The car's bustled rear decklid, sporting twin "bi-posto" bulges that mimic sports cars of the distant past, looks sensational in any
colour. Overall the car boasts an aggressive stance, animalistic in nature, and one that should appeal to those bored of the roadster status quo.
And that last point might be what makes the Solstice, which is obviously a niche model that was designed from the onset to have limited appeal, so important to Pontiac. It represents a turning point for the brand, and shows its current owners, potential customers (and there will be many new Solstice buyers that had never previously considered purchasing a Pontiac), dealers and media types that Pontiac is out to prove it has a place in today's ruthlessly competitive automotive segment. And if the domestic brand can follow up with mainstream models as enticing as this little roadster, its future will be bright indeed.
On a purely Canadian note, the immediate future for this particular sports car is also rosy, with forty percent of those who initially went to the www.pontiacsolstice.ca website having never considered a Pontiac product before, a tally that resulted in significant preorders. The domestic brand has certainly tapped into a market segment that has had little choice for far too long, and due to delivering an impressive product should continue to find enthusiastic new buyers for years to come.
Specifications:
Price Range (MSRP): $25,695 - $33,675
Body Type: 2-door roadster
Layout: front engine, RWD
Engine: 177-hp, 166 lb-ft of torque, 2.4L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
Transmission: 5-spd manual (optional 5-spd auto)
Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc (optional ABS)
Curb Weight: 1,297 kg (2,860 lbs)
Seating Capacity: 2
Exterior Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 3,992 / 1,810 / 1,273 / 2,415 mm (157.2 / 71.3 / 50.1 / 95.1 in)
Cargo Volume (top up): 3.8 L (107.6 cu ft)
Turning Radius: 10.7 m (35.1 ft)
Fuel Economy (estimated city/hwy/combined city/hwy): 11.8 / 8.4 / 10.2 L/100 km
Fuel Type: premium recommended (but not required)
Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive - 60/100,000 powertrain
Direct Competitors: Mazda MX-5
Web Site: www.gmcanada.com
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| The Solstice's bustled rear decklid, sporting twin "bi-posto" bulges that mimic sports cars of the distant past, looks sensational in any colour. |
And that last point might be what makes the Solstice, which is obviously a niche model that was designed from the onset to have limited appeal, so important to Pontiac. It represents a turning point for the brand, and shows its current owners, potential customers (and there will be many new Solstice buyers that had never previously considered purchasing a Pontiac), dealers and media types that Pontiac is out to prove it has a place in today's ruthlessly competitive automotive segment. And if the domestic brand can follow up with mainstream models as enticing as this little roadster, its future will be bright indeed.
On a purely Canadian note, the immediate future for this particular sports car is also rosy, with forty percent of those who initially went to the www.pontiacsolstice.ca website having never considered a Pontiac product before, a tally that resulted in significant preorders. The domestic brand has certainly tapped into a market segment that has had little choice for far too long, and due to delivering an impressive product should continue to find enthusiastic new buyers for years to come.
Specifications:
Price Range (MSRP): $25,695 - $33,675
Body Type: 2-door roadster
Layout: front engine, RWD
Engine: 177-hp, 166 lb-ft of torque, 2.4L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
Transmission: 5-spd manual (optional 5-spd auto)
Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc (optional ABS)
Curb Weight: 1,297 kg (2,860 lbs)
Seating Capacity: 2
Exterior Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 3,992 / 1,810 / 1,273 / 2,415 mm (157.2 / 71.3 / 50.1 / 95.1 in)
Cargo Volume (top up): 3.8 L (107.6 cu ft)
Turning Radius: 10.7 m (35.1 ft)
Fuel Economy (estimated city/hwy/combined city/hwy): 11.8 / 8.4 / 10.2 L/100 km
Fuel Type: premium recommended (but not required)
Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive - 60/100,000 powertrain
Direct Competitors: Mazda MX-5
Web Site: www.gmcanada.com
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