2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe - First Drive

The Pontiac Solstice wowed 'em at the 2002 Detroit auto show. Of course, a sexy set of twins will do that. As you may recall, the Solstice was shown as both a coupe and a convertible. But while the roadster was fast-tracked for production, its hardtop sibling was left behind.

"We were all about the roadster, then all the things that came after," says chief engineer Bruce Kosbab, who heads development of GM's small, rear-wheel-drive Kappa platform. He claims that when the Solstice was being engineered, no thought was given to eventually adding a hardtop variant. But about a year and a half ago that changed, and work began on the car you see here, the Pontiac Solstice targa, which should reach dealers next spring.
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HSCenterconsole - 2/11/2009 11:40:45 AM

+5 Boost

Looks really good.

mini22 - 2/11/2009 12:48:51 PM

-4 Boost

Looks good but they should have just made it a hard top without any removable top in the first place.It's an option that is both clumsy and did not need to be made in the 1st place.I could see the point if there was no convertable offered.

mini22 - 2/11/2009 2:54:15 PM

+1 Boost

GM is not doing it with Saturn. Considering that Saturn may not be here in a couple of months I'd say that makes perfect sense.

pnsb24a - 2/12/2009 2:41:35 PM

+1 Boost

As usual GM pulls another STUPID. I doubt 1/2 the cars sold will have this option. If you go to the soltice forums you will find the car is typically GM, complete with cooland and oil leaks. This is why I would not buy another GM car ever.

LauderdaleDriver - 2/12/2009 3:47:30 PM

+1 Boost

The reason for a "targa" instead of a fixed coupe roof is engineering. It was much cheaper to do this, as a true coupe would require lots more crash testing.

It will get a few more sales, I'm sure. The Solstice has minimal "incentives," so maybe a few of them are moving in this bad market.