Recently, we took a closer look at the availability of the Aisin AR5 5-speed manual transmission, which was utilized by a somewhat-eclectic array of GM vehicles, including the Hummer H3, Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups, as well as the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and Opel-Vauxhall GT. Today, we’re back to take a look at the massive amount of parts used by GM Kappa vehicles.
As a quick refresher, the GM Kappa platform is a vehicle architecture engineered by General Motors for sporty, subcompact rear-wheel drive applications. The now discontinued platform underpinned the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Opel-Vauxhall GT, Daewoo G2X, as well as the Tauro V8 Spider offshoot.
“We knew from the start that we would do it right or not do it at all; the support for that decision came from the very top,” said GM Vehicle Line Executive, Lori Queen, back when Pontiac Solstice transition from concept to a real product. “It has been an experience whereby the size and strength of GM was mobilized on a global scale to get the job done immediately.”
Kappa Platform Parts Interchangeability
Amongst Kappa vehicles themselves, every mechanical component from the lug nuts to the engine air filter should be identical, meaning one should be able to take a strut assembly from a U.S. market Solstice and bolt it to a Euro-spec Opel GT or even the Korean-spec Daewoo G2X. However, it’s worth noting that spring rates vary between model variants, and automakers may have tweaked the suspension settings for a particular model.
Other variations include single-outlet exhausts for base models versus dual-outlet exhausts for performance models, as well as limited slip differentials and wheel availability. All Kappa vehicles feature an independent, SLA-type suspensions in the front and rear, along with coil-over springs wrapped around monotube shock absorbers. The short-long arm suspension designs feature forged aluminum upper and lower control arms that are both strong and lightweight. The rear suspension feature a toe control link and the rear differential housing has an optimized three-point mounting design.
Below is a list of components that should be interchangeable across all GM-built Kappa models:
- Chassis & Suspension
- Wheels and wheel hub assemblies
- Knuckles
- Strut assemblies
- Top hat
- Strut
- Coil
- Sway bar, end-links and bushings
- Steering rack and tie rods
- Braking system
- Calipers and pads
- Brake lines
- ABS modules
- Powertrain / Drivetrain
- All engine and transmission hardware, such as:
- Radiator and coolant hoses
- Fuel injectors and rails/lines
- Coils and spark plugs
- Alternator
- Wiring, sensors, and modules
- Flywheel
- Clutch and pressure plate
- Driveshaft and rear differential
- ECM calibration may vary
- All engine and transmission hardware, such as:
- Exhaust system
- Manifold to tip for turbocharged models
- Manifold to tip for naturally aspirated models
Powertrain Overlap
And thanks to the global scale approach described above, the GM parts used by the Kappa platform are nearly identical across all vehicle applications, save for the exterior design of Pontiac Solstice.
In the table below, we’ve compiled a complete list of production Kappa vehicles, including the Saturn Sky, Opel GT, and Daewoo G2X.
| Year | Vehicle | Transmission | Engine | Power (hp / kW @ RPM) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-2009 | Daewoo G2X | 5-Speed Manual (AR5) or 5-Speed Auto (5L40-E) | 2.4L L85 Ecotec I4 | 173 / 129 @5800 | 164 / 222 @ 4500 |
| 2006-2009 | Daewoo G2X Turbo | 5-Speed Manual (AR5) or 5-Speed Auto (5L40-E) | 2.0L LNF I4 Ecotec | 260 / 194 @ 5300 | 260 / 353 @ 2000 |
| 2006-2009 | Opel GT | 5-Speed Manual (AR5) or 5-Speed Auto (5L40-E) | 2.0L LNF I4 Ecotec | 260 / 194 @ 5300 | 260 / 353 @ 2000 |
| 2006-2009 | Pontiac Solstice | 5-Speed Manual (AR5) or 5-Speed Auto (5L40-E) | 2.4L L85 Ecotec I4 | 173 / 129 @5800 | 164 / 222 @ 4500 |
| 2006-2009 | Pontiac Solstice GXP | 5-Speed Manual (AR5) or 5-Speed Auto (5L40-E) | 2.0L LNF I4 Ecotec | 260 / 194 @ 5300 | 260 / 353 @ 2000 |
| 2006-2009 | Saturn Sky | 5-Speed Manual (AR5) or 5-Speed Auto (5L40-E) | 2.4L L85 Ecotec I4 | 177 / 132 @ 5800 | 173 / 235 @ 4800 |
| 2006-2009 | Saturn Sky Red Line | 5-Speed Manual (AR5) or 5-Speed Auto (5L40-E) | 2.0L LNF I4 Ecotec | 260 / 194 @ 5300 | 260 / 353 @ 2000 |
| 2012 – N/A | Tauro V8 Spider | 6-Speed Manual (T56) or 6-Speed Auto (6L80-E) | 6.2L LS3 V8 | 440 / 324 @ 5900 | 432 / 586 @ 4600 |
Two inline Ecotec four-cylinder engines were available for GM Kappa models, including the 2.4-liter L85 which was utilized by entry-level models, and the 2.0-liter LNF, which was for the upper echelon variants such as the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Solstice Sky Red Line. There is a slight difference in the L85’s power output, however, as it makes slightly more horsepower and torque in the Sky than in the Solstice.
Notably, the LNF can be found under the hood of 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS coupes and sedans as well as Chevrolet HHR SS sporty “panel vans”. However, a distinct difference is that the engine application for Kappa platform vehicles is longitudinal with a rear-wheel-drivetrain versus the transverse setup for the front-wheel-drive Chevy models, which results in more parasitic power loss in the drivetrain (plus the ability to pretend one is a Formula drifter).
GM Parts Bin Sharing
In order to decrease cost by leveraging economies of scale, the Kappa architecture used a whole bunch of major components from nearly every GM division/brand and modern platform at the time, such as:
- Rear axle and differential from the Cadillac CTS
- Sigma platform
- Pontiac Solstice interior storage bin from Cadillac XLR on the
- Y-Body platform
- Passenger-side airbag, steering column, and exterior and interior door handles are from the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5
- Steering wheel on the Pontiac Solstice is from the Pontiac G5
- Backup lights for Solstice are from the GMC Envoy
- GMT 360 platform
- Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning modules are from the Hummer H3
- Front fog lamp assembly on the Pontiac Solstice is from the Pontiac Grand Prix
- W-body
- 5-speed manual transmission is from the Hummer H3, GMC Canyon, and Chevrolet Colorado
- 5-speed automatic transmission is from the Cadillac CTS, STS, and SRX
We are continuing to compile information in an effort to create a comprehensive resource for all things GM. If we’ve missed anything crucial, shoot us a note here.
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Comments
One of the best parts bins cars GM ever produced IMO. Shame they didn’t get a second generation with a touch of weight reduction and a smidge more interior room. I’m 5ft10in and have driven a couple of these before. I found it tight with the roof up, crappy visibility too. I think a 6 footer is the max and even then its a sardine fit. Most annoying feature is the retracting cup holder in the waterfall between the seats. Spirited driving will have your elbow open it up a lot.
Well I own a 07 GXP that I purchased new in June 2007. I’m 6’2″ and I currently weigh 225-235. I fit in the Solstice just fine. Btw shirt size is 46-48 chest 37-38 length. Pant size is 35″ waist 36″ length
Where have you been. These were stories when this car came out. If not for the parts bin this car would never have been built. GM was out of money and needed to use anything off the shelf they could.
Might note the greatest difference in the LNF in this car over the FWD is the transmission. The FWD could not make more than 315 ft lbs or it would break the differential.
In the Kappa the Transmission will take 340 ft lbs with the GM performance tune.
Note too the GM tune included two bosh 3 bar maps from Alfa Romeo.
Speaking of Alfa Romeo some of the dash controls and door handles inside the SSR were taken from an Alfa Romeo. GM owned control at the time and had access to their parts bin too.
While the Kappa turned out as a very nice car many small things could have been resolved if they could have started out with all new parts. But considering how bad the money was it is a tribute to Lutz to have ever gotten them built in the first place.
If Lutz had only gotten to GM 20 years sooner I often wonder what he could have done with some money?
Wow, it included a map to 3 bars? LOL
Yes. My SS would hit 23 psi regularly with the kit at my altitude.
Excelent!
A lot of untapped potential in that car. I guess that could be said for a number of GM carlines over the years though.
I found that both the SKY and the Solstice had very poor visibility with the top up . They also had very low seats. The designs were great.
What sports car or convertible has great sight lines. If the seats were not low then you would be eating bugs.
It’s a sports car not a luxury car.
The real trouble with cars like these is even done right they are difficult to live a long life. Most lower priced sports cars live short lived. RX7, Z cars, TR 6&7, MR2 etc. they all had short runs.
The problem is there is little money in these cars and a limited market.
Mazda managed the Miata to a long life with cheap special editions and limiting sales per year. Also global sales helped. But even with that they had to share the latest version with Fiat to save cost to keep it alive.
This really highlights how special the Corvette really is as they have sold many and even with years of little change it survived.
Even if GM had not gone broke these cars had made their run.
Same with the Fiero. Even if GM had let it live the folks at GM that worked on the program only expected it to survive to a second gen.
Even with the cars short comings in the early years the pure volume really killed the car. They sold nearly 400,000 units in 5 years of a limited use car. They had to do this since the GM 80 was canceled and they were trying to keep the plant viable.
Even at the end they were selling just over 30k units per year but the plant was way under capacity and Chevy made the case it needed to die and so it did.
When cool cars like this come along get one early as if you wait your opportunity may be gone all too soon.
GM always had versatile parts bin. The ZQ8 suspension is just one example.
I SAW A SILVER GXP COUPE IN 2009 AT A DEALER IN B.C.
THEY WANTED $43,000, BEAUTIFUL CAR
I COULD NOT AFFORD IT
This is why ive always owned gm vehicles – they are more standerdized and parts are plentiful ! I can keep a gm vehicle on the road longer and at a lower cost ! I know the horrors of other manufacturers changing every little thing year after year and purposely engineer difficult to repair and or replace components !
That’s funny, because I have had the exact opposite experience. Cannot find nearly ANY Solstice parts for my car but can find nearly EVERY part for my 20 year old BMW E46 M3. Same goes for my mother’s 2013 Chevy Spark – nothing available after they stop making them, but can find every and anything for a BMW that hasn’t been in production for over 20 years.
Doesn’t stop me from owning GM vehicles however – wife owns an 88 Pontiac Fiero and (technically owned by GM) a 1971 Opel GT so we’re a gluten for punishment 😅.
Saturn is one division GM should have kept alive. With GM’s EV initiative, now would be a perfect time to reintroduce and make Saturn part of their electric vehicle portfolio.
Obama killed Saturn, not GM.
While I like the new Blazer, I’d love to see GMA do one of these for it.
Lots of XT5/Buick controls/body pieces, Silverado steering wheel, Acadia door handles, Camaro HVAC controls/outlets (even though it was designed like a Camaro CUV), Enclave gear selector.
Hello AR. You should have come over to AB. where the dealer was asking $40,000 and were willing to offer better deal than that, as well we get to pay only 5% sales tax and the registration at that time was $53.00 for the year.