Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Convertibles, Pontiac
Beware of Dog: Mallett reveals Pitbull Edition V8 Solstice

click above image to view additional high-res pics of the Mallett Pitbull Edition Solstice
Mallett was one of the first aftermarket companies to shoehorn a V8 into the diminutive engine bay of the Pontiac Solstice. While an amazing feat, the resultant car still looked like a normal four-cylinder Solstice. At this year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, however, Mallett will be debuting this car, the Pitbull Edition V8 Solstice, that gives this roadster some sharp teeth to back up its bite. The Pitbull Edition is highlighted by a six-piece body kit made of fiberglass, though it will also be available by special order in carbon fiber for the weight watchers among us. Up front the new fenders increase the car's width by four inches, and out back another five inches is granted to allow for a much larger wheel/tire combo all around. The revised front fascia with a new lower air intake and scooped hood also allow for more air to reach the big engine. Only a limited number of Pitbuil Edition V8 Solstices will be made by Mallett at a cost of $16,000 to $18,000 above the normal price of the V8 conversion car. You'll get the requisite badging and signed dash plaques, though, in case you need to auction the car when your kids demand their college fund back.
Read the press release after the jump and check out the very high-res gallery below.
Thanks for the tip, Zack!
[Source: Mallett]
Gallery: Mallett Pitbull Edition V8 Solstice
PRESS RELEASE:
Mallett Cars Offering Pitbull Body Kit Conversion For The Pontiac Solstice
Finally, an exclusive body upgrade to match the incredible Mallett LS2/LS7 conversions. Widened a full 4 inches in the front and 5 inches in the rear, the Pitbull package is a 6 piece body conversion that allows the use of ultra-wide wheels and gives a menacing stance to the Solstice. The specially-designed front fascia improves airflow to the engine and the increased traction of wider tires lets you put more of that V8 power to the ground.
Only a limited number of Pitbull Edition Solstices will be built and will feature signature badging. The fiberglass upgrade is projected to cost $16,000-18,000 fully installed and painted, and will also be available in carbon fiber by special order. The upgrade is scheduled to debut at SEMA 2007.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Oscar 4:40PM (5/02/2007)
Beautiful,
Problem is the starting vehicle feels so compromised. You pop the hood or open the trunk and you can see that GM "swept the dirt under the rug" whereas you do the same on the MX-5 or S2000 and it looks just as good as it does outside, you dig?
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Bryan 4:45PM (5/02/2007)
The original looks better, this thing is goofy looking.
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Yago Bal 4:49PM (5/02/2007)
This isn't a car: it's a caricature of a car... Incredibly awful.
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Mike 4:49PM (5/02/2007)
Love it. Pontiac has always been pretty good, especially the supercharged GTP's and last-gen F-body.
I am really looking forward to Pontiacs transformation.
ps. Mike is an idiot. ;-)
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felipe 4:54PM (5/02/2007)
like the back.
front looks strange, can't decide good or bad. yes goofy is a good word i think
that hood scoop is too big i think. its 75% of the front end.
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akintz 4:59PM (5/02/2007)
I'm with Yago on this... sort of. It does kind of remind me of some sort of caricature or drawing of a car. But I think it works for this car - but maybe that's b/c I wasn't a fan of the original... it needed a bit of meat to it or something. But that price sounds a bit ridiculous...
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Paul Y 5:20PM (5/02/2007)
Let me know when someone shoehorns a WRX engine into the Solstice (as God intended), then I'll be happy with it.
This is sorta ridiculous. Half the fun of a giant engine in a tiny car is the potential for a great sleeper.
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Chet 5:28PM (5/02/2007)
Cartman really needs to lay off the Weight Gain 4000. This doesn't look muscular or fast, just bloated.
Beefcake... Beefcake!
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Bryan 5:57PM (5/02/2007)
Chet its BeefCaaaake...BEEFFCAAAAAAAKKE!! lol. You got to stress the beefcake!
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Drew 6:04PM (5/02/2007)
Fugly. Thats the best word for it.
Mallett should have just been content to drop a V8 and put *subtle* styling cues to differentiate the difference.
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kevin 6:44PM (5/02/2007)
Looks like a surprised chipmunk.
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Phelix 7:04PM (5/02/2007)
well, that's hideous.
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HotRodzNKustoms 7:16PM (5/02/2007)
I won't say beautiful, I won't say hideous, I'll just say it's... so masculin women must stay at least 15 feet away or risk pregnancy.
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TheSwener 7:24PM (5/02/2007)
Anyone know how much power this particular v8 would make?
Redo the headlights and grill, and this thing could get anybody laid. Y'know, in addition to being ass-shaking fast.
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iddqd 7:35PM (5/02/2007)
I'd be really interested in a commenter's opinion of beauty if they think this is "fugly." Save an oversized hood scoop, the wide-body affect is pretty menacing while retaining the original styling cues. I always thought the front view of this car, low and wide, could look pretty mean.
I like it... the price tag might be a little steep but then again wetting composite cloth isn't rocket science. I'm sure reasonable options will be available soon.
ps:Paul, I'll take my Ecotec over a scooby boxer any day. Flat4 is nice and all but the Ecotec can handle high psi on stock internals too :)
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Steverino 8:06PM (5/02/2007)
I'm with #7 (Paul). I'd opt for having a sleeper version of the Solstice (or Sky). Maybe put some nice wheels on it, and thats it :]
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Barney 8:55PM (5/02/2007)
Someone put a V8 in an old Beetle once. It didn't make the car better, just different. A V8 in a Solstice defies what the car is about.
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GOT 9:13PM (5/02/2007)
Hmmm... I think the new hood and the tail pipes look good. The rest doesn't look even half as svelte as the OEM Solstice. They need to clean it up a lot. It does look tough and meaner though.
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Esprit bird 11:30PM (5/02/2007)
The Front looks too fat...the rear looks great! but a V8?!!? common' i filled up at 3.15 today!!
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Paulie 7:48AM (5/03/2007)
WOW THIS THING IS HOT!!
I HOPE ITS THE NEW VAUXHALL VX.....IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF WE DONT GET THAT AWSOME CAR OVER THE POND HERE :D
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