Saturn Sky Concept Vehicle Caters to Youth
FOR RELEASE: January 30, 2002Saturn Sky Concept Vehicle Caters to Youth
New Generation Roadster Marks New Expressive Design
Most concept vehicles are designed to test public reaction. The Saturn SKY concept, an open-air roadster, does just the opposite.
“It’s a response to what young people told us they wanted,” said Dave Smith, Saturn’s brand character chief designer. “They said they were looking for open air and room for their friends and their stuff, balanced with a sense of responsibility. We just know this is a concept worth exploring.”
The Saturn SKY is a four-season vehicle spacious enough to move people and cargo comfortably through traffic without abandoning the coziness of a classic roadster. The compact convertible combines a hip, energetic design that speaks to an individual sense of style with supreme functionality for people on the go, according to Smith.
A versatile seating package allows the SKY to convert easily from two-place to four-place seating. The extra seats in the rear stow away underneath the tonneau cover when not in use.
The Saturn SKY also provides easy entry and exit. On this concept, Saturn continues with a unique feature to the brand – a rear access door on the driver’s side. This application is borrowed from today’s Saturn coupe, the only vehicle in the market that has this innovation.
The concept vehicle features an Ecotec 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with a low-boost supercharger, mated to a five-speed manual transmission, generating 180 horsepower.
EXTERIOR
Saturn’s design philosophy is honest, optimistic and expressive, according to Smith. The “honest” design comes through in that the vehicle clearly communicates its intended use and functionality.
Saturn’s signature upswept lines define the exterior, creating an inviting and expressive look. A continuous upswept line follows the hood cutline embraces the headlamps, and a wide, low front air intake is positioned underneath.
SKY features a simple fabric roof that is lightweight and easy to use. The collapsible roof stows in the rear of the vehicle.
Distinctive lighting treatments on the Saturn SKY add appeal to the front and rear of the concept. The long low-profile fog lights glow softly with the striking appearance of arctic ice.
The taillights are powered by LED technology to give the SKY concept a distinctive lighting signature to the rear of the vehicle. The light from the LED lamps is directed in a way that provides a smooth, even glow. SKY’s rear lighting provides the benefits of lightning-quick illumination, lower voltage consumption and lightweight packaging.
INTERIOR
Inside, Saturn designers continued with the upswept character line on the steering wheel center and the door panels. The instrumentation is mounted in the center of the console, instead of the traditional location behind the steering column. This has several benefits. It keeps the driver’s eyes closer to the horizon, eliminates obscuration of gauges by the steering wheel and allows for a smaller steering wheel for a sporty feel.
The gear shifter on the five-speed manual transmission can be folded into the center console when the vehicle is parked for unobstructed pass-through.
“Here’s a roadster done the Saturn way,’” said Jill Lajdziak, vice president of Saturn Sales, Service and Marketing. “We’ve been offering a different kind of car since our creation and now we are showing off a car the world has never seen – a stirring, open-air roadster that is an equal mix of fun and function. People can take their friends along and easily talk as they go.”
“This concept vehicle is extremely important for Saturn,” Smith added. “We want to infuse Saturn design with even more daring and verve, continuing some of the brand’s signature cues.”
