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| Pontiac Solstice Roadster Concept, 2006 | | | |
The Pontiac Solstice is a roadster 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 that preceded it. Production of the Solstice was to be running before Summer 2005, but delays at the Wilmington plant pushed volume production to the fourth quarter.
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 and Design of the Year award from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) 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 most buyers report paying $5,000 or more over sticker to get a Solstice. The Solstice currently has an MSRP of $22,115.
The GXP version of the Solstice debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. It is 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 automaker.
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. Wikipedia |
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