It was previously thought that GM wouldn't sell a new Kappa-based sports car in Europe due to new European pedestrian safety regulations. The new Pontiac Solstice uses GM's Kappa chassis.
"The policies take effect in 2005 and require [European] auto makers to design extra space between the exterior surface and the underhood structure from the front bumper to the windshield [for brand-new cars made after late 2005]. The 8-in. (20-cm) gap is expected to reduce the severity of pedestrian injuries by better dispersing the impact energy of a person striking a front end."
- waw.wardsauto.com
The new Opel GT likely gets around the new European regulations because it is built in the U.S.
People think that auto makers should compensate for poor drivers and/or pedestrians. Europe has a lot of pedestrian deaths in car crashes relative to the U.S.
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New Kappa chassis and the Pontiac Solstice
