DETROIT The Pontiac Solstice went on a major diet in time for the 2007 SEMA Show and has re-emerged in racetrack-ready shape in the form of the SD-290 concept.
The teaser image issued by Pontiac in the run-up to the SEMA show only hinted at what engineers had in mind for the car: that is, to capture the "purposeful design of vintage racing cars."
But now that the specifications have been released, it's clear that they put the Solstice on a grueling regimen that included weight reduction through installation of a driver-side-only windscreen and elimination of door glass/hardware, convertible top/hardware, climate system and wiper system. Pontiac notes that aerodynamics have also been improved on the Solstice concept.
The makeover includes new side fender gill panels, a passenger cockpit tonneau cover, a new hood with heat-extracting gills and a dazzling "competition red" paint job. The SD-290 has forged 19-inch wheels with Hoosier R6 racing tires. Pontiac describes the cockpit as "all business," with a Pegasus center console gauge package, chrome fire extinguisher, removable racing-style steering wheel and a racing seat with a four-point safety harness.
The Pontiac concept is powered by a 290-horsepower 2.0-liter Ecotec turbocharged engine linked to a five-speed manual transmission. The SD-290 gets the Club Sport Z0K suspension package and a Solo Performance catback exhaust system with center-mounted outlet.
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