Change of season

Muscle & Fitness, August, 2005 by Jim Gorzelany

Debuting this fall, the all-new Pontiac Solstice updates the quintessential 1960s roadster with 21st century sensibilities. The Solstice remains rear-wheel drive and boasts a cloth top, a reverse-opening clamshell hood and an affordable sticker price. With graceful-yet-muscular curves and a low, wide stance, the Solstice certainly looks the part of a traditional two-seater. The car's ragtop folds neatly under a clamshell cover behind the passenger compartment, providing a seamless top-down appearance. An all-aluminum, 2.4-liter, dual-overhead cam, four-cylinder engine produces a robust 170 horses and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The Solstice is built to hug the curves with oversized 18-inch wheels and tires and fully independent suspension at all four corners. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard, with antilock brakes optional. The car's interior design is classically clean and uncluttered, with a cockpit-style wraparound instrument panel and short-throw shifter mounted atop a center console. Pedals are placed specifically for easy heel-and-toe driving. The standard equipment has been kept fairly minimal to hang onto a low entry price, but a full range of power accessories and audio options are available.

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $20,000. For more info, go to pontiac.com