"

Is this guy blowing smoke or is there something we don't know yet?

I hate rumors ..... you know, like a GM ECU retune to 290hp ?

[G8TR]

Originally Posted by OLDMX4

Is this guy blowing smoke or is there something we don't know yet?

I would vote for the blowing smoke entry in this one. I monitor all of this as much as I can and all the rumors I've heard say that the Sky won't survive until 2012. In fact they may start shutting down shifts at the Delaware plant as soon as December of this year. If that happens the Sky may not survive past this model year.
Unfortunately, from all I've been able to discern, this is the most likely scenario.

[Ernest]

I can see a V6 in the near future, although a V8 SKY from GM would be awesome, I think that is reaching, but time will tell I would like to see a LS3 offered in a SKY, but don't know what CAFE is going to do to V8's in the coming years.

[uranium-238]

I really think GM would be stupid to do away with the Kappa line. Based on how well they've sold in my area this summer, I don't see how getting rid of an economical sports car would help GM weather the changes the auto industry is going through. It's basically the answer to anyone who wants a high performance car with great gas mileage. My guess is they'll stick with the LNF/LE5 engines for fuel efficiency, and that that fuel efficiency is the key to the Kappa's survival.

Is CAFE the law that states that all cars sold be a manufacturer have to average out to be 35 mpg by a certain year? With that law, doesn't it make sense to keep a line like the Kappa to help with that average? Even if produced in limited numbers?

[BSRL]

Although it would be nice to see a V6 or V8, it will never happen. Those are rumors. He needs to stick to his day job which obviously has nothing to do with future model lines at GM.

[OPEL-GT]

I thought this article said it all:


quote

GMI Exclusive: Kappa II Platform Axed From R&D
The product plans continue to shuffle at GM.
GM Inside News Forum
September 1, 2008



It is no secret by now that General Motors has been shaking up its product programs left and right. We first heard of the slashing of the Buick Zeta car, apparent death of the Cadillac Zeta car, and the impending death of a couple GMC product programs. Now GMI is hearing that the Kappa II program, successor to the current lineup of Kappa roadsters, has been pulled from the product plans. The reasons for all of these changes are obvious; uncertain gas prices, an uneasy economy, poor financial situation within the company and an overall product shake up are just a few reasons.

The Kappa line of products makes the "cut" bill rather easily. GMI has been told that when the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky came to the market, GM was losing around $10,000 per unit built. Needless to say, that is not a money-making product line by any stretch of the imagination. It is not entirely surprising that Kappa has been a money pit of a product program. From the ground up Kappa cars are costly; starting with the frame no less. The Kappa architecture is hydroformed as part of the fabrication process to achieve the dimensions and frame rails needed. Many of the body panels (namely the hood, deck-lid, and fenders) are hydroformed as well. Hydra-forming is a costly fabrication method, particularly for vehicles that have such low starting prices and low volume to boot. Add on the fact that the Kappa vehicles are largely “hand built” cars (at least by today’s standards); it becomes quite evident why GM will likely never get a return on investment with the Kappa products.

There has been speculation throughout the last year that Kappa II would be a more usable platform, supposedly loosely based off of the quite-mainstream Zeta that underpins the new Camaro. Speculation has also arisen in recent years that the next-generation Kappa products would [have been] built at GM’s new plant in Mexico to help offset the staggering loss it has taken with Kappa. Apparently such plans have been scrapped as market conditions have since changed and Kappa II is off the table

What this obviously means is that the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Daewoo SX2 and Opel GT roadsters are “once and done” products. All of these vehicles were introduced as “image cars” for their respective brands, which is how GM justified the losses on them. Possibly one generation of the Kappa’s was enough to boost their respective brand’s image?

As always, we want to add that product plans, particularly in today’s world at GM, change constantly. As of late last week though, the Kappa II program was shelved. That does not mean that GM may not open it up tomorrow, next month or a year from now. However, we suspect that unless the financial situation at GM changes dramatically soon, the Kappa II program will likely maintain its “shelved” status.

unquote

[lorennerol]

GMI is not an official source of information from GM. This 'article' is funny in that it talks about 'speculation' elsewhere without mentioning that it is speculative, too.

Various trickles of rumor paint a bleak picture for the future of the Kappa-based cars, but there is nothing official yet.

[uranium-238]

Not only is GMI not an official source, it's talking about the kappa II, not the current generation kappa. What's to stop them from just moving production of the current gen kappa to a different location? You'd think now that they've got the bugs worked out they should milk the design for all it's worth.

[G8TR]

Originally Posted by uranium-238

What's to stop them from just moving production of the current gen kappa to a different location?

Just my opinion, but the planned move from Delaware to Bowling Green, Kentucky, at the end of the current contract, as planned in 2012, just looks more and more unlikely to me. We all know how opinions are. Maybe we can get some of the people that work in Delaware to weigh in on this subject.
However when I hear that Saturn dealerships are starting to close up due to sales I find it hard to believe that the kappas will survive. If they do I think it will be strictly in the Solstice line.

[KimberlySky]

I just don't want them changing the body style.

[Bogie]

Although times change, here's what the Solstice book says about Lutz's position on V6 or V8s:

"Lutz adamantly insists that GM will not wedge a V8 or V6 into the Solstice" (pg 93).

Considering the current gas and economy situation, I would think that would apply even more so today.

[Ahnuld]

hey... lets add in all the rumors...

maybe because of the mileage regulations and the kappa moving to Bowling Green... maybe the next Corvette is built on Kappa... and the V6/V8 rumors are connected to the Kappa Vette??

[xmicro_Redline]

Considering they are thinking of offering our engine in the Camaro, I cannot see them going the other way!

[uranium-238]

Originally Posted by Ahnuld

hey... lets add in all the rumors...

maybe because of the mileage regulations and the kappa moving to Bowling Green... maybe the next Corvette is built on Kappa... and the V6/V8 rumors are connected to the Kappa Vette??

I would not be surprised if this were to happen. It would be a simple way to improve the efficiency of a Corvette, as it would lighten the car significantly. ALso, kappas are already getting a fanbase that's just as loyal as the one the 'vettes have. It is also possible that the "kappa II" is really some changes to better accommodate a powerful LS series engine.

Also, note that most of the bugs have been worked out in these cars, things probably to the point were a high-profile release of a kappa 'vette wouldn't be met with talk of crazy unreliability. Also, since the frame provides all the stiffness, not the body panels, re-styling a kappa to be a 'vette would be a simple process.

Also, it's a sad thing, but sooner or later it will happen: the mighty Corvette, the great American sports car, will become a casualty of rising gas prices and give up it's mantra of V8 only since C1. If you're going to take your classic V8 car and reduce it to a 4 banger, what better way to do it than send it to a platform that is fueling a growing fanbase of rabid fans.

[xmicro_Redline]

Nahhhhhh, big guys like Ernest, like the bigger size of the Vette. I can see them going with an electric SKY before a V8...Like the Tesla!