Performance Review: Pontiac Solstice Coupe 2.4 16V - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Solstice Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Solstice Coupe 2.4 16V is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Pontiac Solstice has a 2384cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Solstice shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Solstice's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1300 kgs (2866 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Solstice Coupe 2.4 16V in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac Solstice shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 2384cc 16V St4 engine produces 177 bhp (131 kW) @ 6600 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 166 lb-ft (225.0 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Pontiac Solstice you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1985 Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged (161.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Solstice.

The Pontiac Solstice has a Power to weight ratio of 136.1 bhp per ton and 127.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Solstice competing with the 1985 Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged (161.1 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Chevrolet Camaro 5.7 V8 Z28 (161.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Pontiac Solstice generating around 127.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1999 BMW Z3 2.8i Roadster (152.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (152.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.6 secs, this made the Pontiac Solstice Coupe 2.4 16V as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the or the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs). This Pontiac Solstice Coupe 2.4 16V is also faster than the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the and the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Solstice and the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Solstice on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.92 secs @ 85.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro (15.85 secs), the 2005 Toyota Corolla TS Compressor 2.0L (15.85 secs), and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Roadster (15.85 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Pontiac Solstice Coupe 2.4 16V has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Solstice equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Pontiac Solstice Coupe 2.4 16V then how about the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Solstice Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison