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2006 Pontiac Solstice Roadster Preview

Thank you Mr. Lutz!

When Bob Lutz, GMs chairman of North American Operations, told his staff to "Keep it simple, pure, and beautiful and it will be easy to love," he wasnt talking about his favorite meatloaf. He was actually describing the basic tenets to be applied to a roadster concept, entitled the Solstice. In addition to these laudable terms, good old Bob also insisted upon a stunning amount of rear-wheel drive thrust and handling, at a ridiculously low sticker of $20,000.

Judging by the photos and press material accompanying the new Solstice, Bob was hardly ignored by the design team and engineers who worked at a frenetic pace to create a production-ready concept within four-months. As I reviewed the pile of information

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz drives out onto the stage in the new 2006 Pontiac Solstice Sunday, January 4, 2004 at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit. (Photo: General Motors)

related to the Solstice, I pinched myself and drank a mug of stout coffee to ensure that I wasnt in some sort of automotive nightmare in which Bob Lutz was tempting me into damnation with a Mazda Miata priced Pontiac-built super-roadster. I mean, what well-grounded automotive fanatic would buy the notion that Pontiac would, or even could, produce a high-performing, poor-mans Boxster or

This 2006 Pontiac Solstice production vehicle, remaining true to the original Solstice concept, was built from the ground up in less than four months utilizing GMs new rear-wheel drive Kappa architecture. (Photo: General Motors)

S2000, and sell it at close to econo-car prices?

Coffee and pinch marks aside, the Solstice is a sensuously designed 2-seat, wind in the hair, roadster. Take away the split Pontiac grill dominating a curvaceous nose and thoughts of a European origin are kindled. Is it Italian or German, no it must be French? Oh so sorry Pierre, the Solstice is pure American mettle.

Interior photos reveal a slightly retro-design that is all about the pleasures of driving. Two

The Solstice sports a slightly retro-style interior, that is all about the pleasures of driving. (Photo: General Motors)

large metal-ringed, circular gauges emphasize all that is important to the driver. The dash flows smoothly around the drivers cockpit and seamlessly meets the center-console and short throw shifter.

But what are those odd looking crank-arms appearing on each door panel, could they be window cranks? "Youre darn tootin they are," would answer Bob Lutz. He insisted on manual window cranks and a manually folding convertible roof as a means of ensuring the remarkable price-point target for the Solstice would not be missed. And thats absolutely fine with me. Some of my best automotive memories surround a white Triumph TR7 roadster with blue plaid interior that I bought new in late

The Solstice utilizes new rear-wheel drive architecture termed Kappa, now shared with the Chevrolet Nomad and Saturn Curve concepts. (Photo: General Motors)

1979, as a newly introduced 1980 model. This Brit also had the traditional roll-down windows and manual roof, features that truly make a driver one with his car.

The Solstice utilizes new rear-wheel drive architecture termed Kappa, now shared with the Chevrolet Nomad and Saturn Curve concepts, as well as the Euro only Vauxhall VX. "We needed a small, flexible, rear-wheel drive architecture," said Lori Queen, vehicle line executive for small cars. "We knew that a modified Delta was not going to work for the production car." The Kappa architecture makes extensive use of lightweight, rugged aluminum. The front suspension setup employs struts and rack-and-pinion steering. This system, borrowed from the Subaru WRX, is just one of the many parts that Pontiac sources from of

240 supercharged horsepower will provide the "stunning thrust" demanded by Mr. Lutz for the all-new Solstice. (Photo: General Motors)

its numerous GM partners as a method for reducing production costs. The all-aluminum independent rear suspension originates from GMs midsize crossover SUV family. The rear differential migrates to the Solstice from the new GM midsize SUVs and the six-speed manual gearbox is "shifted" straight from Chevys new Corvette.

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