31.03.2008
2009 Pontiac Solstice CoupeCar News /
Hardtop Extends Appeal of Classic Design
Drawing inspiration from classic sports cars, the 2009 Pontiac
Solstice coupe was created for drivers who appreciate both dramatic
styling and balanced performance. Unveiled at the New York Auto Show as
a GXP model, the Solstice coupe builds on the success of the
convertible model while offering a greater range of all-season driving
opportunities.
For drivers still wanting an open-air
experience, the coupe also features a removable roof panel, fully
opening the cockpit to all of the sensations of the road.
“Today’s
Solstice is the top-selling roadster in the U.S., and we believe this
new model has even broader appeal,” said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC
general manager. “The coupe has all the design cues and pleasing
performance of the original roadster, and is an all-season alternative
for people who enjoy open-air driving.”
The coupe is expected to arrive in Pontiac dealerships in early 2009.
The making of a coupe
The
new coupe was inspired by the Solstice coupe concept shown at the North
American International Auto Show in 2002. True to the concept, it is a
modern sports automobile with classic lines. The roofline has a “fastback”
shape with stylized “rails” that run from the front of the roof to the
rear, culminating in a stylish and functional ducktail-style rear
spoiler.
The coupe’s roof is fixed aft of the B-pillars,
with side windows and a rear liftglass for access to the cargo area.
The roof panel is easily removed from the passenger compartment, and an
optional soft roof cover stores in the cargo area. A home storage case
for the roof panel will be offered through GM Accessories.
Engineering the design
Despite
its dramatic new look, engineers made only minor structural changes to
create the Solstice coupe. The rear fenders and rear fascia are the
same as those on the convertible. New taillight assemblies flow more
smoothly into the tapered roofline.
“The Solstice coupe
represents a major collaboration of design and engineering,” said Bruce
Kosbab, chief engineer. “The sleek lines of the new roof give the automobile a
fresh appearance, yet only minimal changes were made to the body
structure – it’s a great example of building on an already solid
foundation.”
Lightweight structure
The
roof’s structure was strengthened with additional support elements,
including an aluminum roof bow attached with aluminum brackets. The bow
and brackets are stiff, yet low in mass, a design feature that pervades
the coupe’s overall construction. The roof includes a lightweight sheet
molding compound cover affixed to a rigid aluminum frame for additional
lightweight support. A lightweight magnesium roof panel frame weighs
just 31 pounds (14.2 kg) and can be removed by one person. The cover is
also made of sheet molding compound.
Powertrain and suspension
Because
the change to a coupe body style resulted in only a slight increase in
curb weight, no drivetrain or suspension changes were necessary to
shift from the convertible body structure. Initial tests have shown
that the Solstice coupe will deliver ride and handling, acceleration,
braking and fuel economy comparable to the convertible model.
The
coupe is powered by a standard 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine that
generates 173 horsepower (129 kW), while the GXP version is equipped
with a 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec engine with 260 horsepower (194 kW).
Interior additions
Much
of the coupe’s interior remains the same as that of the convertible.
However, the area behind the seats was redesigned for easy access to
the cargo area, and a storage tray was mounted directly behind the
headrests.
Removing the folding-top mechanism made way for a
new, flat cargo floor and several storage compartments. The cargo
area’s covered bins provide secure storage for smaller items. Cargo
tie-down hooks help secure irregularly shaped items.
PONTIAC SOLSTICE COUPE PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
Models:
Pontiac Solstice Coupe, Solstice GXP Coupe
Body style / driveline:
2-passenger, 2-door coupe; front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Construction:
welded galvanized steel enclosed central tunnel and hydroformed tube
EPA vehicle class:
two-seater
Manufacturing location:
Wilmington, Del.
Key competitors:
base: Mazda MX-5 Miata retractable hardtop
GXP: Nissan 350Z Coupe
Engines
Ecotec 2.4L VVT
Ecotec 2.0L DI Turbo VVT
Type:
2.4L DOHC I-4
2.0L DOHC I-4
Displacement (cu in / cc):
145 / 2384
122 / 1998
Bore & stroke (in / mm):
3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98
3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86
Block material:
cast aluminum
cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:
cast aluminum
cast aluminum
Valvetrain:
DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder; variable valve timing
DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder; dual continuous variable valve timing
Ignition system:
electronic direct
individual coil-on-plug
Fuel delivery:
sequential multi-port fuel injection with high-pressure injectors and electronic throttle control
spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) with variable high-pressure rail and electronic throttle control
Compression ratio:
10.4:1
9.2:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):
173 / 129 @ 5800*
260 / 194 @ 5300*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):
167 / 226 @ 4500
260 / 353 @ 2500-5250*
Recommended fuel:
premium recommended but not required
premium recommended but not required
Max engine speed (fuel cut-off):
7000 rpm
6350 rpm (fuel shut off)
Emissions controls:
close-coupled catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; fast-response O2 sensor
close-coupled catalytic converters, Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; wide-range O2 sensor
EPA estimated fuel economy (city / hwy):
19 / 24 (automatic)
19 / 25 (manual)
19 / 26 (automatic)
19 / 28 (manual)
Transmission
Type:
5-spd manual (MA5)
5L40 5-spd automatic
Gear ratios: (:1):
First:
3.75
3.42
Second:
2.26
2.21
Third:
1.51
1.60
Fourth:
1.00
1.00
Fifth:
0.73
0.75
Reverse:
3.67
3.02
Final drive ratio:
base: 3.91:1
GXP: 3.73:1
base: 3.91:1
GXP: 3.73:1
Chassis/Suspension
Front:
base: independent short/long arm, with hollow 27.2 x 4.5 mm stabilizer bar
GXP: independent short/long arm, with hollow 33.3 x 4.5 mm stabilizer bar
Rear:
base: independent short/long arm, with hollow 24.2 x 3.0 mm stabilizer bar
GXP: independent short/long arm, with hollow 25.4x3.0 mm stabilizer bar
Steering type:
hydraulic power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio:
16.4:1
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:
2.7
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):
34.8 / 10.6
Brakes
Type:
four-wheel disc, with ABS and electronic stability control (StabiliTrak)
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):
front: 11.7 x 1 / 297 x 25, vented
rear: 10.9 x 0.5 / 277 x 13, solid
Swept area (sq in / cc)
front: 243 / 1570
rear: 189 / 1221
Wheels/Tires
Wheel size and type:
base
std: 18-inch x 8-inch five-spoke painted alloy; base opt: 18-inch x
8-inch five-spoke chromed aluminum and polished aluminum alloy
GXP std: 18-inch x 8-inch five-spoke polished aluminum alloy or chromed aluminum
Tires:
base: P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RSA 96V all-season
GXP: P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS2 96W high-performance
Dimensions
Exterior
Wheelbase (in / mm):
95.1 / 2415
Overall length (in / mm):
157.2 / 3992
Overall width (in / mm):
71.3 / 1810
Overall height (in / mm):
50.9 / 1292
Track (in / mm):
front: 60.7 / 1543
rear: 61.4 / 1560
Curb weight, base (lb / kg):
base: 2930 / 1329 (est.)
GXP: 3018 / 1369 (est.)
Weight distribution (front / rear),
approx.:
50 / 50
Interior
Seating capacity:
2
Headroom (in / mm):
37.4 / 950
Legroom (in / mm):
42.8 / 1086
Shoulder room (in / mm):
52.4 / 1332
Hip room (in / mm):
50.6 / 1284
Capacities
EPA interior volume (cu ft / L):
50.8 / 1438
Passenger Volume (cu ft / L)
48.5 / 1373
Cargo volume (cu ft / L), includes storage beneath load floor:
5.6 / 159
Fuel tank (gal / L):
13.6 / 51.5
Engine oil (qt / L):
5 / 4.7
Cooling system (qt / L):
Base with:
manual: 8.9 / 8.4
automatic: 8.7 / 8.2
GXP with:
manual: 9.5 / 9.0
automatic: 9.3 / 8.8
*SAE certified.
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