Interior photos reveal a slightly retro-design that is all about the pleasures of driving. Two large metal-ringed, circular gauges emphasize all that is important to the driver. The dash flows smoothly around the driver's cockpit and seamlessly meets the center-console and short throw shifter.

The Solstice sports a slightly retro-style interior, that is all about the pleasures of driving. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

But what are those odd looking crank-arms appearing on each door panel, could they be window cranks? "You're darn tootin' they are," would answer Bob Lutz. He insisted on manual window cranks and a manually folding convertible roof as a means of ensuring the remarkable price-point target for the Solstice would not be missed. And that's absolutely fine with me. Some of my best automotive memories surround a white Triumph TR7 roadster with blue plaid interior that I bought new in late 1979, as a newly introduced 1980 model. This Brit also had the traditional roll-down windows and manual roof, features that truly make a driver one with his car.

The Solstice utilizes new rear-wheel drive architecture termed Kappa, now shared with the Chevrolet Nomad and Saturn Curve concepts. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

The Solstice utilizes new rear-wheel drive architecture termed Kappa, now shared with the Chevrolet Nomad and Saturn Curve concepts, as well as the Euro only Vauxhall VX. "We needed a small, flexible, rear-wheel drive architecture," said Lori Queen, vehicle line executive for small cars. "We knew that a modified Delta was not going to work for the production car." The Kappa architecture makes extensive use of lightweight, rugged aluminum. The front suspension setup employs struts and rack-and-pinion steering. This system, borrowed from the Subaru WRX, is just one of the many parts that Pontiac sources from of its numerous GM partners as a method for reducing production costs. The all-aluminum independent rear suspension originates from GM's midsize crossover SUV family. The rear differential migrates to the Solstice from the new GM midsize SUVs and the six-speed manual gearbox is "shifted" straight from Chevy's new Corvette.