When the alluring Pontiac Solstice Concept drove onto the stage at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, piloted by cigar-chomping, straight-talking product guru Bob Lutz, General Motors ignited a media frenzy that fueled enthusiast passion and raised consumer expectations about what GM could, and would, build in the coming decade. The production version of the Solstice arrived for 2006, gained a powerful and fuel-efficient turbocharged GXP variant for 2007, and enters 2009 with a new two-door coupe model joining the lineup.

Here is a summary of changes to the 2009 Pontiac Solstice:
• New Solstice Coupe model with removable hardtop panel joins existing Convertible model
• Stability control and ABS are now standard
• Limited-slip differential is now standard
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity is now standard
• Revised 18-inch wheel design
• Deep Blue (seen in the photos) and Merlot Jewel are new colors
• Limited-production Solstice Street Edition convertible with 2.4-liter engine, Brazen Orange paint, black stripes, unique alloy wheels, and Club Sport suspension

Pontiac sells the Solstice as a coupe or a convertible in standard or GXP trim, the former a new body style for 2009. The Solstice Coupe has a removable roof panel for open-air driving, but the panel does not fit in the small rear cargo area, which features a flat load floor, several covered storage bins, and access from the cabin. Pontiac offers an available snap-in soft cover that can be carried onboard for when the weather turns foul or added security is desired. A home storage case for the roof panel is also available to better protect the finish when it is left behind.

Pontiac offers few standard features on the Solstice. The base price for the convertible model includes painted 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, a power driver’s seat height adjuster, a stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary input jack, XM satellite radio with three free months of service, OnStar telematics with one free year of Safe & Sound service, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a rear window defogger, a single cupholder, and little else.

The Solstice GXP includes a more powerful engine, a shorter final drive ratio, performance tires, Bilstein shocks, thicker stabilizer bars, a larger cooling system, subtle styling modifications, and a polished wheel finish. The GXP models and the base Solstice Coupe also feature standard power windows, door locks and mirrors, along with remote keyless entry, cruise control, and fog lights.

In addition to Convenience and Preferred option packages that add convenient, preferable features to the base Solstice convertible, this model and all other Solstices can be equipped with air conditioning, floor mats, upgraded audio systems, and a Premium package including leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated accessory controls. Pontiac dealers also offer a wide variety of other accessories to customize a Solstice.

The 2009 Pontiac Solstice comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 173 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 167 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. The Solstice GXP is equipped with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, direct injection, four-cylinder engine generating 260 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,300 rpm. Pontiac recommends premium fuel for both engines, which are connected to the buyer’s choice between a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. During several days of driving in a Solstice GXP with the manual transmission, which is rated by the EPA to deliver 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, we averaged 23 mpg in mixed driving.

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 Pontiac Solstice includes dual front airbags with a deactivation switch for the front passenger airbag, four-wheel-disc ABS, and a stability control system with traction control. Side-impact and side curtain airbags are not available on the Solstice. Every Solstice does come standard with OnStar and a free one-year subscription to the Safe & Sound service with Advanced Crash Response, which automatically notifies rescue personnel of the Solstice’s location in the event of an airbag deployment.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Pontiac Solstice competes against other compact sporty cars, the most direct competitor being the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Pontiac says the Solstice competes against the Miata and others including the BMW Z4, Honda S2000, and Nissan 350Z.