Segment:
Roadster/Sports Car
Positioning:
Affordable, stylish, rear-wheel-drive sports car aimed at enthusiasts.
Competitors:
Mazda MX-5 Miata, Honda S2000 (higher end), Nissan 350Z (higher end), Toyota MR2 Spyder (discontinued prior)
Drivetrain:
Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Body Style:
Two-door convertible
Platform:
GM Kappa platform (shared with Saturn Sky)
Design Inspiration:
Pontiac Solstice concept car
Primary Coverage:
2008 Pontiac Solstice Owner's Manual
Secondary Coverage:
Vehicle operation, controls, features, maintenance, safety
Estimated Page Count:
~150-200 pages (typical for this model year and vehicle type)
Powertrain:
Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system
Drivetrain:
Transmission operation, clutch operation (if applicable), drive axles
Chassis:
Braking system, steering system, suspension system, wheels and tires
Electrical:
Lighting systems, instrument cluster, gauges, warning indicators, battery, starting system, charging system, infotainment system, climate control system, power accessories
Body:
Doors, windows, mirrors, seats, convertible top operation (if applicable), interior trim, exterior features
Operation:
Starting and driving the vehicle, parking, using climate control, operating audio system, adjusting seats and mirrors, convertible top operation
Maintenance:
Fluid level checks (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure checks, wiper blade replacement, basic checks before driving
Safety:
Seat belt usage, airbag system explanation, child restraint systems, emergency procedures
Troubleshooting:
Explanation of warning lights, basic diagnostic information for common alerts
Depth:
Consumer-level operation and basic maintenance guidance, not in-depth repair procedures.
Engine Code:
LNF (2.0L Turbocharged I4)
Displacement:
2.0 Liters (1998 cc)
Configuration:
Inline 4-Cylinder
Aspiration:
Turbocharged and Intercooled
Horsepower:
260 hp @ 5300 rpm
Torque:
260 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
Fuel System:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Ignition System:
Coil-on-plug
Emission Control:
Catalytic converter, OBD-II compliant
0 60 Mph:
Approximately 5.4 seconds (for GXP trim)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline
Fuel Capacity:
Approx. 13.4 gallons (50.7 L)
Transmission Type:
5-Speed Manual (M85)
Transmission Type:
5-Speed Automatic (MY7 - only on non-turbo models)
Clutch Type:
Hydraulic, single dry plate
Gear Ratios Manual:
Refer to specific manual for detailed ratios (typical sporty ratios)
Transmission Fluid Spec:
Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid for automatic; Refer to manual for manual transmission fluid specification (typically GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil)
NHTSA Front Crash Test:
Refer to NHTSA data for specific model year
IIHS Crash Test:
Refer to IIHS data for specific model year
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Traction Control:
Standard Traction Control System (TCS)
Stability Control:
Optional StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on some models
Airbags:
Frontal airbags, Side-impact airbags
Rollover Protection:
Reinforced A-pillars and hidden rollover protection structures
Seat Belts:
3-point seat belts with pretensioners
Audio System:
AM/FM stereo with CD player, MP3 playback, and auxiliary audio input. Optional premium audio system available.
Display:
Center console-mounted display for audio and climate information.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control
Onstar:
Optional OnStar telematics system available on some trims.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (check manual for specific conditions)
Tire Rotation Interval:
Every 7,500 miles
Engine Air Filter Replacement:
Inspect every 15,000 miles, replace as needed. Check manual for specific recommendations.
Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
Inspect annually, replace as needed. Check manual for specific recommendations.
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic (GM dexos1 Gen 2 or equivalent recommended, check manual for exact specification)
Coolant Type:
GM/Dexcool Orange Long Life Coolant (50/50 mix with distilled water)
Power Steering Fluid Type:
Refer to manual; often Dexron III or compatible.
Turbo Lag:
Some owners report noticeable turbo lag in the GXP model.
Convertible Top Mechanism:
Occasional reports of issues with the manual convertible top mechanism requiring lubrication or adjustment.
Suspension Components:
As with many sporty cars, suspension components may require more frequent inspection and potential replacement due to driving style.
Clutch Wear:
Aggressive driving can lead to accelerated clutch wear on manual transmission models.
Pontiac Heritage:
Pontiac, a division of General Motors, was known for performance-oriented vehicles and distinctive styling, often targeting a younger demographic.
Solstice Introduction:
The Pontiac Solstice was first introduced as a concept car in 2002 and production began in 2005 for the 2006 model year.
2008 Updates:
The 2008 model year saw the introduction of the higher-performance GXP model with the 2.0L turbocharged engine. Minor interior and feature updates were also made.
Production Period:
2006-2009
Manufacturing Plant:
Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Gm Downsizing:
The Solstice, along with the Saturn Sky, was part of GM's strategy to introduce affordable, lightweight sports cars, but its production was cut short by the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand.