Pontiac used the design of vintage race cars as inspiration for its Solstice SD-290 Race Concept, on display at SEMA this week. The car's stripped-down, old-school look is highlighted by a passenger cockpit tonneau cover, cut-down, driver-side-only windscreen and the elimination of the base Solstice's door glass and convertible top.
Pontiac also redesigned the fender gill panels, created a new hood with heat-extracting grilles, and gave the car a competition red paint scheme to further enhance the Solstice SD-290's sporting image. Inside are a racing-style driver's seat, four-point safety harnesses, racing steering wheel, auxiliary gauges to monitor vital engine functions, and a roll bar (should the Solstice SD-290 find itself shiny-side-down).
The direct-injected, turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec four-cylinder has been massaged to create 290 horsepower (yup, that's why they call it the SD-290), and a performance exhaust has been fitted. To cope with the additional power, a fully adjustable coil-over suspension has been installed, along with GM's Club Sport Z0K suspension package that is available for the Solstice. Thirteen-inch performance rotors are paired with aluminum three-piston brake calipers to slow the car with a quickness, while racing tires wrapped around 19-inch wheels are fitted to keep the SD-290 glued to the tarmac.
While the SD-290 Race Concept may be retro-inspired, we're guessing the performance is anything but. This is one car we'd love to jump into, roll right off the SEMA show floor and onto a twisty road course -- that is, if it's actually a runner and not just a show stand showoff. Stay tuned to Motor Trend for more on the SD-290 and all the SEMA show stars this week.
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