Review: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe goes quick, just don't look back

[Haltech]

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Coupes, Pontiac

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Climb into the Pontiac Solstice Coupe and there's an unsettling feeling of familiarity. We've been here before. And after driving off, it all begins to gel, although it has nothing to do with our previous stints in the drop-top variant. The Coupe feels like the unruly offspring of a night of passion between a C4 Corvette coupe and a Dodge Viper. And while the Solstice is nowhere near as large or as powerful as those two American icons, the DNA of both is undoubtedly present in this little machine - for good reason.

It's no coincidence that the history of the Solstice spans the Bob Lutz era at General Motors. After Lutz joined GM in 2001 to guide its product development, one of the first tasks he assigned the design staff was to create a new concept for the Detroit Auto Show. The Solstice was born, a stylistic hit was made and the convertible was rushed to production. Now, as Lutz is winding down his time at GM, the Solstice and the entire Pontiac brand are also fading off into the sunset. In many respects, this Solstice is symbolic of what was right and wrong with GM and Pontiac. And our time with the Solstice Coupe is a telling tale about the final new model from a vanishing brand.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe



Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid, Max Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading Review: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe goes quick, just don't look back

Review: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe goes quick, just don't look back originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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