SUMMER SOLSTICE
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Sun, Jun 4, 2006
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
© All photos by Harvey Schwartz
SUMMER SOLSTICE
Simply put, the Solstice is just what Pontiac and GM need more of - economical,
well-built, fun-to-drive cars.
The Solstice competes against the likes of the all-new 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata and
Honda S2000, although its primary nemesis will be the Mazda. We spent some time
in the Solstice recently, bombing along the Pacific Coast, and found it holds
its ground well, even surpassing in several instances.
Solstice is the quintessential touring sports car that Mazda reintroduced in
1990, reigniting the passion for driving light, agile and affordable two-seat
roadsters-after a considerable breathing spell that gave American buyers time to
forget the Italian and British roadsters of the 1970's that, while undeniably
fun, were fun only when they ran properly, and that wasn't often.
Solstice has a long hood to cover the longitudinal-mounted engine, and a short
deck. It is classic sports car architecture, accented with big 18-inch wheels
pushed out to the corners. There are minimal gaps between the tires and fenders,
plus the face of the tires matches the width of the fender edges, giving the
Solstice a low, aggressive stance.
The Solstice's presence gets even better as an integrated appearance is
achieved, whether the top is lowered or raised. When lowered, a body-color inset
blends seamlessly between the interior and exterior. The top is manually
operated and, unfortunately, you do have to stop, park and release the rear
compartment by clicking the key-fob, then be sure that it is securely
re-attached - not an easy, raise-or-lower-on-a-whim operation. The glass window
comes with a defogger, standard.
It is well worth the trouble, because I turned heads wherever I drive the
Solstice.. At almost every red light, the occupants from the vehicle sitting
next to me ask "what car is that?" "who makes the car?" or "how much does it
cost? Around $40,000.00 is what they guess. When pumping gas, someone always
comes over to ask the same questions. It's fun turning people on to this great
new sporty roadster from Pontiac.
The inside is very comfortable for two, six-foot tall passengers. The cabin
emphasizes a back-to-basics, driver-focused theme. This is evident by the
prominent motorcycle-inspired gauge cluster straight-ahead, as well as the
overall cockpit layout with controls canted and wrapped around you. The
instrument panel carries few controls, even the power windows/door locks are
packaged with the 'power' optional trim level.
The all-new Solstice is not bare-bones. It comes well equipped with
race-inspired high-back bucket seats, with extra side bolstering to firmly
support you and your passengers during spirited cornering fun. The seats also
feature clever storage pockets. More storage can be found in the locking
glovebox, and there is a storage bin in-between the seatbacks with a door to
keep your items from tumbling out. Leather covered seats are optional. The
tilting steering wheel is thick, and the diameter is designed for performance
driving. The stick shifter for the standard five-speed manual transmission is
leather covered and delivers smooth, precise and quick shifts.
Additional features include a standard AM-FM stereo with CD player and six
speakers. An MP3-capable audio system, a premium Monsoon audio system,
air-conditioning, OnStar, XM Satellite Radio, cruise-control, a driver
information center and fog lamps are optional.
The Ecotec 2.4-liter, DOHC four-cylinder, all-aluminum engine is rated at 177
horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 166 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. That power is
available throughout much of the rpm band, as approximately 90 percent of peak
torque is available from 2,400 rpm to 5,600 rpm.
With a base curb weight of just 2,860 pounds for the vehicle, the Ecotec engine
gives the Solstice a weight-to-horsepower ratio of nearly 16.2 to 1, and moves
the Solstice from 0-60 mph in 7 seconds flat. Other features include electronic
throttle, chain-driven camshafts, coil-on-plug ignition, piston oil-cooling
jets, integrated engine oil cooler, and a full-circle transmission mount to
reduce noise and vibration. The camshafts have phasers that support the
continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing. They also have cam
position sensors so that the electronic module can accurately control valve
timing.
An Aisin five-speed manual transmission is standard. It features a 3.75:1 first
gear, along with closely stepped higher gears that help keep the engine at the
sweet spot in its power band during shifts. The clutch pressure is just right
for a small sports car. The advanced Hydra-Matic 5L40-E 5-speed automatic is
also offered as an option.
The transmission channels torque to the rear that features a 3.91:1 axle ratio.
The gears are housed in a rear axle derived from the Cadillac CTS. A
limited-slip rear differential is optional.
This terrific powertrain combination gives me a solid push into the high-back
bucket seat every time I up-shifted gears. That's what I like in a sports car,
feeling the power pushing you back as the car gains speed. When I down-shift,
the wheels tighten and the already growling exhaust note grows louder.
Solstice is built on GM's new global rear-wheel-drive compact performance
architecture, which uses a hydroformed chassis as the foundation of a strong
structure. Independent short/long arm-type suspension in the front and rear are
mounted to the chassis and gives the Solstice a direct, road-gripping driving
feel. The foundation for Solstice's responsive suspension system is a
lower-dominant tube structure for the chassis. Hydroformed frame rails, which
run the full length of the Solstice, are the basis of the chassis, while
additional stampings form a rigid structure onto which the body work is
attached.
The hydroformed tube structure runs from the front bumper, through the
left-and-right-hand frame tubes, and all the way to the rear bumper. Solstice is
only one of two vehicles to feature an entire hydroformed chassis; the other
being the rock-solid Chevy C6 Corvette-indeed, the Solstice's chassis is-in many
ways, a three-quarter-scale Corvette. A tunnel at the center of the chassis,
which houses the transmission and driveshaft, is internally reinforced and
enclosed at the bottom to enhance stiffness.
The short/long arm suspension features forged aluminum upper and lower control
arms that are strong and low in mass. The rear suspension also features a toe
control link and the rear differential housing has an optimized three-point
mounting design. Bilstein coil-over monotube shocks are used at each corner,
complemented by 17.2 mm front and 24.2 mm rear stabilizer bars. Weight balance
is near perfect 50/50 ratio.
The Solstice's unique short/long arm, independent suspension is indeed
sport-tuned, and the big 18X8 cast aluminum wheels that are wrapped with
245/45R18 Goodyear rubber only enhances the handling fun and excitement.
When I'm challenging sharp hairpin turns on mountain roads, the Solstice feels
like it's on rails. It feels so well planted with its wide, 8-inch tires
gripping the road. My heart hasn't beat this fast since last year when I tested
the new C6 Corvette convertible. The Solstice is indeed a 'baby Corvette' for
fun and thrills behind the wheel. When I push it harder and reach the edge of
adhesion, the rear end doesn't drift the way I like, but I'm able to quickly
bring the Solstice back in line when I eased off the throttle.
Just a small flick of my wrist quickly changes my direction - just like a finely
tuned and more expensive sports car. On the highway, driving straight-ahead at
speed, the ride is rock-solid.
The standard power-assisted rack & pinion steering system is a perfect match and
precisely guides the Solstice on the road with very fast reaction to your
inputs, and gives a confident on-center feel for the road. It features a 16.4:1
ratio, and requires only 2.7 turns, lock-to-lock. Perfect!
As for slowing the Solstice down from speed, four-wheel disc are standard. Up
front are 12-inch vented discs clamped with dual piston calipers, and 11-inch
rear solid discs that are clamped with single piston calipers. ABS and rear
brake proportioning are optional.
The all-new 2006 Pontiac Solstice is an excellent choice if you are looking for
an economically priced sports car with bold, unique styling. It will turn heads
your way, is comfortable and ergonomic inside, and is fun and exciting to drive.
Another way to put it is that the Solstice is a well-built 'seat-of-your pants'
driving machine that can easily quicken your pulse.
© Words (supra) by Harvey Schwartz
SIDEBAR COMMENTS
Solstice's Unique Body Panels
Solstice's steel body panels are made with a specialized hydroforming process -
a first in the industry for a regular production car. Hydroforming is a
relatively new process that uses water pressure to help form the desired steel
body shapes. Sheet metal hydroforming is used to create the car's unique
clamshell hood, outer door panels, rear deck lid and quarter panels. More
precise than conventional body panel stamping, sheet metal hydroforming allows
the much deep draw-or depth of the component-necessary for creating panels with
complex curves. The process allows the body curves of the original Solstice
concept to be reproduced on a mass production scale. Many of the Solstice body
panels such as the clamshell hood and its compound curves, could not have been
formed by conventional stamping methods. The only conventional stamped portion
of the car's exterior is a small flat panel between the front wheel-well and
door edge. - Harvey Schwartz
The Solstice Design
The Pontiac Solstice has the best-looking body to adorn an American car since
the Ford GT. The latter will cost you about $140,000. The Solstice, on the other
hand, you can buy for the price of an average family sedan. The Solstice design
is so good that even if GM built it out of lawnmower parts, its future collector
status is still guaranteed. Thankfully, the Solstice innards and execution are
pretty darn good, considering it's a brand new car from the General. It lacks
the ultimate refinement of the newest Miata MX5, but Mazda's had over 25 years
to get that car right. And, as good as the newest Miata is, it looks nowhere
near as nice as the Solstice. Whereas Mazda chose the Lotus Elan for its
inspiration, GM reached higher - going back to the Ferrari and Jaguar racing
cars of the 1950s and 1960s for the Solstice design. If you buy one, please
resist the temptation to guild it with ground effects and spoilers. It's simply
not possible to make this car look better. - Roy Nakano
SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Drop-dead gorgeous - and, yet, affordable and easy to live with.
For more information on Pontiac products, go to
www.pontiac.com.
More photos from Harvey Schwartz can be found at www.autofotos.com
SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicle: 2006 Pontiac Solstice Price: $20,490.00 Engine type: 2.4 liter DOHC, all-aluminum Horsepower: 177 at 6,600 rpm Torque: 166 lb.ft. at 4,800 rpm Drive configuration: Front engine/rear-wheel-drive Transmission type: Five-speed manual, five-speed automatic optional Front suspension: Independent short/long arm, gas-charged shocks, coil springs, 27.2 mm stabilizer bar Rear suspension: Independent short/long arm, gas-charged shocks, coil springs, 24.2 mm stabilizer bar Wheels/tires: 18X8 five-spoke painted alloys/245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RSA tires Brakes: Front-11.7-in. vented discs with dual-piston calipers Rear: 10.9-in. solid discs with single-piston calipers, optional ABS with dynamic rear proportioning Total length: 157.2 in. Total width: 71.3 in. Total height: 50.1 in. Curb weight: 2,860 lbs. EPA mileage: 20 mpg/city, 28 mpg/highway