2006 Pontiac Solstice Test Drive
QUICK SPECS:
- PRICE AS TESTED: $27,340
- ENGINE: 2.4L Ecotec
- HORSEPOWER: 177 hp @ 6,600 rpm / 166 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm
- DRIVETRAIN: Rear-wheel drive, Aisin five-speed close-ratio manual
- WEIGHT: 2,680 lbs.
- FUEL ECONOMY: 20/28 mpg
By: Dave Chess
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL - RIS - Sliding down into the cockpit of the 2006 Pontiac Solstice took a little extra time. First of all I’m six-feet tall and weigh a little north of 240 pounds. Second, I’m over 50 and for those of you over 50, you’ll know what I mean.
Finally, I came to rest on the supple leather seats and let my eyes feast on the instrumentation and light tan interior of this truly impressive two-seat rear-wheel drive sports car.
What great curves this car has. From front to rear this is a sexy two-seater. Pontiac calls its first production two-seat roadster, “seductive.” Not surprising that the only way you can buy one off a dealer’s lot is if a wait-listed buyer reneges on their sales contract.
These cars are so popular that several months ago Pontiac announced they sold out the entire production for the 2006 model year and there is a wait-list for next year.
But it’ll be worth the wait. Especially for the 2007 GXP model that will bring a 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine for a base price of $25,995.
“The passion customers have for the Solstice continues to amaze us and we have been sold out of the 2006 models for the past couple of months,” said Mark-Hans Richer, Pontiac marketing director. “There’s already a waiting list for the 2007 models, so we believe the GXP willonly extend the Solstice’s position as the top-selling roadster in the U.S., proving a domestic car can retake a segment previously dominated by imports.”
I didn’t have long to test this beauty before a heavy rainstorm swept through the area but I came away impressed with not only the gorgeous shape of the car, but also with how well it handled and accelerated.
Winding out the car on the street from traffic light to traffic light, Solstice’s 177 horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec engine pulled strongly from the line and its short-throw, close-ratio 5-speed was quick and smooth. A five speed automatic transmission is also now available.
The Solstice felt smooth bouncing across railroad tracks, yet flattened out while driving into a turn. Its four-wheel independent SLA suspension meets the road with eighteen-inch five spoke aluminum alloy wheels, P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RSA tires and four-wheel disc brakes (11.7 inch front - 10.7 inch rear). Weight is distributed evenly front to rear.
By the way, during the driving rainstorm, not a drop of water leaked into the convertible. The windows were tight against the lip of the convertible top with a perfect seal.
Not only is a Pontiac Solstice fun to drive on city streets, it is approved to race in the national Showroom Stock B (SSB) category of the Sports Car Club of America. So far two Solstices’s equipped with the Z0K Club Sport regular production order option package are competing. The Sport package is designed for weekend warriors and is available only through Pontiac dealers.
Club sport equipped Solstices feature the standard five-speed manual transmission with antilock brakes, a limited slip differential, and improved power steering cooler and FE3 suspension, which will be the standard suspension on the 2007 Solstice GXP. A hard top, roll-cage and some other safety equipment is required by SCCA for competition.
First victory for a Solstice came June 10, 2006 at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut. Driven by 18-year old Andrew Aquilante, who narrowly missed the pole position during qualifying, the car was race-prepared by Phoenix Performance.
Competition in SCCA Showroom Stock B includes mass-produced, street cars like BMW Z-3 and Z-4, Mazda Miata, and Acura RSX-S.
A Red Bull sponsored Pontiac Solstice also competes in Drift competition.
Overall Pontiac’s 2006 Solstice is a beautiful, fast, fun-to-drive sports car that is just beginning to enter the ranks of motorsports competition.