Solstice V8? RAV-4 V6?
Motor Trend reports this month that GM is eyeballing a V8 for the Solstice. That would certainly be an, um change of pace. I'm not gonna say it's a bad idea until I see the finished product, but it would certainly change the character of the little roadster.
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Sounds like Motor Trend stumbled upon Mallett Cars' website. They are already selling 400hp () LS2 Solstice conversions. Now that sounds like fun.
Here's my take - GM will never authorize a factory V8 Solstice. Why? Because it would step on the coattails of their halo car, the Corvette. The very same thing happened in the '80s when it became apparent that with a little tweaking, the Fiero V6 could outperform a contemporary Corvette. GM intentionally hamstrung the V6 Fiero, specifically so that it wouldn't overshadow the Vette.
As for the 268hp RAV4, I have to ask... why? The only benefit compact SUVs have over their mid-size counterparts is fuel economy. Stick a big V6 in the RAV4 and now it's more expensive than an entry level 4Runner, it's smaller, seats fewer people, tows less (thanks to the frame design), and gets just as poor fuel economy.
I guess this vehicle will appeal to the same vast number of people buying Saturn Vue Redlines. All five of them.
Originally Posted by altiain
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