2009 Solstice &
Solstice GXP

For Release: June 9, 2008

2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE & SOLSTICE GXP

New for 2009

Model Lineup

 

Engines

Transmissions

 

2.4L Ecotec VVT I-4

2.0L Ecotec DI Turbo VVT I-4

5-speed man.

5-speed auto.

Solstice (roadster & coupe)

s

-

s

o

Solstice GXP (roadster & coupe)

-

s

s

o


Key  

Standard

s

Optional

o

Not Available

–

SLEEK COUPE JOINS THE SOLSTICE LINEUP FOR 2009

Already the best-selling roadster in the United States, the Pontiac Solstice lineup expands in 2009 with a new, sleek coupe model. The Solstice coupe is equipped with a removable roof that enables an open-air driving experience yet offers a greater range of all-season driving opportunities.

“The new Solstice 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,” said Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC.

Like the original roadster, the new coupe is available in base and GXP models – the latter powered by a 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec engine with direct injection technology. It is the foundation of a crisp, track-validated driving experience and surprising efficiency – the 260-horsepower (194 kW) Solstice GXP is rated at 28 mpg in highway driving.

Content changes for all ’09 models are few, but bring popular performance and safety features to all models as standard equipment. They include:

Additionally, the exterior color palette is revised. A new hue is used for Deep (blue) and later in the model year, a new color – Merlot Jewel – will be offered.

Bluetooth capability is integrated with Solstice’s standard OnStar system for 2009. This wireless technology enables hands-free phone calls, for safer, more convenient connections.

Solstice coupe details

The Solstice coupe features a fixed roof aft of the B-pillars, complete with side windows and a rear liftglass that opens to provide access to the cargo compartment. The roofline slopes rearward in a classic fastback, including stylized “rails” that run from the front of the roof to the rear, culminating with a stylish and functional ducktail-style rear spoiler.

The removable roof panel over the passenger compartment can be removed by one person and the roof has a “carved out” inner contour that greatly enhances headroom, for a maximum of 37.4 inches (950 mm). A home storage case for the roof panel is offered through GM Accessories.

Despite its dramatic new look, engineers made only minor changes to create the new coupe. The rear fenders and rear fascia of the coupe are the same as the roadster; and new taillight assemblies flow more smoothly into the tapered roofline. The coupe’s roof 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 removable roof section includes a lightweight sheet molding compound cover affixed to a rigid magnesium frame to further minimize weight.

Much of the coupe’s interior remains the same as that of the roadster. 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 roadster’s folding-top mechanism allowed for a flat rear cargo floor and several storage compartments. The cargo area’s covered bins provide secure storage for smaller items. Cargo tie-downs incorporated on the floor.

Solstice features

The Solstice lineup delivers a fun, well-appointed driving experience. Standard equipment for the base model and GXP includes two-way power driver seat height adjuster; racing-inspired sport bucket seats with convenient seat cushion and seatback storage; leather-wrapped manual shift knob, a premium acoustic headliner; rear window defogger; rake-adjustable steering wheel; and dual-stage frontal air bags.

When it comes to information and entertainment features, the Solstice lineup comes through with a host of popular and advanced technologies, including AM/FM and CD stereo with six speakers; an enhanced sound system with an MP3-compatible stereo and an iPod jack; XM Satellite Radio; OnStar; and GM’s driver information center, which offers important information such as current fuel economy, fuel range, oil life and warning indicators.

Several packages are available that allow customers to tailor their Solstice to their driving needs:

OnStar details

The peace of mind and convenience of OnStar is now standard on all Solstice models. OnStar’s digital equipment includes enhanced hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, a fully integrated GPS navigation system, is a popular available feature that allows customers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to the vehicle through their OnStar system.

OnStar also includes OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics and the Advanced Crash Response System, making crash data available to the participating 911 centers to help dispatch the appropriate live-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes quicker.

New for 2009, Bluetooth capability is integrated with the OnStar system. It allows personal cell phone connectivity to the vehicle audio system.

Chassis and suspension

Solstice and Solstice GXP feature rear-wheel drive, four-wheel independent SLA suspensions and 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Technologies such the standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system help the driver maintain control during sudden maneuvers or in low-traction conditions by using a comprehensive series of sensors to measure acceleration, deceleration, steering angle and yaw rate. The system automatically controls the vehicle to help maintain the driver’s intended path when a measurable deviation from the intended course is detected.

Solstice uses independent short/long arm-type suspensions at the front and rear to give it a responsive, road-gripping feel. Other driver-focused features include:

All Solstice models employ a four-wheel disc brake arrangement with ventilated front rotors that provide confident braking capability. Four-wheel ABS (with dynamic rear proportioning), along with StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and all-speed traction control are standard on all models.

Powertrains

The Solstice GXP’s Ecotec 2.0-liter turbo engine produces 260 horsepower (194 kW) at 5,300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (351 Nm) from 2,500 to 5,250 rpm, and is one of GM’s first direct injection offerings in North America. Gasoline direct injection technology helps the engine produce more power without sacrificing fuel economy.

The base Solstice is powered by a 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine producing 173 hp (129 kW) and 167 lb.-ft. (226 Nm) or torque. Both Ecotec engines share a number of characteristics including:

Solstice models equipped with the five-speed manual transmission have a torque beam to reduce noise, vibration and harshness by isolating noise associated with abrupt torque transfer away from the passenger compartment.

# # #

Contact:
Jim Hopson
Pontiac Communications
Phone: 313-667-4124
E-mail: jim.hopson@gm.com

Anne Santori
Product Development Communications
Phone: 586-575-8943
E-mail: anne.santori@gm.com

Antonio Sanchez Jimenez
Gerente de Relaciones Públicas y Comunicación
General Motors de Mexico
Office: 011-5255-5901-3042
E-mail: angelantonio.sanchezjimenez@gm.com

SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models:

Pontiac Solstice roadster and coupe, Solstice GXP roadster and coupe

Body style / driveline:

2-passenger, 2-door roadster ; 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 roadster: Mazda MX-5 Miata, Honda S2000, Toyota MR2 Spyder
base coupe: Mazda MX-5 Miata retractable hardtop
GXP roadster: BMW Z4, Nissan 350Z, Porsche Boxster, Audi TT
GXP coupe: 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 @ 5300*

Recommended fuel:

premium recommended but not required

premium recommended but not required

Max engine speed (fuel cut-off):

7000 rpm

6350 rpm

Emissions controls:

close-coupled catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 24x 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 / 27 (automatic)
19 / 28 (manual)

Transmission

Type:

5-spd man (MA5)

5L40 5-spd auto

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 mm stabilizer bar
GXP: independent short/long arm, with hollow 25.4 x 3 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

 

Solstice

Solstice GXP

Type:

four-wheel disc; ABS with dynamic rear proportioning

four-wheel disc; ABS with dynamic rear proportioning

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

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: 10.9 x 0.5 / 277 x 13, solid

front: 243 / 1570
rear: 189 / 1221

 Wheels/Tires

 

Solstice

Solstice GXP

Wheel size and type:

std: 18-inch x 8-inch five-spoke painted alloy
opt: 18-inch x 8-inch five-spoke chromed aluminum and polished aluminum alloy

18-inch x 8-inch five-spoke polished aluminum alloy or chromed aluminum

Tires:

P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RSA 96V all-season

P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS2 96W high-performance

Dimensions
Exterior

 

Roadster

Coupe

Wheelbase (in / mm):

95.1 / 2415

95.1 / 2415

Overall length (in / mm):

157.2 / 3992

157.2 / 3992

Overall width (in / mm):

71.3 / 1810

71.3 / 1810

Overall height (in / mm):

50.1 / 1273

50.9 / 1292

Track (in / mm):

front: 60.7 / 1543

rear: 61.4 / 1560

front: 60.7 / 1543

rear: 61.4 / 1560

Curb weight, base (lb / kg):

base: 2908 / 1319
GXP: 2996 / 1359

base: 2930 / 1329 (est.)
GXP: 3018 / 1369 (est.)

Weight distribution (front / rear):

approx. 50 /50

approx. 50/50

Interior (roadster & coupe)

Seating capacity:

2

Headroom (in / mm):

38.5 / 978

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):

roadster : 54 / 1529
coupe: 50.8 / 1438

Passenger Volume (cu ft / L)

roadster: 50 / 1416
coupe: 48.5 / 1373

Cargo volume (cu ft / L):

roadster: 5.4 / 153 (top up); 2.1 / 60 (top down)
coupe: 5.6 / 159 (includes storage beneath load floor)

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
base with automatic: 8.7 / 8.2
GXP with manual: 9.5 / 9.0
GXP with automatic: 9.3 / 8.8

*SAE certified.

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

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