The best and worst aspects of Pontiac's Solstice roadster are that it's a convertible and that it's a convertible (yes, I said this before). With the embargo expiring at 12:01 AM on Wednesday, the first press day of the NY Auto Show, the bloggers with pictures (not us, we would have just posted them when we got them) have revealed to the world the new Solstice Targa. It's a hardtop, it's a convertible, it's a targa. The center roof panel, in either solid material or fabric lifts out for a more convertible-resembling experience. If you think of it as a convertible, it totally sucks. However, if you think of it as a coupe that happens to have a nice large sunroof (a la the Corvette), then it makes a lot more sense. I just hope that the hardtop fits in the trunk and allows space for a packet of gum or other luggage. Somehow I doubt it. Everything else remains unchanged, and we'll have live shots throughout the day.
15 Comments on “Pontiac Reveals Solstice Targa...”
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I like the way it looks in the rear but nowhere else. I dunno, it takes away from the elegance of the profile (it always looked best with the top down anyways).
Any word about a Sky?
I agree the car looked best with the top down. I think the targa looks like a cheap aftermarket top. It does not really improve the car. If you want a convertible roadster it is not a bad looking car. Why wish the car was something else. It isn’t a Vette. It isn’t a Porsche. It is an inexpensive runabout like the Miata. GM seems to think if the car isn’t perfect right out of the box then they have to drastically change it or dump it. Miata’s have been incrementally improved over the years until it has become a very nice car. It is not a car that everyone will like. If you’re a big engine , massive power freak then the car isn’t for you. I think Pontiac should stick with the original concept and improve its deficiencies over time.
This car is meaningless and ultimately is an exercise in finite product philosophy of Bob Lutz. Pluss, it looks like TVR! What is Pontiacs´ intrinsic brand value?
I love it. It looks great, and adds some functionality to an otherwise completely impractical car (have you seen that trunk?!). You now get most of the convertible aspects with the targa, and what looks like a reasonably sized trunk. Perfect, provided it doesn’t cost too much.
How is it possible to build a car with such a fat ass yet virtually no trunk space? Anybody crossing into the US from Mexico in this thing is going to have it pulled apart bolt by bolt.
As an MX-5 owner, I will continue to remain smug.
I like it. That being said, it’s still a Pontiac. It all depends on the price.
I must admit, that’s a hot little number. Now if they’d boost the power on the base four-banger to a more reasonable 200+ hp and the gas mileage wasn’t pathetic for a car that size, we might be in business.
The hardtop won’t even come close to fitting in the trunk. Actually the trunk isn’t much bigger than what is on the convertible which is just incredible.
It’s a good looking car, surprised it weighs a tad more than the convertible though. Here’s hoping it at least costs a grand or two less.
From what I gather, the MX-5 is better than the Solstice in almost every respect. but there’s something about the MX-5 and its Miata ancestors that just say “weinermobile” to me. They’re analogous to putting the collar up on a pink Polo shirt. I wish the Solstice’s content matched its appearance.
I think it’s great looking. I don’t mind that the targa doesn’t store inside. It’s got a soft-top that does. But the lack of storage space is truly bizarre. Looks like there’s a huge amount of available space that they just filled with paneling. And then there’s the performance…
Nice looking car. Good idea. While I like the targa-less wind, it looks even better with the top on.
Keep going Pontiac and I might buy one (on the used market of course).
This is a sharp little car for 225,000 less than a Alfa Romeo 8C.
Looked at the pictures again and that little car is REALLY sweet. Let’s hope the real car is as good looking as the pictures.
I can’t see any reason to bash Pontiac or GM over this car if it is at least durable b/c it is not a badge-engineered version of something all of the other divisions sell (though there might be a Saturn version eventually).
Likely fuel efficient, prob fun to drive, great to look at, etc.
YAY GM!
I’ll see you on the used market maybe…
The problem with the trunk on the drop-top is the huge “hump” in the middle of what would otherwise be a decent-sized trunk. I’m guessing this hump contains the gas tank and the rear diff.
Making a targa out of it doesn’t change that packaging problem, so when you open the hatch on this thing, there’s still no room. Sad, really, but kind of unavoidable it seems.