Solstice Prototype
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Solstice Prototype
For everyones general information, GM has made a Solstice prototype, and it's being run at GM's proving grounds. Generally, that would put it just about 15 to 18 months away.
Guessing we should be seeing spy pics in about 6 months or so when it moves to the real world.
Guessing we should be seeing spy pics in about 6 months or so when it moves to the real world.
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Re: Solstice Prototype
Originally posted by guionM
For everyones general information, GM has made a Solstice prototype, and it's being run at GM's proving grounds. Generally, that would put it just about 15 to 18 months away.
Guessing we should be seeing spy pics in about 6 months or so when it moves to the real world.
For everyones general information, GM has made a Solstice prototype, and it's being run at GM's proving grounds. Generally, that would put it just about 15 to 18 months away.
Guessing we should be seeing spy pics in about 6 months or so when it moves to the real world.
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From: South Jersey
Pontiac Solstice becomes prototype Evaluations continue, but no approval given
Automotive News 05/19/03 author: Rick Kranz
PHOENIX - The Pontiac Solstice, a rear-drive concept car that was one of the stars of the 2002 Detroit auto show, has progressed to the prototype stage and is being evaluated at General Motors' proving grounds. GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz says a flexible architecture is being evaluated that can come in various lengths for a range of small, rear-drive vehicles that could be sold in the United States, Australia and Europe. On Monday, May 12, as part of Vauxhall's 100th anniversary celebration, GM's British unit unveiled the Vauxhall VX Lightning, a two-passenger coupe concept that was built off the Solstice platform. But the approval to produce a range of small, low-priced, rwd cars, including the Solstice, has not been given. No timetable for approval or production has been given, either. Lutz says that if the Solstice is produced, he would like to see it sell for about $18,900. He compared the car with the original 1964½ Ford Mustang, a reasonably priced car that had the style and grace of a more expensive model. While Lutz does not provide details about the rwd architecture that is being evaluated, he says: It could be used for a coupe, a convertible, a small sedan equal to the BMW 1 series. It was something that we felt was missing in our portfolio - a small, light, four-cylinder-only rwd architecture.
Two- and four-passenger models could be built. The creation of the prototype marks a significant step for the Solstice but is no guarantee of production. Says Lutz: We are treating it as a program that might be brought to fruition, but we have several stages of approval levels. The final level of approval is when the board says, 'Yes, this is a good business proposition,' and that is the one we are still working on.
Automotive News 05/19/03 author: Rick Kranz
PHOENIX - The Pontiac Solstice, a rear-drive concept car that was one of the stars of the 2002 Detroit auto show, has progressed to the prototype stage and is being evaluated at General Motors' proving grounds. GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz says a flexible architecture is being evaluated that can come in various lengths for a range of small, rear-drive vehicles that could be sold in the United States, Australia and Europe. On Monday, May 12, as part of Vauxhall's 100th anniversary celebration, GM's British unit unveiled the Vauxhall VX Lightning, a two-passenger coupe concept that was built off the Solstice platform. But the approval to produce a range of small, low-priced, rwd cars, including the Solstice, has not been given. No timetable for approval or production has been given, either. Lutz says that if the Solstice is produced, he would like to see it sell for about $18,900. He compared the car with the original 1964½ Ford Mustang, a reasonably priced car that had the style and grace of a more expensive model. While Lutz does not provide details about the rwd architecture that is being evaluated, he says: It could be used for a coupe, a convertible, a small sedan equal to the BMW 1 series. It was something that we felt was missing in our portfolio - a small, light, four-cylinder-only rwd architecture.
Two- and four-passenger models could be built. The creation of the prototype marks a significant step for the Solstice but is no guarantee of production. Says Lutz: We are treating it as a program that might be brought to fruition, but we have several stages of approval levels. The final level of approval is when the board says, 'Yes, this is a good business proposition,' and that is the one we are still working on.
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The longer they drag their feet on this, the more time the competition has to play catch-up if they so desire. Why let that happen? It's been ages since GM has come out with an inexpensive fresh and exciting new product. The time is now!
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From: Beyond the Sun
Originally posted by WERM
Pontiac Solstice becomes prototype Evaluations continue, but no approval given
Automotive News 05/19/03 author: Rick Kranz
It was something that we felt was missing in our portfolio - a small, light, four-cylinder-only rwd architecture.
Pontiac Solstice becomes prototype Evaluations continue, but no approval given
Automotive News 05/19/03 author: Rick Kranz
It was something that we felt was missing in our portfolio - a small, light, four-cylinder-only rwd architecture.
Four-cyclinder only! I don't like the sound of that.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Canada
The four cyl only deal is another sign of the times. People have bad perception of an engine with more than four cylinders. A v6 immediately becomes a gas guzzler. I had one person ask me if my 2.9V6 in my ranger guzzles gas. When asked why he said "Well, its a v6, anything with more than four cylinders gets bad milage"
They don't understand that a turbo charged 3.8L will make more than a 1.6L turbo charged engine, just like they would N/A.
This is why we are seeing new Lancer EVO's with 250+ HP out of 2L. These engines are being tuned higher and higher from the factory to satisfy the current demand for high output four piston engines.
They don't understand that a turbo charged 3.8L will make more than a 1.6L turbo charged engine, just like they would N/A.
This is why we are seeing new Lancer EVO's with 250+ HP out of 2L. These engines are being tuned higher and higher from the factory to satisfy the current demand for high output four piston engines.
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About friggin time, id seriously consider selling my Camaro for one. I love that car. They need to hurry up b4 other companys make something similar...o wait, too late...dodge made the razor concept. (dont know if that is going to be made tho)
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From: Albany, NY
Originally posted by WannaBeZ28
The four cyl only deal is another sign of the times. People have bad perception of an engine with more than four cylinders. A v6 immediately becomes a gas guzzler. I had one person ask me if my 2.9V6 in my ranger guzzles gas. When asked why he said "Well, its a v6, anything with more than four cylinders gets bad milage"
They don't understand that a turbo charged 3.8L will make more than a 1.6L turbo charged engine, just like they would N/A.
This is why we are seeing new Lancer EVO's with 250+ HP out of 2L. These engines are being tuned higher and higher from the factory to satisfy the current demand for high output four piston engines.
The four cyl only deal is another sign of the times. People have bad perception of an engine with more than four cylinders. A v6 immediately becomes a gas guzzler. I had one person ask me if my 2.9V6 in my ranger guzzles gas. When asked why he said "Well, its a v6, anything with more than four cylinders gets bad milage"
They don't understand that a turbo charged 3.8L will make more than a 1.6L turbo charged engine, just like they would N/A.
This is why we are seeing new Lancer EVO's with 250+ HP out of 2L. These engines are being tuned higher and higher from the factory to satisfy the current demand for high output four piston engines.
too much boost isn't good for enine reliability, also the WRX STI gets worse gas milage than a V8 car.gas milage is at the bottom of this article
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...5-08-sti_x.htm
USAtoday - "Rated 18 mpg in town, 22 on the highway, using premium fuel only. "
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From: Southern California (SoCal)
Here are some pics of the Vauxall Lightning concept @ http://www.cardesignnews.com/news/20...all-lightning/
If lutz want to turn the Solstice into the equivalent of what a Mustang was almost 40 years ago then he going to have to make the Solstice a 4 seater coupe priced around $18,000 because a 2-seat convertible has a very limited niche market. Even the next-gen Miata is going to be more expensive and larger in size to appeal to a more affluent customer.
If lutz want to turn the Solstice into the equivalent of what a Mustang was almost 40 years ago then he going to have to make the Solstice a 4 seater coupe priced around $18,000 because a 2-seat convertible has a very limited niche market. Even the next-gen Miata is going to be more expensive and larger in size to appeal to a more affluent customer.
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From: Albany, NY
Originally posted by gtjeff
Make no mistake about it- GM's spaceframe can easily accomodate a v8-look at all the v8 fiero swaps.
Make no mistake about it- GM's spaceframe can easily accomodate a v8-look at all the v8 fiero swaps.
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Pewee Valley, KY
While I do agree that the room a v8 takes isn't much more than a DOHC I4, or a 90* v6. I would like to point out that this car isn't using the Fiero/Saturn spaceframe. This is a new frame all together. I believe the name being tossed around is "tubular". Also the engine is up-front with a T56 for at least right now so count on the transmission far out weighing the engine. Also wouldn't using a large transmission like the T56 mean the tranny would basically have to sit in the engine compartment for any kind of balance. Also this car should be very low slung. Perhaps GM should look at how the tranny is mounted within the 350Z to get a good weight balance.
