2009 SOLSTICE COUPE Unveiled! Official Announcement (reveal @ NY Auto Show)

[AZDarkSol]

Originally Posted by brentil Also of note the fuel tank/evap canister actually sits lower in a Coupe, making the "top of the tank" lower than the convertible.

I think that is an illusion. Looks to me that they just filled in the surrounding areas with decking that raised up to the tank. If you look closely in the one shot with the window hatched up..it even appears that there may be a removable deck lids on the sides of the tank for storage. I believe the areas that are now recessed around our tank know may just have storage lids that are in the same plane with the tank top.

Also is the waterfall center between the seats as well as the center storage compartment and cupholders missing in order to acommodate reaching into the back storage area from the cockpit?

[MomsSol]

Originally Posted by AZDarkSol I think that is an illusion. Looks to me that they just filled in the surrounding areas with decking that raised up to the tank. If you look closely in the one shot with the window hatched up..it even appears that there may be a removable deck lids on the sides of the tank for storage. I believe the areas that are now recessed around our tank know may just have storage lids that are in the same plane with the tank top. Also is the waterfall center between the seats as well as the center storage compartment and cupholders missing in order to acommodate reaching into the back storage area from the cockpit?

I posted earlier a statement I had found on Jalopnik:

Removing the folding-top mechanism made way for a new, flat cargo floor and several storage compartments. The cargo area's covered bins provide secure storage for smaller items. Cargo tie-down hooks help secure irregularly shaped items.

[Acadian]

different door windows, no round corner at upper back of window.

looks like an almost complete "bolt-on" targa coupe roof and rear hatch on a convert solstice.

seriously considering that it is possible to retrofit thoses new parts on an older solstice convert. hardest parts would probably be the swap of door windows+adjustment.

the large rear hatch area seems to lay over the convert trunk weatherstrip !!!

[King-Oka]

Love the look, but I agree the single piece top is a mistake. I would rellay like to see them splilt the removeable top into two halves. That way it could be stored in back. I think the cloth option is makeshift. Ya - it fills the hole behind the "temple" and takes little space, but I'd like the security of locking hard tops when parked overnight out of town. My old '78 Vette had t tops and they were great. Same concept applies here and similar storage capabilities. If GM won't do it, I'll bet someone will build an aftermarket kit which will.

I was in GM today, but did not place an order. When do we get to see real world pics? Will one be at the show?

[Morfious]

To me the targa is not the way to go. Make a full coupe, if that's what you want or keep the convertible. The targa seems stuck in the middle doing nothing well. I would love some more room in the back of my vehicle, but the looks of that car do nothing for me. I prefer the appearance of my GXP to the targa. I do like the fact that they are adding to the solstice lineup. I think I will have to see one in person to get a much better idea of how it looks.

[shabby]

You'd figure gm would try to increase the space inside the solstice, but it looks like you'll be loosing some space.

3.2 cu/ft less driver room
1.5 cu/ft less passenger room
1" less headroom

[XplosivePlushToy]

I dont like it. It looks goofy to me. I'll stick with my "difficult" top.

[Fhaeton]

Persoanlly I think it's a great looking car, although I have issues with the Top storage and the soft top looks like it droops in a lot. The rear is nice and the extra space is a good thing but other than that they look identical everywhere else. I personal ordered the Brazen 08 and I still have the comfort of buying a hardtop from Smooth Line for those chilly fall nights that way I get the best of both worlds and will not eliminate the sexy humps on my convertible back.

[Squirrel Boy]

I'll take one to go with my "Soft Top"...*buys another "tent" for new car*

[Triple Blk]

I like it, I'm gonna get one !
but my Dog insist 's that I keep the convertible. I have to do what he asks ! Cause he's my Dog ! {If he finds out I'm on line he's gonna pee on my computer !}

[King-Oka]

Originally Posted by Squirrel Boy I'll take one to go with my "Soft Top"...*buys another ""tent" for new car*

I'm with ya Squirrel. On the other string I said I'd have to get one as my "winter beater"

[Lithium Lotus]

Someone photoshopped a Sky targa, too bad they aren't going to make a Sky coupe.

[Snugglebear]

It's a very nice looking car, and very tempting. Pity about the loss of that critical inch of headroom and the shape of the rear window... brings back some memories of the 80s with all the RX7s, 944s, and 968s running around. I keep getting the feeling that instead of a D-shaped rear window with the gently curved sides and base, they should have made it more angular. But still, it would have been an easier sell with a recessed grill, semi-auto transmission, adjustable pedals, and removal of the side chicklets.

[brentil]

Originally Posted by BlkSoul If you look at the interior shot of the targa there is something mounted above the rear view mirror. What is it?

Originally Posted by AdamVIP Not sure what that is but I know corvettes have that same box in them.

In both cars it's the antenna for OnStar. Because the car no longer has the large trunk lid area to act as an antenna there needs to be a larger internal antenna to get reception. On the Corvette it's because the panels are all fiberglass and can't work as an antenna either.

Originally Posted by rlhammon Do you have confirmation on this? I have contacts @ GM, as well as several of the suppliers who are making the 'coupe' parts and nothing has been indicated that the top of the tank is any lower than in the convertible model. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened.. just means my contacts didn't have information on it. Unfortunately this time around I didn't make contact with those I know who work on design... for the N/A and GXP I was still working in automotive so it wasn't out of the question to see those folks and talk "shop" about the various programs we were working on. Now that I'm not working in automotive, I decided not to compromise those folks or my relationship with them. I'd love to know if there is a difference... might open up some possibilities on the non-coupe versions.

The tank itself is in the same place but the evap canister is no longer on top of the tank which is what created the step in the old tank. This has then lowered the overall height of the temple and compartments were built in the smaller areas around it it appears.

Originally Posted by Acadian different door windows, no round corner at upper back of window. looks like an almost complete "bolt-on" targa coupe roof and rear hatch on a convert solstice. seriously considering that it is possible to retrofit thoses new parts on an older solstice convert. hardest parts would probably be the swap of door windows+adjustment. the large rear hatch area seems to lay over the convert trunk weatherstrip !!!

They're not really bolt-ons. The entire body panels are completely different that touch the roof section, and there is frame structures underneath.

Originally Posted by shabby You'd figure gm would try to increase the space inside the solstice, but it looks like you'll be loosing some space. 3.2 cu/ft less driver room 1.5 cu/ft less passenger room 1" less headroom

I bet it has to do with the loss of the area between and behind the seats to the convertible roof but in the Coupe that area is now no longer considered driver area because it's part of the trunk or something... I'm not exactly sure though.

[RichSol]

Originally Posted by shabby You'd figure gm would try to increase the space inside the solstice, but it looks like you'll be loosing some space. 3.2 cu/ft less driver room 1.5 cu/ft less passenger room 1" less headroom

Well that cinches it for me, even if I wanted one. The convert already touches the top of my head, and I have the seat as low as it will go. I tried pushing it forward and tilting it back, but that was way too uncomfortable.