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Pontiac Solstice

Bob's bullet has got VX factor

General Motors chairman Bob Lutz is a man who likes to hurry. The 70-year-old has a 200mph Suzuki motorcycle, commutes to work in an F-14 fighter jet and created the Chrysler Viper in his last job.

By J

November 2002

General Motors chairman Bob Lutz is a man who likes to hurry. The 70-year-old has a 200mph Suzuki motorcycle, commutes to work in an F-14 fighter jet and created the Chrysler Viper in his last job.

So when he started at GM, he made it a priority to develop a sports car - and quickly. After only four months, a Pontiac-badged roadster concept appeared at the Detroit Motor Show. A positive reaction meant that the car was given the green light for production, and it will appear in 2004 wearing Vauxhall badges, to replace the slow-selling Lotus-built VX220.

With a length of 3,904mm and width of 1,805mm, the roadster is very close dimensionally to the car which will become its arch rival - the Mazda MX-5. And just like the Japanese offering, it uses simple technology and mechanicals borrowed from mainstream models to keep the costs low and the driving experience pure.

So the engine is the same as in the Astra Coup

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FIRST OPINION

    Even though the Solstice is only a concept, it proves the production version will be great to drive, with a well balanced chassis and fun rear-drive powertrain. It's not as raw or focused as the VX220 it will eventually replace, but with more practicality and comfort, its appeal is bound to be wider.
 

AT A GLANCE

    Concept shows how replacement for Vauxhall VX220 will look
    Set to reach showrooms in 2004, priced around £15,000
     
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