Back in October we told you that a targa Pontiac Solstice was on the way sometime in 2008, and now some sources are reporting that the removable top two-seater will be unveiled in New York in two weeks. The targa setup will consist of panels over the driver and passenger seats that can stow into the trunk of the two-seater. It's still unknown how many configurations the stowable top will have, but hard and soft-top variations are possible. Production on the targa Solstice will reportedly start in January of 2009, with 10,000 units per year planned.
We really enjoyed our time with the Solstice GXP last spring, but the soft top was way less than stellar, as anyone who has attempted to operate one will tell you. A targa roof could fix that problem while still delivering on the fashionable looks of the 2002 concept car. There is still no news concerning a Solstice coupe, but Maximum Bob wants one, and we're with him.
UPDATE: Source credit corrected.
[Source: The GM Source via Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
chrish @ Mar 7th 2008 7:21AM
Guess its easier than making a REAL top and a useful car. The Miata is still best in class and if not for looks the GM twins would have been laughed off the street.
MasterCKO @ Mar 7th 2008 12:52PM
yeah, if not for looks, because looks are so insignificant in this type of vehicle.
*sigh*
I also like your implication that the GM roadsters are laughably bad in comparison to the Miata when every comparison review that I've ever read calls them very close. Which one wins comes down to the reviewer's opinion of what's important (which of course varies), but I've never seen a single person who does this stuff for a living say that the Miata is out-and-out better by a mile.
Looks good (by your admission) and performs almost as well as or better than the established king of the hill (depending on who you ask). You're totally right, a real chump of a car.
WillDaThrill @ Mar 7th 2008 8:21AM
I saw the Solstice wagon here in Las Vegas on Civic Center and Carey. They didn't produce that, did they? I know it was talked about some time ago.
It was God aweful ugly!
Tim @ Mar 7th 2008 9:18AM
I believe that was created by a third party as a one-off and not something that GM had requested be built.
Borger @ Mar 7th 2008 8:29AM
If you build it, they will come. Well Wilmington is going to build it, good for them! They are a good workforce. I wonder why we haven't seen any spy shots yet of this car? Very strange!
MoonRover @ Mar 7th 2008 8:41AM
My niece just bought an orange solstice, when I drove it I was surprised at the zoom zoom. That little booger really goes, is a hell of a lot of fun to drive and turns every head on the street. I might consider buying one, maybe I will drop the change on a Targa, and put a little excitement back in my life, gosh knows I need it.
Jason @ Mar 7th 2008 8:48AM
I didn't have any problem with the soft-top when I test drove one last summer. It's definitely not a wonder of engineering the way that top was designed, but I didn't find it as difficult as it's been made out to be.
sl8anic @ Mar 7th 2008 12:35PM
That top isn't that difficult to operate, it's just butt ugly! One of the major reasons why I passed on GXP. Otherwise a fun car :)
GOT @ Mar 7th 2008 8:52AM
That orange Solstice coupe concept os beautiful.
mr.ed @ Mar 7th 2008 9:11AM
The top is full of wrinkles when new, right off the truck. Imagine how crummy it'll look when you make your last payment. The whole vehicle has that cheesy, GM econocar look. Not so the Miata.Your money, your choice, though I'd really like to see a Mazdaspeed turbo MX-5.
SNIFFDAR @ Mar 7th 2008 9:13AM
Damn it, I want the coupe, not some Targa model! How long are they going to drag this out? Until the car is almost dead in the water? I remember when I saw the coupe in 2002 and I said, "If they build it, I'll have to buy a Pontiac." It hasn't happened yet and we're pushing 2009. Crazy. Perhaps GM will give the actual coupe to Saturn? Who knows, but I'm tired of waiting...
Tim @ Mar 7th 2008 9:20AM
Amen! Ever since the concept cars were rolled out on stage i've wanted the coupe more than the convertible. I hope they eventually build one.
naggs @ Mar 7th 2008 2:38PM
+2
the coupe solves all the problems the convertible has, clumsy top, overweight for a 170 hp sports car, useless trunk. it will also be cheaper, safer, and more efficient.
the targa splits the difference between the coupe and the convertible while also splitting the potential customers it appeals to. if anything, i think 10k a year is optimistic for a targa solstice.
build the car the way it was designed and engineered from day one and you will have a vehicle that has absolutely zero competition. lead for once GM.
SPG @ Mar 7th 2008 9:20AM
I'd much prefer a convertible to a targa personally. Even if it means I'd have to put more effort into operating the top then pressing a button.
However I'm happy to know a targa may become available to make this product more appealing to a greater audience.
h8rain @ Mar 7th 2008 9:24AM
Not so much a Solstice coupe, but a Sky coupe/targa, mmmmmmmm.
I have said this since I first saw the design of that soft top, but it literally feels like they designed the car like a cobra (no top period). Then the execs said make it a production car, and they cheered. Then they said "OOOOOHHHH CRAP! We never designed a top! Then they just slapped one on without changing the car.
I am a fan of the Miata, but you have to give them credit. One handle, and the top drops in place, no boot needed, and takes like 3 seconds. The GM top is two(?) handles, pop the trunk, get out and open the trunk, lower the top, close the top, and get back in the car. Never timed it, but I am guessing like 20 seconds? But the biggie is the fact that you have to get out of the car. You can't just come to a stoplight and go "Oh, it stopped raining, I will lower the top."
Ron Williams @ Mar 7th 2008 9:32AM
Um, make it a coupe and I KNOW it will appeal to a greater audience. What gives? I know they don't think this will steal sales from the Corvette, do they? There is way too much Fisher-Price action in the interior to think something like that. Still, if they made the coupe, I'd be there. And yes, even though the Sky interior looks better, I'd still pick up the Solstice Coupe just because I said I would if they built it. If only....
I had a '72 Opel GT one summer. It was a financial blackhole, but I miss the rear wheel drive tiny dimensions of the car. Come on GM, make a coupe!
Dia @ Mar 7th 2008 9:54AM
the solstice and its saturn cousin are the best looking american cars. they would sell a TON if it werent priced in the 30's....low 20's would be ideal.
naggs @ Mar 7th 2008 2:41PM
are you being sarcastic?
they both start in the low 20s. you can get a GXP for like 23k
TriShield @ Mar 7th 2008 10:05AM
Uh, they are priced in the low 20s.
Jason @ Mar 7th 2008 10:10AM
I would just like to know where in the trunk they plan on storing these panels...theres is NO trunk space at all.