Pontiac Solstice

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Pontiac Solstice

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2005–present
Model year(s)	2006–present
Assembly	Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Class	Roadster, coupe
Body style(s)	2-door convertible 2-door coupe
Layout	FR layout
Platform	GM Kappa platform
Engine(s)	2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4 2.0 L Ecotec LNF I4 177 hp Turbocharged 260 hp (GXP)
Transmission(s)	5-speed Aisin AR5 manual 5-speed 5L40-E automatic
Wheelbase	2416 mm (95.1 in)
Length	3993 mm (157.2 in)
Width	1811 mm (71.3 in)
Height	1273 mm (50.1 in) Coupe: 50.9 in (1293 mm)
Curb weight	1305 kg (2877 lbs)
Related	Saturn Sky Opel GT Daewoo G2X
Designer	Franz von Holzhausen, Vicki Vlachakis, and Wayne Cherry

The Pontiac Solstice is a small sports car from the Pontiac division of General Motors. Introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the Solstice roadster began production in Wilmington, Delaware,^[1] starting in mid-2005 for the 2006 model year. The exterior styling of the production Solstice is similar to that of the 2002 Solstice concept ^[2] that preceded it. Production of the Solstice was to be running before summer 2005, but delays at the Wilmington plant pushed volume production to the fourth quarter.^[3] The new hardtop targa 2009 model was announced in mid 2008.^[4] The Solstice uses the GM Kappa platform, which also underpins the Saturn Sky and Opel GT.

The Solstice was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award and Design of the Year award from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) for 2006. It has been a runaway hit for Pontiac, with 7,000 orders in the first 10 days of availability and 6,000 more orders before winter. Although first-year production was planned at 7,000, GM apologized to customers for delays and increased production, delivering 10,000 by March 1. The base price was adjusted upwards to $20,490 in mid-December. The Solstice currently has an MSRP of $22,115.

Contents 1 GXP (2007-) 2 Solstice Coupe (2009-) 3 Yearly American sales 4 Weekend Club Racer concept 5 GXP-R concept 6 SD-290 race concept 7 Solstice GXP Coupe concept 8 Motorsport 9 Shared technology 10 Future 11 Reviews 12 References 13 External links

[edit] GXP (2007-)

The GXP version of the Solstice debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.^[5] It is powered by a new 2.0 L (121.9 cu in) I4 Ecotec engine equipped with a dual-scroll turbocharger. The engine's output is 260 hp (193 kW) and 260 ft·lbf (353 N·m). This is the highest specific output of any engine in the history of General Motors at 2.1 hp (1.6 kW) per cubic inch, and it is the first gasoline direct injection engine from an American automaker. According to pontiac.com, the GXP goes 0 to 60 mph in under 5.5 seconds.

Other GXP features include standard Stabilitrak traction control, a limited-slip differential, and anti-lock brakes. Summer tires on 18 inch wheels are standard.

[edit] Solstice Coupe (2009-)

A targa coupe version of the Solstice was unveiled at the 2008 New York Auto Show. Engine choices are the same as the convertible versions. The roof can be removed, but the hard roof cannot be fit into the trunk. An optional cloth top is available, which can be fit into the trunk.

The car went on sales in early 2009.^[6]

[edit] Yearly American sales

Calendar Year	Total American sales
2004[7]	3,287
2005	5,445
2006[8]	19,710
2007	16,779
2008[9]	10,739

[edit] Weekend Club Racer concept

Built by GM Performance Division, this special Solstice features a removable hardtop that drew inspiration from the Viper, an aggressive body kit, and an oversized spoiler. Engine is rated 325 hp (242 kW). It includes 18-inch wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 255/45ZR18 tires, cat-back performance exhaust system, T-2 race suspension package, along with larger diameter disc brakes.

The car was unveiled in 2005 SEMA show.^[10]

[edit] GXP-R concept

The GXP-R concept is a modified GXP with engine rated 300 hp (220 kW) and 315 lb·ft (427 N·m) torque. It includes SSBC Performance Brake Package, 19-inch x 8.5-inch wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 245/40ZR19 tires.

The car was unveiled in 2006 SEMA show.^[11]

[edit] SD-290 race concept

The SD-290 race concept is a single-seat Solstice GXP with engine rated 290 hp (220 kW). Weight is reduced by installaing driver-side only windscreen and elimination of door glass/hardware, convertible top/hardware, HVAC system and wiper system. It includes Solo Performance cat-back exhaust system, KW Automotive coil-over suspension package, 6-piston aluminum calipers with 13-inch (330 mm) rotors from Stainless Steel Brake Company, forged 19-inch wheels with Hoosier R6 racing tire, rear spoiler, Removable racing-style steering wheel, Racing seat with four-point safety harness, Chrome fire extinguisher, Pegasus center console gauge package, Driver's roll bar

The car was unveiled in 2006 SEMA show.^[12]

[edit] Solstice GXP Coupe concept

The Solstice GXP Coupe concept is based on the GXP coupe. It is equipped with GM Performance Parts Stage 2 performance kit and performance air intake kit, which boost engine horsepower to about 290 (216 kW). The car also includes a GM Performance Parts cat-back exhaust system and race-ready suspension kit, polished factory wheels.

The car was unveiled in 2008 SEMA show.^[13]

[edit] Motorsport

• Pontiac works and Red Bull backed driver Rhys Millen replaced his GTO for a Solstice GXP to compete in drifting events, particularly in Formula D and in the US rounds of D1 Grand Prix
• SCCA Club Racing 2006 National Championship Runoffs the Pontiac Solstice placed first place in Showroom Stock B (SSB).
• SCCA Club Racing 2007 National Championship Runoffs the Pontiac Solstice GXP placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in Touring 2 (T2) and the Pontiac Solstice placed first place in Showroom Stock B (SSB) even after being penalized 200 lbs between the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

[edit] Shared technology

Shared technology and parts are a common practice by many automakers, a good way to reducings costs and make profits, the Solstice shares major components with nearly every GM division:

• The rear axle and differential are from the Sigma-based Cadillac CTS
• The interior storage bin is from the Cadillac XLR
• The passenger's side airbag, steering column, and exterior and interior door handles are from the Chevrolet Cobalt
• The backup lights are from the GMC Envoy
• The heating, ventilating, and air conditioning modules are from the Hummer H3
• The front fog lamp assembly is from the Pontiac Grand Prix
• The steering wheel is from the Pontiac Torrent, Pontiac G5, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Malibu
• The 2.4 L Ecotec engine is shared with the Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Malibu, and Chevrolet HHR
• The five-speed manual transmission is from the Hummer H3, GMC Canyon, and Chevrolet Colorado
• The five-speed automatic is from the Cadillac CTS, STS, and SRX
• The side view mirrors and AC vents are from the Fiat Barchetta
• The seat frames are from the previous generation Opel Corsa

[edit] Future

In April 2009, after GM announced the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand by the end of 2010, CEO Fritz Henderson stated that the Solstice would not continue under another GM brand.^[14] In May, he added that they would consider selling the Wilmington plant and the Solstice/Sky products to an outside business.^[15] The Wilmington assembly plant is currently scheduled to close in July 2009. ^[16]

[edit] Reviews

• AutoWeek.com (2004). Drive of preproduction Solstices. Our first drive in Pontiac's new drop-top leaves us longing for more
• MotorTrend.com (2004). We asked for it and we got it: a good-handling Solstice
• MPH Magazine (Oct. 2005). drives the Solstice in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
• Automobile Magazine (Oct. 2005). Long before his roadster dream began, Lutz worked at BMW
• Road and Track Magazine (Oct. 2005). When it was introduced as a concept car at the January 2002 Detroit auto show...
• Car and Driver Magazine (Oct. 2005). We were worried in a big way, worried that the Pontiac Solstice would turn out to be a cost-cut, watered-down...
• Motor Trend Magazine (Oct. 2005). Move Over, Sunshine: This is no Fiero; this is the Pontiac of sports cars
• Autoweek Magazine (August 29, 2005). What a Concept: Solstice gives Pontiac—and GM—a much needed shot in the arm
• CNNMoney.com (quoting from Consumer Reports). Least reliable 2007 sporty car. [2]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

This article's external links may not follow Wikipedia's content policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links. (June 2009)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pontiac Solstice

• Official Pontiac Solstice site
• KappaPerformance.com - Performance Forum for the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Opel GT & Daewoo G2X
• Solstice Forum
• North American Solstice-Sky Owners Association
• GM Roadster Club for Pontiac Solstice, Saturn SKY, Opel GT & Daewoo G2X Owners
• GM four cylinder Club for Pontiac Solstice, Saturn SKY, Cobalt, and Ions

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