Pont Solstice Coupe?

[ToolGuy]

Solstice Coupe Coming, Says Lutz Now that General Motors has finally gotten its new Pontiac Solstice roadster into production, the automaker is looking at opportunities to follow up with other niche vehicles. "I'm sure, in a couple years, we'll do the Solstice Coupe," GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz tells TheCarConnection.com. And since it would be a mechanically simpler vehicle than the new, $19,995 convertible, "We could possibly take another $1000 out of the cost." The so-called Kappa architecture, developed specifically for the Solstice, is a major reason why GM is looking at other niche product options. But so is the new process being used to shape Solstice's curvaceous body. Instead of multiple steel die sets, the hydroformed sheetmetal process uses incredibly high water pressure and a single die to mold steel into complex shapes. Until now, noted Lutz, the Solstice hood could only have been made out of plastic, a material with its own unique problems. What other Kappa products are on tap Lutz isn't saying, though he noted it "would take a substantial amount of engineering" to add a second row to the two-seat Kappa platform. That would be essential if GM were to approve a concept vehicle like Chevrolet's Nomad show car. Meanwhile, there are no current plans to produce a right-hand-drive version of Solstice or any other Kappa-based vehicle. In the rush to bring the Solstice to market, GM decided not to make the platform, in Lutz's words, "ambidextrous." But despite such limitations, GM is optimistic about the Kappa platform's potential. The test comes with the launch of the Solstice roadster, and then the Saturn Sky convertible, which follows in early 2006. "If it works," said the automaker's product chief, "we'll do more." And based on early results, that seems likely. Pontiac already has taken about 9000 advance orders for Solstice, and is looking at ways it could boost production from about 1500 vehicles a month.- Paul A. Eisenstein

[ToolGuy]

I say why? Do not build it... Unlike the Crossfire built as a coupe first and than a Vert, GM is doing the Solstice right, Vert first. Do not do a coupe after! Crossfire coupe sales stunk! I only way GM should do a Coupe is with a removal hard top, otherwise I say no.

[cohocarl]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »I say why? Do not build it... I only way GM should do a Coupe is with a removal hard top, otherwise I say no. I agree. A hard top would be nice, but I don't they should waste their time and money (ours in the long run) on a coupe. The main attraction to the Solstice and Sky is the drop top. I had a 75 MGB convertible. They also made a coupe version...an MGB GT which didn't sell. I don't see any Miata coupes out there.... Think there's a reason for that?

[northvibe]

If anyone saw the latest Top Gear they did a review of 3 2-doors and the crossfire vert was one of them and they hated it but liked it was cheap. I think its good they made the vert first because making a coupe into a vert usually doesnt work so designing a vert to be the car will mean its a good vert.

[Kari]

If they do make a Solstice coupe, I sure hope they put some of that cost savings toward making air conditioning standard...

[ToolGuy]

Yeah but look what happens when you do pay for it, it does not work like Sir Knocks Alot!

[Psychobroker]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »Crossfire coupe sales stunk! Maybe because a) they were FUGLY and b) overpriced?For $18k, I'm sure there will be plenty of interested buyers..some people simply don't like convertibles.

[Kari]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »Yeah but look what happens when you do pay for it, it does not work like Sir Knocks Alot!Only my A/C was just as standard as his, and mine works fine...LOL

[Mavrik]

removeable hard top would be the best.