SEMA: Pontiac Solstice GXP-R
The Pontiac Solstice is a fun little roadster that has managed to capture the fancy of people who would never have even thought of stepping into a Pontiac dealership. Cute and affordable are a good combination for guaranteeing sales, but there wasn't a lot of meat on its bones. Slightly anemic in N/A form, the turbocharged GXP made it a car that even weekend racers might enjoy. And now we see the GXP-R, which takes thing up a notch or two. Rather than the already-admirable 260 hp in the standard GXP, the overboosted engine in this SEMA version delivers a nice round 300 hp and 315 lb.-ft. of torque all the way down at 3250 rpm.
Upgraded stopping comes via the SSBC Performance Brake Package, nestled behind custom 19-inch x 8.5-inch wheels, and wrapped in chunky Goodyear Eagle F1 245/40ZR19 tires. The outside of this Solstice GXP-R has been enhanced with a revised front fascia with a couple of new slats and altered grilles for better breathing. At the side we see modified air extractors behind the front wheels, a different rear fascia and a pretty subtle rear spoiler. Eschewing the color-of-the-day orange on its Club Sport brother, the GXP-R wears Hydro Blue that looks a bit like the Escalade EXT and Hayabusa combo elsewhere in the booth. Same color pops up in the vehicle's interior, in the form of stitching, bezel and trim pigmenting. Like the engine and trim, still prefer the Club Sport though. More pics after the jump.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SammyG 5:54PM (11/02/2006)
Ok, now make the sky version subk 28k
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aaron 5:14PM (11/02/2006)
Looks pretty nice. Too bad the sign 300hp@3250 / 315tq@3250 is wrong. Always a little rough when they screw up signs like that for shows as important as SEMA.
Last time I checked Hp = (TqXRpm/5252)
so the 315 torque that low which seems reasonable, equates to 195hp. The 300 ponies is no doubt at a much higher rpm.
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Lee Gibson 5:29PM (11/02/2006)
Because the best thing to do with your big stonkin' 300hp convertible is to paint it light blue.
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Jon G 5:42PM (11/02/2006)
This thing is only 1 forward gear and a few pushrods away from being my daily driver. GM.
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leo 5:45PM (11/02/2006)
ugly wheels, but the power upgrade make up for it
still I would not buy one of these just cause of the interior - that's where i will bespending my time in and if i don't like that, than whats the point, since it will piss me off everytime i get in
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kab 5:53PM (11/02/2006)
Much like my earlier Challenger / SEMA comment that was taken out of context... are we going to actually see this thing in showrooms?
If not, then WTF is the point of this show?
Oh, and those rims are fugly.
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RZ 6:13PM (11/02/2006)
This is what i do not get, everyone talks about horse power. Hey how about this, basic version comes with manual windows and no A/C. Wow, how cool will you look stiring the car with one hand and manualy lowering window because it is too hot.
But hay who needs an A/C you can just pop the top, so who cares that it's raining.
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risingsun 6:20PM (11/02/2006)
All that extra horsepower can help turn those huge chrome wheels!
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Tim 6:27PM (11/02/2006)
I'd love a version with manual windows but with the added power. Manual windows, manual locks, radio delete option (i'd probably be adding my own radio of choice anyway)and no A/C but include the turbo and i'd be thrilled...other than the annoying interior. Who puts cup holders behind where your elbow rests?
Now, I was really tempted by the concept car when it was on the show circuit but I wanted it in coupe form. I'm still waiting but I am hoping it comes badged as a Saturn as the sharper lines appeal more to me than the solstice does.
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RZ 6:34PM (11/02/2006)
#9 yeah you may be a cool car guy. But those of us who work long hours and just want to have a nice ride home will not find manual windows cool, yeah HP is cool but can you really drive a car that fast? There are cameras and cops everywhere. I maybe crazy but i like comfort.I drove in my uncles Corolla with manual windows....i can't go back to that, i won't, no one will. No A/C? What is this 1991???
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JW 7:18PM (11/02/2006)
Hot Hot Hot! But like some people said, will these make the showroom floor?
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Andy 7:46PM (11/02/2006)
These SEMA show cars are like fancy runway fashion outfits--they're just for show and few make it to production. I wonder what the customizers do with the cars after.
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Blacknimbus 12:51AM (11/03/2006)
It's a pity that they will only make 10 of them.
Total...
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Stasco 9:34PM (11/19/2006)
Are there any sports car purists in this crowd? Why are you all posting on an auto blog if all you care about is power windows and wheel rims? Go buy a Toyota, and shut up. Oh, and #7, learn how to spell.
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rmka 6:09PM (12/04/2006)
We got the 2007 2.4L Solstice 210 miles/2 weekends ago.
The car is beautiful. Roll down windows, manual roof, manual door locks, manual side mirrors. The car came with AC, for real! We settled on the package because we wanted to keep it simple. It's a lot like driving an older car but without the headaches that come with courting "The Prince of Darkness"(Lucas electronics)or some of the other nasty no fun stuff. After reasearching the car since it's U.S intro, it finally became ours. Later on if & when possible,
we would like to embellish the HP but it's fast enough for now. Any ideas on that would be appreciated. Alos if there's any after market sites for enthusiasts cropping up, YES!!!
The car rocks and it's 100%. F.U.N.
Our "other" car is a 2005 Prius. 100% Californian!
The Solstice is a keeper & already collectible but we're driving it anyway. According to some definitions, the Solstice and other autos akin to it, are not "roadster" types. Apparently there are long standing design elements that determine that classification but, it still rocks!. Comparing the Sky to the Solstice, both are nice but the Pontiac exudes more of the soul of a sports car.
Improvements: Larger sideview mirrors, a more visible(larger) gas gauge, the radio blows in respect to reception. Better insulation in the drive tunnel; yeah I know, "it's a sprts car" still, it would be an improvement.
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GT 4:45PM (1/15/2007)
Well with every car made these days, people have to find something to complain about it. The point pontiac puts out is that the solstice is fun to drive. People wanted it faster, so they made a gxp. Now, people want the gxp faster, so they have an idea of a gxp-r. I'll give it to those people who complain about the space, but then again its a convertible roadster. Anyone who owns a solstice can see the attention they are getting from other drivers and their passengers. People say that they are attractive cars to the public. The light blue just makes it stick out more.
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Doug R 8:48AM (1/25/2007)
Very cool. I like it better in yellow though. Hard choice between this and a Mustang GT convertible. With the mustang you at least have a token back seat and some trunk space. Reminds me of owning a motorcycle and how many times I couldn't use it because I had to carry something. Not the same I know but 2 up with luggage for a weekend could get tricky with a Solstice. What the hey, it's a roadster! I wonder what Mazda's next move will be?
RZ, you're abviously not a sports car guy or at least not a roadster guy. Reaching over to crank down a window is not an issue.
#5, the point is for the company to see the reaction from the public and make a decision about production accordingly.
Another option for about the same money would be a nice 32' roadster kit car. Don't laugh! You'd be surprised! There are many reputable companies. You can have hi-tech suspension, engine, and drive train. Assembly for many of them is virtually idiot proof with excellent factory support. You can even have A/C for ol' RZ!
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