Bring on the redesigned 2006 Mazda Miata – show us what ya got!

With the exception of the Chevy Corvette, it’s been quite awhile since General Motors has been able to cop an attitude like that. There’s the thoroughly capable Pontiac GTO, but its lackluster styling has left the buying public polarized. From that GTO to the Chevrolet HHR, GM has been criticized for either missing the mark or bringing a product to the market unfashionably late.

That all may change with the 2006 Pontiac Solstice. We’ll reserve our final opinions until after a test drive, but from what we’ve seen thus far, this first-ever Pontiac roadster ain’t screwing around. It wouldn’t have been a stretch to expect a new GM model like the Solstice to show up unprepared for battle with the outgoing 2005 Miata, let alone the thoroughly updated 2006 model. But the Solstice stands ready to compete with today’s Mazda Miata, and it’s ready for the redesigned 2006 MX-5.

Will the 2006 Pontiac Solstice beat down its competitors? It’s too early to tell. But whichever company rolls away the victor, at least it will have been a fair fight.