Concepts or Reality? GMs Solstice is Coming and So May the Curve and Nomad

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GM has a recent repuation of building concept cars that have a good chance of making it into production, and the Chevy Nomad (shown) and Saturn Curve should be no different. (Photo: General Motors)

Saturn is on record as saying it will have six models in a couple of years, so a Curve-like roadster would fit nicely. (Photo: General Motors)

Ill be astonished if we dont see production versions of Curve and Nomad by 2005. (Photo: General Motors)

"These vehicles have global appeal that translate well in any language." (Photo: General Motors)

When it came to the Solstice, GM said, "We knew from the start that we would do it right or not do it at all." (Photo: General Motors)

The Kappa architectures rigid structure permits more precision when it comes to tuning the suspension. (Photo: General Motors)

Solstice May Be Inspiration but Resulting Kappa Architecture Springs Tantalizing New Concepts

GM likes to call the Chevrolet Nomad and Saturn Curve concept cars, but its easy to see how they could quickly turn into production cars and bring a Saab sibling along with them for the world, and maybe an Opel/Vauxhall model for Europe. Do the math yourself:

1) GM now has a rock solid policy of only building concept cars with an excellent chance of going into production (such as the recently announced Pontiac Solstice), so theyre not doing these for fun.

2) Engineering VP Jim Queen has recently been promising that the worlds biggest car company will soon begin to pummel the marketplace with original derivatives of production cars.

3) Its impossible to make a strong business case for designing a unique architecture (in this case, the Kappa architecture) for a niche vehicle as low-priced as Solstice will be, but using it for other small-volume models can make the financial possibilities more attractive.

4) Saturn is on record as saying it will have six models in a couple of years, so a Curve-like roadster would fit nicely with the three existing units and the soon-to-arrive Terraza crossover sport van and still leave room for one more.

5) Chevrolet has plans to surpass Ford as the biggest-selling brand in North America and a segment-busting model like a two-door station wagon like the Nomad would certainly help with that.

6) GM product boss Bob Lutz says well see an onslaught of vehicles wearing the designer Swedish label and a two-seater would fit nicely into Saabs premium drivers car firmament, perhaps as the 9-1.

In light of all that, Ill be astonished if we dont see production versions of Curve and Nomad by 2005, as 2006 models, with the Saab arriving about the same time, following the debut of a concept version at a forthcoming auto show.

This is absolutely fine with me, especially since the Nomad speaks directly to some powerful part of my psyche, much more than the Solstice or Curve do. I think it may have something to do with an unrequited passion for the best-looking two-door wagon of all time — the MGB GT of the 1960s.

But being generous, I would not begrudge other people who might prefer the Solstice or the Curve or the 9-1 or whatever theyre called.

Solstice and its siblings were all designed from a global perspective, using design studios in England and Sweden, with assembly help from Italys Pininfarina.

As a result, says Anne Asensio, the French native who is now GMs executive director for advanced vehicle design, These vehicles have global appeal that translate well in any language. From the shape of the bodywork to the colors and interior materials, they each represent contemporary design.

It was media and public reaction to the style of the Solstice concept car at the 2002 Detroit auto show that convinced GM to build the roadster even when a compact rear-drive platform to house it did not exist.

We knew from the start that we would do it right or not do it at all, says Lori Queen, vehicle line executive for GMs small cars. The support for that decision came from the very top, and it has been an experience whereby the size and strength of GM was mobilized on a global scale to get the job done immediately.

To maintain what Queen calls the Solstice concepts aggressive stance, the chassis was developed to support the vehicles short overhangs, long wheelbase and wide stance. This wheels at the corners design enhances handling and the overall feeling of stability. It also allows for a more comfortable interior, with increased legroom and hip room.

For a stiff foundation, Kappa got hydro-formed frame rails that run the length of the vehicle, along with a tube chassis and additional stampings where needed.

The tunnel at the center of the chassis that houses the transmission and driveshaft is enclosed at the bottom to enhance stiffness, Queen explains, pointing out that This built-in strength reduces chassis flex and cowl shake in a vehicle designed from the outset as a convertible.

Queen says the Kappa architectures rigid structure also permits more precision when it comes to tuning the suspension, and its suspension design and geometry are not shared with any other GM architecture.

In addition to the robust chassis architecture and suspension components, Queen says, Kappa engineers sweated dynamic details to produce a world-class platform, including:

• near 50/50 weight distribution for a balanced handling feel
• hydraulic engine mounts for a smoother engine feel
• an acoustic barrier and sound absorption package to provide world-class levels of interior quietness
• exterior components, such as mirrors, wind-tunnel tested to minimize wind noise, and
• tires selected for handling performance and low noise.

The Kappa chassis also was designed for the all-aluminum Ecotec four-cylinder engine, which will include three iterations, starting with the 2.4-liter version of the DOHC in the Solstice.

While Kappa may have a unique suspension setup, the team that designed the new architecture were happy to leverage existing GM components where possible, to save time and money.

So the Solstices rear differential is borrowed from the Cadillac CTS, for example, Queen says, with other proven component selections in Solstice and other Kappa cars.

Queen is quick to head off the suspicion that using what the auto industry sometimes calls parts bin engineering will be bad for the Solstice or anything else. The parts are adapted to the Kappa architecture and do not compromise the vehicles design or function, she says.

Although the primary motivation for the Kappa architecture was the development of the Solstice, its platform is adaptable, so the Nomad has a longer wheelbase for a second row of seats. as demonstrated with the Chevrolet Nomad sport wagon and Saturn Curve 2+2 coupe concept vehicles.

The Kappa architecture is a great platform for sporty, driver-oriented applications around the globe, says Queen. Two years ago it didnt exist, but as the other concepts show, the additional possibilities are tantalizing.