SEMA Preview: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe Concept
by Drew Phillips on Nov 1st 2008 at 9:05AM 
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The Pontiac Solstice is no stranger to the show floor at SEMA. Pontiac has previously shown the Solstice Weekend Club Racer in 2005, the Solstice GXP-R in 2006, and the single-seat Solstice SD-290 Concept. last year. For this year, GM's line of performance parts will be shown on the Solstice in coupe form for the first time when the Solstice GXP Coupe Concept is officially unveiled next week in Las Vegas. This customized Solstice shows off GM Performance Parts' Stage 2 performance kit , intake kit, and cat-back exhaust system that boosts horsepower from 260 to 290. The car also features a sportier suspension system, exterior graphics kit, customized leather-trimmed seats, race-style pedal covers, and an iPod interface. More details and live photos soon to come as part of our extensive SEMA 2008 coverage.
[Source: GMInsideNews.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BoneHeadOtto 9:31AM (11/01/2008)
Id be curious to see if they have made this thing faster than the cobalt SS. In recent tests the cobalt far out paces competition around a race track. Even cars costing far more. So im curious to see if this car with rwd can be even faster.
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Michael 10:07AM (11/01/2008)
Yeah, I think it would be kind of bad if the Cobalt SS stays faster than this car.
Steve Bennet 1:17PM (11/01/2008)
I think one of the reasons the cobalt ss does so well compared to the solstice gxp is because it has better tires and beefier brakes. The engine is the same in both cars, the weight is equal too and the solstice has an almost 50/50 weight split. So it almost must be the tires/brakes giving an edge to the cobalt ss.
Domestic 6.0 4:11PM (11/01/2008)
Very nice but in this game 300 plus is the new standard ... so a few more please !
Egon 9:39AM (11/01/2008)
Hmmm, I dunno. There's just something about the roofline that is out of whack. I think it might be the relatively upright windshield that clashes with the rest of the swoopy fastback design.
The convertibles seem to have the same malady, but at least in that model you have the option of lowering the top.
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knifetramp 3:55PM (11/01/2008)
The thing "out of whack" to me is that you have to lower the window in order to open or close the door (the roof appears to wrap over the glass). Other than that little detail, I like the looks a lot.
AZZO45b 7:29PM (11/01/2008)
AGREED! I'll take a soft top & buy a hardtop (like the SCCA SSB class racers & the RedBull D1 drift car).
That lil' B/ C pillar window does NOTHING for me. Just exaggerates the odd shaped DLO.
Too bad... I liked the early GM Design sketches/ concept drawings.
Bluestreak 11:12PM (11/01/2008)
I really don't want to like this car, as it's impractical (though not so much as the convertible), rather crude in comparison to the Miata, and a bit over-styled for my taste. However, it reminds me of the Shelby Daytona coupe and I can't help but admire the design now that there's a fixed roof.
Smegley 10:19AM (11/01/2008)
Is the Solstice Coupe a go or a no-go? I was hoping for one before with a intention to buy, but have mentally moved on because I never saw anything definitive.
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jurm 11:19AM (11/01/2008)
I was under the impression that the hard/targa top was coming as part of the 2009 model year. Pontiac mentions it on their site here: http://www.pontiac.com/showFutureSolstice.do where it says it will be available "early 2009." Personally I had planned on buying one as well once they became available. I'd like mine in orange tho :-)
Sharone 10:31AM (11/01/2008)
Pretty. Has hints of BMW front.
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Torrent 12:49PM (11/01/2008)
like the kidney grille they've both had since like forever?
Blitz 10:43AM (11/01/2008)
lol for a car used as Jazz for the transformers I find it funny that they seemed to copy his original colours with this car.
more on topic. Its nice not quite happy with how small those side windows are but over all I like it
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Ian 10:46AM (11/01/2008)
Looks like a Viper and a Shelby Cobra mixed. I kinda dig it!
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Bdon 10:50AM (11/01/2008)
Front end has a BMW taste to it, yet that windsheild is waay to upright, kind of like on the 370z.... they need to tilt that sucker back on a smaller angle...
:D the soft-top you really didnt notice it as much but on this one with that horrible roof line my god its ugly
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MoonRover 10:59AM (11/01/2008)
I would work the corner of 42nd street for one of those, that is one bad little ride.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:00AM (11/01/2008)
This guy has 8 posts, every one of which is spam. Most of them are spam for this site listed here. Check it.
http://www.autoblog.com/profile/2243320/
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geo.stewart 11:29AM (11/01/2008)
amazingly, I think I like it better as a coupe. MUCH better job than BMW did with the Z's.
though GM still needs to work on the ergonomics. you have to be made of rubber to use the window switches
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94 taurus owner 7:09AM (11/04/2008)
How Ironic just put a number 4 on the engine hood and doors.then it will be painted exactly like G1 autobot Jazz.
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BoxerFanatic 12:30PM (11/01/2008)
Not bad.
Aside from the fact that I am not that impressed with the color scheme, (which is a very subjective issue)
And that I like the sky's styling better, and wish it were getting a roof...
And although I like the targa roof, when removed, this car isn't going to be much stiffer than a convertible, and not as stiff as a fixed roof coupe...
And the fact that GM is enabling the nanny-state with their black box recorders, and onStar that could be reporting anything to anybody, without the owner/driver knowing about it... (but that isn't just Solstice, that is more and more of their entire lineup)
Other than those things, this is a pretty attractive little package. More attractive than the Solstice Roadster.
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