The 2009 Pontiac Solstice has been a long time coming and, as one of GM’s flagship cars, there’s been plenty of promotion and discussion of its merits. The 2009 revision is now here for our consumption, hoping to live up to Pontiac’s tag line, “We build excitement.”

What’s so exciting about the Solistice? It’s a fair question, and one that GM has been trying very hard to answer for the last few years. Perhaps most striking are the Solstices looks: The curved front end giving way to classic retro styling around the grill and wheel arches, the long low top bodywork. Certainly, the Solstice looks exciting!

It’s not falling short in the engine department either. GM has fitted the Solstice with a 2.4-liter DOHC Ecotec four-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower and 170 lb-ft. That’s a lot of power for a very light weight car, but it still makes excellent fuel economy with 28 miles per gallon on the highway.

Looks, power, handing. GM is not widely recognized for their handling and breaking technologies, but they haven’t short changed the Solstice. They have thrown in a decent quality four wheel independent suspension system and disk breaks to keep the Solstice feeling exciting, even in tight cornering.

Perhaps 2009 is the year of the Solstice. GM will certainly be hoping so, as they intend to release many other small cars based upon the Solstice’s body work. Overall the 2009 Pontiac Solstice is a hot little roadster with plenty to give.