The Sky is based on GM's 'Kappa' platform, which also underpins the Pontiac Solstice roadster. As the slightly familiar styling suggests, it owes more than a little to the Vauxhall VX Lightning concept, which was also based around the same component set. Which isn't too surprising when you learn that the Sky was sketched by GM's Advanced Design Studio in the UK. Much of the early engineering work on the Solstice's chassis also took place on British roads.

The Sky features rear-wheel drive, independent suspension all-round and a 50:50 weight distribution. Power comes from a 2.4-litre version of the Ecotec four-cylinder petrol engine, with preliminary figures suggesting it will have 170bhp and 160 lb ft of torque - enough to give its major segment rival, Mazda's new MX-5, food for thought.

Sadly, however, despite all the British input, Vauxhall says that there's no chance of us seeing a right-hand drive version. The 'Kappa' platform on which the Sky is based is left-hand drive only, and with VX220 sales having declined to just 325 units last year, GM decided against coming up with the budget required for the necessary re-engineering. Instead Vauxhall is studying the case for bringing in limited numbers of left-hookers from Opel once the car arrives in the rest of Europe in 2006. It will be known as the Opel GT, resurrecting a name last used by Opel in 1973.