Pontiac Solstice

2007 Pontiac Solstice

2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP Convertible in "Mean" Yellow

The GXP version of the Solstice debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.[7] It is powered by a new 2.0 Liter (121.9 cu in) I4 Ecotec engine equipped with a dual-scroll turbocharger. The engine's output is 260 hp (194 kW) and 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m). This is the highest specific output of any engine by cubic inches 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. According to pontiac.com, the GXP accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in under 5.5 seconds.[8]

Other GXP features include standard Stabilitrak traction control, a limited-slip differential, and anti-lock brakes. Summer tires on 18-inch wheels are standard. An available dealer installed option was a modified computer tune and two new sensors that resulted in an increased output to 290 bhp (216 kW; 294 PS) and 340 lb⋅ft (461 N⋅m), further enhancing the performance of the GXP model.

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP coupe

2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe in "Fresh" Hydro Blue

A targa coupe version of the Solstice was unveiled at the 2008 New York Auto Show. Engine choices are the same as the convertible versions. The roof can be removed, but the hard roof cannot be fitted into the trunk. An optional cloth top is available, which can be fitted into the trunk.

The car went on sale in early 2009.[6] The Pontiac Solstice Coupes are considered to be quite rare: There were a total of 1,266 Solstice Coupes that were able to be manufactured before the production line in Wilmington, Delaware was shut down: 102 pre-production 2009 models, 1,152 sequentially vin'd regular production 2009 models, and 12 pre-production 2010 models. This is in contrast to over 64,000 of the Pontiac Solstice Convertibles that were manufactured.

Summary of all 1,266 Pontiac Solstice Coupes Built:[9]

• 1 Unit - “Santiago” Teal Metallic (Specific to Canadian Market - Color new for 2010)
• 26 Units - “Fresh” Hydro Blue - Paint Code 22U (USA 25 inc. 1 Heritage Ed. /CAN 1/MEX 0) 2%
• 37 Units - “Mean” Yellow - Paint Code 34U (USA 29/CAN 4/MEX 4) 3%
• 39 Units - “Deep” Blue - Paint Code 48U (USA 35/CAN 1/MEX 3) 3%
• 58 Units - “Brazen” Orange Metallic - Paint Code 28U (USA 35/CAN 8/MEX 15) 4%
• 58 Units - “Sly” Steel Gray - Paint Code 75U (USA 50/CAN 8/MEX 0) 4%
• 77 Units - “Pure” White - Paint Code 50U (USA 63 inc. 1 Heritage Ed. /CAN 2/MEX 12) 6%
• 148 Units - “Aggressive” Red - Paint Code 74U (USA 126/CAN 8/MEX 14) 12%
• 213 Units - “Cool” Silver - Paint Code 67U (USA 154/CAN 16/MEX 43) 17%
• 221 Units - “Wicked” Ruby Red Metallic - Paint Code 79U (USA 195/CAN 10/MEX 16) 18%
• 388 Units - “Mysterious” Black - Paint Code 41U (USA 345/CAN 28/MEX 15) 31%

Starting in April 2009 the Wilmington, DE. plant was business as usual and pre-production builds began for the 2010 model year. Between April 21, 2009 and May 28, 2009 thirty 2010 model year VIN-coded cars were built on the Kappa platform. Of those, were 12 Pontiac Solstice Coupes and 8 Pontiac Solstice roadsters. Of the other remaining, 8 were Saturn SKYs and 2 were Opel GTs. They were then used as GM company vehicles to be evaluated and also as special event display vehicles. These vehicles were built to the 2010 model year specs with 2010 model year changes and had legal 2010 VINs. Following the end of use term within the GM fleet, the vehicles were sent to auction. After these 30 2010 models, more 2009-spec Solstices were produced and were the last ones made at the plant.

2010 changes

2010 Pontiac Solstice (US)

• Ryan Tuerck used to drive a Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice fielded by Gardella Racing. Ryan Tuerck won the 2008 Formula Drift Driver of the Year award and finished 2nd in points for the 2009 season.[19] The Pontiac Solstice Tuerck drove has over 500 hp and built off the stock LSJ engine found in the 2004-2007 Saturn Ion Redline and 2005-2007 Chevy Cobalt SS.
• SCCA Club Racing 2006 National Championship Runoffs the Pontiac Solstice placed first place in Showroom Stock B (SSB).
• SCCA Club Racing 2007 National Championship Runoffs the Pontiac Solstice GXP placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in Touring 2 (T2) and the Pontiac Solstice placed first place in Showroom Stock B (SSB) even after being penalized 200 lbs between the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
• SCCA Club Racing 2008 National Championship the Pontiac Solstice GXP placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in Touring 2 (T2)
• SCCA Club Racing 2009 National Championship the Pontiac Solstice GXP placed 1st and 3rd place in Touring 2 (T2)

The sharing of technology and various components is a common practice among automakers, resulting in reduced parts costs. 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 side front 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 also featured in the Pontiac G5, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Cobalt
• The 2.4 L Ecotec engine is shared with the Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet Malibu, and Chevrolet HHR
• The five-speed manual transmission is the same as in the Hummer H3, GMC Canyon, and Chevrolet Colorado
• The five-speed automatic is identical to those of the Cadillac CTS, STS, and SRX
• The seat frames are from the previous generation Opel Corsa

In April 2009, after GM announced the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand by the end of 2010, CEO Fritz Henderson stated that the Solstice would not continue under another GM brand.[20] Although they considered selling the Wilmington plant and the Solstice/Sky products to an outside business,[21] the Wilmington assembly plant closed in July 2009.[22] In October 2009, the new DeLorean Motor Company expressed interest in continuing production of the Solstice, going so far as to release concept artwork for a 2011 DeLorean Solstice. These plans were shelved shortly thereafter, when Fisker Automotive instead acquired the Wilmington Assembly where the Solstice was produced.[23]

• AutoWeek.com (2004). Drive of pre production 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 Archived February 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
• MPH Magazine (Oct. 2005). drives the Solstice in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
• Automobile Magazine (Oct. 2005). Long before his roadster dream began, Lutz worked at BMW Archived February 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
• 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 Archived March 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
• Autoweek Magazine (August 29, 2005). What a Concept: Solstice gives Pontiac—and GM—a much needed shot in the arm
• New York Times (July 2, 2009). Behind the Wheel: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe - The Last Pontiac

20. The Pontiac Solstice Book. Author Gary Witzenburg. Publisher Lamm-Morada Publishing Co. Inc., Publishing Date 2006.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pontiac Solstice.

• Official Pontiac Solstice site