VenSeattle

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.

I think the front end looks great... it compliments the Sky & Aura just fine.

Well, when all regions are bad... worst will have to do... Wow... 8,565 sales per month with a 7 vehicle line-up... split up between 570 dealers.

Transcript: http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/face_040906.pdf

I can read toyoguy... Since it's so hard for people to comprehend: And look... all 5,210 IS250s/IS350s accounted for and listed as IS300s. And look... GS300 & GS430 sales as broken out separately.

No, this isn't a matter of "platform sales performance." This is more along the lines of how Toyota groups Solara & Camry sales together and Matrix & Corolla sales together. Sure, officially the Solara is the "Camry Solara" and the Matrix is a "Corolla Matrix" but both sets have different interiors/exteriors along with NO BADGING on the cars associating them together. GM could easily combine the HHR with Cobalt by officially calling it the "Cobalt HHR." It really is just a Chevrolet Cobalt wagon but with unique styling... but, then GM couldn't group HHR sales in with light trucks. GM could group the Monte Carlo and Impala together too, but I think that would anger a lot of traditionalists for both the Impala and Monte Carlo. Maybe that helps to explain why I grouped them together to show total sales numbers. It's a better indicator of how Chevrolet's Cavalier replacement is doing. The Cavalier did have a wagon version once upon a time.

Uhm... no. That's NOT what I'm talking about. Take a look again. Toyota is listing current sales of the IS250/IS350 under the IS300. GM lists cars that are no longer in production to allow for comparison to last year's sales numbers. You don't see LaCrosse sales listing under Regal, or STS sales listing under Seville. It would be different if Toyota listed Lexus vehicles by their alpha designation (IS, ES, GS, etc) but Toyota doesn't. Toyota even lists GS300 & GS430 sales separately. It's not consistent. It wouldn't be difficult, and actually more appropriate, to show last year's IS300 sales (or the few they may sale now) with a separate listing for IS250 & IS350.

When is Toyota going to fix their IS listing for current sales? They don't make the IS300 anymore... It should list IS250 & IS350 just like the GS series...

Take into consideration that the HHR is basically a Cobalt wagon with unique styling. The HHR's sales aren't included in the Cobalt's sales... Jan-Mar 06 Cobalt - 52,527 HHR - 25,308 -------------------- Total - 77,835

1) 13 2) 14 3) 17 4) 1

Don't forget the title of the article... It doesn't look bad, but they really didn't change much. Either they ran out of ideas or it already looked more "youthful" than Edmunds wants to admit.

Detail Comments:

Love the BattleStar Galactica clip in your Avatar, Cadillacfan. Buickguy, can you post a copy of your letter/email?

Did someone just say something? I missed it.

OH GAUD YES! Regular scheduled maintenance alone is extremely expensive compared to GM vehicles... I remember looking at the prices for all of Infiniti vehicles when getting serviced... and the 4.1L engine doesn't go 100k between tune-ups if I remember correctly. It's every 60k I think, with minor tune-ups every 30k.

don't ask how my post ended up in the wrong 68 topic... just one of those things.... I've always liked that generation for the Q, despite the downsized 4.1L V8. It had plenty of power, so that really isn't a legitimate complaint. Inside and out, reminds me of a RWD flagship Buick. I agree, it would have made a great Roadmaster. Go for it. If I were to buy used, I'd probably be looking for a Q also.

Thanks for the write up and posting it Variance...

Josh did you fix it for BV? Just checking, because I logged in and his group shows that he can enter the chatroom.

I agree. Completely agree. Even if it's for only 2 years, the volume between the two would justify it.

As much as a want the Lucerne & DTS to get this 6sp auto, I fear we're both set up for disappointment.

I think there's a refresh coming... Let's hope.

Any article discussing Buick's woes without mentioning its recent China success is a very shortsighted article. However, any article that reminds the market that Buick hasn't always been an "old person's" car is beneficial. So it didn't irk me as much as I thought it would (including the inaccuracies.)

I'm very impressed. Wow!

OMG... I've seen this before... freaking hilarious!

I feel for you... I haven't had them either. Variance, I've heard the same thing also, but I know someone who went through it in his 40's. It was pretty much the same situation as O.C.'s. Still don't want them. It's not really the Chicken Pox that worry me; it is the Shingles that might occur later.