Solstice GXP to debut at the LA Autoshow

[rev440]

If you buy the base car and have the mallet conversion done its a cool 38 grand. Cheaper then the C6 and better looking too.

[PerfAdv]

2007 Solstice GXP...features GM’s all-new Ecotec 2.0-liter turbo, the most powerful production engine in the Ecotec family...This turbo with direct injection kicks an estimated 260 horsepower (194 kw) and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque...will feature GM’s StabiliTrak four-channel electronic stability control system...expected to be priced about $4,000 to $5,000 above the base Solstice...

GM’s first direct injection offering in North America......highest specific output engine ever, at 2.1 horsepower per cubic inch of displacement (130 hp / 97 kW per liter)...Variable valve timing and an intercooled, twin-scroll turbocharging system are used to optimize the Ecotec 2.0-liter Turbo engine’s performance...with direct injection, fuel is delivered directly to the combustion chamber to create a more complete burn...A dual-scroll turbocharger with a lightweight turbine provides nearly instant power and an air-to-air intercooling system...The Ecotec 2.0-liter Turbo uses a stronger, “Gen II” Ecotec engine block, which was developed with input from racing experience to support increased horsepower and torque...The cylinder block bulkheads – the areas where the main bearing caps are attached – and the bore walls are enlarged for strength...Other areas of the engine were enhanced to reinforce the structure and the water jacket is deeper for added cooling capacity and improved cylinder bore roundness...

Highlights of the Ecotec 2.0-liter Turbo engine include:...Steel crankshaft...Forged connecting rods...Forged oil-galley pistons...Jet-spray piston cooling...9.2:1 compression ratio...Aluminum cylinder head with sodium-filled exhaust valves...High-pressure engine-driven fuel pump...variable pressure fuel rail...A high-pressure, returnless fuel system is employed... It features a high-strength stainless steel fuel line that feeds a variable-pressure fuel rail...Direct injection requires higher fuel pressure than conventional fuel injected engines and an engine-driven high-pressure fuel pump is used to supply up to 1,276 psi (150 bar) of pressure...The cam-driven high-pressure pumps works in conjunction with a conventional fuel tank-mounted supply pump...A unique, dual-scroll turbocharger is partnered with an air-to-air intercooling system to provide up to approximately 20 psi (1.25 bar) of power-enhancing boost...

The dual-scroll turbocharger delivers nearly instant response...as dual exhaust passages from the engine to the turbine housing guide exhaust gas to the turbine...reduces lag time, or spool-up, at low rpm...Dual cam phasing...

The camshafts of the Ecotec 2.0-liter Turbo engine have phasers that support the continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing...Variable intake and exhaust timing works synergistically with both the gasoline direct injection and turbocharging systems...

The Ecotec 2.0-liter Turbo is built on a global platform that was designed at the outset for a range of performance and combustion capabilities...The Gen II block supports the high-performance demands of the engine, but it is merely a strengthened version of the original Ecotec architecture. The oil pump, for example, is the same as used in all other Ecotec engines...The 2.0-liter Turbo is the pinnacle of Ecotec performance to date...

This new Ecotec family member also has traits that have helped forge a reputation for durability and sophistication...Dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder...Twin counter-rotating balance shafts for operational smoothness...Electronic throttle control...Low-friction, roller-finger follower valvetrain with hydraulic lash adjusters...58X crankshaft positioning Direct-mount accessories, which reduce or eliminate traditional sources of noise and vibration...Full-circle transmission mount to reduce noise and vibration...GM Oil Life System, which can reduce the frequency for oil changes...Innovative cast-in oil filter housing, which eliminates the need to crawl under the vehicle to perform oil changes and eliminates throwaway oil filter cans that retain used oil...As with other engines in the Ecotec family, the 2.0-liter Turbo engine also has premium features designed to ensure smooth and quiet operation, including a polymer coating and skirt design for the pistons that reduces noise during cold starts. An automatic hydraulic tensioner also is used to maintain optimal tension on the timing chain, which reduces noise and vibration.

If you didn't read the above entries look at these highlights, there are quite a few. For $4-5K more than the basic Solstice your getting all this. The independents may give you more power but I seriously doubt the cars are this well thought out.

Job well done, GM. I'd take the Saturn Sky version tho. I saw the basic Solstice at the dealership and Pontiac's got to understand, that much grill plastic is a bad thing.