What's a
Kappa?
In the Automotive world, the term "Kappa" refers to the "Nomenclature" or "Foundation" a specific vehicle is built upon. For the Kappa Platform, it was the foundation General Motors had specifically chosen for the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice.
The Kappa Platform was a conglomerate of many if not all of General Motors' other Platforms at the time, with the goal of creating a Subcompact Rear-Wheeled Roadster in mind. Its Differential and Axle were based on the Cadilac CTS' Sigma Platform, its 2.4L Engine is shared with the Delta Platform, and its different Transmissions were shared with the Hummer H3 and Cadillac STS's.
Throughout its lifetime, General Motors has manufactured many different types of platforms and many different names to accommodate them with.
Why
Kappa?
In its early history, they used the standard English Alphabet along
with Roman Numerals such as FII for the 1974 Chevrolet Camaro. When GM Updated its Nomenclature, they changed to the Greek Alphabet such as Kappa for the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice. When GM updated its Nomenclature once again, they changed to Acronyms such as the BEV2 for the 2019 Electric Chevrolet Bolt.
GM also had internal code names to further identify a specific line of vehicles other than the platforms designed for them. For example, the Pontiac Solstice was known as GMX020, the Pontiac Solstice Coupe as GMX627, the Saturn Sky & Daewoo G2X shared GMX023, and the Opel GT Roadster known as GMX024.
Later on, the Kappa Platform was sold to Tauro Sport Auto, a Spanish luxury automaker based in Valladolid Spain, by GM in a series of events to save itself from bankruptcy.
What Used
Kappa?
The Kappa Platform was used by many different Brands with each having their own Model such as the Pontiac Solstice, the Saturn Sky, The Opel GT Roadster, and the Daewoo G2X, with the latter being rebranded Saturn Sky's.
The Pontiac
Solstice
Debuting in 2004 at the North American International Auto
Show or (NAIAS), the Pontiac Solstice was not only the first
vehicle to showcase the Kappa Platform, but it was also the
first vehicle to be released as a two-seater under the Pontiac
name since the Pontiac Fiero's discontinuation in 1988. The Solstice also featured many different variants to catch the eyes of both the everyday driver and the enthusiast alike. The base Solstice featured a Naturally Aspirated 2.4L 4 Cylinder Engine capable of producing 177 Horsepower, and 166 lb ft of Torque.
In 2006 at the Los Angelos Auto Show, Pontiac unveiled the GXP, a new version of the Pontiac Solstice equipped with a 2.0L 4 Cylinder Ecotech Engine Direct Injection capable of producing 260 Horsepower and 260 lb ft of torque.​
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In 2008 at the New York Auto Show, Pontiac unveiled the Solstice Coupe. Available in both Engines, the Pontiac Solstice Coupe featured a "Targa Top" which, unlike the soft convertible top, was a hard painted top that could still be removed but not placed in the trunk for storage. The Coupes also featured a different slightly different trunk style and body.
The Pontiac Solstice also featured many different "Special Editions". The "Heritage Edition" featured either Blue or White Rally Stripes, Blue Stitching for the Shifter, Steering Wheel, and Seats, which were only available for manual transmissions, and a Blue Convertible Top. This edition was also only available with the Summit White (Pure White) or Hypnotic Ocean Blue (Kinetic Blue) Exterior Paint. The "SCCA T2 Edition", which was only applied to 88 Units, featured a "Mean Yellow" exterior with special SCCA T2 Graphics, Grey Racing Stipes, and a special two-tone interior. The "Street Edition" featured a Black Heritage Racing Stripe, Black Bezel Headlamps, Polished Aluminum Split Spoke Wheels, Performance Z0K Inspired Suspension, and Orange Stitching throughout the vehicle.
The
Saturn Sky
Debuting in 2005 at the North American International Auto Show or (NAIAS), General Motors showcased a Concept of the Saturn Sky with the production variant later showcased at the 2006 Show.
The style of the Saturn Sky was heavily influenced by the Vauxhall VX Lightning and showcased a more sleek and sporty design then the Pontiac Solstice. The base Saturn Sky featured a Naturally Aspirated 2.4L 4 Cylinder Engine capable of producing 177 Horsepower, and 166 lb ft of Torque.
In 2006 at the New York Auto Show, Saturn unveiled a new variant of the Sky, the Redline. The Saturn Sky Redline, much like its GXP Cousin, featured a 2.0L 4 Cylinder Ecotech Engine with Direct Injection capable of producing 260 Horsepower and 260 lb ft of torque.
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Unlike the Pontiac Solstice, the Saturn Sky didn't feature a Coupe variant, but rather had many different "Special editions" featuring uncommon OEM paint jobs, colored leather stitching, and Racing Stripes. The Carbon Flash Edition featured a Metallic Carbon Flash paint job, and a Silver Racing Stripe. The Ruby Red Edition featured a Ruby Red paint job, and Carbon Racing Stripe. The Hydro Blue Edition featured a Hydro Blue paint job and featured Blue Stitching on the Steering wheel, Shifter, and Seats. The Hydro Blue Edition also featured a Silver Racing Stripe.
Debuting in 2007, the Opel GT Roadster was a rebadged Saturn Sky sold only in European and UK Markets. Unlike the Saturn Sky however, the Opel GT Roadster was only available in its 2.0L Turbocharged version. Just like the rest of the Kappa Platform, the Opel GTs were manufactured in the USA at the Wilmington, Delaware Plant. It was because of this; the Opel GTs were also only available in Left-Hand Drive unlike the common Right-Hand Drive in the UK. This was due to the Plant not having the correct tools to manufacture Right-Hand Drive Vehicles.
The Opel
GT Roadster
The
Daewoo G2X
Debuting in 2006, The Daewoo G2X, just like the Opel GT Roadster, was a rebadged Saturn Sky, though only sold in South Korean Markets. The Roadster was only available in its 2.0L Turbocharged Version equipped with the Five Speed Automatic Transmission. Only a handful were successfully sold.