New Autoweek (p.4) suggests Pontiac is preparing an Opel-based roadster with 2.2L supercharged inline-4.

Maybe the roadster wars will heat up, since the Miata is a class down, and the Lotus Elise is not real car for import.

Thoughts?

 

At this point it can be nothing be wild speculation. Since the Solstice is not real yet we don't even know what market it is after. If it happens is may be nothing more than a Pontiac of the resent era.. all cladding and scoops (maybe not literally) and no overall performance balance.

 

Yes, of course, just trying to stimulate some new conversation here...

but the pictures look much more Z4 than GrandAm, and it is using the platform already inhabited by the Opel Sppedster, so it is not wild speculation, just likely to see if GM believes there is a domestic market, and has overcome the Fiero disaster (although the last Fiero's were damn good cars).

Cladding? I thought Poncho's were over that...I hope so. I always thought the last TransAms were godawfulugly.

 

I've been considering the S for a while now but I'd be interested to see if there is a production announcement at the NAIAS next January. It's tuff for me cause the side and rear of the solstice are much nicer than the S in my opinion. The front is really a toss up with a little advantage to the S. The S positive points for me are handling,chassis stiffness and interior design. None of which i think pontiac will beat. I love the digital dash and the feel of the steering wheel too. But the Solstice has a more muscular look with those big meaty wheels.

 

http://speed.supercars.net/cBoard?viewThre...=1595&tID=31621

 

Just a thought and correct me if this evaluation is in error, but the solstice is 240 _with_ FI. That means that you can still spend the 6g's to put FI on the s2000 and have one mod a solstice obviously won't have. In this sense, I think I'd much much rather go for a 240 Naturally Aspirated (and therefore FI upgradeable) engine then a 240 FI engine.

 

Fagettabout it! No Pontiac for me, even though it's make in England.

 

What's interesting is that the Autoweek article mention that although the Solstice still hasn't received the official green light the pictures look pretty damn close to a production ready car. The other interesting fact is that the outgoing Lotus Esprite was suppose to the be replaced in NA with the Elise. However, my understanding is that Lotus isn't currently in the financial position to certify the car for NA.

Now the original Opel Speester was essentially an Elise with GM sheetmetal (or fiberglass). I'm assuming that the GM replacement, of their own design, will still follow the original Elise design rules: MAKE IT LIGHT AS HELL AND HANDLE LIKE NO OTHER.

Now I've driven the Elise (my buddy has an imported and converted one, with a 230HP Spoon ITR engine) and the thing is a blast on the track and a nail biter in traffic. So my assumption is that GM improved the drivability of the new chassis and as such added a few pounds. That being said it should still check in well south of the 2800lbs our S2000 weighs. When I say well south I mean 800-1000lbs.

So if the solstice comes to market at 2000lbs with a 240 supercharged HP engine it will smoke the S hands down. However if it gets any heavier than that, like the show car, who knows.

Can they match the handling of the S? Can they match the build quality of the S? Can they do it under 30K (which is their goal) and still have a streetable rocket?

It's all speculation.

I for one am excited for what Lutz is doing in this department.

J

 

Personally, I think it looks too agressive. A little much for my liking...the subtle curves and angles in the S2000 is all I need. Plus, I agree with the fact that this car is FI @ 240/bhp. I think that if you wanted a good looking car for the bang and the buck, your money would be better spent going with the S2000 to mod it how you will. To me, this is just a "perma-stock" car that a majority (95%+) will leave completely stock...and they're happy with that. I don't see this as been an enthusiast car, so I don't think we should fear this as stealing any of our thunder.


~ Ryan

 

Not to worry GM will completely muck up the Opel/Lotus chassis by decontenting the car for cost savings and use Cavalier/Sunfire parts instead making a mess of the whole thing! Think Miata with Saturn motor and GM will want 30 thousand for that ! I DO NOT THINK SO!!