GM confirms Solstice, Sky will get supercharged engine

[Buick61]

AUTOWEEK
Posted Date: 10/6/05

Boosted roadsters

That a Vauxhall version of the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky is in the works is nothing new. What is: We have confirmation of a supercharged high-output engine for the 2007 Vauxhall Lightning as well as Solstice and Sky.

Jon Lauckner, General Motors’ global product planning boss, says the Vauxhall two-seater will come to market with a 2.0-liter supercharged four-cylinder. The engine is expected to produce in excess of 200 hp and peak torque of 200 lb-ft, according to insiders. Look for the boosted engine in Solstice and Sky late next year.

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[kool_zx3]

So no 240hp turbo i guess, Just a cobalt ss engine.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by kool_zx3

So no 240hp turbo i guess, Just a cobalt ss engine.

Apparently. Is it to early to say "Booooo"? Less than a 30hp boost (if it's the same output as the SS s/c) isn't all that compelling.

[kool_zx3]

Originally Posted by Buick61

Apparently. Is it to early to say "Booooo"? Less than a 30hp boost (if it's the same output as the SS s/c) isn't all that compelling.

For sure, it should get more, maybe 220

The mazdaspeed will probably get 220 or more, maybe a detuned 2.3 ms6 engine. Nobody knows yet

[Ramair-WS6]

Originally Posted by Buick61

Apparently. Is it to early to say "Booooo"? Less than a 30hp boost (if it's the same output as the SS s/c) isn't all that compelling.

There are numerous articles that show the S/C 2.0 making over the claimed 205Hp at the rear wheels. That would put the crank Hp in the 240-245 range. This thread, http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayS...=2&docid=19244 , states the baseline WHp as being 212Hp and that would be 247 crank Hp assuming a 15% drivetrain loss.

Now that being said, I have some serious doubts and reservations here. The recent crop of spy pictures have all shone that car as being turbocharged, and I would have some serious doubts that GM would have switched back to supercharging this late in development.

Now the article talks mostly about the Vauxhall Lightening replacement of which there has been no official word on from GM that I have seen. The 2.0 S/C Ecotec is built solely at the Kaiserslautern plant Germany, where as the 2.4 Ecotec is built at Spring Hill. I can see the Solstice/Sky having a turbo 2.4 and the Vauxhall getting the 2.0 S/C, that would make sense from a cost point of view. Also, from a marketing point of view the Solstice/Sky would be a better sell with a turbo than a super, especially to the conquest sale from the MS Miata.

[BigAls87Z28]

This would seriously upset me if it came to market with a the supercharged 2.0.

[Infiniti Z350]

I don't know how likely this is, but what are the chances that the S/C engine is an intermediate between the naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines?

[DuSpinnst]

BAH... This is upsetting.

[jokuvaan]

GM is cautious. They dont want to mess-up their model line-ups.

For example too powerful Kappa and Corvette would get hurt.

[Supernoma]

If this engine is tested using the new SAE method wouldnt that certainly bump up the HP, or will they detune it so it's closer to the advertised ratings?

a 200HP motor over the 170HP one seems pointless....

[ibechip]

I seriously doubt that a Sky or Solstice would take sales away from a Corvette. They're much much too different. Not even close to the same market.

I would have issues with GM if they came out with their "big bad version" making only 30 hp more than the normal. I think they need at least 240+ to differentiate them.

[kenman923]

Sounds like we have a Sky Redline after all.

[Intimidatorz34]

I am going to guess its around 235 hp. I believe thats what I heard the ion redline has been engineered for so far.

[macphisto]

Originally Posted by Infiniti Z350

I don't know how likely this is, but what are the chances that the S/C engine is an intermediate between the naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines?

That's what I was thinking. Could the S/C model be the Solstice GT and the Turbocharged model be the Solstice GxP?

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by Infiniti Z350

I don't know how likely this is, but what are the chances that the S/C engine is an intermediate between the naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines?

Exactly! Just another trim level til the big gun version comes to market later on down the line. By then, who knows what they'll have -- a 2.4L Turbo or some other engine in the works. From GM's point of view though, bringing an engine they already have worked up -- like this 2.0 S/C -- is a smart move cause it'll address consumer/journalist desire for more power and keep the car exciting and relevant while they work on the newer turbo/supercharged/whatever engine.