Ajax

I've seen the GXP mentioned but I havent seen it posted anywhere so here's the specs I just found on another site:

"Pontiac ’s exciting new 2006 Solstice roadster is an exhilarating performance vehicle with the DNA of a pure sports car. A car this athletic is a natural candidate for the weekend amateur racer.

GM Performance Division built the Solstice Weekend Club Racer concept to showcase how a racing version of the car might be configured. This aggressive package would allow Solstice owners to compete in amateur track events with a minimum of upgrades. By competing in sanctioned, off-highway amateur events, Solstice owners can enjoy spirited driving in a safe environment – and the special components of the Weekend Club Racer concept would let them experience the car’s maximum performance.

The most noticeable changes are external, starting with a removable hard top. The concept top makes a bold styling statement and transforms the Solstice into an enclosed car, which is what many amateur and professional racing classes demand.

A new larger rear wing dominates the view most competitors will see – the tail of the Solstice. Front and rear fascias were modified, and new rocker panels, complete with molded-in rear brake cooling ducts, were fabricated. An air extractor-style hood helps keep the engine compartment cool. Aggressive five-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels and matching tires – Goodyear Eagle F1 255/45ZR18’s – aid both performance and eye appeal. The whole package sports a custom bronze paint job.

Some interior upgrades were made in keeping with the car’s performance nature. The execution of the interior trim and colors reflects a race-inspired, Ebony Suede theme, including the IP top pad, center console and door panel inserts. Also complementing the Ebony Suede appointments is a carbon fiber trim bezel that surrounds the gauges and wraps around the center console. Sparco racing seats were recovered to match the Solstice upholstery, and the underside of the new hard top was trimmed to match the rest of the interior.

Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine rated at 325 horsepower (242 kw). A cat-back performance exhaust system enhances engine performance and provides a sporty exhaust note. A T-2 race suspension package was added, along with larger diameter disc brakes.

Vehicle Highlights

Removable hard top
18-inch aluminum wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 255/45ZR18 tires
Large-diameter performance brakes
2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 325 hp (242 kw)
T-2 race suspension
Modified front and rear fascias
Large rear decklid wing
Air extractor hood
Custom rocker panels
Sparco racing seats
Cat-back exhaust system with custom chrome tips
Custom bronze paint "

And a pic:

BlueEyes

So, who made this up?

Ajax

I got it straight off of cheers and gears...

http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums...showtopic=2407

There's the original thread..

Ike

The specs have been all over the place for this car, and rumors have been flying around for about 6 months on a Solstice GXP. One thing I know for sure is it's NOT going to have 325hp. I'd say 240hp is closer to what we'll see, and it's release will probably coincide with the release of the Sky Redline. The latest news on the car is that it has not been greenlighted yet. This might have something to do with the fact that there are fears of strikes on the Delphi line, which would make it tough for them to satisfy needs for the regular Solstice let along another version of it.

Ajax

I kinda balked at 325 horsepower first myself and you're right, the rumors are everywhere.
I do think that it's an improvement over the current look of the solstice which I hate. The roof is a little funky, but beyond that, I think it looks good, even with the strange wing.

therm8

325hp on a 2.0L turbo seems a bit much for a factory car. That'd take quite a bit of boost on a reasonably sized turbo (to keep it streetable). A 2.5L maybe. All rumors up until this one stated around 240hp, which is much more likely for a warrantied car. I wouldn't put it past them to make a limited run of the 300+hp variety, though. But damn, you'd be approaching 9lbs/hp with a turbo's torque curve. Even at 240 turbocharged hp, that would be a quick car.

mikeb

looks pretty cool in that pic
Im not a ponitac fan though

Ike

Have you seen one in person yet? I think the current style is far better and less garish than the "GXP" version.

JeRKy 8 Owner

That looks like a goddamn Viper

BlueEyes

I saw another one the other day, this time white on tan. They really are nice looking cars. Sexy lines. It was parked so I got to take a walkaround, and the sheetmetal is definitely impressive. It was a dealer car and the top was down, so I waited around to see if the guy driving would be back soon, hoping for a test drive, but nothing.

snizzle

whuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!?!?!?!?

I agree with Ike, the car is much more impressive in person. I got to see the Sky in person as well at a special Saturn dealership event and that's a beautiful car as well. This one was handbuilt and worth a quarter of a mill. As many have said, I would pick the Sky over the Solstice based on sheetmetal alone and there is no question there will be a Redline version.

NVMYGT

That's crazy looking. I'd love to see the Sky in person. Those rims are very close to ours.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

i find that the Sky is more impressive than the Solstice. The lines are better and it looks 'meaner'...especially for a Saturn!!!

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

that pic looks so chopped it's not even funny, aren't those Rx8 wheels on it?

edit: nevermind, I just saw a pic of one form SEMA, it has the same wheels on it and they do resemble ours, but they're not the same.

Glyphon

i was reading somethign about the sky redline/solstice gxp (or whatever they decide to call it) and this article said some thing about a supercharged version at 220hp...the same one that's already in production as the saturn ion redline. i'll be damned if i can find that article again though.

i saw a black solstice driving around atlanta a few weeks ago. its actually pretty nice looking.

that was the same thing that i thought when i first saw the picture.

BlueEyes

definitely a tough call for me. I love the look of both, but have yet to see the Sky in anything but silver, that I can remember anyway.

The only problem with these cars that I can see is that they are day cars only. You can't go away for a weekend in them, well, not with someone else. The lack of storage space may hurt them. Maybe that will make resale low. Given some serious aftermarket support, they could be some serious fast little cars. They should be a bargain on the used market in a year or so.

EDIT: I poked around, and the sky looks pretty badass in black and red. But, I notice some of the taller looking guy have their heads sticking about the front winshield. Not a fan of that.

nzarnow

I agree, it looks kinda like a mini corvette. If they made a car with 250-350 hp that small and all, wouldn't it kick the crap outta an elise?

I say that GM blends ALL of their sub divisions into one mega company. Of course they would only make sports cars. Take the V series, the vette, gto, new camaro, solstice, sky, and turn them into beasts. Death to the mini fans and craptacular sedans. I want sports cars!

mikeb

I hate to say it but for a saturn the sky is awesome looking

Ike

I think you can go further than that and say that the Sky and the Solstice are both amazing looking cars for any company. Looks alone I think they're both more attractive than any of the more common roadsters out there.

mikeb

the solstice is ok to me but the sky really stands out IMO

JeRKy 8 Owner

Sorry, but I see a slight similarity in the body (a little bit smaller on the Solstice):

nzarnow

It helps that you are using a toy model as a comparison. Put the cars next to eachother and a million differences will come out.

I just don't see how you can compare a viper to a little roadster, no matter how good...

Jina_Marie070572

Yes I like it...

Ajax

yea, i've seen them both in person.
honestly, i cannot stand the front end on the solstice.. i really like the sky.. but i wish it wasnt a saturn..

Jina_Marie070572

Yes the sky is hott as well...but like you said "Saturn"