Pontiac Solstice
Have you checked this out?
http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/48583/page009.html
Please build it Mr. Lutz!
What do you think?
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Comments
Wheels are way too big, though, screws up the car. Looks like a set of wheels with a body glued on later. You're supposed to look at the car, not the wheels.
Seems like 17" is about enough.
I think it's always a problem when the show car has massive wheels and the production car, while styled to accommodate them, is supplied with wheels that have about 3" of air between the top of the tire and the wheelwell. That just looks silly, and Toyota is one of the worst offenders.
At any rate, it beats the crap out of the Sunfire!
Also, once you get down to something with really low aspect ratios for the tires, how do they control the quality of the ride? I'm probably just used to big, cushy land yachts, but something like that Solstice looks like it would feel like riding on 4 tire-less rims!
Now, add a RWD or AWD Grand Prix with a 5 speed sequential gear box, and LS1 V8 or boosted Supercharged V6, and we are talking driving excitement !!!
hud
Re "once you get down to something with really low aspect ratios for the tires, how do they control the quality of the ride?"....they usually degrade the ride signifantly, due to the shorter, stiffer sidewalls. But some tires are better than others, and the 45-series Sumitomos on my turbo Corolla are quiet, smooth and Z-rated. Kumhos are another good choice for daily wear, and are often used in racing as well.
"After GM is done killing the F-bodies, what will it have? The Vette? Great car, but well beyond the price range of the typical consumer. After that its....ah.....ummmm.....well, there's always the Sunfire!?!?!
Ford just came out with the Thunderbird - a spectacular design. Chrysler had the Prowler, but that was too expensive and impractical, but had the PT Cruiser waiting in the wings. GM needs a hook - something to get people interested in the Pontiac name.
Ok, how about this - a small/medium sized two seat mid engine sports car with room, but no seats, behind the front seats. Keep the suspension cheap and simple - struts on all four corners. Keep the weight down - below 2800 pounds. Give it two engine choices - a 170 hp 2.4 Quad4 and a 225hp supercharged and intercooled 2.4 Quad4 - both running through a 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic. Styling-wise - make it distinctive with an eye toward being mean and nasty looking - like its ready to bit your leg off if you don't get out of the left lane. Price it starting at $20,000 for the base model and topping out at under $30,000 for a loaded supercharged edition."
Well, I pegged the pricing, almost nailed the engine specs, was correct about utilizing a cheap, parts-bin suspension and was right about the styling. OK, so it isn't a mid-engine design - so I was wrong on one point - I'm not the Pope! :-)
1. pricing mentioned at car shows is often bunk, with high equipment trims being considerably more.
2. pontiac grill has got to go. why ruin a car with that? the pontiac BADGE tells people what it is, ditch the ugly grill. do you really want a tie to the grand prix and grand am?
-Colin
Try this experiment. Open up the April C&D to page 50. Put your left thumb over the silver Solstice's grill. Wow, that's a nice looking car!
Now, take away your thumb. Ugh, it's a Pontiac again...
The grill in front is beautiful and aggressive. The styling is 100% perfect. The only downside, I hate to say, is the Pontiac badge, which after too many miscues has negative brand equity, for me anyway. The thing is, for this car, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it anyway, it could be a Yugo for all I care. I am not a praying type of person, but for this one, I pray that GM will build it as-is.
Lutz, build this one, and keep these kinds of designs coming, and you will become a very rich man from your stock!
I'm not one to tolerate grill styling. I hate Chrysler & Dodge's current "look" and Pontiac should stay away from that sort of idea with the Solstice... if it sees production in any form near enough to the show car to be interesting.
-Colin
Sure, there is always something that can be picked on on any car, but some just like to be the critics of a group. Relax and enjoy life to the fullest, and if that means a Fiat, so be it. Mr. Lutz, as a 60+ car fan, I'd be in line for a Solstice when it forms. Of course my dad always said that the only car worth buying was a Packard!
Bob, be a part of automotive history and get the Solstice in production....Now!! Aloha
Mrshiftright
Host
Now we all know that there will be some feature slashing to get this car down to 19.9k. What does you think will go?
I'm positive that they'll strip the super charger, but will this car really be able to compete with the base ecotech that only puts out 140-145 HP? Pontiac has left a bad taste in people's mouths and I doubt people'll go for this over a Miata unless it has more features/$.
That being said it does look like they will be low balling Mazda and filling a void in the auto market. Is there any roadster that currently comes in under the Miata?
No other details at present. I hope GM makes it as close to the concept as possible.
And the coupe just doesn't do it for me (they probably won't make it anyway).
Has anyone else noticed that/feel the same way? Cars designed to be convertibles look great as convertibles and kinda crappy as coupes, but cars designed as hardtops look kinda crappy (not quite right) when they cut off the top?
breetai, I agree about the coupe/convertibles. The new 350z is a great example. The coupe is hot, but there's not something quite right about the convertible.
Add a Supercharger and a few other upgrades to the 2.4 and you could have around 240 hps at that 20 - 22k range GM hopes to have with the Solstice.
NAIAS draws closer. Hope there will be a big announcement.
http://www.autoweek.nl/images/480/1000333.jpg
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The interior looks good, and the exterior is awesome. Engines have yet to be announced.
I am always knocking my arm against the parking brake in my Miata.
Too bad the rear view mirror could not have stayed on the windshield wrap aound, but I expected that.
Really, very nice looking!
i see the beancounters haven't given it the new ugly steering wheel from the bu/G6.