Pontiac lost some of its "excitement division" luster recently after the brand's recent decision to add the miserly G3 compact to its lineup. But Pontiac's offerings for the 2008 SEMA show -- the G8 GXP Street concept, G8 ST Concept and the Solstice GXP Coupe concept -- are clearly intended to make the point loud and clear that Pontiac still has the potential to be a major performance player.
The Pontiac G8 GXP Street concept takes Pontiac's soon-to-arrive 2009 G8 GXP production car to the proverbial next level thanks in large part to the addition of GM's outrageous new LSX454 crate engine. The LSX454 is the most notable bolt on to the G8 GXP Street, and is one of many parts and accessories that will be available shortly from GM's Accessories and GM Performance Parts catalogs. Other parts on the vehicle aren't yet offered by GM but they may be in the near future. The SEMA Pontiacs are also reportedly adorned with several parts and accessories from various aftermarket companies.
The G8 GXP is already plenty formidable, with a 6.2L V-8 rated at 415 hp under the hood. The LSX454 dwarfs those numbers, with the massive 7.4L block outputting a Corvette ZR1-matching 638 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to GM's Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic tranny.
In an effort to further improve handling, Pontiac says the G8 GXP Street's ride height has been lowered, and stiffer springs added. Brakes are borrowed from the Cadillac CTS-V, but the GXP Street's red-painted calipers are adorned with milled GXP logos.
Of course, it wouldn't be a SEMA car without an extreme body kit and GXP Street doesn't disappoint, with a custom front and rear fascia kit. Out front, a rectangular lower grille with a black chrome finish dominates. The car's chunky 20-in. five-spoke rims are also finished in black chrome, as is the rest of the car's exterior brightwork. At the back, a race-style diffuser and custom aluminum exhaust tips finish off the performance exhaust system.
Inside, the cabin features seats with GXP embroidery as well as a unique gauge cluster, and the car's black chrome theme is carried over in various trim pieces.
While the GXP Street is the star of the Pontiac stand, the brand also has tarted-up two other vehicles soon to join its lineup, the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST and the Pontiac Solstice coupe.
G8 ST concept
The 2010 Pontiac G8 ST is headed to dealerships late next year, and the G8 ST concept for SEMA is adorned with several parts that will likely be offered for the car by GM Accessories. The SEMA ST has the same 361-hp 6.0L V-8 of the production car mated to a six speed automatic.
Here are highlights of the G8 ST concept from Pontiac:
* Liquid Hot exterior color with enhanced clear coat
* Lowered ride height
* Custom 20-inch wheels
* Leather-trimmed seats with red inserts
* G8 GXP steering wheel with red inserts
* G8 GXP shift knob with red inserts
* Custom interior trim kit (proposed GM Accessories part)
* Hard tonneau cover (proposed GM Accessories part)
Solstice GXP Coupe concept
The hardtop version of the Pontiac Solstice is due next year, and the GXP Coupe for SEMA is equipped with GM Performance Parts' Stage 2 performance kit and performance air intake kit, which boosts the Solstice GXP's 260-hp, turbocharged 2.0L engine to around 290 hp. The car also features a GM Performance Parts cat-back exhaust and a sports suspension kit.
The exterior is painted Olympic White with a Hydro Blue racing stripe that may be eventually offered from GM, along with polished factory wheels. Inside, the SEMA Solstice features blue accent stitching, unique pedal covers and an iPod interface.
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
They should have called them the R.I.P. editions and displayed them next to an actor dressed like the Grim Reaper who'd giggle constantly.
Damn... @ 638 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque
super hot and with 600hp to boot. and if they took the stripes off, that is one sexy solc
I've got wood for the ST.
Those rims on the G8 sedan look great
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saw all 3 of them today , sweet cars
