Autoblog

Click above for high-res live shots of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

Sporting a specific output of 130 horsepower-per-liter, the turbocharged, direct-injected Ecotec four-cylinder from GM that's featured in the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Redline and SS versions of the Chevy HHR and Cobalt, is already one heck of an accomplishment. But wait... there's more -- power that is. According to Motor Trend, shortly after the Solstice Coupe goes on sale next year, the blown-Ecotec could make 300 horsepower or more, putting it in close competition with performance stalwarts such as Nissan's Z. What's more, the same engine should also be available in the convertible versions of both the Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline as well, paired only with a five-speed manual tranny in all applications.

This is just a rumor at this point, but MT seems pretty confident in its validity, citing higher intercooled boost along with a new fuel rail as the tech behind the power increase. The rumor does not mention if the higher-output mill will appear in other applications, though we remember something about the Camaro possibly getting a turbo-four mill as an option, and a tuner-friendly option offering 300 galloping horsies in stock form would make for a very interesting option in the pony car.

[Source: Motor Trend via eGMCarTech]

After being endlessly mired in the '80s, the Autoblog Podcast has now climbed its way up to #90. Alex took a sick day, so John and Damon hold the fort. We've been in New York, and that's the main focus of the podcast, although we have had more than just John's Alero in the Autoblog Garage. Ford's sale of Jaguar and Land Rover comes up, as does some of the news that's ensued between the end of the New York show and now.

We've got a new podcast-specific email: podcast at autoblog dawt com, so please send in your questions about the show, about us, or about anything car-related you want to know, and we'll make up the best answers we can. Thanks for listening!

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Click above for high-res live shots of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

A self-effacing and impeccably dressed Bob Lutz took shots at the old Pontiac during the live reveal of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe. Busting on the arrowhead's former taste for cladding and Iron Dukes in the "excitement" product line, Lutz confidently strode alongside a silver 2009 Solstice GXP Coupe as it rolled out amidst fanfare provided by the Young Lords. Strobe lights flashed, music blared – it was like catching the last act of Kimmel, complete with Pontiac Garage signage. The Solstice Coupe replaces the world's flimsiest soft-top setup with a composite targa panel. 50-Cent also made an appearance and touted the performance of the GXP-trim Solstice, saying "It's faster than a Porsche Boxster. For $30,000... pick this one, not that one," while pointing at the Porsche display. The look of the Solstice Coupe is definitely zoomy - think of a C3 Corvette left in the dryer too long and you get the idea. Inside, the feeling is perhaps slightly less claustrphobic, but the general low-budget interior continues, though the GXP on the stand was wearing leather on the seats. The price of entry will still be a bargain when you look at the style it buys (official pricing hasn't been announced) - and the Coupe may even have enough trunk for an overnight bag.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Pontiac Solstice Coupe

For those who can't stand the nightmare contraption that is the Solstice top, Pontiac now has an answer for you. Behold the Solstice Coupe. Those who want some fresh air without the hassle of the Solstice soft top can partake in this car's removable roof panel of the targa variety. The new coupe has looks derived from the original coupe concept that debuted at the same time as the roadster in 2002. While the roof panel doesn't fit in the car when removed, there's no need to be concerned (too much) about getting caught in the rain. A soft roof cover can be stashed in the back and put in place in case of a sudden downpour. The hard roof panel has a magnesium frame around the SMC plastic shell and weighs just 31 lbs. Aside from the top, the coupe is pretty much mechanically the same as the roadster. It gets the same 2.4L normally aspirated and 2.0L turbo direct-injected four-cylinder engines with five speed transmissions of the self-shifting or manual kind. If you're hankering for this hard-top Solstice, you'll have to wait alongside the Camaro fans until early in 2009 to get one.


[Source: General Motors]

The thing about the internet is, once something gets published, it can't be taken back. We're sure Pontiac feels that way about this little image that appeared on its official website at some point in the recent past. It shows the Pontiac G8 sport truck and, lo and behold, a Solstice Coupe! Thankfully, an Autoblog reader saw it and had the sense to take a screen grab before it was yanked, and yanked it was. We can't find the image on pontiac.com currently, and it's not in Google cache, either. The picture is still live here on Pontiac.com. Just look for the tabbed box below the G8's tire, and click to the second tab. So while Pontiac would probably like us to forget that this picture ever popped up, the internet ensures we never have to. Stay tuned for live shots of the real thing this Wednesday when we'll be on the floor at the 2008 New York Auto Show. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

With the cancellation of any D1 Grand Prix drift action in the United States this year, the Formula D season should keep drift-addicts entertained when it gets underway on April 12th in Long Beach, California. Last season closed with Tanner Foust and his AEM Nissan 350Z being crowned champion, and Foust's multiple motorsports wins in 2007 (he also captured the X-Games rally title) garnered him increased attention and sponsorship deals. In fact, Rockstar Energy Drink has now ditched Daijiro Yoshihara and Pacific Rim to pair up with Tanner Foust and AEM for 2008. No matter for Go Go Daijiro though, as Rhys Millen conveniently had his number. Looking to expand the Pontiac Red Bull crew, Millen could not pass up the opportunity to snatch up the two time 2007 event winner in need of a ride. Millen's old Pontiac GTO will come out of retirement for Yoshihara to pilot in 2008.

[Source: Exhaust Note]

Oh no. Blogger Mickey Kaus says that he's seen an updated Pontiac Solstice ('09, presumably, since the '08 is unchanged), and that the new front clip sports the unbecoming, "tongue-thrusting" look of the current G6 GXP. Let's hope what Kaus saw was just some driver with poor taste rolling with an aftermarket nose, because the Solstice is not in need of a factory-prescribed rhinoplasty. GM would do well to focus on further refining the next generation of the car and not engage in ill-advised interim facelifts just for the sake of having them.

The Solstice is a great-looking, fun little go-kart that's not without its flaws. None of those, however, involve the car's appearance, which is its strongest suit. The new-look G6 GXP fascia is so overwrought that it effectively ruins an otherwise appealing package (GXP trim is the only way to get the G6 with the 3.6L V6 and 6-speed auto, and be advised: the GXP sedan gets the Gene Simmons mug, too). Don't do that to the Solstice, Pontiac. When you're trying hard to rekindle the Excitement Division, it's probably not a good idea to remind folks that you were the Aztek Division not so long ago. Unnecessary silliness like this does precisely that, so we hope this is one report that never leaves the proverbial rumormill.

UPDATE: More details from Mickey Kaus in the comments.

[Kausfiles via Instapundit]

The Pontiac Solstice has plenty of performance potential, and the SD-290 concept at SEMA uses a soon-to-be launched Stage II aftermarket kit for extra power and pizazz. 290 horsepower and 310 ft-lbs. are only part of the story, as light weight materials, a deleted passenger compartment and no windows help propel the SD 290 to 60 MPH in under 5 seconds. We interviewed GM Marketing Product Manager Jim Hunter to get you details, and you can view it by clicking play above.

With the cancellation of the Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged (above) for 2008 and the impending arrival of the turbocharged HHR SS, speculation was rampant that GM planned to take that 2.0L turbocharged, direct-injected Ecotec and drop it in the Cobalt's engine bay. As has been shown in the past, automakers can try to keep things under wraps, but their fans find ways of digging up info, especially when that info is squirreled away on the web, and GM Inside News has organized everything neatly for us.

First up at cobaltss.net is a copy of the SAE Power Certification for a 2008.5 Chevy Cobalt powered by GM's L850 LNF engine. This is the same motor used in the Saturn Sky Red Line, Pontiac Solstice GXP, and the aforementioned Chevy HHR SS. Also via cobaltss.net, we get a link to an official GM Planned Emission Certification doc that also lists a Cobalt with the 2.0L LNF engine (the planned certification is BIN5/LEV2, by the way). So, that's it. The writing on the wall says that a Turbo Cobalt is coming. And while we don't have anything to add, you might want to mosey back here very early Sunday morning. You know, in case anything new comes up.

[Source: GM Inside News, CobaltSS.net]

click above image to enlarge

While the recently concluded Frankfurt Motor Show claimed to be all about environmentally friendly green cars, there were notable exceptions on hand including but certainly not limited to the decidedly environmentally unfriendly Lamborghini Reventon. For this year's SEMA Show, General Motors will attempt to combine these two diametrically opposed ideas of green and mean. At least, that's the tagline revealed in GM's press release after the jump that lists every single one of the 28 vehicles that the automaker plans to have on hand next week in Las Vegas.

Highlights of the list include a 600 HP E85-powered Chevy Corvette owned by Jay Leno and a Pontiac G8 built by 50 Cent and Unique Autosports. Unfortunately, GM released only this single image of the unique Pontiac Solstice SD-290 Concept. The Solstice features a cover over the passenger compartment that evokes vintage single-seat racers of yore and even includes a new windscreen and separate review mirror mounted in the middle. It's likely powered by something that's green and... umm... mean (sigh).

Check out the complete list of vehicles after the jump and stay tuned for our exhaustive SEMA coverage that begins next week.

[Source: GM]