Chip
10-25-2003, 08:47 AM
General Motors is inching its way toward approval of the 2-seat Pontiac Solstice concept, building test mules of the front-engine/rear-drive sportster as the financial types work hard to justify the business case for Pontiac's version of a sub-$20,000 Miata-fighter.
The answer might come from Europe. Recent developments point to sharing of a new sporty platform that would not only supply a new 2-seater to Vauxhall and Opel to replace the respective Lotus Elise-derived VX220 and Speedster, but may also spawn a small hatch and sedan to rival the upcoming BMW 1 Series.
The best evidence that GM is pursuing a global strategy for the car surfaced during the centennial celebration for Vauxhall when the marque unveiled its very own concept car-a rare treat, because Vauxhall usually shares everything with Opel of Germany. The VX Lightning is a swoopy 2-seater using the same underpinnings as the Pontiac Solstice concept.
A front-engine Solstice-based Opel Speedster; computer-enhanced photo by Glenn Paulina/KGP.
The answer might come from Europe. Recent developments point to sharing of a new sporty platform that would not only supply a new 2-seater to Vauxhall and Opel to replace the respective Lotus Elise-derived VX220 and Speedster, but may also spawn a small hatch and sedan to rival the upcoming BMW 1 Series.
The best evidence that GM is pursuing a global strategy for the car surfaced during the centennial celebration for Vauxhall when the marque unveiled its very own concept car-a rare treat, because Vauxhall usually shares everything with Opel of Germany. The VX Lightning is a swoopy 2-seater using the same underpinnings as the Pontiac Solstice concept.
A front-engine Solstice-based Opel Speedster; computer-enhanced photo by Glenn Paulina/KGP.