On the occasion of our company's 40th anniversary in 2008: The Irmscher GT i40. V8 Power to be enjoyed

Irmscher constructs the GT for GourmeTs

It's the ingredients that make the difference! And here is the menu:
A 6,0l V8-engine with 480PS in an Opel GT-body for excellent driving performance.
Perfectly prepared and served à la maison.
For 40 now Irmscher has been providing proof of its competence in matters of vehicle construction and individualisation.
On the occasion of the company's 35th anniversary the most powerful and strongest of the Opel Vectras had caused a stir by reaching a speed of more than 300km/h. However, that which is emerging from the factory floors in Remshalden for the company's 40th anniversary is a vehicle for the true connoisseur: the Irmscher Opel GT i40. The figures in the model's number stand for the data of the company: Günther Irmscher senior started up in1968 in Winnenden with the first vehicle modifications. In the person of Günther Irmscher junior, the second generation is at the fore of the company in 2008 and is proof that 40 years of company history should be celebrated properly at this anniversary.
The Remshalden company is starting its anniversary with a world premiere in Geneva. Here, the GT will be making its first appearance and is sure to cause a stir at the company's stand in Hall 2.
V8-engine and a driving performance that puts it in the company of thoroughbred sports cars male the experts sit up and take notice and connoisseurs tingle with anticipation. As it is known that appearances also matter, the GT is optically enhanced by means of a discreet modification to the car body, and, on the interior with an exclusive leather fitting.
For desert, Irmscher serves the news that the vehicle is to be produced in a small series. The appropriate attention is being paid to this already. The menu therefore also exists in takeaway form.
The GT i40 currently stands in a long tradition of elect vehicles.V8-engines have always had an important role to play at Irmscher. In this line of history stand the Senator V8 and not least the successful races in the Omega V8 with the F1-driver Johnny Cecotto at the wheel, who was able to win the championship twice.
The models with the "i"".
Special models with the "i" in their name have always had their place in the company history. The GT i40 here lines up with a whole row of other vehicles, from the i120, i130, i200...via the i500 to the i35 which appeared for the company's 35th anniversary. At that time, a compressor helped enhance the performance of a V6-Motor. The result was the fastest Opel limousine in series production in the world. 5 years later it is a V8 that will cause a sensation in a Roadster.
All that remains to be said in conclusion is:

Dinner is served!

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

Vehicle Description

What you all are looking at is The famous Gary Coleman's 2007 Saturn Sky. This Roadster is the coolest car out in the market and you can now have one with a really cool Value if you bid on this Famous one. Thank you for checking out my site please email with any Further Questions. The Winning Bidder gets a complimentary autograph from Gary Himself. Good Luck and Happy Bidding!!!! GOD BLESS!!! Also Mudflap add on is on the car. This vehicle is gently used and in excellent condition of course. [eBay]

Press Release:

GM Daewoo Launches G2X Roadster

Classic rear-wheel-drive roadster unique among domestic manufacturers

Seoul, Korea - GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) announced today that its sporty roadster, the G2X priced at 43.9 million won will go on sale on September 1. With the G2X, which was one of the highlights of this year's Seoul Motor Show, GM Daewoo will open up a new chapter in the domestic automotive industry.

"The launch of the G2X is a great example of how GM Daewoo as a member of the General Motors family, is leveraging GM's global resources," said GM Daewoo President and CEO Michael A. Grimaldi. "The G2X offers head-turning style and driving performance at a price well below a comparable import roadster. The result is an exciting model that no other Korean manufacturer has in its showroom."

Sophisticated, Sleek and Dynamic Design

The modern definition of a classic roadster finds its form in the G2X. It brings with it a lot of personality thanks to its exciting shape, which contrasts sharp edges with curved surfaces to create a dynamic look. A wide stance, sleek body, long front-hinged hood and short overhangs express a dynamic silhouette.

Its bold hood character line and bumper with edge design deliver a strong sports car image. Projection beam halogen headlamps and fog lamps not only increase visibility at night, but also emphasize the roadster's dynamic front-end styling.

The body, which narrows in the middle, boasts the essence of aerodynamics. Air-bent, five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and a sweepback that keeps air from blowing into the vehicle while driving all accentuate the roadster's sporty image.

Jewel-like chrome-coated rear lamps, LED rear brake lamps, a rear bumper designed with aluminum tips, a backup light in the middle of the rear bumper and integrated twin mufflers further accentuate the sporty design.

The "piano black" interior with chrome finishes features a premium-leather steering wheel with audio and trip computer controls, a sporty dashboard with an advanced trip computer that allows the driver to easily and accurately capture vehicle information, and a 225-watt MP3/CD audio system with a large sub-woofer, seven speakers and a six-CD changer. Chrome ring buttons on the heating and cooling system add yet another sporty touch to the interior.

Highly refined leather sports bucket seats hold the driver and passenger snug even under extreme driving conditions, making driving safer and more enjoyable.

High-Performance Engine with Gasoline Direct Injection

The G2X is powered by a state-of-the-art two-liter engine with a turbocharger and high-tech Gasoline Direct Injection. The engine boasts segment-leading maximum power of 264 hp and maximum torque of 36 kg.m. Its 132 hp per liter of displacement (a typical attribute of sports car engines) is also best in class, which puts the GM Daewoo roadster well ahead of its competitors, including far more expensive imports.

Maximum power and torque are attained between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm, ensuring optimum driving performance in any and all driving conditions. Its outstanding power propels the G2X from standstill to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds (with manual transmission, overseas) and up to a maximum speed of 227 km/h. Its fuel economy of 9.8 km per liter is remarkable for a performance vehicle.

The G2X's 1,998-cc four-cylinder ECOTEC engine is equipped with cutting-edge features such as a twin-scroll turbocharger with an intercooler, double overhead camshafts, which are both adjustable via an electro-hydraulic rotary disk for variable valve timing, and twin counter-rotating balance shafts. Direct injection optimizes the compression ratio to 9.2:1, minimizing turbo lag. As major components are all made of lightweight aluminum, the engine maximizes heat efficiency and durability.

A five-speed automatic transmission with limited slip differential effectively delivers strong propulsion power to the rear wheels, while a torque beam between the transmission and rear axle suppresses reactions to acceleration/deceleration effects.

Precise Handling and Optimized Safety

Produced with hydro-forming technology, which uses high water pressure, the chassis of the G2X provides outstanding stability. Providing additional stability are a wide tread (front/rear: 1,543/1,561 mm), a long wheelbase (2,415 mm), a low center of gravity and a balanced 51:49 weight distribution between front and rear.

All four wheels are suspended from twin A-arms made from forged aluminum. Paired with Bilstein mono-tube shock and pipe stabilizers, the G2X chassis allows for sharp handling and accurate steering.

Its large disc brakes, ABS and level-adjustable Electronic Stability Program work in harmony to ensure a stable yet dynamic sports car driving performance. Two-stage air bags automatically sense the weight and posture of occupants, offering tailored degrees of deployment force.
Comfort & Convenience Features and Special Service Programs

The new model features plenty of convenience and comfort features such as an immobilizer, stainless steel pedals, and an interior rearview mirror that absorbs light from following vehicles and prevents glare during nighttime driving. The lightweight soft-top roof can be opened and closed easily. Seatback pockets, extra pockets on the console and doors, and three cup holders in the center console and doors make everyday driving even more convenient.

For true sports car enthusiasts and better convenience, GM Daewoo will offer special accessories for the G2X including a rear spoiler, 18-inch cast chrome wheels, a rear wind screen and tonneau cover.

GM Daewoo will operate dedicated G2X Service Corners at its 29 designated service centers nationwide in addition to a G2X customer call center, a specialized customer consultation service where G2X customer service representatives will respond to customer queries, and a first-of-its-kind service reservation system. GM Daewoo also is launching a G2X premium aftersales program that offers free maintenance, free towing and free replacement car service throughout the warranty period.

"The G2X rear wheel drive roadster has a near-perfect front to rear weight distribution ensuring performance that will live up to the meaning of its name 'Go 2 eXtreme'," said Rick LaBelle, GM Daewoo Vice President of Commercial Operations. "Combined with its premium aftersales program, the G2X ownership will be one of a kind."

The first 100 G2X buyers will be invited to participate in the two-day Sports Driving School. GM Daewoo Racing Team professionals will teach safe driving skills and offer useful driving tips, which will help owners fully enjoy the performance of the classic rear-wheel-drive roadster.

The G2X will retail for KRW 43,900,000.

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology was established in 2002. It has five manufacturing facilities in Korea as well as an assembly facility in Vietnam. In addition, GM Daewoo provides market and brand-specific vehicle kits for assembly at GM facilities in China, Thailand, India, Colombia and Venezuela. In 2006, GM Daewoo sold in Korea and exported more than 1.52 million units, including CKD products. GM Daewoo now produces vehicles and kits for Chevrolet, Buick, Opel, Vauxhall, Pontiac, Holden and Suzuki that are offered in more than 150 markets on six continents. Imported GM products from the Cadillac and Saab premium brands are sold in Korea through GM AutoWorld retailers. More information on GM Daewoo and its operations can be found on the company's website at www.gmdaewoo.co.kr.

More cowbell! GM's Opel outfit released details and visuals on the Saturn Sky variant that will revive the Opel GT badge. Like the Sky Red Line, the GT will get GM's turbocharged 2.0-liter direct-injection four, producing 264 hp — good for a zero-to-60 time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 143 mph. It's been given the once-over by GM Europe's Design Studios in R sselsheim, which added a few Opelesque cues to highlight its association with the European brand's GTC sports line. – Mike Spinelli

Press Release:

Opel GT: Opel Goes Roadster

Classic proportions: sleek silhouette, long hood, short overhangs

Archetypal roadster architecture with front-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive

High-tech turbo direct injection and twin A-arms

Roadster fun and performance at affordable price: 264 hp for 30,675 euros

The modern definition of an athletic two-seater finds its form in the new Opel GT. As a classic roadster, it has a powerful front-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive, a cockpit with sporty instruments and a tailor-made fabric roof. With a wide stance, sleek silhouette, long, front-hinged hood and short overhangs, the proportions are typical of this class. The Opel GT also brings new charm to this genre with its own unmistakable personality thanks to its exciting shape, which contrasts sharp edges with curved surfaces to create a dynamic look, and its configuration, which enables a refined driving experience, even on long journeys. The GT's pricing is also attractive. For 30,675 euros (recommended retail price in Germany incl. VAT), customers get no less than 264 hp from the high-tech turbo engine with gasoline direct injection. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes less than six seconds. The new two-seater carries its legendary name because it continues the tradition of the first Opel GT (1968 - 1973) and, like the original, competes in one of the most exciting vehicle classes.

The new Opel GT also showcases the brand's passion for dynamic cars, and the conviction that "Opel was never as young as today". This is underlined by niche models with a high fun factor, such as the Astra GTC with panorama windshield, the Tigra TwinTop and Astra TwinTop cabrio-coup s, as well as the high-performance OPC family. They enrich the model portfolio and emotionalize the brand.

The development of the Opel GT is a prime example of transcontinental collaboration within GM. It stems from the decision to expand the concern's portfolio with a compact, rear-wheel drive, sporty vehicle architecture that can be implemented globally. The first step towards realizing this idea was the Solstice concept car in 2002, followed a year later by the Vauxhall VX Lightning concept, which was conceived at the GM Advanced Design Studio in Coventry, England. Strongly inspired by the VX, the Opel GT has been adapted to the current Opel design language at the GM Design Studio in Detroit and the GM Europe Design Studios in R sselsheim under the direction of Bryan Nesbitt. The Opel roadster will be built at the Wilmington/Delaware plant in the USA, where its highly successful American GM sister models, the Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Sky, are also produced.

The new GT's story is reminiscent of that of its classic predecessor. In 1968, the original Opel GT set an automotive manufacturing precedent in Europe when it became the first car to go into production after being debuted to the public as a concept study. The legendary American sports car, the Corvette, made the same start in 1953 in the USA. The new Opel GT shares some engineering characteristics with the current Corvette, such as part of the architecture.

Crisp, dynamic look with strong face

Sharp lines coupled with taut surfaces give the new Opel GT a crisp, dynamic look. Its strong face is dominated by the fender's accentuated sweep, the bold chrome crossbar with integrated Opel logo, the elongated hood with brand-typical center crease, chrome-bordered vents and bold 3-D headlamps in clear glass look drawn deep into the side panels. The GT's especially sporty characteristics include the long air vents in the hood, the grooving in the front fenders with their dynamic, Opel-typical horizontal contours like on the Antara , the double-pipe exhaust system and the twin air scoops behind the head restraints, which are reminiscent of designs from roadster and motor sport history. 18-inch aluminum wheels in new five-spoke design fill out the wheelarches, and emphasize the roadster character, as does the fabric roof, which completely disappears beneath a cover for open-top driving fun.

Chrome-ringed instruments in the cockpit clearly display all important information, while black piano lacquer and chrome finishes accentuate the high-tech nuance of the surface structures. These all combine with optional leather seats with visible stitching to highlight the sporty ambience. The short gear stick adds significantly to the driving fun: directly connected straight to the roadster's five-speed transmission, its short gear travel enables quick gear shifts from the roadster-typical seating position.

High-tech turbo engine with direct injection and variable camshaft phasing

The new Opel GT does not just look quick, it is quick! Its longitudinally front-installed 264 hp engine with turbocharging and gasoline direct injection accelerates the roadster to 100 km/h from a standing start in just 5.7 seconds, and up to a top speed of around 230 km/h. "When it comes to high-performance roadsters, there is no better balance between price, driving enjoyment and fun," says Alain Visser, Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Opel. There's no question about it: no other Opel has ever produced 132 hp output per liter. The new Opel GT's engine not only complements the car's dynamic look perfectly, it also far outperforms today's other roadsters and most two-seat sports cars.

High-tech features such as gasoline direct injection, twin-scroll turbocharger with intercooler, double camshaft phasing and twin counter-rotating balance shafts provide the basis for the 1998 cm3, four-cylinder engine's impressive performance data. Maximum output of 194 kW/264 hp at 5300 rpm and high torque plateau of 353 Nm between 2500 and 5000 rpm ensure plenty of power in all situations. The GT requires an average of 9.2 liters of super unleaded gasoline per 100 kilometers. Jointly developed by GM Powertrain engineers on both sides of the Atlantic, the all-aluminum ECOTEC unit is based on the 2.2-liter direct injection unit available in the Vectra model range since 2004, and on the 2.0-liter turbo induction unit, which debuted in the Vectra GTS in spring 2003.

Chassis with classic sporty configuration

For the Opel GT, engineers designed a classic, sporty configuration based on a rigid chassis, wide track (front/rear: 1543/1561 mm) and long wheelbase of 2415 mm: all four wheels are suspended from twin A-arms made from forged aluminum, the center of gravity is low, and the weight distribution of 51:49 percent (front/rear) is well balanced.
A manual five-speed transmission with sporty, short gear travel and limited slip differential provide propulsion power. A torque beam between the transmission and rear axle suppresses reactions to acceleration/deceleration effects.

While disk brakes on all wheels, ABS, Traction Control (TC) and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) monitor safety, the driver can control the level of ESP and use of TC himself. Both systems are fully active after ignition, with the setup providing driving fun but also keeping the vehicle stable within the physical limitations. At the touch of the ESP button in the instrument panel, the Traction Control (TC) is switched off, but ESP remains active and intervenes as soon as the yaw angle exceeds certain thresholds. Two short presses change the ESP's calibration to a sportier mode and keep the Traction Control (TC) deactivated. Pushing and holding the ESP again for around ten seconds until the "ESP Off" symbol illuminates, completely deactivates ESP and TC. A short press of the button in any mode returns the two systems to their normal states, which also occurs automatically with each new engine start. A display and control light in the instrument panel keeps the driver informed about the current status of both systems.

Stiff vehicle structure with center tunnel and side members

The typical roadster vehicle architecture was designed from the beginning to meet the special demands of an open-top, two-seat sports car without compromise. The vehicle structure, which consists of hydroformed side members and a supporting center tunnel made from drawn sheet steel, provides a solid basis for the car's precise handling and passive safety. The hydroforming forging technique, in which components are manufactured from steel with the help of high water pressure, is already employed in automobile construction for chassis components in the Opel Vectra and Astra.

Only the legendary American Corvette sports car is also based on hydroformed side members. But the Opel GT also breaks new ground in another regard: the GT model family belongs to the first car line produced in significant numbers to have numerous exterior parts made using a procedure that is relatively time-consuming, but provides designers with greater creative freedom. The hood is one example: thanks to unconventional hydraulic technology known as super forming the long hood section with its front hinges was optimally integrated into the roadster's silhouette without a gap between the hood and fender.

Extensive standard equipment

Extensive standard equipment in the Opel GT includes:

18-inch alloy wheels with 245/45 R 18 tires
Anti-lock Braking System ABS
Electronic Stability Program ESP (can be adjusted and switched off)
Traction Control TC (can be switched off)
Two-stage airbags for driver and passenger
Occupant detection for passenger seat (with cockpit display)
Three-point safety belts with pretensioners and belt-force limiters
CD-Radio (six loudspeakers, steering wheel remote controls, MP3 player connection)
Power exterior mirrors
Power windows
Power height-adjustable driver's seat
Cruise control
Air conditioning
Leather steering wheel and gearshift knob
Manual soft top with heated rear glass window
Fog lamps
Remote control central locking, including remote trunk-lid release

The first Opel GTs will be on the road in March 2007 and dealerships have been accepting orders since summer 2006.

New Opel GT: Technical Data Overview

Engine / transmission

Emissions standard compliance

Euro 4

Fuel

super unleaded

Number of cylinders

4

Bore
mm
86.0

Stroke
mm
86.0

Displacement
cm3
1998

Max. output
kW (hp)
194 (264)

at rpm
5300

Max. torque
Nm
353

at rpm
2500 - 5000

Transmission

5-speed, manual

Driving performance
Fuel consumption in l/100 km

Maximum speed
in km/h
Acceleration from
0 - 100 km/h in seconds

Urban

Extra-urban

Combined
CO2 emissions
in g/km

229
5.7
13.0
6.9
9.2
218

Car dimensions in mm

Length
4100

Width
1813

Height (at curb weight)
1274

Wheelbase
2415

Track, front
1543

Track, rear
1561

Turning clearance in m

Curb-to-curb
10.45

Luggage compartment capacity (liter)

Roof closed
157

Roof open
66

Weight and axle load in kg

Curb weight excl. driver (according to 70/156/EU)
1331

Gross vehicle weight
1625

Maximum axle load, front
850

Maximum axle load, rear
775

All data refer to the European base model with standard equipment. The consumption data according to 1999/100/EU takes into consideration the vehicle's curb weight as stipulated by this regulation. The published performance figures are possible with the vehicle's curb weight excluding driver plus a 200 kilogram load allowance.

Related:
Profiles in Badge Engineering Courage: The Opel GT [internal]

Related:
Ad Watch Exclusive: That's An Opel?; Top Gear: Parkour Ain't For Porkers, But Are Traceurs Faster Than May's Peugeot 207? [internal]

We've been asking that question since the New York Auto Show, when we got our first look at the Opelization of the Saturn brand. Take, for example, the PreVue (hint, hint) concept based on the Opel Antara, Sky Redline based on the Opel GT and new Aura sedan based on the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra. It would appear Saturn's San Francisco treat of an agency, Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, heard some other folks asking the same question. Whoever they heard, the commercial's the latest part of Saturn's "Like always. Like never before." advertising campaign — a blitz, er, one commerical seeking to reimagine the brand as something that doesn't evoke a vegan burrito. Making and selling the vehicles noted above is one way to start that process.

Related:
Dude, What If S-A-T-U-R-N Really Spelled O-P-E-L? [internal]

Tuning house and automotive jeweler, Gravana, will work up an official, GM-approved, 300hp Saturn Sky show car to tempt the aftermarket — and subsequently come up with new add-ons for Sky owners. Gravana, which has already worked with GM on other such projects like the Saturn Ion and the Sky's Kappa platform-mate, the Pontiac Solstice, officials say the car will likely resemble the released mock-up (pictured), and will include a ground effects kit, full bumper body kit, carbon fiber engine cover, stainless air intake system, header and exhaust, coil-over suspension, sway bars, and heat extractor hood. That Photoshop-red paint will also be replaced with an off-line shade that, we'd imagine, uses real paint.

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews; 2007 Saturn Sky, Part 1 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: It's got those cool dent-resistant plastic hydroformed sheetmetal body panels. Really though, the Sky looks boss, especially for a car priced in the mid-20's. It gives us hope for the American auto industry that they can still make fun cars.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: The roof is annoying and trunk is pretty useless, and it should feel sportier. The 0-60 time is decent, but this is a sports car, not a family hauler, so the engine response and handling should be livelier. The 260-hp Sky Redline will fix many of these problems, for a price.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Mazda MX-5 Miata
· Pontiac Solstice
· Porsche Boxster (used)

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Saturn
· Model tested: Sky
· Model year: 2007
· Base Price: $23,115
· Price as Tested: $26,205
· Engine type: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four
· Horsepower: 177 hp @ 6600 rpm
· Torque: 166 ft.-lbs. @ 4800 rpm
· Redline: 7000 rpm
· Transmission: 5-speed automatic
· Curb Weight: 2963 lbs
· LxWxH: 161.1 x 71.4 x 50.4 in
· Wheelbase: 95.1 in
· Tires: P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RSA
· Drive type: rear-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 7.2 sec.
· 1/4-mile: 15.7 sec. @ 89 mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 22 / 26
· NHTSA crash test rating: not tested

[by Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews; 2007 Saturn Sky, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Exterior Design: *****
The Sky is the hotness. The creased lines give it an aggressive look that almost eliminates the extreme aura of femininity that surrounds every small convertible, almost. That said, the styling is the Sky's best element. It even looks decent with the top up. It's too bad there's only one exhaust pipe, but that's just another reason to wait for the Sky Redline.

Interior Design: **
It's already been said that the Sky's interior bests that of the Solstice, but that's not saying a whole lot. The chrome accents and glossy finish to the HVAC controls look pretty good, though. But cheap plastic aside — it's only a $25,000 — the Sky's interior is deeply flawed. This is mostly due to the complete lack of storage space, not counting the tiny pockets next to the door sills and the storage bin between the seats. Also, adjusting seat recline, by way of a rotary knob, is difficult to manage with the door closed.

Acceleration: **
Adequate is never a good word to describe performance, and the Sky's performance is barely adequate. Off the line, the Sky can get a good jump on traffic, but those in a hurry will discover the Sky is brutally slow. Cornering becomes an act of momentum conservation, because it's virtually impossible to power onto the straights. And the engine noise neither wins friends nor influences people. The 260-horsepower, turbocharged Sky Redline is probably worth both the wait and the price premium.

Braking ****
The pedal feel is perfectly weighted and progressive. The Kappa platform borrows a lot from the Corvette, so good brakes are really not much of a surprise.

Ride ****
If you pay very close attention you can feel a little bit of chassis flex on rough roads, but overall the Sky is solid and rides well. Wind noise is a bit of an issue with the top down, and with the top up the roof sounds like it's about to get torn off.

Handling ***
The steering feels good, but ideally it would communicate more about the road. This is likely due to the Sky's tires, which would be more fun if they weren't so wide. Ultimately, the Sky has more grip than power and that definitely limits the fun quotient. If you actually approach the adhesion limit, the Sky gets a little bit twitchy.

Gearbox ****
The test car came with a five-speed automatic. Get ready for this — it's actually better than the manual transmission. One of many reasons being that third gear is spaced more evenly between second and fourth, so there's less of a precipitous drop in acceleration as the engine falls out of its power band. Moreover, the Sky needs to shift to provide any increase in forward momentum, and when it happens this often it's just as easy to have the car do the work for you.

Audio/Video **
The upgraded stereo, a $590 option, features a CD/MP3 player and auxiliary input. But the 225 watts on this seven speaker system (with subwoofer) are not enough. At highway speeds with the top down the volume can be turned all the way up without being too loud. And at full volume the speakers distort, and not in a Pete Townsend guitar solo distortion way, but in a "this sounds like crap" way. (Yes, Austin loves the classic rock, and he's still defending any Eagles track with Glenn Frey on vocals.)

Value ***
The Sky is an emotional purchase, such that value doesn't really enter into the equation. But go ahead and twist our arm. The Sky costs about the same as a luxed-up Miata, and it's less expensive than a Mustang V6 convertible. Of course, if all you really want is a convertible top, the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Miata, and Solstice all start closer to 20 grand than the Sky's base price of $23,115.

Toys *
There are pop-out cup holders near at the rear of the center console, and a single pop-out cup holder on the passenger's side of the transmission tunnel.

Trunk *
To reiterate a point from Part 1, kludginess like the Sky's trunk design tend to happen when engineers are forced to bring a concept car to life in a short amount of time. The trunk is hinged at the bumper, meaning you have to press down the top's flying buttresses every time you open the cargo hold. And the gas tank bulges out in the middle, eating up most of the space. With the roof down, you can squeeze a few soft bags or maybe some groceries in between the folded top and the rear of the trunk.

Overall ****
The Sky is refreshingly fun to drive. It's flawed, but it is also a very solid first effort from a company (GM as a whole, not just Saturn) that has made far too few exciting low-volume sports cars. It's not quite as well developed or as fun to drive as the Miata, but it definitely beats the Mazda on styling — and this is coming from a Miata fan. The only thing lacking is power, which will be fixed with the debut of the Sky Redline. The extra power is definitely worth the wait, although it might elevate the price into the territory of the Honda S2000.

[by Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews; 2007 Saturn Sky, Part 1,

Saturn-come-lately, the new kid in town/everybody loves you, so don't let them down. The Eagles make some great music for driving, and the Saturn Sky is a great car for driving. Really, any convertible makes for great driving, and the Sky is certainly one of those. But the Sky isn't so great for listening to music while driving, because at 70 mph the wind noise is a fair match for the maximum output of the stereo. Is the stereo only a minor irritation, or is it a tell-tale sign of a much bigger problem? — like a patch of red skin that's ... well, we certainly don't know enough about rashes to make this analogy work. Clear skin, all around the Jalopnik, that's for sure.

At any rate, we know a few things about people taking to us in cars, and the Sky garners a lot of attention. That's the good news. The bad news (at least for Saturn's brand managers) is that, despite four badges, prominently displayed, nobody knows it's a Saturn. Then again, such anonymity could be good news, because the current Saturn lineup rivals mid-80s Peugeots for sheer ugliness. If the Sky is forming new impressions about Saturn, it can only be a good thing.

There's more good news, because the Sky's interior comes off as much nicer than its Kappa-platform sibling, the Pontiac Solstice. There's still plenty of cheap plastic, but — seeing it's not a Porsche — expectations are reasonably lower. What is unacceptable is the lack of storage bins inside the Sky. There simply isn't much space to put things that need to be at hand, like a cell phone. There's a storage compartment between the two seatbacks, and a small pocket in the front of the seat pan, but the trim covering the transmission tunnel doesn't have any indents or contours. Another nagging issue goes back to the radio, where the display is completely washed out in even slightest hint of direct sunlight. These are things that probably should have been taken care of in development, but it's also something that goes along with bringing a concept car from the show stand to the showroom. Anybody who has seen a Dodge Viper up close will no doubt understand.

Which brings us to the Sky's roof. Considering the competition, it's a bit sad. Raising or lowering the top is a multistep process that always involves getting out of the car. When it's down, storage space evaporates. Those planning a weekend excursion al fresco need the wisdom of Solomon: Do you bring back the case of merlot or the new clothes? It's one or the other.

Fortunately, these concerns fade in the driver's seat. This, again, is a property of convertibles — much like how a bottle of wine will assuage any doubts about driving home on Sunday without pants. But the Sky is particularly good at making you forget your cares, because it's very good to drive. No, it's not as good to drive as the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Sky is 400 lbs. heavier, over-tired, and has a less responsive engine. But that's not really the point. Although both roadsters (and the Solstice) occupy the same market segment, it seems the target audience doesn't really overlap. Style and personal taste are just too much of a factor here, and Miata lovers and Sky lovers are two different kinds of people. The important thing though is that the Sky is a solid effort, and despite its flaws, we need more cars like this on the market, if for nothing else but for the general sanity of the population. Consider the wonderful therapeutic effects of taking a convertible out for a joy ride. At an average speed of 60 mph, achieving 22 miles per gallon (EPA city) at $3 per gallon the Sky costs $8.18 per hour, which is a lot cheaper than a shrink. And, given how much attention we got from driving the Sky, it will probably boost your self esteem as well. For an as-tested price of $26,205, in a lot of ways the Sky is bargain. [by Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews; 2007 Saturn Sky, Part 2, Part 3 [internal]

So the folks at Gaywheels.com decided to tally up the most-researched vehicles on their site, and guess which car came out on, um, er, top? Yes, boys and girls who like girls who like girls who like boys who like boys who like girls (or however that old Blur lyric goes), it's the Saturn Sky. The Lambda Kappa-platform-based roadster takes the prize. As the Gaywheels pointed out, the list isn't dominated by stereotypically-pricey vehicles, although we have a feeling that Spence wasn't one of the ones doing the research. On the other hand, CTE might've been. The list after the jump. [Thanks to Zerin for the tip.]

1. Saturn Sky
2. Toyota Yaris
3. Dodge Caliber
4. Volkswagen Jetta
5. Toyota Camry
6. Audi A3
7. Toyota Prius
8. Saab 9-3 (sedan and convertible)
9. Pontiac G6 (sedan, coupe and convertible)
10. Mazda MX-5

Also of note, the Caliber placed third, despite outcry from activists that its "Silly Little Fairy" ad was anti-gay. Maybe it's the turning-the-straight-guy factor that sold 'em.

Top 10 Researched Vehicles on Gaywheels.com [Gaywheels.com]

Related:
Are the Dodges Homophobes? [Internal]

New survey results from KBB and Harris interactive show new-car shoppers seem to think the "anything but cute" Dodge Caliber is being hyped to death (it was the fairy, wasn't it?). It's high on the new study's buzz scale, but low on the "I'm interested in buying it" scale — though strong sales belie such interpretations. On the flip side, the Mercedes GL scores high in interest, but low on buzz, despite a major ad campaign with spots currently in heavy rotation on TV. Nonetheless, the two most buzzworthy cars, according to the study, were the Saturn Sky and Toyota FJ Cruiser, two models the media's been googley-eyed over since nearly ever. Let's look at it in our own, geek-intensive terms: Google results:

Toyota FJ Cruiser: 1,810,000
Dodge Caliber: 1,430,000
Saturn Sky: 665,000
Mercedes GL: 280,000

What say you, oh wise Jalops?

Buzz Buggies

Related:
It's An Exclusive Marketing Blitz! Advance Copies Of Four Commercials For The Dodge Caliber! [internal]

The stable of tellers over at The Truth About Cars is expanding like an automotive CEO's golden parachute in a cyclical downturn. Now, they're among the first to have gotten their hands on a Saturn Sky, which in base form — not the turbocharged Redline (above), unveiled at the New York show last week — may be exactly what GM promised. That is, a fun, just-a-bit-more-stylish cousin to the Pontiac Solstice. More than that, though, may be too much to ask.

Saturn Sky [The Truth About Cars]

Related:
Turbo Lover: GM Reveals Saturn Sky Redline [internal]

One pretty sweet line-item on GM's presentation budget showed up at the New York show in the form of a display booth demonstrating the Saturn Sky's internals. Inside a darkened room off the Saturn exhibit, a Sky was suspended at a steep angle while computer-controlled projectors fired off images of what's underneath onto the Sky's skin, making it look like a 3-D x-ray image. Check it out.

Auto Journalist #1: "So, whaddaya think of the new Saturns?"
Auto Journalist #2: "They're really hot, but of course, it's an Opel..."
Auto Journalist #1: "Yeah...I know, it's totally an Opel...so of course it's hot."
Auto Journalist #2: "Yeah, they're totally ditching the whole 'Saturn look' and going with Opel designs. That's so cheating."

Ok, so what does this mean? Well friend, It means mainstream auto writers, a group more prima-donna than the editor of an automotive blog [Thanks Ray...we'll talk later — ed.], is totally telling the Saturn story from an inside-baseball perspective...

...It's obvious many are missing the big picture on it and you see it in the stories written. They are missing reality...these new cars are hot. They're pretty damn hot. Yes, the media is correct. The General is totally plopping the successful and attractive Euro Opel line directly into the Saturn line...replacing the crap that was with the new hotness that is. But so-the-fuck what? What does a consumer care about when they buy a car...the story of Opel design trumping Saturn...or the fact the Sky, Aura and Outlook are pretty smooth looking rides? I guess we'll find out.

By the way...anyone seen Buick?

Related:
Saturn Sky: GM Makes Good on Threats of Hotness [internal]

GM let fly with pics of its high-performance Saturn Sky Redline edition today, though they've just made it through the Jalopnik Meat Grinder2000 . The Redline edition is similar to the Pontiac Solstice GXP in that it's powered by GM's new, 2.0-liter direct-injection, turbocharged Ecotec four banger, producing a pre-SAE-certified 260 hp and 260 ft.-lbs of torque. It's also got 18" alloys, limited-slip diff and a whole bunch of chrome cosmetics. Expect it to head out to the highway by the end of the year.

Related:
Saturns to Rise in New York: Obvious Astronomy References Continue to Dog Carmaker [internal]

Press release

Saturn Expands Sky Lineup With Red Line Performance Variant

NEW YORK - Saturn continues its product revitalization with the 2007 Sky Red Line performance roadster, which is debuting at the 2006 New York International Auto Show. The Red Line, available at Saturn retailers this fall, builds on the Sky's established performance character, offering even more power and sportier driving dynamics combined with a bold design and driver-focused interior.

The Red Line gets a boost in performance from an Ecotec turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, GM's first direct injection offering in North America. It produces 260 horsepower* (194 kw) at 5300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. of torque* (353 Nm) at 2500 rpm, making it GM's highest specific output engine ever at 2.1 horsepower per cubic inch of displacement (130 hp / 97 kw per liter) and the most powerful engine in the Ecotec family.

Gasoline direct injection technology helps the Ecotec engine produce more power while maintaining the lower fuel consumption of a small displacement port-injected engine.

With direct injection, fuel is delivered directly to the combustion chamber to create a more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. Less fuel is required to produce the equivalent horsepower, especially at normal cruising speeds, of a conventional port-injection combustion system.

Direct injection technology works well with turbocharging and helps deliver a great balance of power and economy.

Other Red Line technical highlights include:

Standard torque-sensing limited-slip differential
Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control
Performance-tuned suspension
Technical elements also standard on the 2007 Sky roadster include:

Four-wheel independent short/long arm suspension for optimal handling and stability
Coil-over Bilstein monotube shocks for excellent wheel control and road isolation
Hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion power steering for quick, responsive vehicle control
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS for excellent stopping performance
Wide track for excellent stability and superior handling
Near 50/50 weight distribution for balanced handling
Structural tunnel design and hydroformed longitudinal frame rails for a stiff body that results in greater vehicle responsiveness and better overall feel
The Red Line also features several unique interior and exterior differences compared to the Sky roadster, including dual exhaust with chrome polished outlets, 18-inch polished aluminum alloy wheels, and specific front lower fascia with large brake cooling vents and black headlamp bezels.

The interior features a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, unique seatback and floormat embroidery, metallic sill plates, stainless steel pedal covers, Red Line-specific gauges and a digital boost gauge included in the Driver Information Center.

The Sky Red Line has numerous safety features, including dual-stage frontal air bags, GM's Passenger Sensing System, four-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS, side-impact door beams, three-point safety belts with pretentioners and load-limiting retractors, and more.

*Preliminary, pending certification. A new voluntary power and torque certification procedure developed by the SAE Engine Test Code committee was approved March 31, 2005. This procedure (J2723) ensures fair, accurate ratings for horsepower and torque by allowing manufacturers to certify their engines through third-party witness testing. GM was the first auto manufacturer to begin using the procedure and expects to use it for all newly rated engines in the future.

Saturn's planning a kind of brand awakening for the New York show — an Opelification, if you will — with production versions of the Aura and Outlook crossover and a Red Line edition Sky roadster. The Sky is the equivalent performance edition to the Pontiac Solstice GXP, powered by the same turbocharged, 260-hp, 2.0-liter direct-injection engine. The Aura is its new, small sport sedan, similar to the Opel Vectra and the Outlook is the first among a spate of new GM crossovers. The company will also roll out a new design concept and show off the Aero-X it unveiled in Geneva.

Saturn Sky Redline, Outlook, and Aura To Debut At New York International Auto Show [MPH]

Related:
More on New York show [internal]

New GM Rule #12: Don't market the hell out of a new car two years before the first deliveries arrive. (We have no idea what rules one through 11 are, but we're almost sure they exist.) With Pontiac Solstice buyers still wondering what space-time tear their cars have fallen into, GM is vowing not to make the same mistake with Saturn Sky prospects. That means it'll roll out advertising of the Sky slowly, until it has supply enough to meet the demand. The General learning from its mistakes? Woo! Only six more signs of the apocalypse to go.

Saturn taking low-key approach with Sky until vehicle supply grows [AutoWeek]

Related:
More on the Saturn Sky [internal]

Saturn's Sky is arguably the more cutting-edge of GM's new roadsters. While the Solstice's rounded shapes have a classic appeal, the Sky (and its doppelganger, the Opel GT) are cut from the same, modernist cloth as the Corvette Z06. Ok, fine, so how does it drive? For that we turn to Forbes, only to discover "If the Solstice is any indication, the Sky should be entertaining to drive." Should be? Aww, jeez. Looks like we'll just have to reread the Solstice review.

2007 Saturn Sky Review [Forbes]

Related:
Profiles in Badge Engineering Courage: The Opel GT [internal]

To be honest, we wouldn't know fashion designer Richard Tyler from a sack of Florida oranges. (He doesn't have a Target line, so how famous could he be?) We do know (much abliged, Google) that he's a recipient of the coveted Michelangelo Shoe Award, which sure sounds impressive, considering most of our own shoes were designed by Chuck Taylor. In a long tradition of having such folks futz with new cars for various retail reasons, Tyler has accessorized a Saturn Sky that's being sold in an online auction for charity. The Richard Tyler Sky comes with Cognac Tri-Coat Frost paint color, seatback embroidery, machined sill plates, embroidered windscreen with beaded detail, floor mat embroidery, instrument gauge cluster logo and a set of Richard Tyler luggage. It's already made its reserve at $30,000, and the auction ends March 31, 2006, so act now lest the trophy significant other go without for the spring season. [Thanks to Jace for the tip.]

2007 Saturn SKY Roadster Cust. Accessorized by Richard Tyler [Clothes off Our Back]

Related:
VW Gets Artsy to Launch Fox; Lexus GS 450h Hybrid Gets Neiman Marcus Edition [internal]

Saturn's new Sky roadster — the arguably hotter model in the Solstice/Sky franchise — will be priced higher than its Pontiac cousin. Set to launch this spring, the Sky's MSRPs will be $23,690 (five-speed manual) and $24,540 (five-speed autobox). The price not only includes the Sky's chiseled good looks standard, but also 18" wheels, dual airbags, antilock brakes, AC, power accouterments and an AM/FM/CD deck. The Solstice is priced currently at $20,490 (manual only).

Saturn Puts a Price on the Sky [The Car Connection]

Related:
Saturn Sky: GM Makes Good on Threats of Hotness [internal]

Says Henry Schwartz of Boca Raton, FL (is there a more perfect man on the street than a Henry Schwartz of Boca Raton, FL?), "I think the car's phenomenal. This is a huge winner." Of course, Schwartz grumbles about the lack of oomph and the fact that his power locks don't lock both doors. Even our grandparents' '83 Olds Cutlass Cruiser did that. Still, the people of Wilmington, DE ain't complaining, as the ramp-up of Solstii and Skyy has done wonders for the idled GM plant, which had previously produced the slow-selling Saturn L-Series.

The car that saved Wilmington [Philadelphia Enquirer Inquirer]

Related:
Edmunds Names Pontiac Solstice Year's Most Significant Vehicle [Internal]

GM confirmed to AutoWeek that the company will offer a 2.0-liter supercharged engine in both the Pontiac Solstice and upcoming Saturn Sky, not a turbocharged mill as had been expected. The move confirms speculation that a GT or GXP model Solstice would emerge with in a year of the base model's introduction, though irrational optimists who were waiting to hear the roadsters would get a small-block V8 option will likely have to adjust their happy-pill dosage. The supercharged version will reportedly be offered for the 2007 model year.

Related:
Spy Photos: Pontiac Solstice Turbo [internal]

According to Edmunds Inside Line, GM's Opel division is working with Saturn on a replacement to the Speedster (pictured), which will be based on the upcoming Saturn Sky. The five-year production run of the Speedster, derived from Lotus's Elise, ended in July. The next-generation Speedster (which could revive the "mini Corvette" Opel GT nameplate) would be assembled at GM's Wilmington, Delaware plant alongside the Pontiac Solstice (and possibly other Kappa-based rear-drivers of the future). and GM sources say Saab also may also get a variation (a new Sonett?). Whether such corporate blowback will deliver the new two-seater to the US market remains in the realm of mystery.

From Lotus to Saturn? Opel Plans Sky-based Speedster Replacement [Edmunds]

Related:
Saturn Sky: GM Makes Good on Threats of Hotness; Mallett to Offer 400hp Solstice, Sky; You Are There: Saturn Sky's Dealership Arrival;

Looking at these photos of Saturn's new Sky roadster, taken by an AutoWeek forum user, as the black-on-black tester was being delivered to a dealership, we're steadfast in our side of the Solstice/Sky argument. We spent nearly an hour at the New York auto show defending our contention that the Sky was the more attractive of the two, to which we were told "you're nuts" by at least one sight-challenged trog. Nuts? Come now, tell me the Sky, spawn of GM's Vauxhall Lightning concept, is hot on toast? Oh, but for a small-block.

Saturn Sky coming off the truck [Autoweek Combustion Chamber]

Related:
Saturn Sky: GM Makes Good on Threats of Hotness; Kappa, Kappa Hey!: Solstice Coupe Will Be Built; Pontiac's Solstice to Hit Showrooms in August [internal]