Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertibles, Coupes, GM, Pontiac, Saturn
Pontiac planning Solstice Targa?
According to what are being described as "well placed sources," General Motors is planning to introduce a Targa version of the Pontiac Solstice in the first half of 2009. Known internally as the GMX627, the Solstice Targa would sport two removable roof sections that will somehow be stored within that diminutive trunk.
The Targa is rumored to begin production in January of 2009 at GM's Wilmington plant, with about 10,000 units being built annually. The debut would likely happen at either the 2008 SEMA show or soon afterwards at the Los Angeles show that same year, and it will likely coincide with the redesign of both the Solstice and Saturn Sky.
And what about the Solstice Coupe? Reportedly a hardtop Solstice is still being planned. A convertible, targa and coupe model would certainly flesh out the Solstice line nicely and make the RWD hot rod more appealing to a wider audience.
[Source: Left Lane News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
B-NOIT 4:16PM (10/05/2007)
Yeah, there needs to be more than just the convertible for the Solstice (and Sky) to be popular for more than just a few years. If GM plans on keeping them in the line-up permanently (and to avoid the same fate as the Firebird), I think a coupe is definitely needed. The Miata survived as just a convertible, I know, but it's the original product. And it's not a GM product either (which counts a lot in consumers' eyes, apparently).
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Alex 4:16PM (10/05/2007)
people still want t-tops?
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FLR 4:23PM (10/05/2007)
Good point. My vette has a targa top but it's only one lightweight plexiglass piece. The t-tops on fbodies were real glass and weighed 30 lbs each and leaked.
Did you ever see the Targa Porche used to sell? The top glass panel worked like a giant sunroof and would slide into the inside of the car and create a double back window. Slick piece of work but it caused terrible reflections.
Oh, back to the Solstice coupe. I think that coupe looks suh-weet. I'd buy one as long as it came with 280+ hp. That would be one fun little ride.
AlfaMike 7:06PM (10/05/2007)
Just what I was thinking. A t top is so Burt Reynolds 70's, they should just build that Sosltice coupe as it is in the design study, and boost the 4 cylinder engine a little with either a turbo or a supercharger, add a manumatic transmission with the little metal paddle shifters like on the sweet new 08 Lancer, and give the suspension a few tweaks and they're set.
Oh and it wouldn't hurt if they touched up the front fascia and grill to more closely resemble the forthcoming and surprisingly good looking G8.
John R 4:27PM (10/05/2007)
I would love t-tops. The first car I really like growing up as a kid was a 300ZX. I love the way it looked with the targa off. Supra targa was nice, too. I was mad when I found out that there wasn't going to be a 350Z with t-tops.
If GM can pull it off and make it look good, it'll sell well enough.
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jjpg2000 4:44PM (10/05/2007)
I was disappointed, too. Still no word on t-tops for the new Camaro :(
500 4:28PM (10/05/2007)
Give it a small back seat too, and I'd consider it.
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jjpg2000 4:43PM (10/05/2007)
Then a Solstice is not in the cards for you. No way they will make it seat more than 2.
You need a 350Z.
mk 5:10PM (10/05/2007)
Sorry, 350Z is two-seater only, too. G37 is 2+2.
But i agree. Not a lot of chance that Solstice/Sky will be more than two-seat sportscars.
A slick jet-canopied Sky with a removeable transparent center roof section would be slick. Solstice... never really grew on me. to amorphously bulbous for my taste. I like curves, but it has to have a little bit of a line...
Besides, without the convertible top mechanisms, and a fastback profile, the rear trunk actually would gain some space, and probably be able to fit removeable roof panels somewhat well, probably better than fitting the canvas roof under the flatter convertible's rear deck.
I wonder if two panels means that the panels lock together in the center, or if there will be a center "T" bar... T-top like when on, and wide open when off sounds cool to me. I like t-tops, but the center bar was always a bit of an aesthetic obstacle when the roof is open.
If they put this on a solstice, I wonder how many will be ordered in black, and get a V8 transplant, and a firechicken on the hood and gold pinstriping... A sports-car Firebird without being a camaro alternate.
Although I do like the photochopped firebird re-skin of the camaro concept that somebody around here has as their avatar....
RACER X 4:59PM (10/05/2007)
350z is a 2 seater aswell
GatorLCA 5:01PM (10/05/2007)
Uhh...the 350Z only has 2 seats....he needs an Infiniti G35 or 37
AlfaMike 7:02PM (10/05/2007)
Instead of 350Z, he meant Altima Coupe. Or Mustang, although that's a different sort of customer - if they still offered a Cougar, that would be closer to the target.
A Mazda RX-8 would also probly satiate this guy's tiny back seat craving...
500 8:58PM (10/05/2007)
Hahaha I think you guys are missing my point. If GM offered a decent sports car WITH a back seat, perhaps as a "2+2" version, they'd capture a far wider audience.
I have owned a Jaguar XJS, Mustang Cobra convertible, Mercedes CLK430, Mercedes CLK500... all fast, RWD 2-doors WITH a back seat. No current Pontiac, or any GM product comes close to hitting the mark.
naggs 4:45PM (10/05/2007)
hopefully this will make mazda sell a mx5 coupe too
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Quattroporte 4:49PM (10/05/2007)
The Mazda MX-5 comes out with a hardtop that automatically retracts without taking up any trunk space and GM responds with this.
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naggs 5:41PM (10/05/2007)
not the same at all
gary 4:58PM (10/05/2007)
Since the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky are perhaps the most appealing new design GM has had in years. Why has the retarded management at GM limited the production and marketing of them?
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naggs 5:45PM (10/05/2007)
because they have been selling out...
why spend more money on new body styles and marketing when you are already operating at full capacity?
when sales slow down, like they are starting too, the new models will come out to pick up the production slack.
narcszm 5:53PM (10/05/2007)
Stuff a 350HP V8 into the targa / coupe and it'll be sold out for the next 5 years.
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Lucas 6:05PM (10/05/2007)
Love targas! glad GM is bringing targa-back.
Former del Sol owner.
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