Autoblog

click above image for more high-res pics of the Pontiac Solstice SD-290

We'll meet the Pontiac Solstice SD-290 in person on the show floor later today, but just had to share more info on this very unique vehicle the moment we were allowed to. The single-seat racer is meant to evoke competition cars of old, and we bet its significantly faster than a stock Solstice GXP thanks to all of those pounds shed by losing the windshield, side glass, convertible top and climate system. In place of those items is a tonneau cover over the passenger seat and windscreen for the driver only. New fender vents have also been added, and the hood is all new, too. The familiar 2.0L direct-inject turbo pumps out 290 HP in the SD-290 thanks to some performance mods, and the car rides on the Solstice's available Club Sport Z0K suspension package. As if racing weren't already the obvious activity for which one would use this Solstice, a set of 19-inch forged wheels wrapped in Hooser R6 racing rubber remove any illusion that this car could be used as a daily driver.

Check out the complete list of mods after the jump.

[Source: Pontiac]

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]