Posted: Sunday, February 19, 2006. (10:40 PM HST)

2006 Pontiac Solstice: Excitement Returns

By Ed Kemper
Honolulu, Hawaii
Courtesy of Jackson Auto

Not many years ago, Pontiac billed itself as the excitement division of General Motors. Over the years, the luster of description has worn thin.

But, as the saying goes, Pontiac is back. Even though the TransAm was retired a couple of years ago, the GTO with a 400 hp powerplant is now in the Pontiac showroom.

But the real stir has come from the latest 2-seat sports car from Pontiac—the Solstice. Based upon a show car with very enticing lines, this new edition has already been welcomed as a true contender in the inexpensive sports car market.

Some, of course, remember the earlier attempt by Pontiac at sports car fame with the semi-ill fated Fiero back in the 1980s, which borrowed heavily from GM parts bins.

On this go around, borrowing also occurred but on both an American and international front. Further, the goal was set—near 50/50 front to back weight distribution and true sports car handling, and the parts were sought to fill that bill.

The only powerplant, a 2.4-liter 4 cylinder, is a hopped up version of a GM engine used in various models and produces 177 hp at 6200 rpm. In transmission land, there is but one choice—a 5 speed from the Chevy and GMC small pickup. Other parts come from GM affiliates from Brazil to Italy. This shopping trip permitted the engineers to meet the goal without making the car go over the $20,000 range and yet create both an attractive, true sports car. This time, score one for the General.

Certainly selecting some options and packages can push the MSRP up, but it still stay pretty much in the $20,000 to $30,000 dollar range.

Most would put this new Pontiac up against the newly redone Mazda Miata MX-5, and that is a good comparative choice. Price and performance is very close, but the major difference is obviously looks and some utility functions.

Sporting Around
The Wheels tester was essentially a base model with a very limited number of options, including leather seats but not including air conditioning. The price—$21,150.

Some brand new cars are essentially invisible because of a generic design. Not the case with this Pontiac since the styling is not good looking, but strikingly different. The acclaim by Honolulu citizens was almost universal in lauding the looks.

But beauty only buys you so much in sports car land—the owners are drivers, and they want handling, more than modest performance, and some top down action.

Not to worry, the Solstice delivers on all fronts. The engine is a typical 4-cylinder with a vibration free idle but a little noise and tremor up the tach. Performance is not a knockout, but the motor just keeps going way up the rpm scale providing the needed thrust and some low-end torque. Expect a Miata like 7 second 0-60 time. Gas mileage varied from a heavy traffic short hop of 19.5 mpg to 24.5 from Waipahu to town and a stellar 31.2 from Kailua to Waipahu on the freeways.

Clutch action is light with good take up, and gears are found with no trouble. Gear changes are easy and accurate, but not as precise as some more expensive sports cars.

Handling is excellent with an amazingly serene ride on top of first rate cornering. Body shake is nonexistent no matter how rough the road.

Form fitting describes the comfortable seats with a nice grade of leather to add to the equation. Even your tall tester found plenty of room in the cockpit.

But everything is not all hearts and flowers. With the top up, there is a hunkered down feeling because of the narrow windows. Putting the top up or down is not as easy as some (but no where near the tinker toy design of the old English sports cars). For the lowering operation, a button on the remote or in the glove compartment pops the wings on the back of the top up and the rear hatch is lifted up. Next, the handle inside is cranked and the top is pushed back and the hatch closed.

But with the top down, the car is even better looking and the sweet exhaust note is more easily detected. Top up is like riding in a coupe—quiet, air and watertight.

Change of Season
Inside, Pontiac has presented an attractive not too overdone look. Some chrome is scattered about here and there along with the seemingly mandatory faux metal/plastic. In the case of the Solstice, a large different colored swath goes from the center console up and across the dash and in front of the driver. Dials for the climate system are big and clearly marked. The tilt steering wheel has buttons to control climate, stereo, and computer info.

Yes, there is a trunk but with the top down it’s nearly fully occupied. What space is left is limited to some gym bags. Obviously, with the top up much more room is available, but all that means is more gym bags or soft cases because of the oddly shaped trunk interior.

Excitement Plus
Forget the Fiero of old. This new Pontiac does pack some excitement. Styling is unique, modern, distinctive, and smart, and you can expect some stares when driving the Solstice. Handling and power are with the competition. True, utility may not be the highest, but the fun of driving more than outweighs that need by any measure.

High Beams
• A true styling statement.
• Great ride but maintains all the sports car handling goodness.
• Roomy interior.

Low Beams
• Low on some of the utility functions.

Q&A
Q: Pontiac has already made another announcement about the Solstice that is causing more excitement. What is it?

A: Shortly a new, peppier Solstice will make its appearance with a 260 hp engine to satisfy the most power hungry among us. The model is called the GXP.

– Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

TOP