Pontiac is broadening the Solstice’s line-up with the introduction of a coupe version that’s inspired that’s by the homonymous 2002 Detroit Show concept. The coupe features a removable hard top panel in case you lust to see the sun, but unfortunately, there’s no space in the rear to store it. Instead, Pontiac offers an optional soft roof cover that can be stored in the cargo area when not in use.

There are no mechanical changes since the change to a coupe body style resulted in only a slight increase in curb weight. Pontiac notes that initial tests have shown that the Solstice coupe will deliver ride and handling, acceleration, braking and fuel economy comparable to the convertible model.

As with the roadster, the coupe is powered by a standard 173 Hp 2.4L four-cylinder engine, while the GXP version is equipped with a 260 Hp 2.0L turbocharged engine. The Solstice coupe is expected to arrive in Pontiac dealerships in early 2009. (Pics edited by Carscoop) – Details and pics after the jump

Models:	Pontiac Solstice Coupe, Solstice GXP Coupe
Body style / driveline:	2-passenger, 2-door coupe; front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Construction:	welded galvanized steel enclosed central tunnel and hydroformed tube
EPA vehicle class:	two-seater
Manufacturing location:	Wilmington, Del.
Key competitors:	base: Mazda MX-5 Miata retractable hardtop GXP: Nissan 350Z Coupe

Engines

	Ecotec 2.4L VVT	Ecotec 2.0L DI Turbo VVT
Type:	2.4L DOHC I-4	2.0L DOHC I-4
Displacement (cu in / cc):	145 / 2384	122 / 1998
Bore & stroke (in / mm):	3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98	3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86
Block material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder; variable valve timing	DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder; dual continuous variable valve timing
Ignition system:	electronic direct	individual coil-on-plug
Fuel delivery:	sequential multi-port fuel injection with high-pressure injectors and electronic throttle control	spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) with variable high-pressure rail and electronic throttle control
Compression ratio:	10.4:1	9.2:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):	173 / 129 @ 5800*	260 / 194 @ 5300*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):	167 / 226 @ 4500	260 / 353 @ 2500-5250*
Recommended fuel:	premium recommended but not required	premium recommended but not required
Max engine speed (fuel cut-off):	7000 rpm	6350 rpm (fuel shut off)
Emissions controls:	close-coupled catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; fast-response O2 sensor	close-coupled catalytic converters, Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; wide-range O2 sensor
EPA estimated fuel economy (city / hwy):	19 / 24 (automatic) 19 / 25 (manual)	19 / 26 (automatic) 19 / 28 (manual)

Transmission

Type:	5-spd manual (MA5)	5L40 5-spd automatic
Gear ratios: (:1):
First:	3.75	3.42
Second:	2.26	2.21
Third:	1.51	1.60
Fourth:	1.00	1.00
Fifth:	0.73	0.75
Reverse:	3.67	3.02
Final drive ratio:	base: 3.91:1 GXP: 3.73:1	base: 3.91:1 GXP: 3.73:1

Chassis/Suspension

Front:	base: independent short/long arm, with hollow 27.2 x 4.5 mm stabilizer bar GXP: independent short/long arm, with hollow 33.3 x 4.5 mm stabilizer bar
Rear:	base: independent short/long arm, with hollow 24.2 x 3.0 mm stabilizer bar GXP: independent short/long arm, with hollow 25.4x3.0 mm stabilizer bar
Steering type:	hydraulic power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio:	16.4:1
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:	2.7
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):	34.8 / 10.6

Brakes

Type:	four-wheel disc, with ABS and electronic stability control (StabiliTrak)
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):	front: 11.7 x 1 / 297 x 25, vented rear: 10.9 x 0.5 / 277 x 13, solid
Swept area (sq in / cc)	front: 243 / 1570 rear: 189 / 1221

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:	base std: 18-inch x 8-inch five-spoke painted alloy; base opt: 18-inch x 8-inch five-spoke chromed aluminum and polished aluminum alloy GXP std: 18-inch x 8-inch five-spoke polished aluminum alloy or chromed aluminum
Tires:	base: P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RSA 96V all-season GXP: P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS2 96W high-performance

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):	95.1 / 2415
Overall length (in / mm):	157.2 / 3992
Overall width (in / mm):	71.3 / 1810
Overall height (in / mm):	50.9 / 1292
Track (in / mm):	front: 60.7 / 1543
	rear: 61.4 / 1560
Curb weight, base (lb / kg):	base: 2930 / 1329 (est.) GXP: 3018 / 1369 (est.)
Weight distribution (front / rear), approx.:	50 / 50

Interior

Seating capacity:	2
Headroom (in / mm):	37.4 / 950
Legroom (in / mm):	42.8 / 1086
Shoulder room (in / mm):	52.4 / 1332
Hip room (in / mm):	50.6 / 1284

Capacities

EPA interior volume (cu ft / L):	50.8 / 1438
Passenger Volume (cu ft / L)	48.5 / 1373
Cargo volume (cu ft / L), includes storage beneath load floor:	5.6 / 159
Fuel tank (gal / L):	13.6 / 51.5
Engine oil (qt / L):	5 / 4.7
Cooling system (qt / L):	Base with: manual: 8.9 / 8.4 automatic: 8.7 / 8.2 GXP with: manual: 9.5 / 9.0 automatic: 9.3 / 8.8