Pontiac Solstice & Saturn Sky Given Imaginative C7 Corvette Treatment
What if GM hadn’t axed Saturn and Pontiac, but kept them alive and rebadged its C7 Corvette as two other models?
Automakers have long enjoyed the practice of slapping different brand’s badges on what is essentially the same car, then selling it at the appropriate dealership. Even the legendary Corvette has succumbed to this, in the form of the Cadillac XLR, which at least had its own distinct styling. Other vehicles throughout history have simply traded badges and made no attempts to differ themselves. But these renderings from Brazilian artist Kleber Silva are a cross between a C7 Corvette and two models and brands that no longer exist.
Yes, we’re talking about the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, a pair of promising little roadsters that ultimately met an untimely fate thanks to GM’s decision to kill off both brands back in 2009 amid a financial recession. But what if things had turned out differently? What if both Pontiac and Saturn survived and were still cranking out sporty convertibles today? Well, they might look something like this.
Both renderings certainly look like a C7 Corvette, but wear obvious styling differences that set them apart. The Solstice here is certainly a dead ringer for the last-gen ‘Vette, save for those badges and signature twin nose “snorkels” that give it a Pontiac vibe. The rear of the car is essentially unchanged altogether, but that’s normal in the world of these brand swaps.
The Saturn Sky, however, has a completely unique front end that doesn’t look much like a C7 Corvette, save for the headlights. The side profile gives it away, however. Out back, a slightly revised set of taillights is the sole difference between the two, save for the Saturn badge.
This pair of renderings is a pretty cool “what if” that really makes you think. If Saturn and Pontiac were still around, would GM have given them the C7 (and now C8) treatment? If they had, we’re not so sure they would have been hot sellers, because who wants to pay a premium for a Corvette with another badge? Regardless, it’s an interesting idea, anyway.
Photos: Kleber Silva
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