Keen observers might already know all about the cross-compatibility of the AR5 five-speed manual transmission across completely unrelated GM vehicles, including sports cars, pickup trucks and burly off-road SUVs. Designated GM RPO code MA5, the transmission in question was utilized in quite a wide range of models, including the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters, Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks, Hummer H3 sports utility vehicle, and even the three-wheeled Polaris Slingshot.
The AR5 transmission was built by Aisin, a Japanese supplier with production facilities in the U.S. that also conducts business with Honda, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, and Toyota, among others.
According to spec sheets listed on Aisin’s website, the AR5 has a torque capacity of 350 newton meters, or about 260 pound-feet, which was the output rating for the range-topping Kappa-platformed models – the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Red Line, Opel GT, and Daewoo G2X Turbo models. Notably, the two roadsters were powered by GM’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder LNF engine, which had the same horsepower rating as it did torque (260).
| Year | Vehicle | Engine | Power (hp / kW @ RPM) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM) |
| 2004 – 2008 | Chevrolet Colorado | 2.8L LK5 I4 | 175 / 130 @ 5600 | 185 / 251 @ 2800 |
| 2004 – 2008 | Chevrolet Colorado | 3.5L L52 I5 | 220 / 164 @ 5600 | 225 / 305 @ 2800 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Daewoo G2X | 2.4L L85 Ecotec I4 | 173 / 129 @5800 | 164 / 222 @ 4500 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Daewoo G2X Turbo | 2.0L LNF I4 | 260 / 194 @ 5300 | 260 / 353 @ 2000 |
| 2004 – 2008 | GMC Canyon | 2.8L LK5 I4 | 175 / 130 @ 5600 | 185 / 251 @ 2800 |
| 2004 – 2008 | GMC Canyon | 3.5L L52 I5 | 220 / 164 @ 5600 | 225 / 305 @ 2800 |
| 2006 – 2010 | Hummer H3 | 3.5L L52 I5 | 220 / 164 @ 5600 | 225 / 305 @ 2800 |
| 1998 – 2002 | Isuzu Trooper | 3.5L 6VE1 V6 | 215 / 160 @ 5400 | 230 / 310 @ 3000 |
| 2014 | Polaris Slingshot | 2.4L L85 Ecotec I4 | 173 / 129 @6200 | 166 / 225 @ 4700 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Opel GT | 2.0L LNF I4 | 260 / 194 @ 5300 | 260 / 353 @ 2000 |
| 2006 – 2010 | Pontiac Solstice | 2.4L L85 Ecotec I4 | 173 / 129 @5800 | 164 / 222 @ 4500 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Pontiac Solstice GXP | 2.0L LNF I4 | 260 / 194 @ 5300 | 260 / 353 @ 2000 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Saturn Sky | 2.4L L85 Ecotec I4 | 177 / 132 @ 5800 | 173 / 235 @ 4800 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Saturn Sky Red Line | 2.0L LNF I4 | 260 / 194 @ 5300 | 260 / 353 @ 2000 |
It’s worth highlighting the fact that buyers of the first-generation Canyon and Colorado were able to configure their trucks with a manual transmission and four-wheel-drive, and it appears that a transfer case was added to the AR5 transmission in order to do so. This was also the case for the Hummer H3, which featured an electronically-controlled 4×4 system. Comparatively, the six-speed manual initially available in the second-gen Colorado and Canyon was only offered in conjunction with rear-wheel-drive.
The AR5 manual transmission differed by vehicle applications as it relates to gear ratios. We show the differences in the table just below.
| Year | Vehicle | First Gear | Second Gear | Third Gear | Fourth Gear | Fifth Gear | Reverse |
| 2004 – 2008 | Chevrolet Colorado | 3.75 | 2.2 | 1.37 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Daewoo G2X | 3.75 | 2.26 | 1.51 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Daewoo G2X Turbo | 3.75 | 2.26 | 1.51 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
| 2004 – 2008 | GMC Canyon | 3.75 | 2.2 | 1.37 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
| 2006 – 2010 | Hummer H3 | 3.75 | 2.2 | 1.37 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
| 1998 – 2002 | Isuzu Trooper | 3.95 | 2.33 | 1.44 | 1.00 | 0.79 | 3.92 |
| 2014 | Polaris Slingshot | 3.75 | 2.26 | 1.51 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Opel GT | 3.75 | 2.26 | 1.51 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
| 2006 – 2010 | Pontiac Solstice | 3.75 | 2.26 | 1.51 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Pontiac Solstice GXP | 3.75 | 2.26 | 1.51 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Saturn Sky | 3.75 | 2.26 | 1.51 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
| 2007 – 2010 | Saturn Sky Red Line | 3.75 | 2.26 | 1.51 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.67 |
Overall, the Aisin AR5 is a quite a stout gearbox that has been able to endure the use and abuse from those doing off-roading, towing or hauling, as well as the performance-pushing tuners who turn up the boost and no-lift-shift their two-seater sports coupes.
And for a departing piece of trivia, the AR5 even had a short-lived Hollywood career. It was featured in two Transformers movies courtesy of an Autobot named Jazz, who presented himself as a modified 2006 Pontiac Solstice. One of the models used on set went on to be auctioned off at Barrett Jackson during the Scottsdale 2018 show for a mere $12,100.
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Comments
Pontiac’s Solstice was designed and manufactured on a small budget which meant they borrow components from other GM vehicles.
It wasn’t just the budget. The Solstice and Sky existed because the Wilmington, DE plan was not utilized. GM bean counters told management that it would be cheaper to make a loss leading car, than pay the union penalties for closing it.
This was one of the reasons GM went bankrupt, as you can imagine. The union deals were excessive, and only a bankruptcy would force the unions to be reasonable.
But Bob Lutz leaped at the idea. Take the C6 Corvette frame, and use it to make a modern MG Midget, with a punch. To do this, it was a design requirement to use as many parts as possible. It was billed as a design study in GM modularity, and paved the way for VSS later on.
I think the only reason GM offered the GMPP Stage 2 kits on ATS and Regal, was that Bob Lutz demanded 300 horses for the Sky, HHR, Cobalt and Solstice. When the pandemic is over, I’m probably going to get another and have him sign it.
If GM is serious about EVs in all segments, they’ll make a successor using BEV3.
This car was full of shared parts. There were parts from a Envoy, Grand Prix, CTS and more.
Note the GM turbo engines were 260 ft lbs stock but with the GM Performance tune they put the torque to 340 ft lbs. GM considered that safe for this transmission.
As for shared parts one I found out about was switch gear in the SSR was from an Alfa Romeo when GM had control of them for a short while.
In fact the MAP sensor in the GM Turbo tune kit was also from an Alfa.
GM just had no money to do much with at this time, Lutz arrived to fix things but no money to do it. It was a pure miracle that he got the cars done that he did get done.
Do a little homework and you will see this trsns is a common swap on the Toyota 2jz motor and holds up to 600 ho at times.
Wished they made a hard top fast back version of the Pontiac Solstice…
They did.
The first picture in this writeup is of a Solstice coupe. Still have the 08 GXP with this transmission that I bought new – its promised to my grand daughter.
I agree but convertible hard top
It would seem that the Aisin in the Solstice/Sky LNFs was capable of a bit more than 260 lb-ft, as GM itself released a “stage” power upgrade kit for the models bringing the torque number up to ~340 lb-ft or so, depending.
Aisin Seiki is the largest, global manufacturer of all types of automotive transmissions, both manual and automatic.
Evo69,
They did. It was a very limited run in the last model year.
Lutz was the man that inspired the Solstice from start to finish !
I bought my wife a Solstice. We still have it.
Very unrefined car compared to the Mazda.
But she likes it. And with the limited amount of convertibles on the road it still draws a lot of attention…
Rob
The ar5 is a great transmission and provides great value, thats why I put one in my 2002 Lexus is300.
Ooooh, now that’s a juicy idea!
Awesome cars they still turn heads 👍👍 go GM take the Camaro and ditch come out with something like this again and make it electric and watch sales soar! 👍👍
I get people all the time saying “Nice car!” at stop lights and when parked. That the top is completely concealed when down adds to its beauty. I greatly prefer the looks of the NA Solstice to either the GXP or Sky variants because of the minimal interruption of its smooth body lines. The fact that components were sourced from other applications means greater chance of getting parts as the car gets older.
As a long-time owner of a Solstice, I can easily provide a list of improvements which the car should have had. But notwithstanding these deficiencies, I must admit that it is still a head turner more so than some of my “import” sports cars. A shame the car did not have more refinement put into, esthethically and mechanically.
This is nicely broken down and helpful, thanks. I like the way you touch on key concepts succinctly. It’s useful insight and I find you worth a follow.