Saturn Sky Concept

The Saturn Sky concept, an open-air roadster, does just the opposite. "It's a reaction to what young people told us they wanted," said Dave Smith, Saturn's newly appointed 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. It tested so strongly. We just know this is a concept worth exploring."

The Sky started as an idea created by General Motors' Advanced Portfolio Exploration (APEx) team and was further supported by research conducted by GM's Innovative Smart Youth Strategies (iSYS) team. That research confirmed that the old assumptions of what young people wanted were definitely outdated. Unlike the generation before it that longed for a two-passenger roadster that looked "cool" but wasn't very practical, this generation of Saturn buyers was looking for something that was fun and functional. In designing the Sky concept, the designers recognized that it not only had to turn heads, it had to get people talking.

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. "This concept vehicle is extremely important," Smith added. "We want to infuse Saturn design with even more daring and verve, continuing some of the brand's signature cues."

Saturn's design philosophy is honest, friendly and intuitive, 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 friendly look. A continuous upswept line follows the hood cutline and embraces the headlamps, and a wide, low front air intake is positioned underneath. "It would be completely out of character to have a menacing scowl to this concept. The upswept brand character cues remind me of a person's smile, creating a friendly demeanor. A continuous line around the body adds a sense of wholeness and contemporary feel," said Smith.