|
2006 Pontiac Solstice: Pontiac gets the Point!
Pontiac finally has a car that GM loyalists can point to with vigor and say "this is ours," and actually be proud of the final product. Pontiac thought they were going to hit it big with the re-release of the new GTO. Though the GTO made it to market with a hot buzz, that momentum quickly fizzled as it failed to meet consumer expectations with "not-so GTO" styling. But here comes the all-new 2006 Pontiac Solstice Roadster to the rescue of the seasoned GM brand with a blend of classic, aggressive looks and a stimulating driving experience.
Pontiac's first production two-seater roadster is built with a mixture of parts from various other GM brand vehicles, but its design and inspired style have not been present at Chevrolet for a while (with the exception of the Chevy Corvette). For example, the HVAC vents in the Solstice are from the Hummer H3, transmission from the GMC Canyon , rear axle from Cadillac CTS, etc. This "parts bin" strategy allows Pontiac to cut costs in design and production and bring the Solstice to market at a price that will surprise you.
What I most like about the Solstice is its husky full body, wide-track, aggressive stance and the fact that it is rear-wheel drive. A curvaceous hydroformed sheet metal hood and body allow for the bubble-like front fascia and rear end that catches eyes. Accenting the front end are two mesh grille plates split in the middle by the Pontiac logo. The rear view is also cool and the two humps behind the driver and passenger seats remind you of the Bat Mobile. Solstice could use a dual pipe exhaust though, which would look much better than the single pipe system.
Solstice sits on standard 18" five-spoke aluminum wheels wrapped with P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires. Also standard is the 2.4-liter DOHC VVT I-4 engine which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission (automatic due early 2006). Independent front and rear suspension, Bilstein coil-over monotube shocks, four-wheel disc brakes, and power rack-and-pinion steering are all standard. Available as options are anti-lock brakes, limited slip differential, polished aluminum wheels, and chrome-plated aluminum wheels.
Solstice sits on standard 18" five-spoke aluminum wheels wrapped with P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires. Also standard is the 2.4-liter DOHC VVT I-4 engine which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission (automatic due early 2006). Independent front and rear suspension, Bilstein coil-over monotube shocks, four-wheel disc brakes, and power rack-and-pinion steering are all standard. Available as options are anti-lock brakes, limited slip differential, polished aluminum wheels, and chrome-plated aluminum wheels.
With the cloth top up, there are blind spots left and right. The rear window is glass, not plastic, with a defogger. There is an abundant amount of wind noise from the rear buttresses which becomes the B-pillar and supports the top when up. Most convertibles have this issue as flowing air is like flowing water in many ways, it finds the smallest crevices to get into an exploits them. Solstice has a relatively easy to use manually, retracting top that folds into the trunk. This leaves not much trunk space at all, so you better pack soft luggage for road trips. Hey you can even do your clothes shopping when you get there!
When the top is down on the Solstice, Mother Nature is literally at your fingertips. Yet, the cockpit inspired approach of the interior has its pros and cons. Pros being the motorcycle style instrument gauges, short throw shifter, and ease of reaching and operating the radio and HVAC units. The cons? Well, the Solstice is a roadster and larger bodied people will have some issues. Power window controls are also in an awkward position making you have to reach back uncomfortably to operate.
Three option packages are available for the Solstice and include Power, Convenience, and Premium packages. The trim levels on all models are pretty much the same except for seating in which ebony cloth or a choice between ebony leather or steel/sand two-tone leather seats are available. GM options include OnStar, XM Satellite Radio, MP3 CD player or 6-disc in-dash CD player and a Monsoon premium 7-speaker system. A feature Solstice has that all vehicles should is an auxiliary plug-in so different inputs can be heard throughout the audio system. I plugged in my MP3 and played drive time favorites with no hitches.
Driving the Solstice is where all of the fun is. Solstice is a roadster and is meant to be driven with the top down on the open road. The modest engine offering, which produces only 177-horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque is well utilized in the lightweight Solstice. Though not confirmed by Pontiac officials, look for a turbo variant in the near future.
Starting at $19,995 (including destination), the Solstice will make a splash for its price alone. For this, Pontiac earns some points for putting a car on the road that actually evokes some emotion from drivers and on-lookers alike. Its exquisite design lines easily puts the Solstice on par with other roadsters which sell at a premium price.
|
|