The Pontiac Solstice is a roadster automobile from the Pontiac division of General Motors. Introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the Solstice began production in Wilmington, Delaware starting in mid-2005 for the 2006 model year. The exterior styling of the production Solstice is similar to that of the 2002 Solstice concept[1] that preceded it. Pricing begins at US$19,995. Production of the Solstice was to be running before Summer 2005, but delays at the Wilmington plant pushed volume production to the fourth quarter [2].

The Solstice uses the GM Kappa platform, which also underpins the Saturn Sky and Opel GT. Pontiac may eventually build a fixed-roof coupe version, which would allow the Solstice to be eligible for certain racing events not open to convertibles.

The Solstice was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2006. It has been a runaway hit for Pontiac, with 7,000 orders in the first 10 days of availability and 6,000 more orders before winter. Although first-year production was planned at 7,000, GM apologized to customers for delays and increased production, delivering 10,000 by March 1. The base price was adjusted upwards to $20,490 in mid-December, but many buyers report paying $5,000 or more over sticker to get a Solstice.

GXP

The GXP version of the Solstice debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. It is to be powered by a new 2.0 L turbocharged Ecotec engine with 260 hp (193 kW) and 260 ft·lbf (353 N·m). The turbocharger is of the dual-scroll kind. This is the highest specific output of any engine in the history of General Motors at 2.1 hp (1.6 kW) per cubic inch, and it is the first gasoline direct injection engine from an American auto maker.

Unlike the standard Solstice, the GXP is available in yellow. Other GXP features include standard Stabilitrak traction control, a limited-slip differential, and anti-lock brakes. Summer tires on 18 in wheels will be standard.

Trivia

• The Pontiac Solstice was featured in a challenge on the third season of The Apprentice television program. Winner Kendra Todd also won a Solstice as part of her victory.
• The Solstice was featured in L.A. Rush.
• The original Solstice concept car was featured in Gran Turismo 4.
• The Solstice shares major components with nearly every GM division:
  • The rear axle and differential are from the Sigma-based Cadillac CTS
  • The interior storage bin is from the Cadillac XLR
  • The passenger's side airbag, steering column, and exterior and interior door handles are from the Chevrolet Cobalt
  • The backup lights are from the GMC Envoy
  • The heating, ventilating, and air conditioning modules are from the Hummer H3
  • The front fog lamp assembly is from the Pontiac Grand Prix
  • The steering wheel is from the Pontiac Torrent
  • The 2.4 L Ecotec engine is shared with the Saturn Ion, Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Cobalt, and Chevrolet HHR
  • The five-speed manual transmission is from the Hummer H3, GMC Canyon, and Chevrolet Colorado
  • The five-speed automatic is from the Cadillac CTS, STS, and SRX

References

• AutoWeek.com (2004). Drive of preproduction Solstices. Our first drive in Pontiac's new drop-top leaves us longing for more
• MotorTrend.com (2004). We asked for it and we got it: a good-handling Solstice
• CanadianDriver Communications, Inc. (2004). GM to produce Pontiac Solstice at Wilmington, Delaware assembly plant Retrieved January 11, 2004
• MPH Magazine (Oct. 2005). drives the Solstice in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
• Media.GM.com (Jan. 2006). Pontiac Debuts 2007 Solstice GXP at LA Auto Show
• Automobile Magazine (Oct. 2005). Long before his roadster dream began, Lutz worked at BMW
• Road and Track Magazine (Oct. 2005). When it was introduced as a concept car at the January 2002 Detroit auto show...
• Car and Driver Magazine (Oct. 2005). We were worried in a big way, worried that the Pontiac Solstice would turn out to be a cost-cut, watered-down...
• Motor Trend Magazine (Oct. 2005). Move Over, Sunshine: This is no Fiero; this is the Pontiac of sports cars
• Autoweek Magazine (Aug 29. 2005). What a Concept: Solstice gives Pontiac—and GM—a much needed shot in the arm

External links

• Official Pontiac Solstice site
• Solstice GXP Owners Club
• Pontiac Solstice Forum
• Pontiac Solstice Forums
• Pontiac Solstice Magazine
• Pontiac Solstice and its OnStar system
• Solstice AutoGuideWiki.com
• 2006 Pontiac Solstice Info