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2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP Preview

Classic beauty, screamin’ meanie

AS
by Autobytel Staff
May 16, 2006
5 min. Reading Time
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It’s a nice dream, the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP. And from the stage at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, it looks real enough, sitting there in its yellow finery, bolstering GM’s claims that yes, they are building cars that people can get excited about owning. Ah - yes. About that ownership thing. What’s real on stage will be a reality for only the lucky few who get to purchase one this fall, and a silent nightmare for those poor souls caught in the waiting list netherworld. Come on -- you can’t even buy a regular Solstice, so buying a high-powered GXP model will be like winning the lottery. But all the same and all things equal, this is the Solstice that enthusiasts have been anticipating, the one GM put a priority on when it became apparent that the Mazda MX-5 was still more fun to drive. Not so much, not anymore, as long as you’ve got that GXP badge on the back and GM’s Ecotec 2.0-liter turbocharged engine under the hood.

What it is

Introduced at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP has the most powerful production engine in the Ecotec family, a 2.0-liter powerplant that delivers 260 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque. That propels the Solstice to a 0-60 mph time of under 5.5 seconds, and will make even the proudest of MX-5 owners feel a bit slow and chumpish one lane over, and maybe a little envious. What they won’t be going green over, however, is the amount of green GXP buyers are likely to lose on the deal, compared to the modestly priced and under-the-radar MX-5. It’s not so much a matter of equipment as it is supply and demand: As the demand for the Solstice rages and the supply trickles, the GXP will command more money, even with a sticker price that’s expected to reach up to around $26,000. For that, you’ll get more than just the power boost. Also standard are features such as GXP front and rear fascias, dual-outlet exhaust, StabiliTrak vehicle stability enhancement system, a sport suspension system, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, limited-slip rear differential, power window/locks/mirrors, remote keyless entry and18-inch polished aluminum wheels. Many of these features, such as the sport suspension system, four-wheel disc brakes and power controls, are also available on the regular Solstice. Additional options on the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP include a rear deck spoiler, leather seating, sport metallic pedals, chrome wheels, enhanced audio options, including XM Satellite Radio, and OnStar. Miata, er, MX-5 owners won’t lose sleep over a Solstice interior that, while improved to include a GXP instrument gauge, leather wheel trim and red seat stitching, fails when it comes to quality fit and finish.

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Why it matters

Though the initial Solstice was thought of by some as the car that would finally beat the Mazda MX-5, it didn’t – but at least it got into the game. This performance variant, however, blows the doors off the venerable MX-5 with a 2.0-liter Ecotec engine that delivers a robust 260 horsepower. Unfortunately, you’ll likely pay for it, and have to wait for it. And if you’re into the whole Miata/Solstice rivalry thing, get over it: Mazda is already pulling back on its volume of MX-5, virtually conceding the market to Pontiac.On its own, the Solstice GXP offers a beautiful combination of looks and performance, a car that answers all two-seat, open air motoring dreams -- save for the cascades of plastic in the cockpit, that growing waiting list, and the price. For Pontiac, and General Motors, the Solstice GXP is a perfect halo car with which to reacquaint the brand to those who demand in their daily drive.

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What’s under the hood

Differences between the Pontiac Solstice and the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP revolve around the most powerful production engine in the Ecotec family, a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 260 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s a ton more power than the standard Solstice, which delivers 177-horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque from its 2.4-liter engine, thanks to its direct injection and turbocharged configuration. That kind of power propels the Solstice to a 0-60 mph time of under 5.5 seconds, a time that either the five-speed manual or automatic transmission should be able to reach. Coupled with 18-inch wheels, StabiliTrak vehicle stability enhancement system, a sport-tuned suspension (also available on the regular Solstice), four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and a limited slip he Solstice GXP sounds as if it will really tear it up – the kind of ride sure to plaster a big, goofy smile on the GXP’s occupants.

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What’s inside

The 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP is not about what’s on the inside – it’s about almost 100 more horsepower packed in the lithe Solstice body. But for around $5,000 more than the standard Solstice, people expect special treatment, which GM handles with interior upgrades such as a special GXP instrument gauge; leather wheel trim and red seat stitching. As for the rest, think of the GXP as the performance version of the upper-trim Solstice, with power windows/doors, remote keyless entry, sport metallic pedals, premium sound and an available XM satellite/OnStar hook up.

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What it looks like

Why change a good thing? With one of the prettiest cars on the road, Pontiac doesn’t have to do much with the GXP version of the Solstice. Indeed, save for the GXP badge on the back, dual exhaust, a rear deck spoiler, foglight enhancement and extra air inlets below the grille, the 2007 Pontiac GXP looks much the same as the regular Solstice. The main difference being, of course, that many more people will get a good look at the rear of this particular Solstice.

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What Pontiac says

With a $5,000 premium, you can bet that Pontiac will focus in the performance boost of the Solstice GXP, and remind everyone that the sexiest two-seater on the road now gets 260 horsepower – and can go 0-60 in under six seconds. That’s enticing, for sure, but don’t expect a major marketing campaign to sell the GXP, as word of mouth will likely sell ‘em out quicker than you can say “turbo.” Buyers for the GXP will gladly pay the extra for that much horsepower, and it give Pontiac a real performance icon with which to sell their lineup.

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What we think

Few cars on the road offer the looks of the Solstice with turbo-screamin’ performance. Sure, at an expected price of around $26,000, one must really want this type of a vehicle, not to mention virtually zero trunk space and a plastic interior that has been panned by most reviewers. Get the thing on the road, however, and niggling little worries like that will quickly disappear. For those who are shopping for a two-seater, the GXP provides a big shot of adrenaline in a classic style.

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When you can buy it

Available this fall, the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP may be hard to come by, as there is already a waiting list for the regular Solstice. An expected sticker price of around $26,000 (not confirmed) will surely dissuade a few potential buyers, but most Solstice fans and MX-5 converts attracted by the big boost in horsepower and torque will pony up the extra $5,000. If you’re one of those, get your deposit in soon!

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Key specifications

Base Price: Expected to be around $26,000 Engine Size and Type: 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo charged four-cylinder Engine Horsepower: 260 Engine Torque: 260 Transmission: Five-speed manual/Five-speed automatic EPA Fuel Economy: NA Length: 157.2 inches Width: 71.3 inches Wheelbase: 95.1 inches Height: 50.1 inches Max. Seating Capacity: Two Cargo volume: 3.8 cubic feet (top up) Competitors: Ford Mustang GT Convertible, Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5 Miata, MINI Cooper S, Nissan 350Z Roadster

Photos by Ron Perry, General Motors

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