2010 Saturn Sky

Saturn expands the Sky lineup for 2010 by adding a new Sky Roadster Preferred trim, which joins the existing base Roadster and the high-performance Sky Red Line trims. In addition, Saturn offers the Sky in new colors for 2010, including Sunburst Yellow, Dark Granite, and Kinetic Blue. Leather upholstery becomes a standard feature for the Sky Roadster Preferred and Sky Red Line, and Saturn adds a remote vehicle starter system as standard equipment to the Preferred and Red Line trims equipped with an automatic transmission. Also, all trims receive 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season radial tires for 2010.

Now in its fourth year of production, the two-seat Saturn Sky roadster retains its European-influenced, sports-car exterior styling, characterized by a low-slung stance, hood vents, a deep front air intake, a pronounced front fender center peak, and a chrome front bar with an integrated Saturn badge. The Sky still rides on GM's global rear-wheel-drive compact performance platform, which it shares with a number of other vehicles, including the Pontiac Solstice.

A 2.4-liter, double-overhead-cam four-cylinder Ecotec engine, producing 173 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque, powers the base Sky Roadster and Roadster Preferred trims. The Sky Red Line increases the power quotient with its turbocharged 2.0-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder Ecotec engine, which generates 260 hp at 5,300 rpm and 260 ft-lb of torque. Both engines link to a five-speed Aisin manual transmission with a short-throw shifter, which comes standard, or an optional five-speed automatic.

For open-air driving, the Saturn Sky comes equipped with a sound-insulated, manual-folding convertible cloth top with a fixed glass rear window. Adding to the Sky's sports-car pedigree are a reverse-hinged hood and rear clamshell decklid. Projector-beam foglights and polished exhaust tips also come standard.

Inside, standard features include bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, air conditioning, a Driver Information Center, and a six-speaker AM/FM audio system with a CD player, MP3 connectivity, and XM satellite radio. OnStar also comes standard, with Bluetooth standard on the Red Line trim. Options include a premium Monsoon audio system with a CD changer. Under the Sky's sleek body, a rigid chassis incorporating a hydroformed tube structure reduces body flex and ensures a firm, stable ride. Bilstein shock absorbers, power rack-and-pinion hydraulic steering, antilock brakes, a limited-slip differential, and the StabiliTrak stability control system also come standard.

By R. Feeman