Pontiac will unveil at the New York Auto Show the 2009 Solstice Coupe. It will arrive in dealerships in early 2009. The new model is inspired by the Solstice coupe concept shown at the North American International Auto Show in 2002.
Despite its dramatic new look, engineers made only minor structural changes to create the Solstice coupe. The rear fenders and rear fascia are the same as those on the convertible. New taillight assemblies flow more smoothly into the tapered roofline.
The coupe is powered by a standard 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine that generates 173 hp, while the GXP version is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec engine with 260 hp.
At the New York Auto Show, next to the G8 GXP, Pontiac will also display the sport truck version of the G8. Based on the all-new Pontiac G8 performance sedan, the newest member of the G8 family has a longer wheelbase and a cargo bed suitable for either work or recreation. The G8 sport truck significantly stretches Pontiac’s commitment to style and performance and is expected to arrive in dealers’ showrooms in late 2009.
The sport truck draws its strength from the same powerful 6.0L V-8 engine used in the G8 GT. It puts out 361 hp and 385 lb.-ft. of torque. The combination of a six-speed automatic transmission and Active Fuel Management technology provides both car-like fuel economy and an unexpected 0-to-60 time of 5.4 seconds.
The G8 sport truck is based on the same rear-wheel-drive architecture as the G8 performance sedan. However, the sport truck’s body structure was reinforced in key areas to support its cargo and towing duties. More than 60 new components were added to strengthen the structure. Compared to the sedan, the 118.5-inch (3,009 mm) wheelbase is approximately four inches longer and the overall length is six inches longer.
Pontiac will unveil at the New York Auto Show the 2009 G8 GXP, a new high-performance sedan that will Solstice, G6 and Torrent GXP models in Pontiac dealerships in late 2008.
The G8 GXP is powered by a 6.2L LS3 small-block V-8, currently rated at 402 hp and 402 lb.-ft. of torque pending final SAE certification. This engine is the newest member of GM’s small-block V-8 family. It features a revised, larger-bore cylinder block, high-flow, L92-style cylinder heads; larger-diameter pistons; unique camshaft and camshaft timing; revised valvetrain with offset intake rocker arms; high-flow intake manifold; and high-flow fuel injectors.
Pending final testing, the G8 GXP is expected to deliver 0-to-60 mph performance of about 4.7 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 13.0 seconds at 108 mph.
The G8 GXP rides on the G8’s 114.8-inch (2915 mm) wheelbase with wide front ( 62.7 inches / 1,592 mm) and rear ( 63.3 inches / 1,608 mm) tracks. The four-wheel independent suspension is fully adjustable and is tuned for the highest performance in the G8 family. The GXP’s ride and handling was developed and validated on racetracks and highways around the world, including the famed Nuremberg Ring. It rewards the driver with sharp, immediate responses, as well as a well-balanced road feel during spirited driving.
While we wait to drive it for ourselves, check out what TopGear had to say about the Vauxhaul VXR8, the G8 GXP clone for the European Market:
The brand new 2008 Pontiac G8 is a lovely car with tons of power, respectively 361 BHP for the 6 liter V8 and 256 BHP for the 3.5 liter V6. To enjoy and control all this power the G8 is putting at your disposal all the modern features you would only expect in a German sedan: multi-link suspension, ventilated disk brakes and rear wheel drive propulsion.
Priced at $33k for the loaded V8 model, this new Pontiac G8 cannot be ignored, that’s why we went all the way to San Diego to test it for ourselves. (full road test after after the jump)
Pontiac Canada revealed the Wave5, a new model that will go on sale in 2008. It will be offered in two trims: base and SE, each backed by a "worry free" five-year/160,000 km transferable powertrain warranty, plus Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation.
The Wave5 is powered by a new, Ecotec 1.6L DOHC four-cylinder engine. The sophisticated engine uses Dual Continuous Variable Cam Phasing - two continuously adjustable camshafts - to optimize the charge cycle for fuel economy and performance. As a result, this 16-valve DOHC engine delivers more horsepower than the previous engine, with ratings of 107 horsepower and 106 lb.-ft. of torque.
The 2009 Pontiac Wave5 also comes standard with advanced dual-stage frontal air bags and the GM Passenger Sensing System, as well as standard head/thorax seat-mounted side air bags for front passengers. The head/thorax seat-mounted side air bags deploy during side impacts and are triggered by a sophisticated sensor system in the front doors.
General Motors today unveiled its redesigned 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The five-seat, crossover SUV features revised exterior and interior designs and enhanced safety features, including a tire pressure monitoring system, OnStar and an electronic vehicle stability control system. >> read
With lyrics that don’t pull punches and themes that are brutally honest, rapper 50 Cent (a.k.a. Curtis Jackson) has risen to the top of the hip hop scene. He’s also a passionate car enthusiast with a penchant for Pontiacs – his video for the song “Amusement Park” featured the G6 GXP and G8 concept cars. >> read
Designed to evoke the emotions of classic sports cars, the Pontiac Solstice SD-290 race concept captures the purposeful design of vintage racecars. The design is dramatic, featuring a passenger cockpit tonneau cover and a driver windscreen, creating a pure racecar that looks ready to take the checkered flag even while sitting on the starting grid. >> read
Designed for enthusiasts who are passionate about performance, the all-new Pontiac G8 performance sedan – arriving at dealerships in early 2008 – is the first North American application of GM’s new global rear-wheel-drive architecture. The V8-powered G8 GT SEMA Edition was displayed at the ’07 SEMA Show with a host of tuner-inspired custom touches, including a hot orange paint scheme with matching leather seat inserts, door panels and instrument panel pad. >> read
Pontiac takes the SUV driving experience to an unexpected level of performance with the 2008 Torrent GXP, which offers new levels of performance, with a 264-horsepower (197 kW)* 3.6L V-6 and a host of new standard features, such as GM’s OnStar safety and security system. Ride and handling characteristics have also been enhanced for the 2008 model. >> read