2008 New York Auto Show: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

• Competes with: Mini Cooper, Volvo C30, VW GTI
• Looks like: Pontiac has a true inheritor for the Fiero
• Drivetrain: 173-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 260-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or five-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Early 2009

There aren’t many inexpensive sports coupes on the market, and Pontiac is hoping the 2009 Solstice coupe will catch fire and generate a buzz like the convertible did a few years ago.

The coupe is almost identical to the convertible in terms of the engines and transmissions offered, as well as the interior layout and materials. What’s obviously different is the fastback body style, which really sets it apart from its sibling.

Without the clunky fold-down ragtop and its assorted mechanisms, there’s a flat floor behind the front seats for storage; cargo room is virtually nonexistent in the convertible and doesn't look much improved here. The coupe isn’t actually a fixed roof — the roof panel can be removed, just like on the Corvette, and is made of magnesium.

We wonder what the demand for the Solstice coupe will be, but much of it may depend on the price. Common practice usually prices coupes less than convertibles, and the 2008 vert’s prices of $22,165 and $27,845 for the base and GXP versions are already pretty affordable. We’d still love to see a sub-$20,000 base price. Check out more photos below.

Comments

[Rylan]

Awesome! i have been waiting. When can I put a deposit on this car?

[Mitchell]

It's fantastic...

[woogie]

Takes me back to the MGB GT or Triumph GT6

[adam]

Hope they do the same thing with the Sky. That will hot as well.

[The other Dan]

It's definitely cool. But don't expect sub $20k unless they build it in China. BMW's Z3/Z4 Coupe's never took off compared to the rag tops. Neither did Chrysler's two seater coupe. I love coupe's vs rag tops. Especially two seater's. But I think we're rare.

[woogie]

The BMW coupe styling was horrible. The BMW rag tops had the abbreviated rear deck which meant for a very boxy looking coupe.

I'm impressed with the styling on these.

[ermatthe]

Jazz lives again!

Looks mean. Real Nice.

[Doug-GMnext]

If you're interested in chatting with a Pontiac designer who worked on the Solstice Coupe, GMnext is hosting a web chat with Designer Jose Gonzalez on Thursday at 11 a.m. EST. Just go to http://www.gmnext.com/LiveChat.aspx and register with your e-mail address.

[Lil'Tom]

Looks great, but why not just give us a real coupe?

Oh, and a Sky shooting brake

[Infosaur]

Hardtop is for racing requirements.

SCCA is gonna be fun this year.

Will there be a Sky hardtop too?