Info From GM Engineer Q&A [from International Solstice Meet]

[MomsSol]

Does the spoiler have any function?
A little bit. It reduces aerodynamic lift in the rear by a small amount at very high speeds. It also reduces drag by a small amount which may have a barely detectable effect in mileage.

[MomsSol]

When is the Solstice GXP available? When is the SKY Red Line going to be available? Is one of them first?
I do not know if one or the other is going to be first, but both vehicles are available to order now, and we have announced that they are expected to be arriving in showrooms this fall. I do not have any more info than that.

[MomsSol]

It's sometimes hard to find a new Solstice at MSRP. How is Saturn handling dealers charging above MSRP with their "no-haggle" pricing?
Retailers are free to set their own prices, but our marketing divisions always strongly encourage our retailers not to sell above the MSRP. We feel that the MSRP represents real value in the marketplace. Saturn is confident in the integrity of their retail network, and their respect for the Saturn pricing philosophy.

[MomsSol]

Why is the GXP on display locked up and "no-can-see", and the SKY Red Line open for display?
I drove the SKY Red Line down here to Kansas City from Michigan. It is a Captured Test Fleet car, and was told I was allowed to let people look at the car, crawl around it, and ask questions about it, but I was not allowed to give rides or let anyone drive it. The GXP is a show car, built earlier than this SKY Red Line, and portions under hood are not representative of the latest appearance, so Pontiac decided not to allow display of something that is not representative of how production will look. Doing so may actually create more questions than they answer.


On a related note, the under hood of the SKY Red Line was very close to correct, but I noticed that the engine cover is actually an older one. The actual cover has silver accents on the lettering and the appearance of the material is better.

[MomsSol]

Why does the exhaust have a welded cap in the end of the tube at the rear of the muffler?
I recall that this was the configuration that gave us the best balance of exhaust volume, sound, and manufacturing cost. I will ask if there is more detail.

[MomsSol]

There are two "snorkel-shaped" holes in the understructure of the hood. What are they for?
I do not know, but I will try and see if there is an answer.

[MomsSol]

The MX-5 automatic has a paddle shifter. Is this going to be offered on the Solstice automatic?
I do not know. I will forward this question and see if there is an answer.

[MomsSol]

My car has a squeak/leak/wind-noise/wet carpet when it rains/other defect.
Issues like this must be fixed at your dealer and should be covered under warranty.

[MomsSol]

Many of the magazines are saying the Saturn SKY has a suspension with longer travel and is softer, and that it rides better. Is this true? What is the difference between the Solstice and SKY suspensions? Will the Solstice get this change?
All production versions of the Solstice, SKY, and Opel GT have the same suspension travel. We changed the jounce bumper on the SKY by shortening it, which reduces contact with the jounce bumper on slightly larger bumps than the suspension on the Solstice. The total suspension travel remains identical.

Then, we retuned the shocks to take advantage of this shorter jounce bumper, to try and refine the ride and reduce the impact to handling and steering. The suspension on the SKY is not softer or harder than the Solstice. The overall ride differences are noticeable, and unexpectedly, there is little to no change to the handling. This change was introduced exclusively to the SKY during the introduction of the car, as there was an emphasis to get some more refinement on the SKY, and allow some field exposure to see how the market would react. Early on, we had comments that the Solstice might be "too soft", and a change that improves ride can sometimes be misinterpreted as "too soft" if taken out of context.

We are always looking at ways to accomplish continuous improvement, so obviously this is a potential candidate to roll into the SKY's sibling car, the Solstice, at some point in the future.

[MomsSol]

Can you tell us the difference between the FE2 suspension and the FE3 suspension? Can you tell us what is different about the GM Accessories Suspension?
The FE3 suspension, available only on the GXP, Red Line, and Z0K, has stiffer springs (20% higher ride rates), retuned shocks, larger anti-roll bars, and stiffer lower control arm bushings vs. the FE2 suspension. The FE3 shocks were final-tuned by driving the car at Nurburgring in Germany, and balancing that performance on the road in Germany and back here in the States. The GM Performance Suspension package consists of stiffer springs than the FE3 for about 18% stiffer ride rate than FE3 or 38% stiffer ride rates than FE2, higher damping shocks that were set more to accommodate auto-crossing with heavy rebound damping, and also features the larger anti-roll bars identical to the FE3 suspension package. The performance suspension creates a harder ride, and while it definitely is stiffer for auto-cross type handling, may be uncomfortable for some drivers/passengers for long distance or highway driving.

[MomsSol]

What kind of performance can those of us waiting for the GXP expect? Is there a difference between the automatic and manual transmission GXP?
Our official information shows 5.5 seconds 0-60. Quarter mile times are just under 14 seconds and around 99 or 100 miles per hour.

I have seen runs made by our drive quality engineer lower than this, as low as 5.3 or 5.25 seconds in a manual. This can be dependent on road conditions, the driver's skill level, and we feel that 5.5 seconds should be achievable by most publications when they test the car. The automatic transmission version can consistently do 5.5 or 5.4 seconds 0-60, a bit slower than a well-driven manual.

Incidentally, I have been trying to spread the word that most, but not all, organizations subtract the rollout time from the raw number. For consistency, we do too. Automobile Magazine, for example, does not subtract rollout, which is usually 0.3 seconds. I have passed this information on many people through e-mail and private message systems at many forums, including Solsticeforum, but it bears repeating.


Explanation from Automobile Magazine on rollout

[MomsSol]

What can you tell us about the performance and turbo lag of the GXP and the Turbo engine? What kind of fuel economy can we expect?
The turbo lag is minimal to mostly not detectable. The boost builds very quickly, and is one of the best turbo engines I have ever personally driven. The torque comes up to peak quickly and pulls very consistently to about 5300 or 5500 rpm and then drops off. If you are running above 2200 rpm and push the pedal, the response is nearly immediate and max boost is reached in about a half second or so. I find it very fun and very impressive, and I think those of you ordering the GXP are in for a wonderful surprise.

On the way here to Kansas City, I averaged about 28 miles per gallon, and the Driver Information Center showed peaks of 32 MPG. I was getting about 350 miles per tank on the way here, filling with about 12.5 gallons.

[MomsSol]

Is there a boost gage on the GXP (and Red Line)?
Yes, if you page through the menu on the Driver Information Center [DIC], it is available as a boost reading number in PSI (or metric if you switch units) and an active histogram. It is in the DIC right after coolant temperature.

[MomsSol]

When is the seat height adjuster going to be available? Can I retrofit my car with the seat height adjuster?
I do not have an answer for either, but I will forward on to see if I can get an answer for you.

[MomsSol]

What is the boost pressure setting for the turbo? How easy will it be to alter it?
The boost pressure varies according to conditions, from 14 psi on cold days to as high as 18-20 psi on warmer days. The engine control software is very well integrated, very complicated, and it will be difficult to alter the tuning.