Joined
·
7,730 Posts
Two of three concepts based on the Kappa platform are green-lit for production. This article suggests the Nomad will be as well. They also say the Solstice will be less than 3000lbs(C&Dmay have been wrong). Lastly Kappa may be used for Caddy's 1-series sized car with no mention of the 9-3 platform. Sounds like much drama is to come concerning this.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The article...
In order to avoid sacrificing the proportions and design essence of Pontiac's Solstice concept when bringing it to production (the Aztek being a perfect example of how not to do it), GM needed a new platform. On this new small-vehicle platform, called Kappa within the company, GM unveiled several new concepts at Detroit.
Though years behind the small-roadster revolution of other Japanese and German automakers, the Pontiac Solstice will make a great image-builder for Pontiac and was revealed as a production vehicle for the 2006 model year, to go on sale in late 2005. The Solstice will have a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine underhood, making 170 hp sent through a five-speed manual transmission. In a time when cars just keep getting heavier, the Solstice should weigh in well below 3000 pounds and offer a near-perfect weight distribution.
GM also showed a small Saturn roadster built on the same platform. Called the Curve, the curvy hardtop is Saturn's first sports car, with flared fenders and a front-end design that marks a new direction. The Curve has a different roofline and profile than the Solstice, with a glass roof and "invisible" pillars. The interior boasts more functionality than a typical sports car, Saturn says, and the interior offers wood, aluminum, and light-toned leather.
Also built on the Kappa architecture, the Chevrolet Nomad was another hit of the show. Likely to see production along with the Solstice and Curve, the Nomad instead offers a retro (recalling the original '54 Nomad concept) two-plus-two, two-door sport wagon design. Power is provided by a 250-hp, 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The Nomad offers a fold-flat tailgate and loading floor and a trendy nouveau-retro silver-blue interior not resembling that of any current Chevy models.
The Solstice and its siblings have brought some new hope for U.S. fans of small, performance-oriented cars. We'll wager it's only time before GM births a new generation of predominantly rear-wheel-drive sport sedans, hatchbacks, or wagons that might take on the likes of the upcoming BMW 1-Series, perhaps from Cadillac.
Full article...
http://www.thecarconnection.co...n=156
Pics for view...
![]()
![]()
![]()
Most of this is old news but some of it is worth discussing. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
![]()
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The article...
In order to avoid sacrificing the proportions and design essence of Pontiac's Solstice concept when bringing it to production (the Aztek being a perfect example of how not to do it), GM needed a new platform. On this new small-vehicle platform, called Kappa within the company, GM unveiled several new concepts at Detroit.
Though years behind the small-roadster revolution of other Japanese and German automakers, the Pontiac Solstice will make a great image-builder for Pontiac and was revealed as a production vehicle for the 2006 model year, to go on sale in late 2005. The Solstice will have a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine underhood, making 170 hp sent through a five-speed manual transmission. In a time when cars just keep getting heavier, the Solstice should weigh in well below 3000 pounds and offer a near-perfect weight distribution.
GM also showed a small Saturn roadster built on the same platform. Called the Curve, the curvy hardtop is Saturn's first sports car, with flared fenders and a front-end design that marks a new direction. The Curve has a different roofline and profile than the Solstice, with a glass roof and "invisible" pillars. The interior boasts more functionality than a typical sports car, Saturn says, and the interior offers wood, aluminum, and light-toned leather.
Also built on the Kappa architecture, the Chevrolet Nomad was another hit of the show. Likely to see production along with the Solstice and Curve, the Nomad instead offers a retro (recalling the original '54 Nomad concept) two-plus-two, two-door sport wagon design. Power is provided by a 250-hp, 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The Nomad offers a fold-flat tailgate and loading floor and a trendy nouveau-retro silver-blue interior not resembling that of any current Chevy models.
The Solstice and its siblings have brought some new hope for U.S. fans of small, performance-oriented cars. We'll wager it's only time before GM births a new generation of predominantly rear-wheel-drive sport sedans, hatchbacks, or wagons that might take on the likes of the upcoming BMW 1-Series, perhaps from Cadillac.
Full article...
http://www.thecarconnection.co...n=156
Pics for view...
Most of this is old news but some of it is worth discussing. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
