A Solstice for all seasons

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Pontiac will be making a hard-top version of its pert little Solstice convertible. But instead of calling it something witty, like the Winter Solstice, the company has played it straight and dubbed it the Pontiac Solstice Coupe. It’s probably for the best.

This two-door, two-seater model makes an interesting stab at bringing the targa top back into fashion, as the roof is a lightweight, removal item made from composites, aluminum and even a touch of magnesium. The thing is, it won’t fit into the trunk, so there’s an optional soft top (which is stowable) for when the weather becomes inclement.

In a strange reversal of conventional practice, the coupe version will be slightly heavier (around 31 pounds, says Pontiac) than the convertible, thanks to the roof and its supporting structure. But, with a flat trunk floor, it’s a little more practical.

Engine options will be the same as the current model: standard trim sports a 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower engine, or the GXP model has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine developing a more muscular 260 hp. And in another odd turnabout, the Coupe is expected to be more expensive than its Convertible counterpart. But since prices haven’t been released, we’ll have to wait until a time closer to the Coupe’s on-sale date, which is set for early 2009. If it’s any help, the Solstice soft-top starts at $22,165.

-- Colin Ryan