Solstice to possibly be named Firebird? I know it sounds a bit outlandish at first, but GMI has reason to believe this just may be the case. According to numerous reports, it is almost a given that the car we currently know as Solstice will see production as a two seat roaster in 2005 or 2006. However a little tidbit many are missing is that it is very unlikely that the car will debut with a name other than Solstice. Pontiac holds the Firebird name with very high regard, however with the GTO and Camaro becoming siblings around 2007, Pontiac has very few options on what to use the name on. This is where the Solstice comes into play, because Pontiac for some reason seems set to give the car a different name in production (trademark related maybe?). Now for the kicker, there are several indicators, the Solstice may indeed debut with the Firebird n ...read more at http://www.gminsidenews.com/forum/index.php?s=a125a5bf43980ff5ccb23cafa0348b28&showtopic=2620
-------------------- #22 Tom Henry Camaro Monterey Maroon Red Posts: 122 | From: Fort Carson, CO | Registered: Aug 2003
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Granted the Solstice is a great idea and I really do hope that Pontiac produces it. Spec wise it could be argued that the Solstice is true to the Firebird name, especially considering the V-6 Firebirds. But somehow I think it's the same as if Pontiac called the Fiero a Firebird.
In the end, it's probably a matter of how Pontiac positions and thinks of the Solstice. The problem with the Fiero was that it was thought of as a commuter car with commuter car underpinnings. Somehow lacks excitement, eh!!
If Pontiac is serious about the Solstice as a Firebird, it had better be thought of and positioned as a performance car....with the appropriate performance parts, performance handling and performance power to weight ratio to make it FUN!!! The key word here is performace!!!
And if it is to be a Firebird, then Trans Am SHOULD ONLY BE USED WITH A V-8/LS2 or LS7 engine option and a manual 6-speed (okay...optioanlly available). This does NOT mean a supercharged V-6!!!! Anything less, would be heresy to what that name stands for.
I must say, I am not confident that Pontiac will get it right. After all, this is the division that brought us the Aztek and thinks that the Vibe is exciting.
Back to mumblin' in my beer.
Bill M 98 TA
Posts: 383 | From: Oakville, Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
...the deciding factor in my opinion is whether the car was FWD or RWD (or AWD). As long as it was RWD (or AWD)I would have no problem with them offering a supercharged or turbocharged V6...GM has made some mighty impressive performance history with those engines, however I would want to see the plan for a V8 in it in the near term.
-------------------- 'b0
1991 Formula SLP350 A4 2001 Mitsu Eclipse GT A4 2001 Chevy Blazer ZR2 4x4 2002 SOM Trans Am Firehawk M6 #360
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Word Mark SOLSTICE Goods and Services IC 012. US 019 021 023 031 035 044. G & S: motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles, trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, engines therefor and structural parts thereof Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING Serial Number 78099853 Filing Date December 24, 2001 Current Filing Basis 1B Original Filing Basis 1B Published for Opposition June 25, 2002 Owner (APPLICANT) General Motors Corporation CORPORATION DELAWARE 300 Renaissance Center P.O. Box 300 Detroit MICHIGAN 482653000 Attorney of Record Timothy G. Gorbatoff Type of Mark TRADEMARK Register PRINCIPAL Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
quote:Originally posted by jimb0: ...the deciding factor in my opinion is whether the car was FWD or RWD (or AWD). As long as it was RWD (or AWD)I would have no problem with them offering a supercharged or turbocharged V6...GM has made some mighty impressive performance history with those engines, however I would want to see the plan for a V8 in it in the near term.
Agreed about RWD or AWD. FWD has it place in cars that are "people movers" but it has no place in a performace car.
I know what you are saying about the turbo/super charged V-6s....the Turbo TA and the Grand Nationals come to mind, but there is something about a V-8.....
Posts: 383 | From: Oakville, Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Would that be the Summer or Winter Solstice?
(Sorry, but I couldn't resist!)Posts: 1907 | From: I hope I'm not repeating myself. Again. And Again. Stop picking on me! Waaahhh!! | Registered: Feb 2000
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FireChicken
11 Secret Herbs & Spices
Member # 2067
posted
I think it would be a disgrace to call a car that is intended to compete with miata's a Firebird.
I hope that GM doesnt do something stupid like that. While I think their solstice idea is intersting as a car, why dont they call it a "solstice", or else make up a new name. I think they should keep the firebird name open for a car that truly deserves it.
Personally, with some of the discussion about the chassis for the new GTO having a wide range of versatility, I can see how they might have room for a Firebird made off of the same chassis as the GTO and next generation camaro.
Personally, I think they could make a camaro and firebird much as they are now, a sleep, aerodynamic car, with a low cost inexpensive trim model (camaro), and a higher cost, luxury sports trim model (firebird), leaving the GTO as a large, plenty-of-room big engine big car, sort of a cheaper, sportier Cadillac CTS.
Ya know what Im saying?
Posts: 686 | From: Texas: Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck! | Registered: Aug 2003
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