In the 2004 march issue of automobile Mag the solstice is on the front cover and there is an interesting article inside, a must read...

Here is a few points that comes up.

GM is planning to build from 20,000 to 30,000 solstice roadsters a year and those figures could be conservative.

ABS will be optional.

GM is trying to get 180HP from the ecotec 2.4L

Projected weight, a little more than 2600 pounds

Projected 0 to 60 mph, in the 7.0 second range

Supercharged version available eventually.

Architecture designed to take 300HP !

Automatic trans available soon after introduction but hopefully not many will want it...

I think this is a pretty important #

Projected weight, a little more than 2600 pounds

That'll bring its weight ratio below the miata. I wonder if the 2800 lb # is for a loaded version... SC, AC, electric windows, etc. "Luxury items" weigh down a car.

If true, 2600 pounds would be great ! :thumbsup:

Sweet! (he says with fingers crossed :) )

Solstice: 2600/170 = 15.2 lbs/hp
Miata: 2400/140 = 17.1 lbs/hp.

2600 lbs would be fantastic if they could pull it off.


And check out the headline for the new Cobra. Huge engine, small car, what other "ideas" do you need? Works for me (though I think the Solstice looks better).

I am simply amazed that Pontiac, let alone any GM division, could pull something like this off... and it looks like they are actually going to do it. I hope the 2600 lb. number is correct. I've been learning that a light weight sports car is a heck of a lot of fun to drive.

Yet, to me it is still on the heavy side. I truly want Pontiac to succeed in this endevor and I think one of the keys to that success (one of many) will be keeping weight down. For years I had sneered at Miatas as sissy girly cars (well, ok, they still are, sort of). Then I test drove one. They handle amazingly well. They don't have a lot of power but the high reving engine and the reletively light 2450 lb. weight (actually porcine for a Miata) make the car lively and nimble, a pure joy to drive.

Yak yak yak, what does this have to do with the Solstice? Simple, if the Solstice is going to compete with the Miata I think it still needs to shave off some weight. It needs to have great handling and keep the weight down. These two key aspects of the Miata make it so much fun, truly fun, to drive despite its 8.1 sec 0-60 rating.

It becomes even more critical as I learn that the next generation Miata is on target to be a sub-1000kg car (that's 2200 lb. or less). Couple this with Mazda's 14 years of Miata experience plus the extreme likelyhood that the Miata will get more power (not much, but more) and GM will have its work cut out for it.

Even if Mazda doesn't increase engine power (rumors do suggest they will increase engine size from 1.8L to at least 2.0L) the 2200 lb. weight would bring the power to weight ratio pretty close to the Solstice. Yet with a lighter weight car the Miata will have a natural advantage in its handling and responsiveness.

The heavier an object is the more momentum it has as it travels in a given direction and the more effort is needed to change that direction. Obviously, the same holds true for cars. The heavier a car the more effort is needed to change directions. Thus it would seem to be a really good idea to keep weight down if one is trying to build a great handling sports car. Plus, with less weight the same 170 hp from the solstice would really make the car fly.

Does anyone remember one of the auto magazines ran a car test a number of years back where they put a dozen different performance cars in a head to head competion. There were Ferraris, Porches, Corvette Z06's, etc. etc. All will impressive power numbers. With out much surprise the multi-hundred hp Ferrari took top honors. Yet right behind it in second place (a very close second) was a Lotus Elise with a measly 137 hp. Some how that car managed to beat out a 405hp Corvette Z06, a 260+ hp Porche Boxster S, and many other notable and impressive cars. One of the advantages the Elise had was a pretty low weight of around 1600 lb.

The point? A) a low power to weight ratio is really desirable and B) its easier to make a lower weight car more responsive since you're at a natural advantage.

To finish: Despite being a Miata Nut I really hope Pontiac makes a great car out of the Solstice. I'd really love it see it beat the snot out of the Next Miata (though I'm skeptical). If for no other reason than I'd love to own just such a Solstice. And it can't simply be done by designing a sexier and cheaper car. It also must handle better. A tall order for Pontiac. This Miatanut is honestly rooting for them.

Very well put, MiataNut. I agree with everything you said. When you add HP to a car, it goes faster. BUT, when you lighten a car, it goes faster, stops faster, corners faster, gets better gas mileage, insurance rates, etc.

I'm on my 3rd Miata now, but I just love the looks of Solstice. I am cautiously optimistic.

I've read that the weight will be 2860 from the concept model...then i picked up i think it was motor trend or C&D and it said that it balooned up 300lbs from that and was over 3000lbs... which i hope is a lie. :muncher:

Then on forums i'm hearing 2600 lbs...which is alot more inline for what i see as far as it's size and options. I certainly hope you guys are right about this lower weight. :o

As far as the 'new' miata goes...I've seen the Ibuki concept...and I PRAY that it doesn't look anything like that blue monstrosity...it's a large step down in my books.

Do any of you guys like this car ?

That thing is horrendous. No way that's the new Miata.

Found this picture a few months back while trying to do more research in to new miatas.

I just watched the Autoline Detroit piece interviewing the director of the Kappa platform and one of the journalists said that he heard the car was going to be about 2900 lbs and asked if it would be competative against the 2300 lb Miata. Unfortuantely, she didn't correct him on the weight. :( She said that their engineers had been testing the two cars together all along (and said that side-by-side testing is still underway). She said that the Solstice would compete with the lighter Miata by virtue of more horsepower. I've got to say, if the Solstice comes in at 2900, there's gonna be a lot of disappointed customers...

I dunno if it's so bad... 2900...the s2000 is 2700or 2800 ... so is the boxster and the slk230 is 3000lbs...audi TT is a chubby wubby too at 3400 or so.

I would be happy with 2800 like most other normal convertibles...but 2600 would rock the shlock.

I like the miata coupe ! they should build this !

Yak yak yak, what does this have to do with the Solstice? Simple, if the Solstice is going to compete with the Miata I think it still needs to shave off some weight. It needs to have great handling and keep the weight down. These two key aspects of the Miata make it so much fun, truly fun, to drive despite its 8.1 sec 0-60 rating.

It becomes even more critical as I learn that the next generation Miata is on target to be a sub-1000kg car (that's 2200 lb. or less). Couple this with Mazda's 14 years of Miata experience plus the extreme likelyhood that the Miata will get more power (not much, but more) and GM will have its work cut out for it.

Even if Mazda doesn't increase engine power (rumors do suggest they will increase engine size from 1.8L to at least 2.0L) the 2200 lb. weight would bring the power to weight ratio pretty close to the Solstice. Yet with a lighter weight car the Miata will have a natural advantage in its handling and responsiveness.

The heavier an object is the more momentum it has as it travels in a given direction and the more effort is needed to change that direction. Obviously, the same holds true for cars. The heavier a car the more effort is needed to change directions. Thus it would seem to be a really good idea to keep weight down if one is trying to build a great handling sports car. Plus, with less weight the same 170 hp from the solstice would really make the car fly.

Does anyone remember one of the auto magazines ran a car test a number of years back where they put a dozen different performance cars in a head to head competion. There were Ferraris, Porches, Corvette Z06's, etc. etc. All will impressive power numbers. With out much surprise the multi-hundred hp Ferrari took top honors. Yet right behind it in second place (a very close second) was a Lotus Elise with a measly 137 hp. Some how that car managed to beat out a 405hp Corvette Z06, a 260+ hp Porche Boxster S, and many other notable and impressive cars. One of the advantages the Elise had was a pretty low weight of around 1600 lb.



Wow, miatanut you're not too easily satisfied :) I would be no less than ecstatic from a weight perspective, if the Sostice came in at 2600. I just want to emphasise that while I share your view of the importance of weight over other factors, I would contend that the commercial sucess of the Solstice (or even historically for the Miata) will have less to do with weight alone than we enthusiasts might think.

A 2600lb Sosltice would be 10% heavier than the Miata. But I believe for most folks, it's more important that the car have a good power/weight ratio, than for it to be simply light. Meaning, that, for it to compete against the miata, I think for most folks, it can be heavier, as long as it is not significantly slower.

In some ways though, I don't think the new Miata will compete against the Solstice-- I would contend that there will be a lot of folks who would consider the Sostice who wouldn't even look at the new Miata, even if the Miata *was* faster. Reason being (and I don't want to start a flame war here) but based on appearance and image, I think that there will be many folks who would consider the Sostice but not the Miata. And if the Ibuki prototype picture above is any indication of the new gen. Miata, I don't think this perception will change.

-Andrew

I agree a good weight to power ratio is critical. And if the other post is correct about the S2000 those cars are insanely fast and agile and if they are coming in around 2800-2900lbs and the solstice is 2600-2800lbs then its cant be that bad especially with the forced induction motor (whatever they choose im praying for turbo) its gonna fly. Also dont forget these numbers could be for fully loaded options. I just want the better engine and tranny forget power this and that. And as for being agile nothing some stiffer or sporter suspencion couldnt remedy a bit if indeed its a problem. Im saving every penny for this gorgeous car when it comes out with the motor I want that is.

Speaking of new info from auto mags:

I'm in Paris and I was getting a haircut the other day when I picked up an auto magazine. I could't read what it said about the solstice but it said the word turbo, and the weight was in Kg's so I don't exactly remember what it was. I'm thinking it was.... 1200 ? I don't know what that is in Lbs but I'm sure someone here can figure it out.

Au revoir

1200 kg = 2645 lbs

Yeah, that Ipukee concept is pretty terrible. I do like those coupes attached by GoReMaSteR though. I too think the Solstice will appeal to people who weren't/aren't attracted to the Miata. The Miata has too much of a feminine look to it. Don't get me wrong, I like the Miata, but I just think it's not the most masculine looking vehicle. I'm sure people will say this about the Solstice too, but comparing the two together, the Solstice looks tougher than the Miata.

I'm sure some people will not give the Solstice a second thought because it's a "Slow-mestic" and those people are the media-taught, ill-informed, "perceived quality is better than actual quality" crowd. It sounds like GM is doing things right with this car however, and hopefully that will shed new light on American cars "Perceived quality" and start bringing in new younger buyers. Although, if the kids are into these stupid Aveos and Scions, then I don't think there's any help for cars like this to catch on with the next generation. Oh well, you never know.

All I know is, no matter what, next fall there will be a Solstice with my name on the title, sitting in my garage. Hopefully with +200hp and a 6 speed and none of those pansy options like heated everything and automatic everything.

I hope the paris report is right. I would really like me a turbo and just over 2600 is not bad at all. Still heavier then a miata but lighter then a S2000 so this is wonderful news I hope its accurate. Oh and I totaly agree non of the powered this and that for my car.