The Pontiac Solstice Roadster premiered in 2004 at the North American International Auto Show, and production began in the second half of 2005 at the GM plant in Wilmington, and the car belonged to the 2006 model range. Initially it was planned to produce in the amount of 7,000 cars per year, however, due to significant demand, it had to be increased to 10,000 units annually. Solstice is built on the platform of GM, common to other cars of concern: Saturn Sky, Daewoo G2X and Opel GT. The engine is located in front longitudinally. Body 2-door 2-seater convertible type, which to some extent confirms the name of the model ("solstice").
The exterior is characterized by rapid and at the same time smooth lines. The dimensions of the body are 3993/1811/1273 mm with a wheelbase of 2416 mm and a track 1543/1561. The curb weight is 1320 kg, and the total - 1560 kg. The luggage compartment - 108 l. The engine range for Solstice includes 4-cylinder 16-valve 2-cylinder and 2.4-liter (with 179 hp / 6600 rpm, 225 Nm / 4800 rpm) Ecotec power units with distributed injection. The maximum speed of a car with an engine of 2.4 liters and a mechanical transmission reaches 198 km / h, acceleration to a hundred takes 7.2 seconds, and the consumption of AI-92 is 11.8 liters in the urban cycle and 8.4 liters on the highway.
The engines are paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox Aisin AR5, or 5-speed automatic 5L40-E. Drive back. Power steering. Suspension is fully independent with suspension struts. Brakes front ventilated disc, rear disc. Active safety is supported by the ABS system. The standard tire size is 245/45 R18.
The sports version of the Pontiac Solstice GXP debuted at a Los Angeles auto show in January 2006. The car was equipped with a new 2-liter Ecotec engine with direct injection and turbocharging. The maximum power of the engine 260 hp, torque reaches 353 Nm. This is the most powerful engine in GM in terms of volume.
Among other design features, it is worth noting the presence of Stabilitrak stabilization systems, anti-lock brakes and standard 18-inch tires. Trim is made in sporty style. Solstice GXP has repeatedly achieved success in various North American car races. In 2008 at the New York Motor Show was presented version in the coupe with a hard top (hardtop). The main feature of this car is the construction of a two-layer roof: a rigid panel with a weight of only 14 kg, made of plastic on an ultra-light magnesium frame, covers the space from the front to the middle pillar, like cars in the back of a targa.
Since this panel does not fold, it will not fit in the car when it is removed, so the developers equipped the Pontiac with an additional fabric roof, which can be installed if it rains. Body height increased by 20 mm compared with the roadster. The steel body is located on the bearing central ridge hydroformed pipe. The basic equipment of the car includes sports seats with comfortable cushions and electronic adjustments, an adjustable steering wheel with leather-trimmed steering wheel, a modern AM / FM / CD audio system with the ability to play MP3 files, rear awning window with heating and much more. The coupe is equipped with 2.4 liter engines and 2 liter turbocharged engines.
With a smaller volume, the 2-liter engine is significantly more powerful (260 hp / 5300 rpm, 351 Nm / 2500 rpm). The maximum speed of the car with this engine is 218 km / h, the acceleration time to 100 km / h takes 6.2 seconds, and the consumption of AI-95 gasoline is 12.8 liters in the city and 9.4 liters on the highway. Engines are aggregated with a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission, known for the version with the body convertible. The rest of the Solstice coupe almost repeats the roadster. The release of this modification is expected in the first half of 2009. Production of the charged version of the Solstice GTO coupe is also planned.
A feature of the stylish, with modern technical stuffing, the car is that almost all the main parts and components of the Pontiac Solstice are borrowed from the GM models of the group.
