Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Review: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe goes quick, just don't look back]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/review-pontiac-solstice-gxp-coupe-goes-quick-just-dont-look-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/review-pontiac-solstice-gxp-coupe-goes-quick-just-dont-look-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/review-pontiac-solstice-gxp-coupe-goes-quick-just-dont-look-b/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Climb into the Pontiac Solstice Coupe and there's an unsettling feeling of familiarity. We've been here before. And after driving off, it all begins to gel, although it has nothing to do with our previous stints in the drop-top variant. The Coupe feels like the unruly offspring of a night of passion between a C4 Corvette coupe and a Dodge Viper. And while the Solstice is nowhere near as large or as powerful as those two American icons, the DNA of both is undoubtedly present in this little machine - for good reason.

It's no coincidence that the history of the Solstice spans the Bob Lutz era at General Motors. After Lutz joined GM in 2001 to guide its product development, one of the first tasks he assigned the design staff was to create a new concept for the Detroit Auto Show. The Solstice was born, a stylistic hit was made and the convertible was rushed to production. Now, as Lutz is winding down his time at GM, the Solstice and the entire Pontiac brand are also fading off into the sunset. In many respects, this Solstice is symbolic of what was right and wrong with GM and Pontiac. And our time with the Solstice Coupe is a telling tale about the final new model from a vanishing brand.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid, Max Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe goes quick, just don't look back

Review: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe goes quick, just don't look back originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 pontiac solstice coupe gxp2009PontiacSolsticeCoupeGxpfeaturefeaturedin the autoblog garageInTheAutoblogGaragepontiacpontiac solsticepontiac solstice coupepontiac solstice gxppontiac solstice gxp coupepontiac solstice targaPontiacSolsticePontiacSolsticeCoupePontiacSolsticeGxpPontiacSolsticeGxpCoupePontiacSolsticeTargareviewreviewsWed, 24 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Pontiac: G8 and Solstice not being canceled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/pontiac-g8-and-solstice-not-being-canceled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/pontiac-g8-and-solstice-not-being-canceled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/pontiac-g8-and-solstice-not-being-canceled/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for hi-res gallery of the Pontiac G8 GXP

Pontiac hopes to clear things up with a post on Pontiac blog regarding the future of its current products, namely the G8 and Solstice. It was just the other day that rumors of the brand's two rear-wheel drive vehicles possible being canceled hit the interwebs, and we dutifully reported on the story as we always do. According to Pontiac, though, those rumors are nothing more than speculation and should not be taken as gospel unless you hear it from the horse's (or Mr. Lutz's) mouth, which we have not. Still, the rumor in question indicates that the G8 will live on at least another five years, assuming it continues to sell that long, but would not be replaced after that. This could still be the case. Likewise, the Solstice has not been canceled, but it's replacement in GM's lineup still seems unlikely given the low volume of sales the vehicle attracts. In short, nobody can predict the future, but sometimes the handwriting on the wall isn't that tough to read.

Gallery: 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP - Live Reveal


[Source: Pontiac Underground]

Pontiac: G8 and Solstice not being canceled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pontiacpontiac g8pontiac g8 gtpontiac g8 gxppontiac g8 sport truckpontiac g8 stpontiac solsticepontiac solstice coupepontiac solstice gxppontiac solstice targaPontiacG8PontiacG8GtPontiacG8GxpPontiacG8SportTruckPontiacG8StPontiacSolsticePontiacSolsticeCoupePontiacSolsticeGxpPontiacSolsticeTargaTue, 28 Oct 2008 08:27:00 EST<![CDATA[RWD Pontiac G8 will be dead in five years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/rwd-pontiac-g8-will-be-dead-in-five-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/rwd-pontiac-g8-will-be-dead-in-five-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/rwd-pontiac-g8-will-be-dead-in-five-years/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

It looks like things will be getting a lot less exciting at Pontiac, as some reports indicate that the erstwhile performance brand will be losing its best performers. Despite the fact that the G8 sedan has seen nothing but positive press from the media, including your humble scribes here at Autoblog, the realities of fuel economy and the global economy appear set to kill off the rear-wheel drive performance sedan in the prime of its short life. GM will reportedly not renew the G8 after its Holden-sourced chassis architecture is redesigned following a planned five-year run.

The Pontiac Solstice in both coupe and convertible forms is also unlikely to see a second generation. Unfortunately, the Solstice, Saturn Sky and their Opel spin-off don't generate enough sales to support another go-round, which could leave Pontiac with exactly zero vehicles with overtly sporting pretensions. While the G6 may be a decent car, it and a Cobalt derivative in the form of the G5 and a rebadged Aveo known as the G3 do not a BMW competitor make. What does this mean for the future of Pontiac as a brand? We'll see.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT


[Source: Inside Line]

RWD Pontiac G8 will be dead in five years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>g8g8 gtg8 gxpG8GtG8Gxppontiacpontiac g8pontiac g8 gtpontiac solsticepontiac solstice coupepontiac solstice gxppontiac solstice targaPontiacG8PontiacG8GtPontiacSolsticePontiacSolsticeCoupePontiacSolsticeGxpPontiacSolsticeTargaThu, 23 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Pontiac Solstice Coupe to pack 300 horses?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/03/solstice-coupe-to-pack-300-horses/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/03/solstice-coupe-to-pack-300-horses/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/03/solstice-coupe-to-pack-300-horses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res live shots of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

Sporting a specific output of 130 horsepower-per-liter, the turbocharged, direct-injected Ecotec four-cylinder from GM that's featured in the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Redline and SS versions of the Chevy HHR and Cobalt, is already one heck of an accomplishment. But wait... there's more -- power that is. According to Motor Trend, shortly after the Solstice Coupe goes on sale next year, the blown-Ecotec could make 300 horsepower or more, putting it in close competition with performance stalwarts such as Nissan's Z. What's more, the same engine should also be available in the convertible versions of both the Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline as well, paired only with a five-speed manual tranny in all applications.

This is just a rumor at this point, but MT seems pretty confident in its validity, citing higher intercooled boost along with a new fuel rail as the tech behind the power increase. The rumor does not mention if the higher-output mill will appear in other applications, though we remember something about the Camaro possibly getting a turbo-four mill as an option, and a tuner-friendly option offering 300 galloping horsies in stock form would make for a very interesting option in the pony car.

[Source: Motor Trend via eGMCarTech]

Pontiac Solstice Coupe to pack 300 horses? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecotecpontiac solsticepontiac solstice coupepontiac solstice gxppontiac solstice targapontiac-solstice-coupepontiac-solstice-targaPontiacSolsticePontiacSolsticeCoupePontiacSolsticeGxpPontiacSolsticeTargasolsticeThu, 03 Apr 2008 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[New York '08 Preview: Pontiac Solstice Coupe spotted on Pontiac.com]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/16/new-york-08-preview-pontiac-solstice-coupe-spotted-on-pontiac/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/16/new-york-08-preview-pontiac-solstice-coupe-spotted-on-pontiac/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/16/new-york-08-preview-pontiac-solstice-coupe-spotted-on-pontiac/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The thing about the internet is, once something gets published, it can't be taken back. We're sure Pontiac feels that way about this little image that appeared on its official website at some point in the recent past. It shows the Pontiac G8 sport truck and, lo and behold, a Solstice Coupe! Thankfully, an Autoblog reader saw it and had the sense to take a screen grab before it was yanked, and yanked it was. We can't find the image on pontiac.com currently, and it's not in Google cache, either. The picture is still live here on Pontiac.com. Just look for the tabbed box below the G8's tire, and click to the second tab. So while Pontiac would probably like us to forget that this picture ever popped up, the internet ensures we never have to. Stay tuned for live shots of the real thing this Wednesday when we'll be on the floor at the 2008 New York Auto Show. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

New York '08 Preview: Pontiac Solstice Coupe spotted on Pontiac.com originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnew yorknew york 2008new york auto showNewYorkNewYork2008NewYorkAutoShowpontiacpontiac solsticepontiac solstice coupepontiac solstice targaPontiacSolsticePontiacSolsticeCoupePontiacSolsticeTargasolsticeSun, 16 Mar 2008 22:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Pontiac planning Solstice Targa?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/05/pontiac-planning-solstice-targa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/05/pontiac-planning-solstice-targa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/05/pontiac-planning-solstice-targa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



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]

Pontiac planning Solstice Targa? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsGeneralMotorsgmgmx627pontiacpontiac solstice targaPontiacSolsticeTargasolsticetargaFri, 05 Oct 2007 15:55:00 EST