Solstice GXP

[Catman]

PONTIAC REVEALS SOLSTICE GXP PERFORMANCE VARIANT AT 2006 LA AUTO SHOW

LOS ANGELES ? From its 2002 auto show introduction to an early-order program that sold 1,000 cars in 41 minutes, the Pontiac Solstice has always invoked a passionate response from customers. Now, Pontiac is taking the vehicle?s combination of sensuous styling and driving exhilaration to a new level with the announcement of the turbocharged 2007 Solstice GXP.

?Creating a GXP performance edition of the Solstice is a natural extension of the capabilities of this car,? said John Larson, Pontiac general manager. ?On its own, the base Solstice offers all of the qualities one would expect from a classic roadster ? style, crisp handling, and spirited performance. The Solstice GXP takes that pure roadster DNA and pushes it to a new level, with a 47 percent boost in horsepower and other enhancements for a more thrilling driving experience.?

The heart of the Solstice GXP is the Ecotec 2.0-liter turbo engine, GM?s first direct injection offering in North America . It produces 260 horsepower (194 kw) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 Nm),* making it GM?s highest specific output engine ever, at 2.1 horsepower per cubic inch of displacement (130 hp / 97 kw per liter), and the most powerful production engine in the Ecotec family.

A dual-scroll turbocharger with a lightweight turbine provides nearly instant power, and an air-to-air intercooling system boosts the turbo?s performance by reducing inlet temperatures. Dual cam phasing complements the turbocharging system by optimizing valve timing at lower rpm for best turbo response and quick access to engine torque.

Direct injection technology helps the Ecotec engine produce more power while maintaining the lower fuel consumption of a small displacement port-injected engine.

With direct injection, fuel is delivered directly to the combustion chamber to create a more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. Less fuel is required to produce the equivalent horsepower, especially at normal cruising speeds, of a conventional port-injection combustion system.

The GXP?s high-performance Ecotec turbo engine is connected to a standard five-speed manual gearbox, or an optional five-speed automotive transmission. Either transmission can propel the car from zero-to 60 mph in under 5.5 seconds.

As with other members of GXP family, the Solstice GXP provides a number of standard features not available on the base model, including:

?Unique front and rear fascias
?High polish, dual-outlet exhaust
?StabiliTrak vehicle stability enhancement system
?3.73 rear axle ratio
?Interior refinements including unique GXP gauge cluster and Cobalt Red seat stitching

The GXP also comes standard with a number of features available as options on the base model, including:

?Sport suspension system
?Four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock
?Limited-slip rear differential
?Power window/locks/mirrors and remote keyless entry
?Leather-wrapped steering wheel with accessory controls and cruise control
?Driver information center
?18-inch polished aluminum wheels

Additional options include a rear deck spoiler, leather seating, sport metallic pedals, chrome wheels, enhanced audio options, including XM Satellite Radio, and OnStar.

The 2007 Solstice GXP will be available in fall 2006. Pricing has not yet been established.

http://www.mph-online.com/web/prtranslated/00354

[cozmik]

Looks interesting, and I'd say that the engine most likely is essentially a production version of the DI 2.0 turbo Saab developed for the 9-3 SportCombi concept.

[Raza]

Sounds promising, though too late for me to do anything with it.  Shame, really.

[giant_mtb]

Not bad.  Now, I'd take this over the MX-5, but the MX-5 still wins over the base Solstice, for sure.

[TBR]

It'll be interesting too see how this compares with the Mazdaspeed Miata, which might have over 270hp (I am guessing it will have the same engine as the Mazdaspeed6).

[Raza]

It'll be interesting too see how this compares with the Mazdaspeed Miata, which might have over 270hp (I am guessing it will have the same engine as the Mazdaspeed6).

Yeah, probably, since it's still a four cylinder.  I'd love to see someone shove a Renesis in an MX-5, though.

[TBR]

It'll be interesting too see how this compares with the Mazdaspeed Miata, which might have over 270hp (I am guessing it will have the same engine as the Mazdaspeed6).

Yeah, probably, since it's still a four cylinder.  I'd love to see someone shove a Renesis in an MX-5, though.

Yeah, that would be absolutely awesome.  

[thewizard16]

Interesting. I still wouldn't own a Solstice, but I would definitely wouldn't mind driving this version.

[Mak450]

I heard on another forum Mazda is only doing one MazdaSpeed car at a time, and since the 3 is going to be the next car to get the treatment(i'm guessing) that would mean there won't be any MS MX-5 to go up against this for quite a while. Ah well a little extra breathing room I guess.

To be honest I was thinking they would've done a bit more with the body, I'm not sure why though.
However I still want one....very badly.

[SJ_GTI]

I'm a little dissappointed since it still uses a 5-speed.

The engine sounds nice...I think its based off the existing Astra GTC rather than a Saab though (though of course Saabs and Opels are engineered by the same people now anyway).

One thing I think the Solstice has going for it though is that its chassis seems overbuilt. It doesn't sound like it needed any upgrading to handle the extra power.

[SJ_GTI]

It'll be interesting too see how this compares with the Mazdaspeed Miata, which might have over 270hp (I am guessing it will have the same engine as the Mazdaspeed6).

Yeah, probably, since it's still a four cylinder.  I'd love to see someone shove a Renesis in an MX-5, though.

It will definitely be interesting to see how Mazda responds. They probably aren't too worried though since they do have the perfecy engine in the MS 6. They won't use the Renesis on the Miata though.

[Raza]

I heard that the MX-5 is based on a shortened RX-8 chassis, and I also heard that it wasn't.  Does anyone have anything solid on that?

In any case, I know they won't make an MX-5 with a Renesis (otherwise a name change would be in order) but it would be nice.  At the very least, they could make a fastback or hatchback coupe out of the MX-5, shove the Renesis in there, and you have yourself a merry little Christmas, AND the new RX-7.  

Damn, Mazda should give me a job.  

[SVT666]

I heard a V8 can fit under the hood of the Soltice, so I would rather see the 5.3L V8 in that thing, but it is hard to argue with 260 hp from a 4 banger.  Personally, I would take a Soltice over an MX-5 any day of the week, since I have never liked the look of the MX-5 from day one anyway, and the Soltice has a much more aggressive look to it in my opinion.  

On a side note:  I saw a MazdaSpeed 6 yesterday for the first time and DAMN! that thing looks hot.  That new front end and hood look great.  Too bad I'm not in the market for a mid-size family sedan right now.

[Mak450]

Although the V8 could fit with a little elbow grease, GM says the solstice wasn't designed to use a V8. I'm pretty sure it would upset it's balance too, they could trying pushing it back, but from what I've heard the Solstice doesn't exactly have a cavernous interior.

[VetteZ06]

I heard a V8 can fit under the hood of the Soltice . . .

You heard right.

[Raza]

Mallet does an LS2 conversion on the Solstice, though I'd hate to have that much weight on my front axle.

[Mak450]

Well actually the car has perfect 50:50 balance with a driver of average weight, and with a full tank of gas it's got a slight rearward bias.

EDIT: I was a bit wrong, I'll just quote from autoweek "To achieve such superior agility, the car is ballasted such that a 200-pound person sitting behind the wheel gives it perfect 50:50 lateral weight distribution. And with a full tank of gas, the weight split fore and aft is near that, at 52:48."

[giant_mtb]

Mallet does an LS2 conversion on the Solstice, though I'd hate to have that much weight on my front axle.

It pulls 1.02 g's.    

[thewizard16]

Mallet does an LS2 conversion on the Solstice, though I'd hate to have that much weight on my front axle.

It pulls 1.02 g's.  

:blink:    

[footoflead]

I heard a V8 can fit under the hood of the Soltice, so I would rather see the 5.3L V8 in that thing, but it is hard to argue with 260 hp from a 4 banger.  Personally, I would take a Soltice over an MX-5 any day of the week, since I have never liked the look of the MX-5 from day one anyway, and the Soltice has a much more aggressive look to it in my opinion.  

On a side note:  I saw a MazdaSpeed 6 yesterday for the first time and DAMN! that thing looks hot.  That new front end and hood look great.  Too bad I'm not in the market for a mid-size family sedan right now.

Ever been in a MX-5 with a 5.3 under the hood , i know a guy that built one and it is insane

Isnt the solstice heavyier than the MX-5 ,  

[SVT666]

I heard a V8 can fit under the hood of the Soltice, so I would rather see the 5.3L V8 in that thing, but it is hard to argue with 260 hp from a 4 banger.  Personally, I would take a Soltice over an MX-5 any day of the week, since I have never liked the look of the MX-5 from day one anyway, and the Soltice has a much more aggressive look to it in my opinion. 

On a side note:  I saw a MazdaSpeed 6 yesterday for the first time and DAMN! that thing looks hot.  That new front end and hood look great.  Too bad I'm not in the market for a mid-size family sedan right now.

Ever been in a MX-5 with a 5.3 under the hood , i know a guy that built one and it is insane

Isnt the solstice heavyier than the MX-5 ,

No, but I have been in an MX-5 with a 5.0L under the hood, and that was a shit load of fun.

[Raza]

Mallet does an LS2 conversion on the Solstice, though I'd hate to have that much weight on my front axle.

It pulls 1.02 g's.  

That doesn't mean anything.  Not much, anyway.

[Raza]

If I had an NB (instead of looking at an NC as I am now) I would not shove a bigger engine in there.  I'd go to the boys at Flyin' Miata and supercharge or turbocharge my way into the forced induction sleeper hall of fame.

[giant_mtb]

Mallet does an LS2 conversion on the Solstice, though I'd hate to have that much weight on my front axle.

It pulls 1.02 g's.  

That doesn't mean anything.  Not much, anyway.

It will outhandle a helluva lot.  That's what it means.

[Raza]

Mallet does an LS2 conversion on the Solstice, though I'd hate to have that much weight on my front axle.

It pulls 1.02 g's.  

That doesn't mean anything.  Not much, anyway.

It will outhandle a helluva lot.  That's what it means.

A Crossfire pulls 1.01gs.  That's not exactly an Enzo.  

[giant_mtb]

Mallet does an LS2 conversion on the Solstice, though I'd hate to have that much weight on my front axle.

It pulls 1.02 g's.  

That doesn't mean anything.  Not much, anyway.

It will outhandle a helluva lot.  That's what it means.

A Crossfire pulls 1.01gs.  That's not exactly an Enzo.

That's a fun game.

[Run Away]

g-forces mean nothing if they're not all measure the same way (driving in a 300ft circle is what C&D does).
g-forces are also more a measure of tire grip, a better indicator of a car's handling is the slalom.

[Shane]