WHEN BOB LUTZ, General Motors Vice Chairman drove the Pontiac Solstice Roadster sports car on stage as it was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it might be the beginning of new technical thinking among American sports car designers.

The Solstice is small, almost light and it is powered by a 4-cylinder, fast revving 2.2-liter engine.

“Keep it simple, pure, and beautiful and it will be easy to love.” These were the basic inspirations set down by Bob Lutz, in creating a “sketch-off” for the first concept vehicle commissioned by GM’s new product chief. The call went out at the end of September and by mid-October, the Pontiac Solstice roadster was under development.

“The North American market is ripe for an affordable, pure roadster executed to top global standards on perceived quality, both inside and out,” Lutz explained. “The Solstice is striking in its purity and simplicity”.

“The exterior is finished in a rich gunmetal grey colour, giving the nod to a slight European understatement in the approach. Imposing 19-inch front and 20-inch rear performance tires and wheels fill the wheel openings to provide a strong and powerful stance that accentuates the curves of the body.”

The drop-top is a simple “one-hand” operated manual fold down that stows neatly underneath the speedster-style hard cover.

The soul of any worthy roadster is the powertrain. The Solstice is powered by a rear-wheel-drive 2.2-liter DOHC supercharged EcoTec four-cylinder engine generating up to 240 horsepower with premium fuel.

FACTS
· Pontiac Solstice Concept sports car
· Roadster and coupe
· Rear-wheel drive, frontengine
· 4-cyl. inline
· 2.2-liter, supercharged, high revving
· 240 bhp
· 6-speed manual gearbox
· Price: The thesis is a roadster that would sell for about $20,000

“Keep it simple, pure, and beautiful and it will be easy to love.”
Bob Lutz, GM Vice Chairman

Images
1) Bob Lutz in his “keep-it-simple-sports car” at the NAIAS 2002.
2) Typical roadster – long front, the cabin far back.
3) Big wheels all over.
4 + 5) Almost simple cabin, typically American style.
6 + 7) The coupe version is almost ready.

MORE DETROIT NEWS: Today’s News at sportscartesting.com.