It's not as if the assembled journalists were seeing the pretty metal-blue roadster for the first time. In fact, it may well be the most photographed concept car in the history of concepts. Yet when the Solstice rolled on stage, all heads jerked to it, leaving the new versions of the G6 high and dry.

So the staring continues. The Pontiac G6 coupe and convertible, while blessed with style and an athletic stance, can't seem to force that Solstice gaze toward them. Maybe similarities to the Toyota Camry Solara ring out too loudly. Or that retractable hard top - won't the convertible wind up priced out of its league, thus dampening enthusiasm? General Motors Vice Chairman and car-guy extraordinaire Bob Lutz says no, that the price increase is only "marginal," but it's hard to see how that kind of technology in this type of vehicle could avoid ending up with either low volumes or with a significantly higher price.

Oh well. We'll all see when the 2006 Pontiac G6 Coupe and Convertible are delivered to dealerships - the coupe in the summer of 2005, the convertible the winter thereafter. As for the here and now, the G6 Coupe or Convertible is a nice, stylish and friendly car that will likely resonate strongly with twenty-something females. Young men pay heed: The Pontiac G6 Convertible is the kind of car your girlfriend or wife will just love. Highlights include a Karmann-designed retractable hardtop Pontiac claims will take less than 30 seconds from up to down. Both the coupe and convertible deliver 2+2 seating suitable for four adults, thanks the G6's 112.3-inch wheelbase, which stretches the wheels to the vehicles' corners and allows for increased rear-seat legroom.

Both the G6 Coupe and G6 Convertible will be available as GT and GTP models. The GTPs feature a 240-horsepower, 3.9-liter V6, mated to a four-speed automatic with manual-shift mode or a six-speed manual in the coupe. Pontiac reports that door access is 6 inches longer than the G6 sedan's front doors. The doors also feature special counterweights that provide a lighter feel when opening or closing. Also aiding rear-seat access is the front passenger seat, which slides forward when the seatback is released. The coupe and convertible offer approximately 35 inches of rear legroom.

The convertible's trunk has a double-hinged lid for stowing from the top. It opens like a conventional trunk for cargo storage, but is reverse-hinged to accept the folding hardtop. A hard tonneau cover automatically appears as part of the hardtop retraction process. When the top is stowed, the trunk provides 1.8 cubic feet of cargo space. With the top up, trunk capacity increases to 5.8 cubic feet.

Though built on the same platform as the coupe, the 2006 Pontiac G6 convertible was strengthened to bolster vehicle rigidity. How that translates on the road - as well as the weight of a roof that is apparently the world's largest retractable hardtop - will tell much about whether the convertible maintains a performance reputation.

Of course, it's not that big of a deal. Lurking out there, somewhere, is the car that will single-handedly transform Pontiac from the brand that huffs and puffs and tries hard to be exciting to one that actually gets the pulse on the giddy up. G6…what? Pardon, Mr. Lutz. When did you say that Solstice would arrive at dealerships?

--By Brian Chee