I just got back from the 2004 Detroit Autoshow where the Solstice (both production and concept cars) were being shown. The GM spokesperson talking about the car to the public stated that there will be a 170hp 2.4L Ecotec version priced at under $18000 and then a fully loaded 2.2L Ecotec with 240hp model priced at around $25,000. The question was asked will the 240hp be supercharger or turbocharged and the response was TURBOCHARGED!!! Interesting!!!! So it looks like we'll have to wait until Fall of 2005 to see this new 240hp in action but at 2800lbs, should be pretty quick.

that one is mine. i gotta have that 240. no plain ecotec's for me.

I'll thumb-wrestle you for it. :p

That's great news. I just hope it actually comes to fruition!!! Only thing though, it needs to be offered in stages instead of a jump from $18k to $25k. I don't need fully loaded, just the bare minimum with the most powerful engine and tranny possible. Fully loaded is just more weight and more things to break and need to be fixed in the future. This would be the icing on the cake!!! It really needs to be offered as an option and the car should be very customizable instead of how the GTO was only customized via colors and tranny. The 6 speed definitely needs to be there as an option too. 240hp and a 6spd, good thing I have short hair cause it'd all be blown back otherwise!! lol

I agree - I hope Pontiac offers a "formula-like" option with the Soltice, so buyers can pick and choose the performance options they want and delete the other options they don't want ;)

An ideal situation for me would be a Solstice "club sport"-like model similar to the Miata offered by Mazda last year with AC delete, etc :cool:

I sure hope this expert was misinformed about the turbocharger - I really prefer superchargers!

Bah, I'd rather have the adaptability and aftermarket potential of the turbo.

...there will be a 170hp 2.4L Ecotec version priced at under $18000 and then a fully loaded 2.2L Ecotec with 240hp model priced at around $25,000. The question was asked will the 240hp be supercharger or turbocharged and the response was TURBOCHARGED!!! Interesting!!!! So it looks like we'll have to wait until Fall of 2005 to see this new 240hp in action but at 2800lbs, should be pretty quick.

This sounds really exciting. Not to rain on everyone's parade, but take a look at the words I highlighted in the post above: "and then" literally means that at some point after the release of the 170HP versions, they'll have the 240. It will probably be at least 6months to a year, so they can test the initial demand, and sell to folks who don't really care about the higher HP or wouldn't pay for it. So unfortuantely, you're probably looking at Spring '06 or Fall of '06 before you get 240 ponies. See the other thread for more on this:Timing of Solstice versions (http://www.solsticeforums.com/showthread.php?t=8800)

Also, the "fully-loaded" might mean that you're going to get that extra 300 lbs. of luxury features thrown in (this has been proposed in other threads as the reason for the disparity on weight estimates).

Turbocharged? Perhaps the spokesman mis-spoke. Seems strange that they wouldn't use the supercharged version that's been tried and tested, and instead go for a different FI method. I'm not saying the person was wrong, but it does seem odd....

Nonetheless, I'll take a 240HP Silver with Red interior. Even if it gets those extra horses by a gigawatt flux capacitor, I could care less :)

-Andrew

Andrew; I agree with some of the issues you raise. In the "for what it's worth" category, I think we are in for some outside the box thinking with this platform. I too believe it will be SC'ed rather than Turbo, but I believe there is more profit in the fully option laden SC'ed car. I believe the General will want to optimise the opportunity to cash in on the cars appeal. I think it (SC'ed car) will show 4-6 months after the car is introduced. Either way, it's fun to speculate on what will happen so we can brag, or be dogged for out thoughts when the car does finally appear. Just bring it on!

Turbocharged? Perhaps the spokesman mis-spoke. Seems strange that they wouldn't use the supercharged version that's been tried and tested, and instead go for a different FI method. I'm not saying the person was wrong, but it does seem odd....


Consider this though, outside the supercharged 2.0 in the Saturn Redlines, the Ecotec has been turbocharged for a few years in Opal/Vauxhall 2.2's and a variant in Saab 2.3's. GM has experience with both, and at least one form of turbo Ecotec is already EPA/DOT certified.

I'd prefer turbo myself (as well as a permanent hardtop). I swore no more new cars with the new car depreciation after buying my SRT-4, but a hard top, turbo Solstice could make me break that vow.

cheers,
scott

I'd take a turbo over a supercharger any day.

I'd take a turbo over a supercharger any day.

Why, what is you reasoning?

Consider this though, outside the supercharged 2.0 in the Saturn Redlines, the Ecotec has been turbocharged for a few years in Opal/Vauxhall 2.2's and a variant in Saab 2.3's. GM has experience with both, and at least one form of turbo Ecotec is already EPA/DOT certified.

I'd prefer turbo myself (as well as a permanent hardtop). I swore no more new cars with the new car depreciation after buying my SRT-4, but a hard top, turbo Solstice could make me break that vow.

cheers,
scott

Thanks Scootergeek, Good to know that GM's got experience turbocharging the Ecotec. I haven't driven a superchared car, so I can't really compare...

-Andrew

Why, what is you reasoning?

Not saying this as a fact because I could be wrong. But I "think" turbo's make more usable power than superchargers. They both have pro's and con's. Supercharger makes power at low rpm and turbo's make more power in the upper rpm's. Which would make turbo's better suited to sports cars and superchargers to say trucks where you usually want the power down low. Also it seems like many more mods are possible with turbo-powered cars. (example srt-4 compared to a pontiac GTP.) I don't see the same amount of mods being done to supercharged cars compared to turbocharged cars. I know there are exceptions to the rule but I'm just speaking generally.