Autoblog

Click above to view more high-res live shots of the Pontiac G8 GXP

It's a rare occurrence when honest applause breaks out in a press conference over a new model, let alone a transmission. But that's exactly what happened when Maximum Bob talked up the Pontiac G8 GXP, and specifically its optional six-speed manual transmission. Mated to that highly coveted cog swapper is the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 pulled from the Corvette, making 402 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. If you opt for the 6L80 auto 'box, you can check your manhood and an extra two lb.-ft. of torque at the door.

In addition to the upgraded engine and manual tranny, the GXP benefits from the 19-inchers originally shown on the G8 concept, Brembo brakes (sized 14-inches up front and 12.76 inches out back) and some revised suspension bits. Zero-to-60 times are down to 4.7 seconds and the G8 GXP (along with the Solstice coupe and 'ute) are all due to hit dealers later this year.

Pontiac's full press release is posted after the jump, and our own live high-res shots can be seen in the gallery below (we're going to be adding more as soon as the pandemonium surrounding the vehicle dies down.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received around 40 complaints from owners of the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline regarding the vehicle's braking performance. According to the owners, too much pedal effort is required to slow the vehicle down when the engine is cold. This may correlate with a TSB issued by General Motors back in December that advised dealers to recalibrate the braking control computer on both models. The system uses the stability control module's pump to increase hydraulic pressure when engine vacuum is low.

The investigation is in its preliminary stages, so no recall is in effect yet. However, NHTSA has one case of a crash involving one of the two models that could be attributed to the problem.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

When the Pontiac Solstice hit the market last year, there was enough electricity surrounding the new model in GM's "Excitement" division to power a small mid-western town. That buzz has apparently dropped off in quick order. Whereas before, dealers were tacking on huge markups, there are now reports of $1,000 being thrown on the hood of Pontiac's beautiful, bulbous roadster.

An article in the New York Times outlines a number of reasons for the recent sales slump, which include sales of the Saturn Sky rallying, Pontiac's brand perception waning and fashion victims, whose tastes change quicker than their Platinum card balance, losing interest in a vehicle that is becoming more commonplace.

Historically, highly stylized sports cars and convertibles have a short shelf life and that, coupled with the introduction of the GXP variant of the Solstice, may be the biggest culprits in the recent sales decline.

[Source: New York Times via Winding Road]

Saturn PreVue

American designer Phillip A. Zak has just been appointed to head the design team for General Motors Europe, where he'll be taking the reigns of the Opel, Vauxhall and Saab brands. The man behind the Chevy Cobalt, Pontiac G6 and the "Excitement" division's GXP line, will also have a hand in designing "certain Saturn products for North America."

In addition to the aforementioned production models, Zak has also stuffed his portfolio with several concept cars including the Pontiac REV and the Saturn Prevue, two designs that have had a direct influence on the styling direction of both brands.

We're interested to see what will come out of the GM's European studio with Zak at the helm, especially considering the recent propagation of Euro designs in the Saturn lineup.

[Source: InsideLine]

As expected, Rhys Millen and his Pontiac Solstice GXP dominated not only the inaugural 2WD Time Attack class, but when the dust settled, he was four-seconds faster than Nathan Conley in an '03 Subaru WRX Wagon competing in the 4WD division. Millen made it up the mountain in 12:45.153, while his nearest competitor in the 2WD class, Colin J. McCleery in an '89 Ford Sierra, was a full minute and 50 seconds behind.

Millen was pleased with both his driving and the GXP, but was less enthused with the course conditions, citing poor traction on parts of the gravel-strewn stages.

You can read Millen's full account of the race in the press release after the jump, while the overall standings of all the competitors can be viewed here.

[Sources: GM, PPHIC]

For more years than we can count, we've threatened to make it to Colorado to experience the spectacle that is the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Making it out this year was yet another logistical nightmare, so we've decided to live vicariously through our friends in attendance, while keeping tabs on our hero, Rhys Millen and his Red Bull Pontiac Solstice GXP.

We gave you the details on Rhys' ride last month, the same GXP that he's been sliding sideways since his GTO exited stage left. On Thursday, Mr. Millen made his way up the first section of the mountain in an absolutely scorching 5:32:756, taking first place in the inaugural Time Attack two-wheel drive class, and leaving his nearest competitor nearly a full minute behind.

He tells the tale in the press release after the jump, but one factoid in the text deserves note: he's running E85 in an effort to cope with the elevation changes and the high temps of running a turbocharged vehicle up the hill. According to Millen, his success is attributed to the combination of his sideways skills and the E85 engine's ability to keep cool under duress. They're not even running a spray system on the intercooler – impressive, to say the least.

Make the jump to get the skinny on the qualifying session, and be sure to check back tomorrow when we'll have an update on Rhys' overall performance at the Race to the Clouds.

[Source: GM]

The organizers of this year's Pike's Peak Hill Climb have added a new Time Attack class to the event, and one of our personal heroes is returning to beat the mountain into submission.

Rhys Millen, the pilot of the 550 HP Pontiac Solstice GXP drift car, Pike's Peak veteran, renowned rally racer and all-around driving deity, will be flogging his heavily modified sideways sidewinder up the hill during the Time Attack's inaugural run.

The Solstice itself will remain relatively unmodified for the event, keeping the same suspension setup, but tweaking the ECU to cope with the elevation changes and its affect on the air/fuel ratio.

There's too much good stuff to summarize here, so we'd encourage you to click the 'Read' link below for all the details, including several choice insights from Millen.

[Source: GM]

Click the image above for 29 high resolution pictures

The Pontiac Solstice is the crown prince of the General's lineup. With curves and flares, bulges and rakes, it's the modern equivalent of the Coke bottle aesthetic of yesteryear. Sure, some may prefer its sheetmetal sibling the Sky, but regardless of your chosen chariot, they're both head-turners. When the Solstice was introduced last year, however, it lacked the firepower to back up its sex-on-wheels image. Until now.

Remember when we suggested there was no way that rapper 50 Cent would choose to put two Pontiacs, the G8 and G6 GXP, in his video for "Amusement Park"? In fact, we went so far as to say that you'd have to suspend disbelief in order to think that Fiddy would want his girlz sliding all over Pontiacs instead of Lambos and Bentleys.

Well, we were wrong.

What we should have remembered is that rappers work in mysterious ways. According to a Pontiac spokeswoman, 50 saw the G6 GXP -- a car that could be called "Flipper" based on that massive, trunk-mounted fluke -- and G8 at the NAIAS, and requested them himself. Total cost to Pontiac: $0.00.

The last time we heard about 50 being pulled over, it was in a Murcielago Roadster, and word is he's also selling his Connecticut mansion. Does his new album "Curtis" and the Pontiac fetish herald a slower, more frugal 50 Cent?

Thanks for the tip, Alex!

[Source: Freep]

Click the image above for a full-size gallery.

We've already shown you what Pontiac plans to campaign in the Grand American Sports Car Series, now we'd like to introduce you to the vehicle on which it's based: the Pontiac G6 GXP.

We use the term "based" relatively loosely, as the production G6 GXP won't come with carbon-fiber body panels, a honking LS2 V8 or rear-wheel drive. What you do get when you upgrade, is a little more pedestrian Pontiac excitement.

Like its larger sibling, the Torrent GXP, the G6 GXP will get GM's 3.6-liter V6, complete with variable valve timing, 252 HP and 251 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed, automatic that's been optimized for front-wheel drive performance.

On the outside, the GXP variant can be distinguished from its lesser counterparts by revised front and rear ends, chrome grill surrounds, bulging hood with scoops and a "hammerhead" spoiler. Naturally, upgraded wheels are part of the mix, so you'll find a set of multi-spoke, 18-inchers at all four corners.

The front suspension utilizes a MacPherson strut setup, complete with aluminum control arms, while the rear gets a four-link independent suspension.

While it may not be as close to its racetrack-bred elder brother as some would like, the G6 GXP may prove the axiom of selling on Monday whatcha raced on Sunday.

The full press release is post after the jump.



For our comprehensive listing of everything from Detroit, click here.