Sky Red Line revs with personality and power

FILE PHOTO

2007 Saturn Sky Red Line

Brian Moore

TORONTO STAR

I realized the strength of the Saturn Sky Red Line's image when our middle-aged neighbour insisted we park it in her driveway.

This wide, flat, stubby roadster is rich in surface excitement, all right, manual cloth top up or down.

Returning to it in a parking lot, I had to wait while a father finished taking pictures of his kids in front of the Black Onyx tester, with Cobalt Red and Ebony leather interior.

The rumble of its 2.0 L Ecotec turbo four, producing a remarkable 260 hp, turned more than a few heads.

(Base Skys have a naturally aspirated 2.4 L four, good for 177 hp.)

The two-seat Red Line's unfiltered nature also comes through in its hard ride on demanding pavement, the firm steering firm, the overall sense of heft.

This is no go-kart.

All Skys are built in Wilmington, Del., along with their twins, the Pontiac Solstice and Opel GT, which is exported to Europe.

The little rear-driver launched the ever-evolving Saturn brand toward higher status when it bowed in March 2006.

The performance Red Line variant followed some months later.

Yet Sky will be the oldest car in the lineup when the compact Astra three-doors and five-doors arrive in December, replacing the late Ion.

The other Saturns: the Aura mid-size sedan, the Vue and Outlook crossovers.

Astra, Aura and Vue are massaged Opels, as Saturn tries to add some Euro-zest to its offerings.

RL prices start at $37,190, with a five-speed manual. Options totalling $3,315 (five-speed automatic, $1,250; premium trim group, $1,155; 18-inch chromed aluminum wheels, $950) helped push the as-tested price to $41,650.

Upon hearing that last number, several people remarked: "For a Saturn?"

So the brand has its upward repositioning work cut out for it.

Incidentally, to further build identity, Saturn intends to put the word Saturn on its 2009 vehicles.

Sky Red Line won AJAC's Best New Design award for 2007, beating out 64 rivals.

THREE STARS

Serious turbo power, standard stability/traction control and muscular ABS disc brakes guarantee authentic sporting fun.

The hood is front-hinged and the trunk lid rear-hinged, making for an interesting visual.

Red Line is one of those cars you'll remember long after life has herded you into more practical vehicles.

THREE STRIKES

Storage space in the stylish cabin is extremely limited. You may have to ask your passenger to hold stuff and to kindly not put their feet on your valuables.

The high-rise gas tank (regular can be burned, but premium is recommended) dominates the trunk.

With the top down, trunk space practically disappears. Be prepared to travel light.

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