Autoblog

Barrett-Jackson 2011: First and last 2010 Pontiac Solstice on the block *UPDATE: W/Video

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:55:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Auctions, GM, Pontiac

First and last 2010 Pontiac Solstice at Barrett-Jackson 2011 - Click above for high-res image gallery

A great cry of weeping and teeth-gnashing could be heard around the globe after General Motors decided to put an end to the Pontiac brand a few years back. Of course, that also means the last several machines to roll down the line could potentially become collectors items.

Does that include the 2010 Pontiac Solstice Coupe or Convertible? That's tough to say, but something of a precedent could indeed be set tonight at Barrett-Jackson as the very first and very last 2010 Solstices are going up on the auction block, sold as a pair.

First up is #1 of 12 Solstice GXP Coupes built in 2010, in Kinetic blue with an interior in black leather with matching blue accents. It's also the only Heritage Coupe built with a manual transmission. Up next is the very last 2010 Solstice built (of 20 total), a Kinetic Blue Convertible.

Check out both the Coupe and Convertible models' official auction pages on Barrett-Jackson, and watch Speed's live online coverage here.

*Update: Check out a video of the auction after the break.

Gallery: The first and last Pontiac Solstice cars produced at Barrett-Jackson 2011

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2011: First and last 2010 Pontiac Solstice on the block *UPDATE: W/Video

Barrett-Jackson 2011: First and last 2010 Pontiac Solstice on the block *UPDATE: W/Video originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Finally Official: Pontiac is dead

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Pontiac

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

Pontiac has been dead for some time now, at least from a manufacturing point of view. The Vibe was the last vehicle to roll of a Pontiac assembly line, marking the end of new car production for the brand in August of 2009. However, the former automaker has been stuttering and mumbling to itself while lying in its death bed. After all, new cars still needed homes and buyers eventually ponied up dough for the keys to the ghostly souls of a marque that once built the king of muscle cars: the GTO. Now, though, the very last new Pontiacs have been sold and the brand is completely, officially, no-doubt-about-it dead.

In an act of ~~lunacy~~ mercy, retired police officer Ed Dieffenbach drove over 1,100 miles to trade in his Chevrolet Silverado on one of the last Pontiac Solstice Coupes left in the country. Driving from Miami to northern Florida, Mr. Dieffenbach helped put an end to the brand's suffering while also putting a somewhat stylish two-door in his driveway. We're sure he'll have years of fun with the Solstice, as long as he doesn't need to use the cup holder... or stow the roof... or look back.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / AOL

[Source: The New York Times]

Finally Official: Pontiac is dead originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: The Sky has a limit after all, as GM Kappa production ends

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Pontiac, Saturn

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]

REPORT: The Sky has a limit after all, as GM Kappa production ends originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM releases turbo upgrade kit for Solstice GXP, Sky Redline and HHR SS

Chris Shunk — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, GM, Pontiac, Saturn, Chery

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Chevy HHR SS

The Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Redline, and Chevrolet HHR SS are plenty of fun with 260 horsepower underfoot, and we can only imagine that the joy quotient increases as power improves. General Motors' performance division knows as much, and it's now offering an LNF Turbo Upgrade kit to kick its 2.0L turbo direct injection engine into gear. The kit consists of a new engine calibration and MAP sensors that will push your turbo four to 290 horsepower and up to 340 lb-ft of torque with the six-speed manual transmission (315 - 325 lb-ft with a slush box). The new factory turbo kit also keeps the precious warranty intact, which is a huge bonus over other aftermarket setups.

The LNF Turbo Upgrade also gives the GXP, Redline and SS the same "no-lift shift" functionality as the Cobalt SS Turbo, which enables you to shift without taking your foot off the accelerator. The kit also bumps the redline by 200 to 6500, but the hulkified 2.0L engine will now demand premium fuel to deliver its increased power delivery. The General is also working on a similar upgrade kit for the Cobalt SS, and it should arrive at your local Chevy dealer during Q1 2009. The LNF turbo kit delivers some added pop to three already fun vehicles, and it can be purchased at a GM dealer for $650. Is it worth the extra coin? It's up to you, but we're guessing it couldn't hurt. You can check out assembly instructions for the LNF Turbo Upgrade kit here.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Chevy HHR SS

[Source: GM Blogs]

GM releases turbo upgrade kit for Solstice GXP, Sky Redline and HHR SS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2008: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe live reveal [w/VIDEO]

Dan Roth — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:46:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, GM, Pontiac

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.

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe - Live Reveal

Continue reading New York 2008: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe live reveal [w/VIDEO]

New York 2008: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe live reveal [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Week in Photos: Week of June 18, 2007

Chris Shunk — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Chrysler, Dodge, Pontiac

The Autoblog team has hit the summer season with a fury, with more news than you can shake a stick at. We saw plenty of car shows last week, and we got behind the wheel of some of the Chrysler group's hottest new products and concepts, too. We also got to drop the top of the hot new Solstice GXP and get some drive time with the Saturn Outlook.

The last week was packed with information, and four minutes will give you an update on anything you might have missed by clicking on the video above. We've also added links below to some of the more significant galleries from the last seven days. This week we have some incredible music from Brian Buckit with "Rocket Science". Enjoy!

Gallery: Dodge Demon sunset shoot

Gallery: Review: 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP

Gallery: Autoblog Garage: Saturn Outlook

Gallery: 2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed: The Ball and unveiling

Autoblog Week in Photos: Week of June 18, 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Convertible, Pontiac

2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Pontiac Solstice is the crown prince of the General's lineup. With curves and flares, bulges and rakes, it's the modern equivalent of the Coke bottle aesthetic of yesteryear. Sure, some may prefer its sheetmetal sibling the Sky, but regardless of your chosen chariot, they're both head-turners. When the Solstice was introduced last year, however, it lacked the firepower to back up its sex-on-wheels image. Until now.

Gallery: Review: 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP

Continue reading Review: 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP

Review: 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM announces Solstice GXP pricing

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 18:37:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Pontiac

General Motors' Pontiac division chose (what else) the summer solstice to reveal the price for its top of the line Solstice model. The 260 hp Solstice GXP will appear in dealerships this fall sporting a sticker price of $25,995 (including destination charges).

With 47 percent more power than the normally aspirated version of the Ecotec 4-cylinder powerplant, the GXP should finally provide Solstice drivers with enough motivation to fully explore the performance envelope of the popular roadster.

2006 Solstice models are sold out, and there's already a waiting list for the 2007 models, so if you fancy a GXP in your garage, you'd better join the 20 percent increase in Pontiac showroom traffic this year and sign up soon.

[Source: GM]

GM announces Solstice GXP pricing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jun 2006 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy HHR SS caught spooling up

John Neff — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Chevrolet, Pontiac

Whoa, is that an intercooler we see buried deep in the lower front bumper of this otherwise quotidian HHR? Indeed it is, and Winding Road is guessing it's connected to the Pontiac Solstice GXP's direct-injected turbo-four that makes 260 hp and 260 ft-lbs. of torque. SS also means bigger wheels and this mule has much larger shoes than the standard High Heritage Roof. The HHR will be refreshened in the near future, so it's not known whether the SS badge will be affixed to the current body style or an updated one. Still, props to Chris Doane for snapping this shot of the HHR's intercooler peaking out. Good eye, kid. Good eye.

[Source: Winding Road]

Chevy HHR SS caught spooling up originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jun 2006 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Solstice impressive in SCCA debut

John Neff — Tue, 09 May 2006 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Convertible, Coupe, GM, Pontiac

As we reported last week, General Motors officially decided to take the Solstice racing on a national level by entering it in the Sports Car Club of America road racing series. The first race was last weekend at the New Hampshire International Speedway and the Solstice placed third in the Showroom Stock B class behind a pair of Miatas. The car was prepped by Phoenix Performance and driven by 18-year old Andrew Aquilante. Aquilante is a phenom racer with a few titles already under his belt, and it would appear he's also related to the president of Phoenix Performance, Joe Aquilante.

Aquilante and the Solstice were only 1.3 seconds out of first and the kid recorded the fastest lap time during the race and was the second fastest qualifier of the day. John Heinricy, GM's sultan of speed, was reportedly quite pleased with the outcome of the race and the first outing of the Z0K Club Sport package on the car that adds a limited-slip differntial, better power steering cooler and the FE3 suspension that will standard on the Solstice GXP.

Check out GM's full release with some more deets after the jump...

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Solstice impressive in SCCA debut

Solstice impressive in SCCA debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 May 2006 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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