Saturn SKY trivia question

[GMTruckGuy74]

During its development, what name was originally selected for Saturn's Kappa roadster before "SKY"?

Edited January 17, 2007 by GMTruckGuy74

[Flybrian]

AIR?

[Intrepidation]

Stratus? Oh wait that was taken...

Cumulus?

Stars?

Banana?

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Kappa?

Lightning?

Utopian Turtletop?

[CSpec]

CURVE?

[ToniCipriani]

CSpec got it, if you're talking about the Saturn's concept Curve. But the true root of the production Sky is the Vauxhall VX Lightning Concept.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Nope, no one has gotten close to it yet.

The picture I included is from the "Pontiac Solstice Book", where a very short chapter at the end of the book is dedicated to the SKY. Two clay models and artwork on the walls of the design studio clearly show a name Saturn was seriously considering for this car.

HINT: The name has been discussed here on C&G in the past (>2 years); it was originally thought to be the name of the car to replace the L-Series.

Edited January 18, 2007 by GMTruckGuy74

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Signal?

[Sixty8panther]

Oxygen?

(I think it would be a great name for a fun convertible)

[Northstar]

Evoke?

[GMTruckGuy74]

We have a WINNER:

Signal?

In the SKY chapter, the very first page shows a split clay model (two different versions of the front, one almost like production) with a backdrop that shows the words "Solstice T" (the T appearing similar to the GXP graphic) and the "Signal Redline". Two other clay model shots clearly show the emblem "Signal" on the back of the car, exactly where the SKY emblem would be placed on production models.

Again, the chapter is very brief on the history of Saturn's Kappa, and it does not explain or even mention why the pictures shown of the clay models say "Signal". I have contacted the publisher about doing a SKY book, especially since they can focus more on the other SKY-related cars too (original 2002 SKY <ION-influenced> Concept, 2003 Vauhall VX Lightning centennial celebration Concept, 2004 Saturn Curve Concept, and the production 2008 Opel GT), but he stated in his reply that Saturn wasn't too interested (however, upon contacting Saturn, they stated they would love a book on the SKY but it was up to the publisher ). And I'm sure many people that bought the Solstice book would be more than willing to add a SKY book to their collection (I would if I owned a Solstice).

Apparently the Curve was what Saturn's Kappa car was going to be, but Lutz wanted something more along the lines of the Solstice instead. Vauxhall's VX Lightning concept sealed the deal for Lutz - he wanted a production-oriented car designed from the VX for Saturn and voila - the SKY (Signal) was born.

On a side note, I believe it was TED's page that called for the SIGNAL to be a hatchback or wagon as the replacement for the L-Series.

Edited January 18, 2007 by GMTruckGuy74

[Sixty8panther]

Cool! So who's up for a Buick Kappa?.... (Wildcat?)

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Ha! Sweet.

I wasn't sure if Signal was the answer or if that name was going to be used on another pre-Lutz/Opel-Saturn-Vauxhall car.

GMTruckGuy, I'd buy a copy of that book you have just so I could see the different designs that were considered for the Sky/Solstice. I love that kind of stuff.

(. . . Could have I a few as a prize? )

Edited January 18, 2007 by YellowJacket894

[GMTruckGuy74]

I'll be honest, I just flipped through the Solstice chapters (99% of the book) to read only the SKY chapter for now. There are a ton of pictures though on the Solstice's development - at some point I'll go back and read the entire book

Sorry, but you got my trivia question mixed up with Sixty8's trivia questions - he's the one dishing out the prizes. Tell you what, send me $34.95 + s&h, and I'll *send* you one of these books!!!