REPORT: The Sky has a limit after all, as GM Kappa production ends
Pontiac Solstice GXP - Click above for high-res image gallery
Old saying: The flame that burns twice as bright burns only half as long. Having driven our share of Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters, we can't honestly declare them to be brightly burning flames. Oh, they have their good points, but the market's worst folding top mechanism and rampant parts-sharing to keep costs in check have taken their toll on the promising droptops. What we can say, however, is that every Kappa platform vehicle is fabulous looking. Even the badge job Opel GT and Daewoo G2X.
Which is why, however small, there's a tiny tear in our eye because of the news that General Motors is shuttering its Boxwood Road plant in Delaware. It makes sense: the bankrupt automaker has euthanized Pontiac and is looking to sell Saturn. Furthermore, sales of the cramped, near-trunkless (or very odd) roadsters didn't exactly keep GM out of the red. Speaking of color, the boys over at Saturn Fans report that the last Kappa to roll off the line was a silver Solstice roadster. We just hope that "Good GM" doesn't look at the end of the Kappa platform as proof that small, sporty, rear-wheel drive convertibles are a dead end. Regardless, reach behind the seat and grab a cold one to pour out for a dead, albeit awkward, homie.
Gallery: Review: 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP
[Source: Saturn Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Avinash machado 9:06AM (7/29/2009)
Why not badge it as a Buick Reatta instead?
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Affalterbach 10:17AM (7/29/2009)
As much as I would like to see a new Reatta/Sky/Solstice, the truth is that these cars were a mistake.
Their aluminum hydroforming construction process is not only slow, but also labor intensive. As a result they are hardly profitable and in order to keep costs down, they received unrefined I4s, and bad interior trim.
The result was a product that didn't beat its competitors or even turn sufficient profit. But i sure do agree, they look fantastic.
JZeke 11:21AM (7/29/2009)
Why should major profit be the primary concern for the model line though? If its breaking even it does serve to lift the brand portfolio as a whole. It also suggests a longer life with continual evolution could lead to a better car as newer engines for other cars are made available.
Lotus has been running the Elise line for close to 15 years. When it started the car was unrefined, made with a fairly low-power Rover unit and had suspension issues. Now its universally regarded as one of the best sports cars of all time with decent reliability, a proven Toyota powerplant etc.
Sports cars are about image as much as profit. If they aren't actually LOSING money, then why not keep them going via inexpensive and continual refinement?
Why should I have all the fun? 11:40AM (7/29/2009)
Pros:
Great exterior styling
Power and torque in the GXP
Almost no turbo lag
Excellent MPG in all models
Cons:
Horrible interior materials and design
Awful cargo area design
Awkward top mechanism
Poorly suited transmission
Mediocre handling when pushed
GXP model expensive
I tried to like this car enough to buy it but never could.
Dave 2:15PM (7/29/2009)
Too expensive to build.
Poor fuel economy.
IMHO, they shoulda built a new Fiero. It would have been cheaper, roomier, and better on gas.
And with the stability control mandate coming into effect, GM could have readily dealt with oversteer issues.
AMcA 2:33PM (7/29/2009)
Does anyone know what's to become of the Kappa tooling?
I want to buy it . . . and start a continuous improvement program for these gorgeous little cars. What they deserved in the first place.
Taylor. Yes, Taylor. 5:26PM (7/29/2009)
It sucks to see everyone bashing the interior of all Kappas when really it was only the pontiac that had a terrible interior. I've got a sky and the interior is awesome - way more refined than the pontiac. And the cupholders? They're a bit akward but seriously not a big deal! The car is my daily driver and aside from wanting a bit more trunk space, I really have no complaints. There isn't much storage in the cabin but I got some things from KappaSphere to give me more than enough space inside (they make great stuff).
The Kappa platform had so much potential, it's a shame Pontiac had to run it. :-/
-Taylor
Noidor 9:07AM (7/29/2009)
I was more excited about Saturn Sky than Solstice, but both were consistently getting poor reviews, especially Sky for its poor road manners (being too soft), awful packaging. European press also ripped Opel GT (Sky's twin) for exactly same reason,
I cannot figure out why American car companies fail to deliver on packaging, whether it is the layout, or maximizing space for given size of a vehicle. Case in point is 2010 Ford Taurus vs Honda Accord.
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Serge 9:54AM (7/29/2009)
Do an offset head-on collision test between the Accord and Taurus and you'll get your answer :)
why not the LS2LS7? 12:00PM (7/29/2009)
Have you been in an S2000? Why are you not ripping it for having no interior or trunk space either? And for that matter, the interior is only marginally better.
I don't know what people expected from these cars.
Noidor 2:26PM (7/29/2009)
haha you've got to be kidding me. S2000 came out in 2000, Sky & Solstice came out in 2005. So they should have been better.
Also S2000 has got a phenomenal suspension, a superb gearbox and an engine which not only sounds great, but is spun to 9000rpm.
Sky/Solstice failed on all aforementioned counts.
jv2k 3:04PM (7/29/2009)
Also S2000 has got a phenomenal suspension, a superb gearbox and an engine which not only sounds great, but is spun to 9000rpm.
Yea it spun to 9000rpm and wound up with about as much torque as a blender. The 2.0 turbo on the gxp/redline models was great.
WWI Flying Ace 5:29PM (7/29/2009)
so if the kappas have such terrible handling, why do they consistently win autocross, and why did Rhys Millen win the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in one last year?
Noidor 6:51PM (7/29/2009)
1) Kappas have a big following because the platform itself is superb, but suspension needed to be tuned.
2) Whatever else is said about competition it doesn't lessen the shortcomings of Solstice/Sky in terms of handling, interior quality, maximizing space per overall size, gear changes, steering feel.
3) All Euro mags took issue with S2000s high seating position, so-so interior, fact that one had to rev its balls out to get torque, but again they loved the handling dynamics, the steering feel, and the gearbox.
All of these cars have shortcomings, if they didn't they'd have been Boxters, but Solstice/Sky failed.
RowFive 9:11AM (7/29/2009)
Conceptually I loved the Kappa platform, but the execution failed on a several levels, mostly on packaging, ergonomics, fit and finish, and general refinement. The cars looked good, but were not up to par with the excellent Mazda Miata/MX-5. Pontiac did offer one thing I've wanted from Mazda for a long time-- a fastback version (I have little affection for convertibles).
Of note, I believe the Daewoo rebadge was a G2X, not a GX2 (not that anyone in the States would care).
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Cody 11:35AM (7/29/2009)
"Conceptually I loved the Kappa platform, but the execution failed on a several levels, mostly on packaging, ergonomics, fit and finish, and general refinement. "
Pretty much can be said for the majority of GM vehicles.
hoov23 11:58AM (7/29/2009)
I'd agree that the Kappas fall short on ergonomics and fit & finish compared to the more mainstream/practical MX5, but I think they (Redline/GXP only) sould be classified more as a competitor to the Lotus Elise, and a very good one at that. If you don't need a trunk or useable cupholders, and you don't mind taking 27 minutes to fold up the top once every few weeks, and you don't really use the stereo or A/C controls, it's a great way to save 20-30k and get a FUN and FAST roadster (with many mods available from Kappasphere). I drove them back to back (my own Elise) and LOVED the Redline, and so has everyone else I know that's driven it. Plus it's hot looking. The Miata is a car for someone who has ONE car, and unfortunately I guess the reality always has been that there's no room in GM's mainstram portfolio for a niche roadster.
Frank 9:21AM (7/29/2009)
Sad to hear this for my former home of Delaware. First the Newark Chrysler plant and now GM's Boxwood Road facility in Elsmere (the news will often say Wilmington but it's really in Elsmere).
I toured the plant on their 50th aniversery (1946-96). At the time they were building Corsicas and Berrettas, soon to be changing over to the Saturn L series. I asked a man who worked in the body shop if mgt, engineering and the line workers were working together and not at odds and he said yes they were because they learned that the alternative to do so "was not pretty".
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Dude 9:34AM (7/29/2009)
Awesome cars! GM was stupid to drop it. Highly recommend it to anyone. Besides the great looks (Solstice), the cars are very fun to drive and absolutely beg to be tossed around corners. Better yet, it also proves its worth on long trips with minimal wind noise and comfy seats. Would have loved to have seen updated model, but the Government had other ideas.
As for Autoblog:
"the market's worst top mechanism and rampant parts-sharing to keep costs in check have taken their toll on the promising droptops"
That's just a cheap shot and untrue. The top is a cinch to operate. Does it require getting your fat a$$ out of the car? Yes. Is that really a negative? No. As for the parts sharing to keep costs down. That's proving to be the cars saving grace. People are starting to find out that they can hook up updated components from other GM cars with ease because the parts are shared. Some of the custom Mods are truly outstanding and many are DIY for the average owner.
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WWI Flying Ace 11:15AM (7/29/2009)
AMEN! I had an MG that had straps and buckles on the top! People who just trash the top on the Kappas are uninformed. It is not push button, but that is all...it fits well and there is very little road noise when it is up. Get a clue Autoblog...you are big Miata fans and that is fine but your bias is very obvious when you write about the Kappas. They are going away because Pontiac is going away, not because they weren't good enough to have a second generation. If Mazda went out of business it would be the same story. Get a clue.