SEMA: Pontiac’s Racy Solstice SD-290 Concept
One of the more interesting concepts from GM at this year's SEMA show is the Pontiac Solstice SD-290 race concept. Its design mimicks that of classic sports cars and is drastically different from any production Solstice on the road today.
The SD-290 is significantly lighter than the standard Solstice due to the removal of the windshield wiper system, climate control, convertible top, window regulator, side glass, and windshield. A new hood and side fender panels add a racy look to this Solstice concept, as well. A Club Sport Z0K suspension is found underneath the sleek body, as is the turbocharged Ecotec inline-4 which produces 290 horsepower. Forged nineteen-inch wheels with Hoosier R6 racing tires make the SD-290 nearly track-ready, along with a removable race-style steering wheel and a four-point safety harness meshed into a true racing seat.
We don't expect any street-ready version of this concept to make its debut anytime soon, but in the meantime, we can fawn over this speedy Solstice.
PONTIAC SOLSTICE SD-290 RACE CONCEPT
Designed to evoke the emotions of classic sports cars, the Pontiac Solstice SD-290 race concept captures the purposeful design of vintage racecars. The design is dramatic, featuring a passenger cockpit tonneau cover and a driver windscreen, creating a pure racecar that looks ready to take the checkered flag even while sitting on the starting grid.Aerodynamics have been improved and the SD-290’s weight reduced with the removal of the windshield, side glass, window regulator, convertible top, climate system and windshield wiper system. Complementing the design are new side fender gill panels, a new hood with heat extracting grilles and a competition red paint scheme.
Backing up the race-ready appearance is the available Club Sport Z0K suspension package and an all-business cockpit filled with auxiliary gauges, a roll bar and racing seat.
Vehicle highlights:
• Pontiac Solstice SD-290 race concept
• 2.0L Ecotec direct-injected and turbocharged generating 290 horsepower
• Five-speed manual transmission
• Weight reduction through installation of driver-side only windscreen and elimination of door glass/hardware, convertible top/hardware, HVAC system and wiper system
• Solo Performance cat-back exhaust system with center-mounted outlet
• KW Automotive coil-over suspension package
• Three-piston aluminum calipers with 13-inch rotors from Stainless Steel Brake Company
• Forged 19-inch wheels with Hoosier R6 racing tires
• New front fascia, grille inserts, hood and front fenders, leading to better aerodynamics
• Passenger-side hard tonneau cover
• Competition red exterior color
• Rear spoiler
• Tinted headlamp lenses
• Removable racing-style steering wheel
• Racing seat with four-point safety harness
• Chrome fire extinguisher
• Pegasus center console gauge package
• Driver’s roll bar
Comments
davido
The hood, fenders and front-end look production ready. I hope this is the new styling direction for this car. It's too plain right now and the styling of the Saturn Sky is undercut by fake this and shiny that.
Rex
I saw a video of this car the other day. The designer of this vehicle mentioned that some parts of this vehicle could see production down the road. I think a limited production run could of this vehicle would be great.
Clint
Ah, it's finally the obligatory monoposto roadster concept that looks great but will never see production (see Miata, Porsche, Alfa etc.)! It looks vaguely Toyota MR2 from the 3/4 view, which isn't a bad thing.
I do agree with Davido that the looks of the Sky and a lot of GM cars are hurt by over the top fake bling that sometimes makes the car look a bit too gaudy. It's gotten to the point that I associate chrome with cheapness, since 99% of the time it's actually plastic. I could do without the jewel-toned red paint, but at least they had enough sense not to pair it with chrome wheels!
Jonathan Fung [Gotakon]
I have never been a real fan of the way the Solstice looks, but man, this concept is sweet. I totally want one...even if it is just in Hot-Wheels form. (This thing really does look like a Hot Wheels car, don't you think?)
netto6 » SEMA: Pontiac’s Racy Solstice SD-290 Concept
[...] race-style steering wheel and a four-point safety harness meshed into a true racing seat. … news.windingroad.com/body-stylesmarket-segment/convertibles/sema-pontiacs-racy-solstice-sd-290-conce... Winding Road [...]
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