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Road Test: 2006 Pontiac Solstice
We drive the engineering work going into GM's $20,000 rear-drive roadster
Kevin Smith
Motor Trend, June 2004
We asked for it and we got it: a good-handling Solstice. Well, actually we got a drive in some engineering test mules. But by all indications, the production versions of this new-for-2006 Pontiac roadster will feel appropriately lithe and entertaining to drive. Just what we were after.
In these pages ("Editorial," April), we asserted that GM and its chief car guy, Bob Lutz, were taking on a major challenge of packaging, chassis development, and ergonomics in presenting the Solstice to the world. A small, open-air, two-seat roadster absolutely must be lively and responsive in the driver's hand. It has to have balance and polish, feel compliant as well as stable, perform in a spirited fashion regardless of its actual test numbers, and generally possess a loveable character.
The powertrain feels fine, if not dazzling. A new 2.4-liter version of GM's Ecotec four (DOHC, four valves per cylinder, and variable valve timing) delivers decent thrust, crisp response, and a suitably raspy voice above 4000 rpm.
The five-speed manual gearbox shifts nicely, with good feel and moderately short throws. Occasionally, the two-three upshift felt like a bigger ratio gap than the car really wanted, and if it were up to us, we'd move the brake and throttle pedals a bit closer together.
But we think we can trust such details to the Solstice development team. These guys appear to be on top of the sporting-roadster game.
Full, Uncut Article Here
We drive the engineering work going into GM's $20,000 rear-drive roadster
Kevin Smith
Motor Trend, June 2004
We asked for it and we got it: a good-handling Solstice. Well, actually we got a drive in some engineering test mules. But by all indications, the production versions of this new-for-2006 Pontiac roadster will feel appropriately lithe and entertaining to drive. Just what we were after.
In these pages ("Editorial," April), we asserted that GM and its chief car guy, Bob Lutz, were taking on a major challenge of packaging, chassis development, and ergonomics in presenting the Solstice to the world. A small, open-air, two-seat roadster absolutely must be lively and responsive in the driver's hand. It has to have balance and polish, feel compliant as well as stable, perform in a spirited fashion regardless of its actual test numbers, and generally possess a loveable character.
The powertrain feels fine, if not dazzling. A new 2.4-liter version of GM's Ecotec four (DOHC, four valves per cylinder, and variable valve timing) delivers decent thrust, crisp response, and a suitably raspy voice above 4000 rpm.
The five-speed manual gearbox shifts nicely, with good feel and moderately short throws. Occasionally, the two-three upshift felt like a bigger ratio gap than the car really wanted, and if it were up to us, we'd move the brake and throttle pedals a bit closer together.
But we think we can trust such details to the Solstice development team. These guys appear to be on top of the sporting-roadster game.
Full, Uncut Article Here
