Seems Solstice will be here in 2005

Got wind that there is a 2 seat passenger car due out in 2005-2006 that will be announced for production later theis winter. It will have Opel Vectra's 4 cylinder engine (Ecotech here in the US) along with a supercharged version, rear end from GM's stabletrack system (the AWD minivan's rearend), steering system from Subaru, and a 6 speed based off the Corvette. Vauxhall & Opel will also be selling a version. It's all but formalized.

Sounds like Solstice to me. Anyone else want to check with their connections? :)

Excellent! If they keep it in the $20k range, I'd consider it when I graduate from college, which should be about the time it comes out.

please,please,please make it cheap and fast.:metal:

Dayum, I was hoping for a V8 in that thing. At least its coming out though, I think it looks beautiful.

Also sounds like diminished chances for a new Camaro/Firebird (especially firebird)...

Opel announced about a week ago a new 2 seat roadster/ coupe for 2004 which will be built by a french company, so im skeptical about a solstice connection. What is wierd is that they already have the speedster, it doesnt seem likely that little opel and vauxhall would have two 2 seaters for sale at the same time. Maybe the speedster will be sold here instead (its cousin the Lotus Elise will be sold in US in 2004).

I have read about gm looking at sharing a platform with opel for solstice, but if an outside company is building the opel? I also saw an interesting piece of info that solstice could use its own unique chassis. I guess time will tell.

Interesting how they can throw together a Solstice and have it produced in 3 years but we keep hearing there's no way a new Camaro could be done in the same amount of time. :think: :mad: :mad: :mad:

The rearend from the Versatrak minivans? How strong can that be?

Originally posted by gtjeff
Opel announced about a week ago a new 2 seat roadster/ coupe for 2004 which will be built by a french company, so im skeptical about a solstice connection. What is wierd is that they already have the speedster, it doesnt seem likely that little opel and vauxhall would have two 2 seaters for sale at the same time. Maybe the speedster will be sold here instead (its cousin the Lotus Elise will be sold in US in 2004).

I have read about gm looking at sharing a platform with opel for solstice, but if an outside company is building the opel? I also saw an interesting piece of info that solstice could use its own unique chassis. I guess time will tell.

I suspect it's based on the Solstice since although both cars share chassis & parts, both will be built in separate places (much like the new SAAB, the Vectra, & Malibu). Also, because of the European Union, member nations economies are standardized, so a German company building in France would be like a Detroit company building in Texas, pretty much a non-issue.

Solstice (and it's European cousins) may use it's own body structure, but like the Fiero, it will have existing parts from other models attatched to it.

There will in fact be 2 roadsters sold by Opel & Vauxhall. One is the bare bones, minimalist version on sale now, the other will be a better equipted version much like the one Opel sold here in the early 70s. GMNA will also have 2 roadsters as well....Solstice and Corvette.

Lotus' Elise will also in fact be comming here (I'm kind of doubting it'll do well unless it's pretty cheap).

Originally posted by Z28Wilson
Interesting how they can throw together a Solstice and have it produced in 3 years but we keep hearing there's no way a new Camaro could be done in the same amount of time. :think: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. They can do whatever they want, but they won't build a Camaro.:mad: :cry:

*can't wait,can't wait,can't wait,can't wait,can't(SLAP) nevermind*

Originally posted by Z28Wilson
Interesting how they can throw together a Solstice and have it produced in 3 years but we keep hearing there's no way a new Camaro could be done in the same amount of time. :think: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I know, it's the damnedest thing!

Originally posted by DaxsZ28
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. They can do whatever they want, but they won't build a Camaro.:mad: :cry:

That's EXACTLY the point. GM can get anything they want to produce done and on the road in a very short amount of time. Anything they want to build. I think the message here is pretty clear.

Originally posted by guionM
Lotus' Elise will also in fact be comming here (I'm kind of doubting it'll do well unless it's pretty cheap).

Well, the Lotus is going to be in the Mid-High 30's, around the price range of the Porsche Boxster. It's actually got a pretty big following among handling fans, a lot of people I know are really into them, and I know at least one guy who has put a deposit down on one.

I don't think they'll have trouble selling them all, it's got a decent name behind it and they're great handling cars, if a bit anemic in the power dept.

I still don't know what any1 sees in this car. Not for me I guess.

And who knows when we'll see a Camaro?? You just don't know.

Sign me UP! Unless I get rich enough to afford the Elise, a Solstice is in my future. It's the REAL new 240Z. My main concern is weight. If they keep it light (~2400 lb.), it'll be sweet! I'm thinking 240hp, 2400 lb., $24,000 would be magic. If it's 2600 lb., though, forget about it. I'd sooner turbo a Miata.

Dan Baldwin
'95 Z28 M6 convertible
'71 240Z 3.1 (my FAST car)

Originally posted by Dan Baldwin
Sign me UP! Unless I get rich enough to afford the Elise, a Solstice is in my future. It's the REAL new 240Z. My main concern is weight. If they keep it light (~2400 lb.), it'll be sweet! I'm thinking 240hp, 2400 lb., $24,000 would be magic. If it's 2600 lb., though, forget about it. I'd sooner turbo a Miata.

Dan Baldwin
'95 Z28 M6 convertible
'71 240Z 3.1 (my FAST car)

I thought about you after I posted that. I figured you'd look at the Solstice that way. ;)

Originally posted by guionM
Got wind that there is a 2 seat passenger car due out in 2005-2006 that will be announced for production later theis winter. It will have Opel Vectra's 4 cylinder engine (Ecotech here in the US) along with a supercharged version, rear end from GM's stabletrack system (the AWD minivan's rearend), steering system from Subaru, and a 6 speed based off the Corvette. Vauxhall & Opel will also be selling a version. It's all but formalized.

Sounds like Solstice to me. Anyone else want to check with their connections? :)

I have to admit that I loved the looks of the Solstice, if only in coupe form. The inspiration was pretty obvious - the 1968 Opel GT, a car that I can best decribe as a tiny tin bodied rendition of the Stingray Corvette.

My guess is that this car will replace the Opel/Vauxhall Speedster in Europe. The only sad thing is that the Solistice isn't nearly as engaging a car.

The Speedster was "just" a rebodied Lotus Elise, minus the lift-off oversteer. I doubt the Solistice will better this car in acceleration, or for that matter, in handling. The secret to the Lotus designed car was its light weight and simplicity. The car might have used an unmodified ECOTEC 4-cylinder, but that didn't stop it from doing 0-60 in less than 6-seconds.

The Solistice will have the additional weight associated with inevitable power steering:bs: and the clunky 6-speed T56 gear box. :barf: It's no wonder that GM will be resorting to a supercharged ECOTEC.

(I do have to wonder why they would be fitting a manual transmission shared with the Viper, Mustang Cobra and Corvette? Could it be that a V8 is on its way... eventually. The prospect of modern-day AC Cobra or Sunbeam Tiger fascinates me.)

Originally posted by IZ28
I still don't know what any1 sees in this car. Not for me I guess.

And who knows when we'll see a Camaro?? You just don't know.

Is it that you opponents of this car do not like the idea of an affordable, true roadster/sports car (emphasis on open-air, all-around performance), or just do not like this particular sample? I don't see what's not to like if the car has ample power (turbo Ecotec should be that). Perhaps a few extra styling touches or a toned down front end will make it more appealing. It will still be an exciting car (even an under-powered Miata is a fun drive). I'd still rather have it mid-engined, but GM and Pontiac in particular need a car in this niche.

I hope you guys aren't looking at is as "if we get this, no Camaro." I don't feel this is the case. Both cars can co-exist. The Fiero and Firebirds both had good sales numbers when they were being produced simultaneously. GM is going to have to develop a true Mustang competitor again at some point. That's not what they're trying to achieve with a car like this.

On a side note, I was reading in the current Automobile Magazine that the US-bound Elise might be powered by the Toyota Celica/MR2 powerplant. Can anyone else confirm or deny this? Why not keep it's original (and presumably Lotus-engineered) powerplant? It just surprised me to see this as I really didn't know their (GM and Toyota's) ties beyond the Matrix/Vibe project. Oh, and you can put me down as a fan of the Elise, too!

Originally posted by jrp4uc


On a side note, I was reading in the current Automobile Magazine that the US-bound Elise might be powered by the Toyota Celica/MR2 powerplant. Can anyone else confirm or deny this? Why not keep it's original (and presumably Lotus-engineered) powerplant? It just surprised me to see this as I really didn't know their (GM and Toyota's) ties beyond the Matrix/Vibe project. Oh, and you can put me down as a fan of the Elise, too!

The original Elise powerplant was a Rover K-series (1.8 liters, 118hp). Since this engine isn't federalized, it makes sense to use the Toyota powertrain. (The failed front-wheel-drive Elan was originally supposed to be a rear drive car based on Corolla GTS drivetrain components.)

The Elise will also need the extra power when it comes stateside. The european example has no power brakes, steering, A/C or airbags. It would be a miracle if the government gives Lotus a complete safety exemption. I suspect that the U.S. Elise will be a much heavier car as a consequence, perhaps even with a longer wheelbase?

Originally posted by Z28Wilson
That's EXACTLY the point. GM can get anything they want to produce done and on the road in a very short amount of time. Anything they want to build. I think the message here is pretty clear.

Yes, the message is "We don't have everything in place to build the V8 powered RWD vehicle that fans want as a new Camaro, so we'll build the Solstice for now instead." Would you be happier if the Solstice were a Chevy and badged Camaro? If not, then just have patience. They can build the Solstice because it's a parts bin special.

You know, with the Sunfire due to be killed off after 2004, and the Solstice due in 2005, though I didn't think of it before, you could view Solstice as Sunfire's replacement. Especially since Sunfire is only a coupe now & Solstice will be a coupe & convertible.

Originally posted by jrp4uc
Is it that you opponents of this car do not like the idea of an affordable, true roadster/sports car (emphasis on open-air, all-around performance), or just do not like this particular sample? I don't see what's not to like if the car has ample power (turbo Ecotec should be that).

I don't like the looks of it. And as a musclcar person it doesn't appeal to me in any other way either.

Originally posted by guionM
You know, with the Sunfire due to be killed off after 2004, and the Solstice due in 2005, though I didn't think of it before, you could view Solstice as Sunfire's replacement. Especially since Sunfire is only a coupe now & Solstice will be a coupe & convertible.

Do you know something about the pricing of the Solstice? I would assume that a "Sunfire replacement" would have entry level pricing - something that I can hardly imagine for a RWD two-seater.

Originally posted by redzed
Do you know something about the pricing of the Solstice? I would assume that a "Sunfire replacement" would have entry level pricing - something that I can hardly imagine for a RWD two-seater.

Bob Lutz stated the Solstice's price range would be in the $20-$25K range.

At an entry price of $20K, I think that it'll be a smash hit.

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/auto/article/0,12543,233259-6,00.html

Originally posted by guionM
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/auto/article/0,12543,233259-6,00.html

Whoa great article
This is my fav pic
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/images/auto/auto0502speed_A1.jpg

Originally posted by Meccadeth
Whoa great article
This is my fav pic
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/images/auto/auto0502speed_A1.jpg

I second that; great story.

i wan't one.:cry:

Four cylinders eh? Did the other half of the engine fall off or something? :p

The car looks awesome, but the front really needs some work.