Word: roadster
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...were overly ambitious in developing new models too quickly, according to company officials and analysts. Hayek long ago dropped out. But even before the original model he helped to inspire had established itself, Smart moved on to new territory: the model range was extended to a four-seater, a roadster and a planned...
...parking attendant said it best. "Doesn't look like a Pontiac," he noted as we pulled into a Manhattan garage in a silver Solstice-the all-new convertible roadster with the curvy looks and fun-loving attitude. Pontiac's fleet has undergone an extensive makeover, seven new vehicles in the past two years, from the G6 to the GTO, that emphasize style and higher performance. Yet the brand remains a problem for GM; it isn't cool like Toyota's Scion, prized for its reliability like Honda or renowned for its engineering like BMW. Not even Oprah's giveaway...
...seats. The overall profile conveys a neat blend of attitude: a little daring, just shy of being menacing. It doesn't drip machismo like Nissan's 350Z or feature the delicate bone structure of a Mazda Miata. With a starting price around $20,000 the Solstice is the cheapest roadster on the market (a hair under the new Mazda MX-5). GM plans to produce just 16,000 to 18,000 units for the 2006 model year and dealers are already asking several thousand dollars over sticker...
...Unfortunately, the Solstice's curb-appeal loses its luster once you take the car for a spin. Like many a roadster it is shamelessly impractical. Drivers under 6 ft. may feel visually challenged, since one sits a few inches above ground and Pontiac skimped on a height-adjuster for the seats. Rear visibility is fine with the roof down, but when it's up the glass rear window provides minimal views. The cockpit feels sports-car Spartan; our test car featured a two-tone "sand-and-steel, " design scheme, with a five-speed manual shifter...
...roar but a gentle puff of speed-embarrassing in a car with pretenses to sprightliness. While the vehicle cornered adequately, thanks to the rear-wheel architecture, it did not feel nimble. Perhaps that won't be a deal-killer to most folks. But if you crave speed in your roadster, the Solstice is better admired than driven...