The New Pontiac Solstice

[Piet]

I like it....

[ZZ430]

I saw it on "The Apprentice" tonight.

Rear wheel drive and the roadster theme.

First thing I thought that it was influenced by the Mazda Miata .

[ProdigyCustoms]

I thought M3, it's a chick car!

[69HuggrrrPT]

First thing I thought that it was influenced by the Mazda Miata .
Same here

[Bill Howell]

:postpics:

(I have always wanted to use that-lol)

Frank you posted at 5:30? Up early today?

[69boo307]

I think it's kinda cool, but I doubt I'd drive one. It's like a Pontiac Miata. Would probably make a good autocross car.

[Flynlo416]

I saw it on "The Apprentice" tonight.

Rear wheel drive and the roadster theme.

First thing I thought that it was influenced by the Mazda Miata .
Total chick car and yes I thought Miata as soon as I saw it. My wife said is that a Miata?? Same difference!!!!! Lose the Camaro and get a girl car????????? What's the deal G.M??

[Steve1968LS2]

It is sad that car car as capable as a Miata is considered a "chick car".. :(

A spec Miata could probley kick the butts of many of the "manly" cars on this site in a auto-x event..

Monter Miata = :drool:

[PonchoJohn]

Yes, it is funny (sad).
I don't consider it a chick car at all, although a chick would sure look good cruisin' in it!! :icon996:
I have wanted one since it was proto'd a couple of years ago.
I think it'll make a fantastic daily driver for me and I think it's gonna sell like crazy at $19,995.00.
I can't wait to see how the coupe comes out, as I really like the rear treatment of the prototype.

[BuddyP]

I like the upcoming Saturn roadster better (shares the Solstice platform). Saw it in person at the Detoit auto show and ... Wow... I was impressed!! Love the interior of that thing. Saw the Solstice there a couple years ago (it was there again this year) and it too is nice, just think the Saturn is a lot sharper looking.

[JoshStratton]

It is sad that car car as capable as a Miata is considered a "chick car".. :(

My mom has had 3 of them and my wife wanted one for a while. They are DEFINATELY a chick car. I think it is because they are so small and girls like 'cute' cars. Guys like big fast cars that will make it out of the wreck that the woman in the Miata caused while doing her makeup.

Speaking of chicks, are there actually any on this site or is it a sausage (forgive the term) fest? :bsjerk:

[astroracer]

A "chick" car? Maybe... Is it fast? Yes... Does the Corvette based (loosely) suspension handle well? Yes... Can a 6' 2" 290lb guy sit in it comfortably? Yes...
I designed all of the forged aluminum control arms for the front and rear supensions on this car and had the opportunity to ride and drive the mule cars a few times. Of course, these were all rough and tough and hard too diaper, but the car came across as quick and responsive. I know I want one...

[trapin]

Uhh....a chick car, it is NOT!

And a Mazda Miata, it is NOT!

The Miata will have nothing on Solstice when it debuts this Summer. Compare the two cars. Miata looks cheap and fragile with uninspiring design lines whereas Solstice has that Phat/Stocky appearance with it's big wheels and awesome interior. Please...theres no contest. They're not going to be overly fast to start out but, when you see the available parts for the ecotech engines to boost horsepower and torque from GM Performance parts, you'll be amazed. And yes, at $19,995 no one will be buying Miata's anymore. And if you think Solstice is hot...wait to Sky hits the market the following January. That car is a work of art.

I don't want to hear it. I was at the Auto Show back in January and I made a point to check out every 2 seat roadster that was there and nobody, I mean NOBODY is gonna be building one like the Sky and Solstice. They will be the best looking ones out there and for the price, they'll be hard to ignore.

Yeah, I know...I'm a GM slappy. So sue me. :box2:

[Steve1968LS2]

They are DEFINATELY a chick car.

When did small two seater sports cars become chick cars? There was day when you weren't a real man without them..

James Bond in his Austin Martin

James Dean in his "girly" porsche..

Sad.. sad.. sad...

[BuddyP]

That's it... the Saturn Sky, couldn't think of it in my above post...

I agree, that thing is a work of art, the front end looks tough and interior is awsome.

[JoshStratton]

I have nothing against 2 seaters. I like a lot of them..including the aformentioned Austin Martin and Spyder. In fact, I think there are a few cars that SHOULD have been 2 seaters such as the Karman Ghia. I think the Miata is a chick car cause I look goofy in it and my pride wont let me like it if I look goofy in it...but secretly it's ok.

[JoshStratton]

You're right. That is kinda bada$$
http://www.saturnofatlanta.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=21&sort=1&size=medium&cat=508

[Piet]

LOL... When I first started this post... I had a whole lot more text.... I deleted it.
It was "I like it, BUT...."

It is a Pontiac reaction to:
Mazda Miata
Mazda RX8
BMW M3
Chrysler Crossfire
Mercedez SLK
Nissan 380z
Etc......

I like it, it looks nice, It is a stallion in a family of donkeys.
But is it too little... too late?

PS. I think I may like even more than the 2006 Corvette. More sporty.

[Piet]

Oh yah.... small 2 seaters ROCK.... I would love to buy me an Arial Atom!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/

[Hartz]

My Miata isn't a girl car - the nitrous bottle is blue, not pink! :dunno:

:D

Hartz

[Fawkes]

Oh yah.... small 2 seaters ROCK.... I would love to buy me an Arial Atom!

I love the Atoms. I have a killer video that was on a British show. That thing is scarey wicked.

As for the Solstice, I'd take one in a heartbeat, but I'm hoping that the rumors that I've heard of a turbo version and possibly a V6 version are true.

[J68Bird]

When I first read about the concept car, about 1 1/2 years ago, they said that it would be powered by a supercharged Eco-Tech putting out around 225 hp. That would've made one very fun commuter car. I'm sure the aftermarket guys would find ways to bump that up real fast. As it turns out the car has been nuetered before it even comes out.

J. Clear

[PonchoJohn]

Well, they sold the first 1,000 units in 41 minutes!! From what I hear, they've already presold an additional 4,000 units, so that's 5,000 units and it's not even on the lot yet.
I sure hope this helps Pontiac's/GM's position in sales. :usa:

[Kevin@W2W]

I dig it. My wife just bought a new G6 and is mad they are releasing the Soltice.

In a way it could be considerd a chick car considering a women designed it;)

[FASTAZZ79Z]

Theres a guy down in Mass. that my friend knows, thats installing a LS-1 into his little first gen miata

[trapin]

In a way it could be considerd a chick car considering a women designed it;)
Are you talking about Anne Asensio? Or Beth Wetzel? That car shared the same studio as the new Saturn sedan that I was doing surface design on. There was more than just one designer who worked on it.

Bob Lutz also had the final say on all design direction.

[Beige]

Bob Lutz didn't design it.

[trapin]

He had the final say on how the winning car was going to look. His hands were very much into it after the competition. Saying one woman designed it gives no credit to the other people who worked so hard to make it happen. I'm sure that's not what Kevin meant, but there were many people who played a part.

[Steve Chryssos]

I like it. It's a great little car. I don't see the problem :hmm: RWD 4 whel independent suspension, low profile tires, 4 whl disc brakes, 6 speed, available supercharger, the list goes on and on.

The General is like cafeteria lunch. Doesn't matter if they serve filet mignon, everyone will bitch.

[c.schulz]

Boy OH boy I love how things get out of hand. The exterior was designed by a young man by the name of Franz Van Somethinorother. He also was the manger of the sky model.
The interior for both solstice and sky where done by a young lady named Vicki. Also keep in mind that it takes more than one person to design a car.
I know this why??? I worked with them hand and hand on the show cars and the production cars.

Chris

[BuddyP]

As far as the interiors... all I have to say is Vicki Rocks!!!

[trapin]

Franz Van Somethinorother
Chris...you nut. :lmao:

[Matt]

The ecotec loves boost, you'll be seeing 500hp solstices within a year.

As for the miata, they thrash tight courses, and my buddy actually has the fastest miata powered miata in the world, did a low 10 between boost and nitrous.

[c.schulz]

Franz Van Somethinorother
Chris...you nut. :lmao:

Hey what can I say.Ive put a lot of hours in with this man and what does he do...........Quits and goes to Mazda??????
But Vicki is with us still.............she's HOT!!!! :seizure: :offtopic:

[trapin]

Vicki is hot??!!

Uhh ohh.....I smell an org chart hunt comin on. What's the first initial of her last name so I can see what we're dealin' with here.

[c.schulz]

Sorry no picture of her in the org chart.She is now a manager at the califonia studio. Nice girl.Honestly. :angel:

Chris

[carone]

The new GXP Solstice should be one hell of a car 2300 lbs 260 hp and 260 fpt.

[Damn True]

Is the Hot-Rod LS7 powered Solstice still a chick car?

I think they are bitchin little cars.

[JamesD]

The solstice is cool, but I like the saturn sky better. The solstice always seemed a kind of bulbous with all the curves. I like the hard edges of the sky, kind of like cadillacs.

[Y-TRY]

I think the Solstice is a ton more agressive looking than Miatas, especially with the top up.

But what I REALLY have to disagree with is the comparison to a BMW M3. They are NOTHING alike. M3's aren't 2-seaters at all, and would kill many of the cars on here. C'mon, 333hp, stock, SMG transmission available, more SCCA Touring wins than you can count. A GIRL'S car? These cars were touring before we even dreamed of mimicing it! C'mon! Nothing like the Solstice or Miata.... You MUST be thinking of the Z3/Z4, maybe even Z8 (except it has 400hp)

I had to chime in because I'm in the market for an M3 convertible myself right now, for my daily (keeping the Camaro and the truck of course)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/04/e8_12JPG-1.jpg

[Todds69]

I like the Saturn Sky better, but the Solstice is sweet as well. I think there was a write up in one of the mags that a guy is installing LSx platforms in the Solstice (doubles the price) but wouldn't that be sweet.

[ProTouring442]

The General is like cafeteria lunch. Doesn't matter if they serve filet mignon, everyone will bitch.

Isn't THAT the truth!!!!!!!!

I do have to wonder why they didn't give the damned thing a trunk though.

There is a Pontiac dealer right down the street from me, and I have to say that the thing looks sweet!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"

[StRacerDuke]

Personaly I like the lines on the Sky better than the pontiac. With some simple mod's I think it would be a killer little car. Super light, standard GM parts that already have an aftermarket selection for it, and an eco tech that would love a turbo. 2,800 lbs, narrow wheel base, 400+ hp, and near 50/50 weight distribution? Hell yea! I think you'll see this thing all over the tracks in about 2-3 years.

[Steve1968LS2]

The Opel GT look better than either of them. lol.. sort of a mix..

and the new 2L Turbo Ecotec (260hp) is a sweet engine..

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[steemin]

I was just reading somewhere that someone is offering an LS2 install in the Solstice starting @ $18,000.
That would be a hoot to drive!
However I have never felt comfortable driving a car that small..
Scott

[camaro608]

hot rod mag put an ls7 in one

.............um.............fast.................. ...........very fast

[BuddyP]

Saturn Sky Redline was just released at the NY auto show this past week...
http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7704

Also, here is a pic of a custom Solstice I saw at SEMA off road show in Indy a couple weeks back.

[trapin]

An LS7 in a Solstice......

Our own little version of the legendary Cobra.

[EFI69Cam]

The solstice is cool, but I like the saturn sky better. The solstice always seemed a kind of bulbous with all the curves. I like the hard edges of the sky, kind of like cadillacs.

I agree, the Saturn looks more like a GM to me, the Pontiac looks like a BMW.

Both these cars are based off the new Opel GT, which is the best looking of them all really.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Both the Solstice and the sky are awesome cars.

[muthstryker]

they are nice but id love to build a K1 attack those are cool cars.

http://img70.exs.cx/img70/6438/post-6-1078696008.jpg
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/43185.jpg
http://www.k1-attack.cz/images/gallery/photo_03.jpg