2005 Pontiac Solstice (http://autoshow.edmunds.yahoo.com/news/autoshow/articles/100916/page043.html?tid=yahoo.e.autoshow..leftnav.44.*)

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/large/1184-1.jpg

Well, they're going to build it and what a great car to build. Pontiac is saying that the engine will be a 170hp 2.4L four (probably Ecotec family, which means now there is an Ecotec car I'm interested in). Best guess is a 5speed transmission, but a six speed probably isn't out of the question.

It is rear-wheel drive and the roadster is confirmed. Plus Saturn and Chevy had concepts on display using this same platform, GM's Kappa chassis.

Now I just have to start begging for the coupe.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/large/1185-2.jpg
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/large/1185-1.jpg

I still hope they go for the 240HP supercharged 2.2 instead/also for production.

http://www.autointell.net/nao_companies/general_motors/pontiac/pontiac-solstice/pontiac-solstice-02.htm

They're also shooting for a $20,000 price-range, in which case, the SRT-4 has some SERIOUS competition.

Also, they're listing in the specs here on the showpiece that it has a 6-speed...hope that stays also: http://www.velocityjrnl.com/jrnl/2002/vmd3084pf.html

Hmm...if it does happen like I hope (6-speed, 240HP, 20K tag)...*wonders how much he can save by next year*

BTW, here's a better look at the coupé:
http://199.239.248.45//images/full/2002/s2002010901/pn2002solsticecoupe4905.jpg

Back:
http://199.239.248.45//images/full/2002/s2002010901/pn2002solsticecoupe4903.jpg

The roadster from behind (those are 18's up-front and 19's at the rear!):
http://199.239.248.45//images/full/2002/s2002010901/pn2002solstice4903.jpg

Dash:
http://199.239.248.45//images/stk/2002/pn2002solsticeconcept03.jpg

I like everything about the car except the way it looks...

I really dont like poniac's styling trend. :(


but... at least I am somewhat close to getting an opel speedster threw that thing. lol

they're going to have 2 versions 170 and 240 one, probably be a mid 14 car considering the weight will be roughly 2600 lbs.

If it is a 6spd along with the G6 maybe I'll have a new donor transmission :wink:

I read in this months sport compact that this car is not really coming out.

Course we all know how reliable mags are. Looks nice though and I like the fact that its Rwd.

Make the front a little different by shortening it and I'd like it but other than that it's probably the only Pontiac with the exception of an ol' Goat that I'd like to own also wasn't there a Saturn version too?

http://www.supercars.net/PicFetch?pic=2002_saturn_sky-1.jpg

Kinda oogly if you ask me.

Pontiac announced the production plans for the Solstice this year at the Detroit Auto Show. At the same show, GM displayed two concepts using the same chassis. The Chevy Nomad.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/04images/nomad_1.jpg

and the Saturn Curve which also uses a supercharged version of the Ecotec producing 230hp.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/04images/curve_1.jpg

Here's a picture of the production Solstice "all opened up" and a picture of the chassis underneath that classy sheetmetal.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/04images/06solstice_2.jpg
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/04images/06solstice_5.jpg

The roadster version would be in serious consideration for my next car if it weren't so damned ugly.

those are the most ugly ass cars ive seen since like the p/t cruiser

I wouldn't call it ugly. It's a step in the right direction, curves! The front end needs more thought put into the various shapes... Love that roof design on the coupe.

They should bring the Opel speedster over here and call it the new Fiero. Pontiac will have to go ten solid years making cool cars before I'd think about buying one though. Ugh... sunfire... waste of plastic.

I wouldn't call it ugly, I would call it FUGLY!!

I don't get the "ugly" comments. I think it's a car with very classic and very tasteful lines. When I look at the Solstice, I see visual references to the following cars.

1967 Toyota 2000GT
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/large/476-2.jpg
1957 Jaguar XK-SS
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/large/1230-1.jpg
Even some shades of the classic Marcos.
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/large/838-1.jpg

Compared with the Miata's blatant copying of the classic Lotus Elan or the Toyota MR2 Spyder's "I wanna be a Boxster when I grow up" styling, (or lack thereof) the Pontiac Solstice is a breath of fresh air.

That's exactly what I was thinking, Octy...

the only thing nice about that car from what I saw is that it uses the same tires I do.

I don't get the "ugly" comments. I think it's a car with very classic and very tasteful lines. When I look at the Solstice, I see visual references to the following cars.

1967 Toyota 2000GT

1957 Jaguar XK-SS

Even some shades of the classic Marcos.

Compared with the Miata's blatant copying of the classic Lotus Elan or the Toyota MR2 Spyder's "I wanna be a Boxster when I grow up" styling, (or lack thereof) the Pontiac Solstice is a breath of fresh air.

It looks like... well... a Pontiac. The Grand Prix grill kills it.

not my style :puke:

Guess it takes an appreciation of classic sports cars to like the Solstice. Plus, one thing I'm noticing, is that few people are mentioning that this isn't the first time Pontiac has flirted with the idea of an inexpensive parts box FR sports car.

The year was 1964, the GTO and Mustang were just starting to make waves and Pontiac was eyeing the large sales of cars like the MGB, Austin Healey 100-6, and Triumph TR-4. Their solution? Take the rear mounted transaxle from the outgoing Tempest, couple it to a scaled down version of the Vette's independent rear suspension, drop in Pontiac's OHC straight six (the 225hp Sprint engine, used in base model first year Firebirds) and cloak it in a sexy coupe and roadster body. V8 options were also tested, with the Buick/Olds/Pontiac 235ci aluminum V8 being chosen as the hot option.

The result was the Pontiac Banshee.

http://199.239.248.45//images/full/2001/s01081205/pn1964bn01.jpg
http://www.hotrod.com/hotrod/featuredvehicles/p177010_image_large.jpg
http://www.hotrod.com/hotrod/featuredvehicles/p177035_image_large.jpg
http://www.hotrod.com/hotrod/featuredvehicles/p177038_image_large.jpg
http://www.hotrod.com/hotrod/featuredvehicles/p177032_image_large.jpg
http://www.cccvette.com/mycar/j40a.jpg

Unfortunately, corporate pressure killed the car off and only these two running prototypes, the coupe with the OHC six and the roadster with the V8, were ever built. It was Chevrolet in particular that wanted the Banshee killed, as V8 Banshees were quick enough to hang with 327 Vettes, and it was thought that the Banshee would steal Vette sales.

Too bad. I'd trade Layla for a Banshee coupe with the V8.

well... i like it! it'll be interesting to see how it works out if they do produce it.

i like the numbers on paper.

interior looks nice.

don't really find them that attractive from the exterior tho...(front reminds me of the audi tt.)

I can't say that I really like the styling. I don't hate it, but i just can't see myself in it.. I generally like cars with a bit of boxyness to them, such as my FC, mkIII supra's and the like. That's what tickles my fancy. And pop-up lights, hehe.

These days, it seems that car designers are taking curves in a weird direction. There is definetley something different about these "new" curves as opposed to a C5 corvette or FD RX-7, where those lines seem.. logical, and streamlined more than anything. That or maybe i'm just getting old.

no offense, b/c i like the topic of the thread, but why is this in the street racing forum?

i'm going to say what i said before.
i find it difficult to understand how people would complain about the srt4 threads, with so much other OT info floating in here.
it just doesn't make sense to me...
double standard?

i realize this forum is like home to alot of us... but...

i dont like the way the solstice looks, but the saturn curve is alright.