Pontiac Solstice Club Racer Concept from SEMA
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Quote:
PONTIAC SOLSTICE WEEKEND CLUB RACER
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
Interesting. I like the view from the front, but from the back it's rather fugly.
I find it interesting that they comment on a "T-2 race suspension"... I'd guess that GM may be calling it that in their press releases in order to hint at taking the Solstice racing in the SCCA Touring 2 (T2) club racing class...
My guess is that the production Solstice GT/SS/whatever will look pretty similar to this, although I'd expect more like 250hp instead of 325hp. The front end looks exactly like the turbo Solstice mule that was spotted at the Nurburgring a couple of months ago.
