2006 Pontiac Solstice

[GregFarz78]

Winter Solstice: Our first drive in Pontiac's new drop-top leaves us longing for more


The long-deserted high banks of the Brooklands racetrack in southern England-which opened in 1907-provided the backdrop for our first drive of the Pontiac Solstice test mules.

By ROGER HART
(08:01 May 03, 2004)

The steady, cold rain from the night before had dried up, but heavy gray skies still threatened, giving us a taste of a typical late-winter day in southern England. The weather can be dicey-temperatures can climb into the 50s in the afternoon but just as easily drop to near freezing. Add in for good measure the aforementioned rain. Weather was important because we had come to Surrey and Sussex counties south of London to drive convertibles, and unless the skies opened back up and unleashed another deluge, we were determined to drive with the top down. We brought an extra wool sweater and a Gore-Tex jacket, just in case.

So why go to England, where in February you can go days-maybe even weeks-without seeing the sun, to drive convertibles? The simple answer is because that's where General Motors offered us the first drive of the Pontiac Solstice.

Solstice is the hot project at GM. Talk all you want about all the other cars GM has in the pipeline, from Chevy's new Cobalt small car to the sixth-generation Corvette, but inside the company Solstice is the one everyone is watching. It represents a new way of doing business for GM. It is the first car to be built on a new rwd (Kappa) architecture, and it's the first car, from concept to production, with product czar Bob Lutz's fingerprints all over it (AW, Feb. 2). Also, the car is 18 months away from production, so we're driving it very early.

Solstice had one of the shortest gestation periods in GM's (and much of the car world's) history, going from computer math design to foam model in 21 days. Just 15 weeks later it rolled onto a Detroit stage as a concept car. It was the darling of the 2002 North American International Auto Show, snagging our Best in Show award. We weren't the only ones who liked the car. The public loved it, too, and GM began the process to make the concept a reality.

"THE F WORD STILL HAUNTS THE halls of GM," said Doug Parks, chief engineer for small cars, referring to the Pontiac Fiero, the two-seat, mid-engine sports car that lived a short, unfulfilled life from 1984 to '89. "The Solstice absolutely has to perform as well as it looks. That was the Fiero's problem... it never delivered on its looks until it was too late. The expectations are higher for this project than for anything I've been associated with at GM," Parks said. "Expectations are through the roof. It has to be right, right out of the box."



Driving the Solstice around the Goodwood Motor Circuit was an experience completely different from hutling the Triumph TR3a, above, around the track.

Those great expectations were what brought us to England, driving a car that won't go on sale for quite some time yet. Parks said a typical new car program allows just three months from the time testing cars made with production tools is finished, until actual production begins. With the Solstice he will have nearly a year.

"We're changing a lot of paradigms within GM-doing things a lot differently with this car," Parks said. "Everyone is watching."

A couple of weeks before our arrival, two engineering cars and a couple of engineers were sent to the United Kingdom to test chassis and suspension on narrow, twisty, undulating country roads, adding to the thousands of development miles Solstice has covered on tracks and public roads in Europe and the United States.

Our mission was to evaluate the ride and handling, with one of the cars at "85 percent of what we believe will be the finished setup," according to Parks, and the other at about 75 percent. The interior panels were crude, to say the least, and the flat-black-painted steel body panels were merely window dressing-the final tooling has not been done-but this was our first look at the car's folding convertible top. Although a prototype, it gave us a good indication as to how it will look and function. And as we said, despite the mercury hovering in the mid-30s, we came to England to drive a convertible-with the top down.


GM engineers brief the Solstice drivers in Dunlop Mac's Bungalow at Brooklands.

With just two Solstices for five journalists wanting wheel time, there appeared to be a scheduling problem. Being in England, where sports roadsters flourished in the 1950s and '60s, GM arranged for four examples of British roadsters to occupy our time between Solstice drives: a 1960 Triumph TR3a, a 1967 Triumph TR4a, a 1969 MGB and a 1971 Lotus Elan Sprint. And while we looked forward to driving these classic cars, it was the Solstice we wanted.

Our first look at the two Solstices we would drive came at Brooklands, site of the world's first closed-course auto racing track. It opened in 1907, two years before the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Long since closed as a track-the racing surface was torn up and trees planted to camouflage the area from German bombers in World War II-Brooklands is now the site of a museum housing a collection of race cars, airplanes and memorabilia.

Even though the car is a two-seater, Solstice seems bigger than what you'd expect, and in comparison to the British roadsters mentioned above, it's a giant. In reality, Solstice is big for a car in its class. Compared to the Mazda Miata, Solstice is two inches longer, more than four inches wider and two inches taller. Solstice's wheelbase is nearly six inches longer than Miata's. And just to put Solstice into perspective, it's just one inch narrower than the new Corvette, with a track just two inches narrower.


Solstice is the first north-south installation of an Ecotec powertrain.

Before letting us slip in behind the wheel, the GM engineers folded down the mechanical top. The process starts by twisting a latch on the inside that releases the top from the header, and then opening the trunk in reverse fashion. There are a couple of wings at the rear of the top that fold inward, and then you're ready to fold the top down into the trunk. After the top is stowed, the trunk lid can be closed and the finished look is clean with no need for a boot. There is very little cargo room in the car, even with the top up. There is no space behind the seats for any storage, so unless a cargo rack is added, judicious packing is required for even weekend trips. Don't even think of bringing your golf clubs.

Solstice's larger size was welcomed when getting behind the wheel. At a bit more than six feet tall, we had no problem finding a comfortable driving position with decent legroom and great shoulder room. At no time did we feel cramped or uncomfortable.

With the top secured in the trunk and after a brief talk with Steve Padilla, our co-driver and Solstice's vehicle dynamics performance engineer, we lit the 2.4-liter I4 Ecotec, found first gear and set off into the chilly English countryside.

One of the first things you notice is a rather bulbous hood that limits your ability to see the edge of the road, a minor irritation compounded by driving left-hand-drive (American) cars on the left-hand side of the road. The co-driver on this trip was as important as in the World Rally Championship. Also, with the flared headrest bumps behind the seats, rear vision is blocked while looking over your right shoulder. Seats in our test cars were not production units and seemed a bit too low, further increasing our inability to see out.

While the chassis and suspension still had work to be done on them, the driveline is set. The 2.4-liter engine produces 170 hp at 6400 rpm and 170 lb-ft at 4400 rpm. The engine is mated to an Aisin five-speed manual transmission we enjoyed working through a short-throw shifter. The clutch take-up was good and while the shifter action wasn't quite the snick-snick movement of a Honda S2000's, it's the best-feeling GM shifter-short of maybe a Z06's Tremac T56-we can remember operating. It is worth noting this is the first north-south installation of an Ecotec powertrain, so there is no need for the extensive shift linkage as in a fwd, transverse-mounted installation. Another reason to love rwd.


The Solstice's roomy interior can easily handle the six footers.

The engine felt strong, easily propelling the 2860-pound car, with an aggressive exhaust note. The 2.4-liter is a good starting point, especially for a car that will sticker at $19,995. [b]At no time did the car feel underpowered, and we drove many miles on the twisty roads in second and third gear, keeping the revs in the sweet spot, enjoying the engine noise echoing off the trees and rolling hills. At speed, we were able to carry on a conversation with our passenger.

[GregFarz78]

(CONT)


GM engineers wouldn't reveal details, but they let on there will be more thrust available at some point.[/b] The 2.0-liter, 205-hp supercharged version of the Ecotec, now available in the Saturn Ion Red Line and the upcoming Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged, could be offered. And when we reminded the engineers a 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec is making more than 1000 hp in the NHRA's sport compact series, they just smiled. We smiled, too, at the thought of even half, or a quarter of that power in this little car.

The Surrey and Sussex roads were a good choice to test the chassis and suspension, with lots of off-camber turns that twist the chassis and a lot of undulations that work the suspension hard, keeping the driver busy with the wheel. Solstice has four-wheel independent suspension with coil-over monotube shocks, and 18-inch alumi-num wheels shod with Goodyear Eagle RS-A P245/45 rubber. In the 85 percent car, we found the suspension firm but not harsh, easily smoothing out much of the roughness of the road. The setup needs to be firm enough for sporty driving but comfortable enough for simple cruising, a balance that still needs to be worked out. Turn-in was crisp, but it still was not quite as nimble as the aforementioned Miata or S2000. And Padilla noted S2000 is a target for Solstice handling.

The 75 percent car seemed a bit softer, with Padilla admitting they didn't bring as many suspension components to England as they would have liked to, with only one car getting all the updates. The mostly aluminum chassis seemed superb, with no indication of any flex over the rough roads.

Solstice's rack-and-pinion steering is quick and responsive, and the engineers admitted it has received much fine-tuning. The steering rack is solid-mounted and there is no isolation in the system, giving the driver as direct a link to the front wheels as you can get. The steering has good on-center feel but the effort was too light, a condition that became even more apparent on our second day of driving around the fast, 2.4-mile Goodwood Motor Circuit.

Though we were limited to a 75-mph top speed-or a speed close to that-we found Solstice to have good track manners, and the four-wheel disc brakes worked well. Driving Solstice back-to-back with some of the classic British roadsters made us wonder who came up with the phrase, "the good old days." The vintage cars certainly looked great and were a lot of fun to muscle around thetrack-especially the 1500-pound Lotus, a car you wear as much as you drive-but as far as ride and handling character-istics are concerned, we like the cars of today.

One of the engineers likened our early Solstice drives to getting a taste of the batter before the cake is baked. Well, the batter tastes pretty good, and we can't wait to sample the cake after it has been frosted.

2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE

ON SALE: Fall 2005
BASE PRICE: $19,995 (est.)
POWERTRAIN: 2.4-liter, 170-hp, 170-lb-ft I4; rwd, five-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT: 2860 pounds
0 TO 60 MPH: 7.2 seconds

Pontiac's Solstice Site

[GregFarz78]

My opinion of this car...the looks are great, suspension looks good, the HP factor looks like GM dropped the ball again in that department, and it a tad heavy. I remember reading about this car about a year ago they were claiming a 13s stock car w/ a RWD v8/v6 for around 20k

...now its downgraded to an ecotech

Put a bigger engine under the hood GM or at least turbocharge that biotch!!!

[AMRAAM4]

If those are the final lines of the car, I think it is looks like another cheap POS.

GM is pathetic, they hold their nutsack so close on the Corvette because God forbid there is another car in the family that has any kind of performance that may challenge it. I have had it with GMs powerplants and fag designs.

...anyone want a GA with 5400 miles on it

[GregFarz78]

So how do you really feel bob?

You make a good point though unless you wanna spend 40k+ GM really has no other performance car for the average joe the solstice was supposed to be it but I guess they "detuned it"

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by GregFarz78

So how do you really feel bob?

You make a good point though unless you wanna spend 40k+ GM really has no other performance car for the average joe the solstice was supposed to be it but I guess they "detuned it"

GM detuning...NEVER!!

Fock, I'm suprised they didn't drop the C6 down to 325HP.

[mr_eh]

i still say, body kit, and fi... it'll be a mean little car...

[teambeechstreet]

Originally Posted by mr_eh

body kit, and fi... it'll be a mean little car...

[VTECSiGAH8R]

All I have to say is S2000 and Miata. People are willing to dish out over $30,000 easily on that car w/ 240 n/a hp and the Miata with like 140 hp for the top model and like 170 hp for the turbo model now, which goes for the mid-$20,000 price range.

The Solstice will have a base engine w/ 170/170 for under $20,000, and the Ecotec s/c engine upgrade should be availible later. They have said FROM THE BEGINNING that they would offer a lower end model to satisfy those that only wanted to spend around $20,000 for a roadster. Never did they mention a v6 or v8 in that car, that was only hype by idiots that only want power, not handling. A S/Ced Ecotec similar to the one in the Ion Redline has been intended as the upgrade engine from the beginning and still is.

I can't imagine the price going over $26,000 for the Ecotec s/c version which would have 240 hp at least, I'd imagine, making it cheaper than the S2000, and it would probably perform better (being S/Ced and all). Who knows how handling will go tho because this thing is a little heavy for its class, however the torque advantage over the rest of the class would be enjoyed coming out of corners I bet.

For $20,000, you are getting a car w/ more power and room than the Miata but with all the fun and a lower pricetag. And that is the best selling roaster ever. Who cares if you think it's overpriced just because it's GM? If they continue along with the attitude that they should just be cheaper because they are GM, then things will never get better for them and they will just have to conitnue making ****ty cars that please many but **** off many more. They're trying to build better cars to compete for their marketplace, and a $20,000 roaster is a steal if you look at the other competitors, so STFU everyone.

As for the design, if some of us would stop riding the RX7 looks better than anything on earth bandwagon of how design should be (which is retarded if you even look at a stock RX7 because it looks f***ing gay without a body kit and/or aftermarket rims of some sort), then you'd appreciate a good design when you see one. Why am I arguing with people that think body cladding looks good anyway? Jesus.

[ZakkWylde470]

Jesus that car is ugly.

[Mike3800]

Who the **** is making cars at GM now? Really!!

Inside looks great, outside looks like well... sorry... but looks like ****.

I hate to be negative about GM, but... the designers have to get their **** together or they are not going to sell cars.

They shoud simply FIRE the ****nuts who designed the Aztec and the outside appearance of the new Malibu models. I saw a new Malibu going down the road and I was nearly offened by it's presence, it's so damn ugly. It's a good car, but it is so homley it's no wonder it's not selling. It would sell like hotcakes if it were in an attractive body.

Oh well... at least the drivetrain, interior and rumored price are compedative on the new Solstice.

[PontiacGA]

I think the designers of the Aztek were fired by GM. They now work for Scion and Honda, making the xB's and Elements.

[Panacea]

I think it looks sharp... I'd definately take one over a miata, and possibly an S2000.

[02andahalfgt]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

GM is pathetic, they hold their nutsack so close on the Corvette because God forbid there is another car in the family that has any kind of performance that may challenge it. I have had it with GMs powerplants and fag designs.

It's almost like 'Corvette' is a seperate brand from GM and even Chevy. They (the 'Vette people) whined so much when GM decided to put it's engine in the new CTS-V that Caddy had to compromise and reduce HP. What a crock. Why hold that engine to one application?! GM should take a page from DaimlerChrystler, dropping a Viper engine in a Ram?! That's sick.

[AMRAAM4]

Over the quality of an S2000, you'd be crazy. Think what you are saying....a Pontiac over a Honda...aren't you one of the believers that GM is going to hell in a handbasket? To me, the Solstice could be the towing vehicle for a S2000 (if mechanically possible).

As for the Miata, Mazdaspeed edition out soon, turbo'd, bye bye Solstice.

GM smoked again....

funny you mention the designer of the aztek. cuz from what i heard he had a large hand in the designing of the C6...

[VTECSiGAH8R]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

Over the quality of an S2000, you'd be crazy. Think what you are saying....a Pontiac over a Honda...aren't you one of the believers that GM is going to hell in a handbasket? To me, the Solstice could be the towing vehicle for a S2000 (if mechanically possible).

As for the Miata, Mazdaspeed edition out soon, turbo'd, bye bye Solstice.

GM smoked again....

Yes, that super hot 170 hp turbo engine from Mazda is so hard to outrun . I think GM makes several mistakes, and they are making less than before, but believing that they are going to hell in a handbasket is rediculous. They're revamping everything for the better, back to RWD cars, more reliability, more performance, everything people demanded from them, and yet people don't give them a chance because of their negative image. It's sad that there are groups of people on the internet that simply look at anything GM makes and think that they are doing bad. It's like no matter what they do they can't please people on here. But once again, it shows that the people on this board that express their frustrations don't nearly represent the majority of the population.

On other non-specific car boards I've been on, people praise GM for the Solstice because they realize that for it's market, it is a good value, and they like the design. The only thing they are iffy about is the weight, because at 2800 lbs it's kinda porky, but with that much power it should be pretty damn fast still.

It's not a whole lot different than the concept they made, and yet people on here hate it whereas before they loved it. And I think 90% of the time it's because of the 170 hp/170ft-lb engine. Well that is a damn nice base engine for a $20,000 roadster, hell you can't touch that anywhere else. And damn, the Miata needs a turbo to reach those power levels, not to mention that the base Miata with no power costs that much.

I'm just saying, realize that this is the base, and that a supercharged version should be coming out to please those that want real power, the car shouldn't be judged in a 75% to production stage. Not to mention that if you read the article (which I assume most didn't) they liked the car. I don't see how you can completely judge the looks of the car from those pics tho. Smooth flowing lines is about all I can see, and it pleases my eyes.

[Mike3800]

Originally Posted by VTECSiGAH8R

Yes, that super hot 170 hp turbo engine from Mazda is so hard to outrun . .

I agree with you. GM is slowly getting their **** back together... a few setbacks like the ugly design of the otherwise perfectly functional and innovative Malibu and the what the **** were they thinking ION speedo being in the center dash to mention a few. It's getting back togeher slowly, however they still do need to work on their pricing.

[AMRAAM4]

I love how because this is a board related to a Pontiac, people always have to suck GMs cack like they are actually worth a damn. Outside their trucks and the Vette, GMs cars are cheaply made, underpowered, and ugly compared to the competition. Their designs are analogous to McDonalds, whereas other companies would be like The Olive Garden. Now that many many more americans are employed by "japanese" companies I almost take pleasure in watching Ford AND GM get their ass kicked by Honda/Nissan/etc.

[PontiacGA]

170HP from a turbo car?? Thats pathetic. What liter engines are they?