Bob Lutz Announces Solstice at Kettering...
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Bob Lutz Announces Solstice at Kettering...
I had two people in attendence email one a great source..
Originally posted by Branden:
[QB]Please credit GMInsidenews.com in copying this copyrighted article!
GMInsidenews.com reported earlier this week that General Motors CEO Robert Lutz announced in a speech at the Kettering Institute the 2004 GTO's Horsepower Ratings.In keeping with the tradition Lutz started with the 2004 GTO being announced at a low-key speech at the 2002 NY International Autoshow, it has been learned in his Kettering speech that he also confirmed production of the 2005 Pontiac Solstice. It has been reported that he said the car would use a roadster platform shared across several brands. This Opel Roadster Concept is very possibly the first iteration of that platform. It is also rumored that even Chevrolet could get a version of the new roadster, but that idea isn't as advanced as the Solstice.
Look for the production vehicle to remain as true to the original concept as GM can. A T-56 and 240 hp supercharged Ecotech are rumored to be included in the top trim of the vehicle with a normally aspirated 5 speed version carrying the bottom of the lineup. The current plan is to keep weight under 3000lbs, however the T-56 in the supercharged model will make that a challenge. Expect prices to range from around $20,000 base to approaching $30,000 for a supercharged model.
More news on this still to come, stay tuned to GMInsidenews.com for the latest news and rumors![/QB]
[QB]Please credit GMInsidenews.com in copying this copyrighted article!
GMInsidenews.com reported earlier this week that General Motors CEO Robert Lutz announced in a speech at the Kettering Institute the 2004 GTO's Horsepower Ratings.In keeping with the tradition Lutz started with the 2004 GTO being announced at a low-key speech at the 2002 NY International Autoshow, it has been learned in his Kettering speech that he also confirmed production of the 2005 Pontiac Solstice. It has been reported that he said the car would use a roadster platform shared across several brands. This Opel Roadster Concept is very possibly the first iteration of that platform. It is also rumored that even Chevrolet could get a version of the new roadster, but that idea isn't as advanced as the Solstice.
Look for the production vehicle to remain as true to the original concept as GM can. A T-56 and 240 hp supercharged Ecotech are rumored to be included in the top trim of the vehicle with a normally aspirated 5 speed version carrying the bottom of the lineup. The current plan is to keep weight under 3000lbs, however the T-56 in the supercharged model will make that a challenge. Expect prices to range from around $20,000 base to approaching $30,000 for a supercharged model.
More news on this still to come, stay tuned to GMInsidenews.com for the latest news and rumors![/QB]
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Toronto, ON Canada
Isn't T-56 overkill for this car? It's powered by 4-cylinder engine, and the transmissions weighs a lot. It will weigh a lot to begin with. YOu look at Acura RSX, it weighs around 2800 pounds and is powered by 160 and 200 HP engines. This car will weigh 2990 (under 3000 pounds) to probably around 3100 with T-56, and its 240 HP will not help it that much. I'm thinking its performance figures will be similar to RSX Type-S.
The opel concept looks disproportionate, actually it's ugly to me. Perhaps Chevy is considering slapping its logo on the opel concept and selling it as Cavalier Convertible (which were always not the nicest cars out there).
The opel concept looks disproportionate, actually it's ugly to me. Perhaps Chevy is considering slapping its logo on the opel concept and selling it as Cavalier Convertible (which were always not the nicest cars out there).
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: South Bend, Indiana
Originally posted by 97z28/m6
wht the f**k does it weigh(sp) so much.
wht the f**k does it weigh(sp) so much.
And I thought it would be less than 20K$ for a base model, whats up with that? Not many late teens / early adults can afford that. Whats the target market for these cars?
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 356
From: Providence, RI, USA
As a big Solstice fan, I'm EXTREMELY disappointed with the less than 3000 lb. target weight. If it's over 2600lb., forget it, and the target should be 2400 (Miata). I guess it's better to know now rather than be excited about it for two years and THEN be let down. No surprise I guess. If Honda and BMW don't give a crap about weight, why should GM? At 2400 lb., I was definitely buying one. At 2600, probably. At just under 3000, no fuggin way.
Dan Baldwin
'95 Z28 M6 convertible
'71 240Z 3.1 (better power/weight than a C5!)
Dan Baldwin
'95 Z28 M6 convertible
'71 240Z 3.1 (better power/weight than a C5!)
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Sounds OK to me, though I think at 3000 lbs it's a little chunky (the Monza we've been talking to death lately weighed alot less than that with a V6, let alone a 4). Maybe they are talking about the convertible (always the heaviest car of a line). Also, I think that T56 is for just for the supercharged version.
If Chevy's getting one, it should be the coupe while Pontiac keeps the droptop. At $20,000 starting, it's going to sell like hotcakes, and it's perfectly aimed at the young & sports market.
Not a bad deal all in all.
If Chevy's getting one, it should be the coupe while Pontiac keeps the droptop. At $20,000 starting, it's going to sell like hotcakes, and it's perfectly aimed at the young & sports market.
Not a bad deal all in all.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 632
From: NC
Dare I say?
The Chevrolet version might be the Camaro?????
Surely this platform will be flexible enough for different lenghts, and different powertrains.
OH, AND SOME OTHER TIDBITS:
** This program also includes a revised Buick Bengal.
** Pontiac will get a version of the Equinox for 2005
AND I'm very surprised that no one else has noticed the HP figures for the new GTO. Which are 360+ for the LS1, and 405+ for the LS6.
Surely this platform will be flexible enough for different lenghts, and different powertrains.
OH, AND SOME OTHER TIDBITS:
** This program also includes a revised Buick Bengal.
** Pontiac will get a version of the Equinox for 2005
AND I'm very surprised that no one else has noticed the HP figures for the new GTO. Which are 360+ for the LS1, and 405+ for the LS6.
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,801
From: Nashville, TN
THe GTO HP numbers were discussed in another thread...
And as for a Camaro on Solstice platform...That would be great as long as they were able to engineer it into a ponycar...a roadsterized Chevy might be cool but wouldn't be a Camaro.
Could the weight be going up because they've decided to share the platform with Camaro and having a chassis that adapts into a 2+2 means more meat than if the ONLY cars being built off the platform were little 2 seat roadsters?
And as for a Camaro on Solstice platform...That would be great as long as they were able to engineer it into a ponycar...a roadsterized Chevy might be cool but wouldn't be a Camaro.
Could the weight be going up because they've decided to share the platform with Camaro and having a chassis that adapts into a 2+2 means more meat than if the ONLY cars being built off the platform were little 2 seat roadsters?
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 220
From: TN
this thing will probably hit the market about the same time as the 3rd generation miata,could be bad timing on GM's part if this solstice doesn't deliver.screw the supercharger,drop the weight,screw any needless options(GPS,keyless entry,automatic tranny),drop the weight,center on the steering and handling,keep the price under 27K,and,oh,by the way,drop the weight.
