New York 2008: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe live reveal [w/VIDEO]
by Dan Roth on Mar 19th 2008 at 12:46PM 
Click above for high-res live shots of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe
A self-effacing and impeccably dressed Bob Lutz took shots at the old Pontiac during the live reveal of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe. Busting on the arrowhead's former taste for cladding and Iron Dukes in the "excitement" product line, Lutz confidently strode alongside a silver 2009 Solstice GXP Coupe as it rolled out amidst fanfare provided by the Young Lords. Strobe lights flashed, music blared – it was like catching the last act of Kimmel, complete with Pontiac Garage signage. The Solstice Coupe replaces the world's flimsiest soft-top setup with a composite targa panel. 50-Cent also made an appearance and touted the performance of the GXP-trim Solstice, saying "It's faster than a Porsche Boxster. For $30,000... pick this one, not that one," while pointing at the Porsche display. The look of the Solstice Coupe is definitely zoomy - think of a C3 Corvette left in the dryer too long and you get the idea. Inside, the feeling is perhaps slightly less claustrphobic, but the general low-budget interior continues, though the GXP on the stand was wearing leather on the seats. The price of entry will still be a bargain when you look at the style it buys (official pricing hasn't been announced) - and the Coupe may even have enough trunk for an overnight bag. 
New York 2008: Pontiac Solstice Coupe
PRESS RELEASE
PONTIAC UNVEILS 2009 SOLSTICE COUPE
Hardtop Extends Appeal of Classic Design
NEW YORK – Drawing inspiration from classic sports cars, the 2009 Pontiac Solstice coupe was created for drivers who appreciate both dramatic styling and balanced performance. Unveiled at the New York Auto Show as a GXP model, the Solstice coupe builds on the success of the convertible model while offering a greater range of all-season driving opportunities.
For drivers still wanting an open-air experience, the coupe also features a removable roof panel, fully opening the cockpit to all of the sensations of the road.
"Today's Solstice is the top-selling roadster in the U.S., and we believe this new model has even broader appeal," said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager. "The coupe has all the design cues and pleasing performance of the original roadster, and is an all-season alternative for people who enjoy open-air driving."
The coupe is expected to arrive in Pontiac dealerships in early 2009.
The making of a coupe
The new coupe was inspired by the Solstice coupe concept shown at the North American International Auto Show in 2002. True to the concept, it is a modern sports car with classic lines. The roofline has a "fastback" shape with stylized "rails" that run from the front of the roof to the rear, culminating in a stylish and functional ducktail-style rear spoiler.
The coupe's roof is fixed aft of the B-pillars, with side windows and a rear liftglass for access to the cargo area. The roof panel is easily removed from the passenger compartment, and an optional soft roof cover stores in the cargo area. A home storage case for the roof panel will be offered through GM Accessories.
Engineering the design
Despite its dramatic new look, engineers made only minor structural changes to create the Solstice coupe. The rear fenders and rear fascia are the same as those on the convertible. New taillight assemblies flow more smoothly into the tapered roofline.
"The Solstice coupe represents a major collaboration of design and engineering," said Bruce Kosbab, chief engineer. "The sleek lines of the new roof give the car a fresh appearance, yet only minimal changes were made to the body structure – it's a great example of building on an already solid foundation."
Lightweight structure
The roof's structure was strengthened with additional support elements, including an aluminum roof bow attached with aluminum brackets. The bow and brackets are stiff, yet low in mass, a design feature that pervades the coupe's overall construction. The roof includes a lightweight sheet molding compound cover affixed to a rigid aluminum frame for additional lightweight support. A lightweight magnesium roof panel frame weighs just 31 pounds (14.2 kg) and can be removed by one person. The cover is also made of sheet molding compound.
Powertrain and suspension
Because the change to a coupe body style resulted in only a slight increase in curb weight, no drivetrain or suspension changes were necessary to shift from the convertible body structure. Initial tests have shown that the Solstice coupe will deliver ride and handling, acceleration, braking and fuel economy comparable to the convertible model.
The coupe is powered by a standard 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine that generates 173 horsepower (129 kW), while the GXP version is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec engine with 260 horsepower (194 kW).
Interior additions
Much of the coupe's interior remains the same as that of the convertible. However, the area behind the seats was redesigned for easy access to the cargo area, and a storage tray was mounted directly behind the headrests.
Removing the folding-top mechanism made way for a new, flat cargo floor and several storage compartments. The cargo area's covered bins provide secure storage for smaller items. Cargo tie-down hooks help secure irregularly shaped items.
# # #
PONTIAC SOLSTICE COUPE PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
|
Models: |
Pontiac Solstice Coupe, Solstice GXP Coupe |
|
Body style / driveline: |
2-passenger, 2-door coupe; front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
|
Construction: |
welded galvanized steel enclosed central tunnel and hydroformed tube |
|
EPA vehicle class: |
two-seater |
|
Manufacturing location: |
Wilmington , Del. |
|
Key competitors: |
base: Mazda MX-5 Miata retractable hardtop |
Engines
|
|
Ecotec 2.4L VVT |
Ecotec 2.0L DI Turbo VVT |
|
Type: |
2.4L DOHC I-4 |
2.0L DOHC I-4 |
|
Displacement (cu in / cc): |
145 / 2384 |
122 / 1998 |
|
Bore & stroke (in / mm): |
3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98 |
3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86 |
|
Block material: |
cast aluminum |
cast aluminum |
|
Cylinder head material: |
cast aluminum |
cast aluminum |
|
Valvetrain: |
DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder; variable valve timing |
DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder; dual continuous variable valve timing |
|
Ignition system: |
electronic direct |
individual coil-on-plug |
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Fuel delivery: |
sequential multi-port fuel injection with high-pressure injectors and electronic throttle control |
spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) with variable high-pressure rail and electronic throttle control |
|
Compression ratio: |
10.4:1 |
9.2:1 |
|
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): |
173 / 129 @ 5800* |
260 / 194 @ 5300* |
|
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): |
167 / 226 @ 4500 |
260 / 353 @ 2500-5250* |
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Recommended fuel: |
premium recommended but not required |
premium recommended but not required |
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Max engine speed |
7000 rpm |
6350 rpm (fuel shut off) |
|
Emissions controls: |
close-coupled catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; fast-response O2 sensor |
close-coupled catalytic converters, Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; wide-range O2 sensor |
|
EPA estimated fuel economy (city / hwy): |
19 / 24 (automatic) |
19 / 26 (automatic) |
Transmission
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Type: |
5-spd manual (MA5) |
5L40 5-spd automatic |
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Gear ratios: (:1): |
|
|
|
First: |
3.75 |
3.42 |
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Second: |
2.26 |
2.21 |
|
Third: |
1.51 |
1.60 |
|
Fourth: |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
Fifth: |
0.73 |
0.75 |
|
Reverse: |
3.67 |
3.02 |
|
Final drive ratio: |
base: 3.91:1 |
base: 3.91:1 |
Chassis/Suspension
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Front: |
base: independent short/long arm, with hollow 27.2 x 4.5 mm stabilizer bar |
|
Rear: |
base: independent short/long arm, with hollow 24.2 x 3.0 mm stabilizer bar |
|
Steering type: |
hydraulic power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
|
Steering ratio: |
16.4:1 |
|
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: |
2.7 |
|
Turning circle, curb-to-curb |
34.8 / 10.6 |
Brakes
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Type: |
four-wheel disc, with ABS and electronic stability control (StabiliTrak) |
|
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm): |
front: 11.7 x 1 / 297 x 25, vented |
|
Swept area (sq in / cc) |
front: 243 / 1570 |
Wheels/Tires
|
Wheel size and type: |
base std: 18-inch x 8-inch five-spoke painted alloy; base opt: 18-inch x 8-inch five-spoke chromed aluminum and polished aluminum alloy |
|
Tires: |
base: P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RSA 96V all-season |
Dimensions
Exterior
|
Wheelbase (in / mm): |
95.1 / 2415 |
|
Overall length (in / mm): |
157.2 / 3992 |
|
Overall width (in / mm): |
71.3 / 1810 |
|
Overall height (in / mm): |
50.9 / 1292 |
|
Track (in / mm): |
front: 60.7 / 1543 |
|
|
rear: 61.4 / 1560 |
|
Curb weight, base (lb / kg): |
base: 2930 / 1329 (est.) |
|
Weight distribution (front / rear), approx.: |
50 / 50 |
Interior
|
Seating capacity: |
2 |
|
Headroom (in / mm): |
37.4 / 950 |
|
Legroom (in / mm): |
42.8 / 1086 |
|
Shoulder room (in / mm): |
52.4 / 1332 |
|
Hip room (in / mm): |
50.6 / 1284 |
Capacities
|
EPA interior volume (cu ft / L): |
50.8 / 1438 |
|
Passenger Volume (cu ft / L) |
48.5 / 1373 |
|
Cargo volume (cu ft / L), includes storage beneath load floor: |
5.6 / 159 |
|
Fuel tank (gal / L): |
13.6 / 51.5 |
|
Engine oil (qt / L): |
5 / 4.7 |
|
Cooling system (qt / L): |
Base with: |
*SAE certified.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Brennan 12:53PM (3/19/2008)
Welcome to the future Corvette.
Reply
tankd0g 12:55PM (3/19/2008)
Not bad, but did they take the friggin gas tank out of the trunk yet?
Reply
Shipey 1:17PM (3/19/2008)
I wouldn't care if I had to SIT on the gas tank. This thing is pretty in ways not seen since the early '60s British coupes.
MastrCake 4:30PM (3/19/2008)
If you look at the preview photos, it looks like the trunk sits on top of the fuel tank (which appears as though it is in the same place as the convertable). More room, but not much.
I don't care though... As long as it actually holds a suitcase (which it looks like it might), I'll be first in line!
John Johnson 12:57PM (3/19/2008)
50 Cent says this Pontiac is better than that Porsche.
I guess thats what a third grade education will get you :P.
Reply
nate_687 4:10PM (3/19/2008)
I know that you were just poking fun at him but you know 50 Cent just says that kinda stuff because GM is paying him.
50 owns several ferraris and a Lambo so i'm sure he knows his cars.
Regardless of his education you gotta give it up to the guy for making money like he has.
John R 6:01PM (3/19/2008)
Yeah, that bit is hilarious. But google Coca-Cola and Glaceau you'll find that you may want to be as dumb he.
John R 6:05PM (3/19/2008)
"as dumb as he is"
PJ 1:14PM (3/19/2008)
Sex on wheels. Except for the automatic; no idea why they'd show this temptress with a slushbox.
Photos 1 and 6 really show off how tiny the mail-slot side windows are. They're, what, 6" tall? Buyers had better learn to use their mirrors.
Reply
Stephen 3:38PM (3/19/2008)
I agree, those side windows look dangerously small. I'll turn my head and see roof. I mean look at the guy sitting in there, I think I'd feel clausterphobic.
BRAVENRACE 1:09PM (3/19/2008)
Whoever took the pictures should be fired! Twenty six pictures and not one good picture of the profile, which IMO the most significant view when adding a roof to a convertible.
Reply
Mark Ryan 1:16PM (3/19/2008)
SERIOUSLY
Oh wait: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-pontiac-solstice-coupe/708405/full/
BRAVENRACE 1:22PM (3/19/2008)
Okay, it's there now, but it wasn't when I looked, as I was looking specifically for that view. There's also 24 pics now when there were 26 when I first looked, so somebody is messing with them. You know, maybe they read my comment and added the profile pic????
TriShield 1:09PM (3/19/2008)
An absolutely gorgeous car that will age much better than it's overly busy and technical Saturn sibling.
Another thing I love about this car - GM purposely engineered it to make V8 swaps easy for hot rodders. How cool is that?
Reply
AlexP 1:13PM (3/19/2008)
Overly busy? I think the worst part of the Solstice is the front, because it looks tacky as hell.
MikeW 9:50PM (3/20/2008)
Oh those dual beam are pretty aged alright.
Those [H13 last time I checked] dual beams are already antiquated.
If you have to drive at night, get the Saturn.
Xcountryflyer 2:41PM (3/19/2008)
Definitely a smart move on GM's part to broaden the market for this car. Only a very few people want to buy a convertible and especially as their only or second car. It looks better than the convertible, IMHO. Too bad they spent the money on the roof and didn't spend any money on updating the flimsy and uninspired interior.
Reply
Mr. Oak 3:56PM (3/19/2008)
I agree it will have a broader appeal now in Coupe form.
On your comment about Convertibles, I have owned 14 cars, none of them was a convert. Look at the Corvette, sSells way more coupes than Convertibles, As does the 911.
LloydChiro 5:53PM (3/19/2008)
"sSells way more coupes than Convertibles, As does the 911."
No, sadly, I think there are more 911 cabriolet sales than coupes. That's not how I would have it, but that's reality. I know when I look on craigslist for a 993 coupe, they're really hard to find, but there's always a cab.
MikeUF 1:23PM (3/19/2008)
Im confused, will this cost more or less then a standard Solstice GXP?
Reply