INTRODUCTION TO THE FAQ
by solsticeman

This thread is an attempt to have a one-stop-shopping place to come and get frequently asked information. Think of this thread as a distilled information spot of knowlege accumulated by members of solsticeforum.com over the last year or so.

Some of the information is based on information given out by GM, some of the information is speculative, but all of it is reasonably good guesses at frequent questions. Hope everyone finds it useful. Sources are identified where possible. Almost none of the information is based on "inside information" or "security leaks" - just good detective work, combined with intuition and collective cooperation of the members of this forum, using information available to anyone in public domain and primarily on the internet.

MESSAGE DIRECTED TO GM: THIS MEANS THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS THREAD IS NOT THE RESULT OF CORPORATE ESPIONAGE OR INFORMATION LEAKS OR INSIDE INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESULT OF THE LARGE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT GM HAS MADE AVAILABLE OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS REGARDING THE SOLSTICE AND THE KAPPA PLATFORM.

Though it looks like I'm the one creating this information, I am merely collecting it in one spot for easy access to new and seasoned members alike. Please do not think that I'm this smart - this thread (which we suspect will be accessed by many who are not solsticeforum members) is the interesting result of a collaborative effort of many, many forum members.

Hope you find the information on the Solstice for which you are looking, and we hope this helps.

The information in here is periodically updated as becomes available. If you see something that might need correction or have an idea of an FAQ to add, you'll find out this thread is closed for discussion to improve information clarity. Feel free to suggest on this thread Technical FAQ - (OPEN DISCUSSION THREAD) or send me a PM.

__________________
2006 VIN #30, first 1000 series, black exterior, sand/steel interior
Index of useful threads: General, Tech

Solstice Media Release with Specifications (Official as of 7/17/05)

"OFFICIAL" Spec sheet added as attachments, courtesy of conejo148. THANKS!


Something like this (FORMAT IS REALLY ROUGH, but I think it captures almost everything): (Conversions: 25.4mm per inch, 2.2 pounds per kilogram)

Base Price: | $19,995 (Per Lutz, includes $575 destination)
Max MSRP: | $25,500 (estimated)

Vehicle Type: | 2 Passenger, 2 Door, Convertible Roadster
Drive Config: | Rear Wheel Drive

Standard Accessories: | CD Player
Optional Accessories: | Power wdo/locks/mirrors, cruise, remote locking, ABS, A/C, rear defrost, AM/FM/CD, XM, Accessory jack radio, Premium sound, leather trim

Sound System: | TBD, but assumed to be Monsoon AM/FM/CD

Engine: | Ecotec 2.4L DOHC I-4 (LE5) [from 04 NAIAS]
Ecotec 2.4L DOHC Information (downloadable PDF)
Type: | Hydraulic Variable Cam Phasing[VVT], 2.4 L inline 4-cylinder, aluminum block and head with balance shafts

BoreXStroke | 88mmX98mm (2.2L=86mm X 94.6mm)
Displacement | 2384cc (2.4 liter)
Compression Ratio | 10.6:1 (Estimated)
Fuel-Delivery System | electronic sequential port injection (inferred from internet info)
Auxiliary Systems | None (Future forced induction TBD)
Valve Gear | Chain driven double overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, Hydraulic roller finger followers,
Power (SAE net) | 170 bhp @ 6400 RPM (04NAIAS Handout)
----------177 bhp @ 6600 RPM (05NAIAS Display)
Torque (SAE net) | 170 ft-lb @ 4400 RPM (04NAIAS Handout)
----------166 ft-lb @ 4800 RPM (05NAIAS Display)
Redline | 6500 (estimated, not documented or announced, pics indicate 7000 redline on gauge, likely inaccurate)
----------Revised to 7000 RPM, based on 05 NAIAS Display info
Fuel | Assumed to be 91 octane recommended

Variable Valve Timing helps deliver 90 percent of the peak torque at as low as 2400 rpm (so in essence 153 ft-lbs at 2400 rpm)

Drivetrain: |
Transmission | MW5 Aisin 5-speed manual (from NAIAS Handout)
Final-Drive Ratio | 3.91:1 (Updated per 3/11/05 dealer info), Limited slip expected optional
Gear [Ratios from Chev Colorado Aisin Trans] | Ratio/Overall Ratio/MPH per 1000RPM/Max test speed
I | 3.75 / 14.66/TBD/TBD
II | 2.26 / 2.24/TBD/TBD
III | 1.37 / 5.36 /TBD/TBD
IV | 1.00 / 3.91 /TBD/TBD
V | 0.73 / 2.85 /TBD/TBD
R | 3.67 /NA/TBD/TBD
Engine RPM @60 MPH in top gear | TBD

Dimensions:
Wheelbase | 2415mm
Track front/rear | 1537mm/1555mm
Length/Width/Height | 3994mm/1819mm/1274mm
Ground Clearance | TBD
Curb Weight | 2860 lbs (1298kg)
Weight Distribution | Near 50%, 52% front per MotorTrend (assumed with driver?)
Curb weight per horsepower | 16.8 lbs

Chassis/Body
Type | "Lower-Dominant Tube Structure with Hydroformed Rails" (from NAIAS Handout) assume classified as unit body or similar to Corvette.
Body Material | welded steel stampings, "Sheet Hydroformed" outer body panels

Interior:
SAE volume, front seat | 46 cu ft (estimated based on Miata/S2000)
Front Legroom | 42.7" (Satch's Pont. Dealer)
Front Headroom | 38.5" (Satch's Pont. Dealer)
Front Hiproom | 50" estimated
Front Shoulder Room | 52.4" (Satch's Pont. Dealer)
Cargo Volume | 3.8 cu. ft. top up/ 1.4 cu. Ft, top down (GM Dealerworld)
Seatback Adjustment | TBD degrees
Seat F/A Adjustment | TBD inches

Gauges | 140 MPH speedometer, 8000 RPM tachometer, fuel level only. Assume digital readout of information system, odo, idiot lights for oil temp, water temp, etc.


Suspension:
Front Suspension | Short-long arm, Aluminum control arms (From NAIAS photo)
Front Anti-Roll Bar | TBD diameter, Ball joint links (from tech-chassis photos)
Front Springs | Coil
Front Shocks | Bilstein Monotube Coil-over
Rear Suspension | Short-long arm, Aluminum control arms (From NAIAS photo)
Rear Anti-Roll Bar | TBD diameter, Ball joint links (from tech-chassis photos)
Rear Springs | Coil
Rear Shocks | Bilstein Monotube Coil-over

Steering | Rack & Pinion, Hydraulic Assist
Steering Ratio | TBD
Turns lock-to-lock | TBD
Turning circle curb-to-curb | 10.7 m (Source: GM Dealerworld)

Brakes
Type | 4 whl disc, hydraulic with vacuum power assist, (estimate: antilock optional)
Front | 11.65" x 1.02" / 296mm x 26mm; vented discs (cars.com/Malibu Maxx suspected reuse-GM info)
Rear | 10.63" x 0.55" / 270mm x 14mm; solid discs (cars.com/Malibu Maxx suspected reuse-GM info)
Total Swept Area | TBD
Swept Area/Ton | TBD


Wheels | 18.0" X 8.0" (various internet sources, magazines quoting 8.0" width 05NAIAS)
Front Tires | P245/45SR18 Goodyear Eagle RS-A
Rear Tires (if different from Front) | Same
Inflation pressure | TBD PSI
Spare Tire and Wheel | Consensus: None, Inflator Kit similar to Corvette, (Satch's Pont. Dealer)

Performance:
Acceleration
0-30 | TBD
0-40 | TBD
0-50 | TBD
0-60 | 7.2-7.5 seconds estimated by magazines
0-70 | TBD
0-80 | TBD
0-90 | TBD
0-100 | TBD
0-110 | TBD
0-120 | TBD
Street Start, 5-60 | TBD
Top-gear acceleration, 30-50 mph | TBD
Top-gear acceleration, 50-70 mph | TBD
1/4 Mile | TBD sec @ TBD mph
Top Speed | 120-130 MPH estimated, based on Miata/S2000

Braking:
From 60 MPH (R&T) | TBD
70-0 MPH @ impending lockup | TBD
From 80 MPH (R&T) | TBD
From 100 MPH (MT) | TBD

Handling:
Roadholding, 300 ft skidpad | 0.90g (Pontiac Website)
Lateral accel, 200 ft skidpad | 0.90g (Pontiac Website)
Understeer | Minimal (expected)
700 ft slalom speed (R&T) | 65-70 mph (based on S2000/Miata capability)
600 ft slalom speed (MT) | 65-70 mph (based on S2000 capability)
7 cone 490 ft slalom (AW) | 47.0 mph (based on S2000 capability)
Figure 8 test (MT) time @ avg. g | 26 sec @ 0.70 g (estimate from S2000)
Lateral Seat Support | estimated as "good" from seat photos

Fuel Economy:
EPA City | 22 mpg (C&D Estimate)
EPA Highway | 28 mpg (C&D Estimate)
Observed | Est 250 miles (85% of fuel capacity at average econ.)
Cruise Range | Est 315 miles (85% of fuel capacity at highway econ.)
Fuel Capacity | 13.3 gal (Satch's Pont. Dealer)

Interior Noise/Sound
Idle | 47 dba (Estimate based on Miata)
Full-throttle Acceleration | 79 dba (Estimate based on Miata)
70-mph cruising | 75 dba (Estimate based on Miata)
Maximum 1st gear | TBD dba
Constant 50-mph | TBD dba

Attached Thumbnails

 

Attached Files

	Solstice-Miata.pdf (79.3 KB, 1721 views)
	SolsticeSpecsasof28April05fromPontiacSite.pdf (179.9 KB, 934 views)

Question: I noticed you have decibels listed for interior noise and sound. What are decibels, and how loud is 75 Db?

Answer:

Question: I've heard the Solstice is using parts-bin or "reuse" strategy. What type of parts are being re-used?

Answer:
Most of the re-utilized parts appear to be items that won't significantly affect or will benefit the characteristice of this car, such as performance, ride, handling, or braking. Critical systems, like the suspension and body structure, are new and appear to be optimized to deliver a good, solid car.

Some re-used parts that have been noted so far are:

Front fog lamps: Grand Prix
Rear Back-up Lamps: Envoy/Trailblazer
Seats: Shared with Opel (maybe just the frame?)
Outside Rear View Mirrors: Fiat Barchetta?
Interior AC vents: Lotus Elise or Alfa 156/Fiat
Brakes/Rotors: ION Redline or Malibu Maxx? (suspect, but specs look very close)
Engine: Chevy Cobalt (2.4l), Uplevel F/I unknown, Cobalt S/C possible
Transmission: Aisin 5 spd manual, suspect adapted from Chevy Colorado
Differential: Cadillac CTS (from cars.com overview)
Door Handles: Unknown but mentioned as shared
Gage Cluster: Chevy Cobalt

Additional thread info on parts re-use here:
Solstice Re-Use List - Known so far [parts bin genetics]

Question:When will the Solstice be available, for sale, at dealerships? When can I order one? What options will be available? What Colors will be available?
Answer
Here is a detailed discussion of the options based on information that was in the GM order system and spotted by a dealer:

GM order information

Conejo148 also posted the early order program rules here: EOP Rules which contained the information of latest options and prices ($USD).

A/c-960
Power Pkg-625
Prem. Pkg-590
Cnv. Pkg-465
ABS-400
Lim Slip-195
Polished Alum Wheel-495
OnStar-695
Floor Mats-60
Smoker-40
Radio Codes (use order guide)
U2K-325
UQ3-395
US8-195
US9-495

One of our members, Brentil, has formatted the information into a simulated options sheet with the latest information in options costs.

http://solstice.inner-ninja.com/solstice.htm

You can now build up your car using kbb.com

Canadian options costs and information was posted by Bsnowman here: Canadian Solstice Pricing and options

Based on cardealer's info, production is anticipated to begin around week 19 of the year 2005 - or around mid-May. This means Solstices should be trickling to dealerships sometime in June, 2005 - assuming the information is still correct.

[Info Update] From Small Dealer's and several other people who have heard from their dealers, the production date might have slipped to May 31.

Some people have gotten mixed messages on this, however, so you must be aware. Cardealer's info is just the latest, and has a ring of accuracy to it, having gotten it directly from the GM ordering site which dealerships use to build customer orders. The official Pontiac site still lists "Fall 05", but Lutz has also been quoted in Esquire as "May 05" for starting production. Many of the autoshows have been saying "summer 05" or "this summer".

There has been some unconfirmed dealership-based rumors of ordering sometime in April or May, but it is unknown how accurate this information is. We all now know about the Early Order Program (EOP). Last known is approx 20,000 people registered for the program after the program was announced on "The Apprentice" on April 14. The first 1000 were sold over a 42 minute period starting at 2:00 ET on April 15, due to server overload problems (otherwise would have sold out immediately). A total of 5000 Solstices were sold through this program. [info compiled through a variety of news sources, including USA Today].

If you're still to lazy to look at the links for options, here is the text of the options:


Latest information indicates that Yellow may have been eliminated and been replaced by White. This is based on early dealership information, which has not been confirmed.

Question: What about heated seats? Height adjustable seats?
Answer: At this time, it doesn't look like they are available.

__________________
Magister Solstitium Sum!!!
No, I'm not Bob Lutz...
Link to Solstice Technical FAQ
Link to Solsticeforum Rules/Guidelines/Etiquette
Link to Solsticeforum Site Index (under const.)
Just go buy the car you fell in love with!

Question: I've heard the Solstice is heavy. Is this true?

Answer: While a curb weight of 2860 lbs seems heavy for a two seater car, it is actually an appropriate weight for a car of this size.

General dimensions are 1" narrower than a Corvette C6, wheelbase just a bit shorter than a Honda S2000. For its size, 2860 lbs is pretty good - the Honda S2000 weighs about the same as this ('02 about 2840 lbs., '04 about 2870 lbs), and the BMW Z4 and Z3 tip the scales at over 3000 lbs.

For more in-depth discussion on appropriate weight check out these threads:

Weight Issues
Is 2860 the weight? and what do you think .....
and
Weight on Autoline Detroit

A Chart of several vehicle size and their weights

and another Chart of vehicle dimensions, weight and power

were the byproduct of these discussions.

__________________
Magister Solstitium Sum!!!
No, I'm not Bob Lutz...
Link to Solstice Technical FAQ
Link to Solsticeforum Rules/Guidelines/Etiquette
Link to Solsticeforum Site Index (under const.)
Just go buy the car you fell in love with!

Question: Will and automatic transmission be available? If so, when?

Answer: Some articles have mentioned at some time an automatic transmission will be available, but not at the beginning. General estimate is either available half-way through the Solstice first year of production, or sometime during the second year of production. There has been no official mention of the timing for an automatic transmission.

February 20, 2005 update - according to a Canadian broadcast in relation to the Canadian Auto Show, an automatic trans has been rumored to be available about 6 months after Solstice availability.

March 20, 2005 update - from some dealership constraint information posted by conejo148, a 5 speed automatic transmission looks like it may be available in February, 2006.

__________________
Magister Solstitium Sum!!!
No, I'm not Bob Lutz...
Link to Solstice Technical FAQ
Link to Solsticeforum Rules/Guidelines/Etiquette
Link to Solsticeforum Site Index (under const.)
Just go buy the car you fell in love with!

Question: Will there be a retractable hardtop, or a coupe version? What about a vehicle like the Curve or Nomad shown at the 04 North American International Auto Show?

Answer: Based on information from recent (2005) news articles, there are no plans for anything at this time past the three variations of the "Kappa" platform (Solstice, Saturn Sky, and an European Exported Version).

Question: Will a powered soft top or a power top or power roof be available?
Answer: Based on all available information, only a soft top manually-operated (manual operation) convertible top will be available.

Question: Will the soft top be made of vinyl?
Answer: Based on available information, No. It appears to be a cloth manual top.

Question: What about the rear window? Vinyl or Glass?
Answer: Glass. An article in AutoWeek mentions a glass rear window in the cloth manual top. We also know rear window defogger/defroster is available (from interior pictures and suspected options) - which cannot be used on a vinyl window. Recently, from the Lutz blog, it states clealy the rear is Glass.

Question: Will the top come in optional colors?
Answer: At this time, the only known color is black. This is not completely certain.

Pictures are attached of the top up - various sources, none of which are "true production" models.

Most recent pics have been posted here:
March 17, 2005, from grandamgt.com

Attached Thumbnails

         

__________________
Magister Solstitium Sum!!!
No, I'm not Bob Lutz...
Link to Solstice Technical FAQ
Link to Solsticeforum Rules/Guidelines/Etiquette
Link to Solsticeforum Site Index (under const.)
Just go buy the car you fell in love with!

Question: How does the Solstice stack up against other competitors?

Answer:


There is a GM Training Tri-fold PDF available that compares the Solstice to the new NC MX-5 Miata.

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/a...tachmentid=973

A comparison of roadsters and convertibles was compiled by brentil here:

ROADSTER/CONVERTIBLE COMPARISON

An excel version is available to download, courtesy of brentil,in the following attachment.

Attached Files

Roadster Compare.zip (20.8 KB, 564 views)

__________________
Magister Solstitium Sum!!!
No, I'm not Bob Lutz...
Link to Solstice Technical FAQ
Link to Solsticeforum Rules/Guidelines/Etiquette
Link to Solsticeforum Site Index (under const.)
Just go buy the car you fell in love with!

Question:
What is an AFBTS? Is it an acronym? If so what does it stand for?

Answer:
It stands for Artsy-Fartsy Buttress Top Support. It's an inside joke reference for the non-functional wedge-shaped extensions that are part of the top. They extend from the flat plane of the back glass to points on the decklid. Reference a picture of the top up.

You may see them called "wings", "winglets", "thingies", or "buttresses".

At this time, it appears they release with some sort of actuation, either through a trunk release or a key fob, to allow access to the trunk. Reference top actuation for suspicions on how the top operates.

At this time, their only "function" appears to be styling-related only, hence the "artsy-fartsy" nomenclature, and may hinder smooth operation of the top. "Artsy-fartsy" is a reference to features that affect form only with no or detrimental effect on function.

Before anyone asks, AFBTS can be referred to through the letters of the acronym, but it's also acceptable to prounounce it as "Aff - butts".

__________________
Magister Solstitium Sum!!!
No, I'm not Bob Lutz...
Link to Solstice Technical FAQ
Link to Solsticeforum Rules/Guidelines/Etiquette
Link to Solsticeforum Site Index (under const.)
Just go buy the car you fell in love with!