Nuts and Bolts
Every 2006 Pontiac Solstice has a four-cylinder engine, a five-speed manual transmission, independent suspension, and 18-inch wheels. We got 21.7 mpg despite driving the car hard.
In accordance with traditional roadster design principles, the 2006 Pontiac Solstice is designed and engineered for fun. It is the first vehicle to be built on GM’s new Kappa platform, a small, rear-drive architecture that will spawn the 2007 Saturn Sky, and a roadster to be sold in Europe as an Opel or Vauxhall (or both). Kappa has also been used to create two compelling concept cars called the Chevrolet Nomad and the Saturn Curve. The Kappa platform is comprised of twin hydroformed frame rails that run the length of the car, surrounding a central tunnel that contains the transmission and driveshaft, creating a strong and stiff foundation for several different types of vehicles. A short- and long-arm four-wheel independent suspension with 27.2mm front and 24.2mm rear stabilizer bars connect the Solstice to the road through standard 18-inch silver-painted alloy wheels wearing P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires. Hydraulic power rack-and-pinion steering guides the Solstice’s front wheels, while the rears are driven by a five-speed manual transmission connected to a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 177 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 166 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. Redline is 7,000 rpm, and the Solstice’s base curb weight measures 2,860 pounds, giving it a 1:16.2 power-to-weight ratio. Pontiac recommends premium fuel for the Solstice, but says it is not required. According to the EPA, the Solstice should get 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, and we extracted 21.7 mpg out of our test car while climbing a mountain range and revving the engine on twisty two-lane roads. Not bad.
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