Video Podcast: Lutz on the Saturn Sky Red Line

I love the Sky, very awesome design. Too small for me, so I am waiting for the Buick Velite, that you stood in front of at the 2004 NY Auto show. When is that coming out?

Hello Mr. Lutz, that blue sky redline you used in this video is the most beautiful small car I have seen in a long time, I'm extremely proud of GM for embracing design once again and I know you are one of the corner stones for this movement so thank you for all your work and dedication. Recently I took your advice and went out and test drove a GM product, a silver Solstice. Soon after I found myself at a friends BBQ who like me is "car crazy" and we, along with his son began talking about the Solstice which they had driven as well. Our thoughts of the car were all exactly the same sharing the same complaints and compliments. The very next day I recieved my Sports Car International magazine in the mail (No. 175 May/06) and read the test review of the Solstice. Jay Lamm, the writer, nailed every aspect of the long discussion I had with my friends regarding the car. He explains perfectly how the car impressed us and also how it let us down and why. Because of the articles quality and clarity I really would recommend you reading it, I think you will find it intriguing and informative. There is also some design commentary done by a different writer in the beginning of the magazine praising the solstice design and even comparing it to Porsches. Thanks for reading my comment and keep up the great work! P.S. Great speech at the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce, if I had the money I'd have it broacast on a major network during prime time.

Dear Mr. Lutz,
Kudos to you! Keep up the good work. One comment:
Pick the low fruit.
If there si something that you have been criticized for over and over again for years, I'm sure you can do without it. Some people may always find fault with GM cars, but do not give away anything to them. You have got to throw away that four-speed transmission. And don't just do the minimum (build a five-speed) like GM would usually do. Instead, I want you to set a benchmark and then surpass it.
Make your trim line up neatly.
Get better interior ohotos:
Thos small, dull press release photos are a disaster (who photographs GM dashboards in this sort of gray twilight zone) before seeing an Escalade, the "wood" looked like mud. In real life it looks better although I now hear that it is not real wood at all.
Fake wood is fine for low-level cars. Not so for high-level cars.
Look at Bamboo and Mesquite if you want to save costs so badly.
As for the black plastic: remove it. Use imitation leather to wrap the dashboard(the best you can find) for your low level cars, and REAL leather for your high-level cars.

good to see you talking about the saturn... hopefully you will poise saturn as a very elegant brand, it has very little "bad" following if any, and it has great customer appreciation... customer appreciation of that, or a premium brand, so why not make it a premium brand... it makes sense...

BUT, if you will comit saturn to such elegant cars, they must never be neglected. Buick and Cadillac need some more attention, and obviously pontiac.

if you set saturn to get the entire line up seen here at the auto show, I believe saturn will be extremely popular.

The Vue... the nicest of the three, torrent, and equinox... but i believe it needs to be replaced
the preVue... an awesome concept of an SUV coupe... hopefully this vehicle will make production, if it doesnt another brand(manufature) will capitalize on the uniqueness of a sporty SUV coupe.
the sky... argueably the nicest roadster under 40k...
the outlook, looks much more athletic compared with the enclave but one would have trouble identifying them as the same build, which is what gm needs to do with brand engeneering.
the Aura... very nice vehicle, i hear a bit of grumbling from my fellow enthusiasts that it lost lots of its concept awe, and some analysts have said that it will be uncompetatively priced... but all in all wow that aura coupe looks like i've got a replacement for my 02 trans am...

will we see a compact car for saturn? or will it be reserved for pontiac? one of the two brands needs something to compete with the 3 series & IS 350... which brand will have it? hopefully the pontiACTION brand... since thats my favortite and right now the brand with the least excitement...

Bob
i think the solstice could wipe miata/honda roadsters out but it has to be mechanically beyond reproach...we will see. by the by...why is the USA out to lunch on diesel for suv's ?
love your work.
mike

The Sky and Solstice look great, but I'm hoping for a coupe version if and when production capacity allows. Maybe a sporthatch or combi with some usable and accessible room in the trunk. As I don't have room for 2 cars in the city (San Francisco) I need some measure of utility - even in the small size I prefer - and grocery shopping with my MX-5 is tight enough - but at least I can drop the top without taking up storage space. The style of the GM cars is right-on and I'd be shopping for one right now except for the lack of space in back. I'd even give up the soft top, and believe me when I say I'd much prefer to be driving GM. Oh, and as long as I'm dreaming, how about one with a Chevy badge on it. I guess that leads us back to the Nomad concept. My mantra is: "Put On A Bowtie"

Hey guys, since Saturn is on a roll, with even the normally GM bashers reluctantly approving of the new vehicles, the Sky (and its siblings) could use SOME storage.
Remember the old Volvo P1800?
Could a coupe or sportwagon make it in the market?
Saturn has changed the face of GM in one week. Remarakable.
Jan Bayus

Mr. Lutz,

My 74 TR6 is equipped with unusual "Red Line" tires. It seems to me a very appropriate idea to use a similar tire on Saturn "Red Line" models. Especially the Sky. It ties back to those simple roadsters that you have cited as the inspiration of the Soltice/Sky.

The Sky Redline and Solstice GXP are outstanding cars. I like that they are using some of the new engine technology, direct gas injection. I hope this technology makes it to some of the more mainstream GM vehicles soon.

The Redline and GXP should have 6 speed manual and automatic transmissions. Maybe that can be corrected for the '08 model year.

Mr. Lutz: Great review of the Sky Redline, but where are the coupe, sedans, wagons and SUV’s that the Kappa architecture were to produce?

Bring the Nomad concept back for another tour of Car Shows, this time try a different color than silver. Think a Marina Blue, Red or some other bright color would boost interest. Make some slight design changes to differentiate it from the first, surely the original designers have some ideas on what they would change if they were to do it again. The ’54 Corvette style still works, it just needs “tightened up” a little, similar to the Camaro Concept. The success of the Solstice and Sky on the market must be followed up quickly and with cargo space for active lifestyles, the Nomad would be popular with younger buyers.

The recent introduction of the BMW Z4 Coupe demands a response from Pontiac with a new Firebird in traditional 2-Door coupe and the later models 3 Door hatch variations. The 2-Door on a 107” wheelbase would be the entry model with a 5 passenger capacity and a real trunk. The 3-Door would give more room, versatility and ease of access to the cargo area (ever try to get a TV into a small car back seat?). The G6 panoramic sunroof could be an option to give back some of the convertible feel. Pontiac could also offer a 4 passenger hard-top convertible Firebird on the longer wheelbase chassis.

Of course a 4-Door sedan is obviously the next step, as well as a wagon version. BMW sells 3-Series wagons, why can’t Pontiac offer a RWD sport wagon?

The same argument can be made for the next Pontiac Torrent to be a Kappa based SUV competitor to the X-3.

Pontiac can compete with BMW and if it is going to be the “Excitement Division” it needs to get started.

There are no excuses now; GM has the platform and engines from 2.4L I-4 to 7.0L V-8 (it will fit) even 6-speed automatics – just build them. There are buyers waiting with checks in hand -- unless you wait too long.

Throw away the 4-speed manual. Make a smoother 6-speed standard across the line, and 7 or 8+ in your Buick and Cadillac lines respectively.
Don't cut corners. Make vehicles with a passion, and then REFINE them. Obsess over detail, detail, detail.

Bob, I truly admire your passion, attidude and drive. It is leaders like you that will fuel the creative juices at GM.

Please review the following proposals.

1)Please stop using fake wood on interiors. Metalics or laquers are so much nicer. At the very least offer a choice but the choice needs to be available on every trim level.

2) Please fire the person who chooses seat fabrics. No more bubbles and other strange geometric patterns. Just hideous. The Torrent cloth is the best I've seen by GM.

3) Ban dull drab grey interiors. They just look so cheap and uninspiring. Use more richer, deeper and natural colours.

4) Go bold. Why are the production versions washed out from the concepts? The Aura is a bit disappointing. The concept was much bolder and much more appealing. Maybe on the redline ?

5) Build the Nomad. You have the platform, the plant and the capacity. That has cult classic written all over it. With 260hp and a low taught suspension it will kill the mini. Never mind what clinics say. They are totally undependable.

6) Build the Astra for NA. What a great looking & performing car. I'm sure the next Astra will make it hear but the current one is so hot that I hope the new one doesn't change much at all. Bring the TDI to NA. It will sell !

7) Hire me to make such decsions.

Thanks

Bob,

The Sky is nice looking, but is there really room for two small sports cars?

The Nomad offers a more practical use to this platform and is clearly a unique style (best looking auto design out of GM I've seen in decades, including the new Camaro). I'm certain there are more potential buyers for a Nomad than there is for Solstice or Sky.

Please put this one in production, my GM card is growing impatient and it doesn't see anything worth going into debt for.

Mike

The Nomad - make the rear lighting smaller, add chrome strips to the tail gate, and build it. It is the perfect Chevrolet for a lot of Americans, from Boomers who want a chance to own a new, efficient Nomad, to those needing either a small sports car with storage or a second vehicle to park by that gorgeous Tahoe. Frankly, I'd pick it over the Camaro because of its size and versatility. And I do think more versions off the same platform is a good idea, even 2 roadsters. But they have to be different enough (the Solstice and Sky, I think, are different enough.) Let's not repeat the Fiero affair, where one division wanted to keep what was initially a hot seller to themselves, and then couldn't keep a specialized assembly line running. Add the Nomad, a Solstice hatchback - how about a side-opening MGB-like rear door? - and maybe another model, and the line will keep running.

And with gas going up again, the Tahoe Hybrid can't come fast enough. Hold the line as much as possible on cost premium, then prepare to build a lot of them. That truck is too appealing to be stopped. While Toyota and Honda trucks look like bulldogs guarding the yard, the Chevy's look like your best friend, albeit one with a tough side when you need it. The best of both worlds: Meet my best friend: a really nice guy who can clean your clock!

By the way: When gas prices rise, do Tundra owners experience a twinge of Prius-envy??

Oh, and keep models current - update the Cobalt and keep it fresh - it looks darn good on the road, by the way, nice wheel/tire size like the Malibu - but don't let it die on the vine like the Cavalier and Citation. The Citation used to do HUGH business. You can't keep killing off models slowly through neglect and then dig up new names because the old ones are tarnished beyond repair. Longevity and a steady history of improvement and innovation keep loyalty up. See Camry and Accord.

And that brings us to bread and butter. Flash and sport are great, they get press and crowds at the auto show, but middle America is all about the Malibu class. It has to be the best, no excuses. Build the best sedan at a fair price, and they will find it. People will buy other, better cars besides the usual suspects. You just have to wake them out of their stupor and get their attention.

Oh, and how about a smaller, tougher-looking SUV? The Equinox is a real looker, but I think a rugged image would sell better (see Escape and Patriot.) The 'nox is a little too pretty.

And good move on price reductions, they seem to be working to some extent. Let the discounts happen on the dealer level, if needed. Make incentives hidden, and out of national ads as much as possible. Talk product, and talk with confidence. Like your market share is 50% - When you start selling at asking price, it doesn't have to be.

And...I think the real stigma of the minivan is also one of its best features: the sliding doors.

Small.
Four door.
Hatchback.
40mpg or more.
E85 ready.

Is that so much to ask?

Why not put the Corvette V8 in the Sky Red Line? With some added bracing for additional stiffness and with bigger brakes, the Sky would OWN the roadster market and be a huge halo car for Saturn.

Bruce Sherman
Oakland, Oregon

Too bad this is a vapor product. Elsewhere it was announced production for the SKY, Solstice and Corvette is entirely sold out for 2006.

So perhaps in 2007, GM can get its supply-demand ratio better tuned? It'll be very hard for GM to make any money on product it does not have to sell.

Hi, my name is Edgar, and i HOPE this comment will be read by GM marketing.

My family hates American cars, we loathe them. they are the symbol of low-quality, and the personification of...well...poor engineering.

Now to the matter at hand, i am a naturalized citizen, and as a proud American i want to buy American. i really do. But the products are crap....until this. When the Sky/Solstice were released, i automatically judged them as crap, even more so when reviews came out posting the miata tramping the duo. But this, this "Sky Redlin". This is something else. This is a work of art, this is beauty. The biggest "turn-on" is the advancded engine and superior styling. Finally an engine which i am proud to say is American; None of that pushrod crap. Cars like these bring an image back to American cars. They make me proud about America.
When this car is formally released for the buying public, i assure you i will buy it. I am going to be buying a new car in September, hopefully if the Saturn dealers are not jerks and charge 5k+ than msrp, i will DEFININTLY buy it.

Great job Lutz, keep it up!!! although i hate hummer still, why are ya'll helping our dependence on foreign oil??....

Small.
Four door.
Hatchback.
40mpg or more.
E85 ready.

Is that so much to ask?

The discontinued Saturn 1.9L engine w/5sp manual transmission gets 40mpg.

GM: Goofy Management.

Very beautiful car, but let me toss out a question to ponder-Will your target market,the younger buyer be able to afford the insurance on a turbocharged engine? Should have been 6 cylinder instead. Great looking product, but using hydroformed body panels was the wrong strategy. GM may have saved a few hundred dollars a car, but plastic panels would have allowed you to better meet demand. Having a hot vehicle which isnt available will only frustrate consumers.

The aggressive look of the Sky would have been right at home at a Pontiac dealer, this car doesnt fit Saturn's brand image. The Solstice should have been a Saturn.

Here is another tip-ditch the Miata like center console which rounds up to meet the dash. What this did was eliminate a few inches of legroom from the car. Spaceframe cars are supposed to be roomy inside,look at the Fiero or Vette as examples of this. This feature would have helped differentiate your product from the competition, since none of the other low end two seaters have ample leg room.

Bring us a coupe please! Who has a small RWD coupe now? At this price point no one. I am a 22 year old and will be purchasing my first car soon and would not hesitate to purchas a sky or solstice coupe.

As a Saturn employee (and yes, I'm a technician) I can assure everyone that the Sky is all GM says and SO much more! I certified the 1st Sky that our dealership received and it is an absolutly amazing vehicle. As a technician (that owns a 2005 Saturn Ion) I can say that the mechanics of the Sky are first-rate and it's an amazingly solid vehicle. It'll corner on a dime and give you 9 1/2 cents back! Talk about good looks, handling, and speed! This is a micro-Corvette that performs (and WILL earn a reputation) like it's big brother.

i think that the next use of the kappa platform should be a rear wheel drive hatch. i dont think that it should be a solstice or sky, those carry a rodster image not quite suitable for a gti fighter.

I think that Bill Mitchell would be very, very pleased. Definately the first time in way too long. Get style like this back in GM's car devisions and you'll get em' back in the showrooms! It's also nice to see some chrome accent as well. I am anxious to own one.

PS: Put some GAUGES in it!!!

Love the Sky. It's lines are much better looking (to my taste) than the Solstice. However, the only convertible I'll love to have and sure hope that GM will make it is a new Camaro convertible. I already started the Camaro fund to buy a new one in 2009 when I'll finish up my current note on a C6 vette.

Saturn is on the verge of becoming the best car company on the planet....

Finally, art enters into the GM small car line up. I find it hard to believe your engineers really know (less the Corvette folks) know the value of a French Curve.

The Sky should be only the begining of a revamped lineup. PLEASE NO MORE TRUCKS AND SUVs. Havent you learned your lessson yet with dropping the Camaro/Firebird, yet Chrysler/Dodge picks up by producing the Charger and soon to be Challenger, Ford OWNS the market with Mustang, and the overseas cars Miata, BMW Z4, Nissan Z's are taking away more and more young folks from GM... You really got to get back Chevrolet to the PERFORMANCE and STYLE of the Ed Cole, Bill Mitchell, and Larry Sadona days...ok add Harvey Earl in too.

The Sky and Solstrice is a start...no get off you behinds and get the Nomad, BelAIr Convertible, and a Monte Carlo SS worthy of their names back on the market, give us convertibles with six speed autos, with unique styling...you won't have to merge with anybody if you build cars people want...

I just love the stylish exterior. Add to this are its power locks, power windows, power mirrors and GM's OnStar. Good thing Sky Red Line will soon be out this fall.

This message is for Bob Lutz, dear Bob, I would like to know if you'll come to ParisMotorshow end of september. Automotive sector changed a lot since we met together in Detroit, it was in 2003 and I was the only french reporter to be there. Best souvenir
Didier Testot

The Sky is the best designed car GM has ever built.

It is a Gem!

This car is now sold out for 2007!

Good work GM!