2006 Pontiac Solstice Mallett V8

Can't wait for GM to drop a heftier engine into the sporty, curvaceous Solstice? And happy to pay over $38,000 for the extra power and obvious prestige that running the streets in a souped up auto entails? Then Mallett Cars, who've been tuning Corvettes and Cadillacs since 1997, have built a street-legal Solstice V8 with a 400-hp, LS2 6.0-liter V8 without the bumps or scoops in the hood that you'd expect with the bigger engine.

The car's body is steel-reinforced and the engine is as far to the rear of the engine bay as can be to keep the original 50-50 weight distribution of the Solstice. A reasonable 200 pounds has been added to the curb weight. With the clutch, flywheel and catalytic converters from the Corvette, the original Solstice's manual five-speed transmission and Stouter springs, shock absorbers, antiroll bars, brake pads, and brake hoses ,the Solstice Mallet has improved specifications to handle the extra weight and power.

A stainless-steel, single-outlet Corsa exhaust system adds a classy touch and a two-year, 24,000-mile warranty covers the Mallett Cars components. Add in options such special adjustable Penske shock absorbers, a Supercharged Package, larger wheels and tires, driveline coolers, a heavy-duty radiator, and a six-speed transmission, and you are really up there with the breed of power sports cars such the Corvette convertible.

So what does it drive like? Well, first and second gears need a light touch of the throttle to avoid wheel spin. And taking less than five seconds, the beast of a vehicle can shoot to 60 mph twice as fast as a stock Solstice. Road feel and directional stability are similar to the original but care must be taken with the extra power to keep the Solstice Mallet on the road in wet or icy conditions.

No doubt the Solstice Mallet V8 will find its niche and turn a few heads.

Pontiac Solstice News

When Bob Kutz says jump, GM designers ask "how high" - Chicago Tribune - Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:04:09 GMT+00:00

When Bob Kutz says jump, GM designers ask "how high" Chicago Tribune The concepts are the Pontiac Solstice roadster, Chevrolet Bel Air coupe and Cadillac Cien roadster.Cien was in the works before Lutz arrived, ... Clock ticking, very slowly, on Lutz's GM termChicago Tribune Lutz's pursuit of creative tension at GMChicago Tribune all 3 news articles »

Woman flown to hospital after flipping her car - San Diego Union Tribune - Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:49:53 GMT+00:00

Woman flown to hospital after flipping her car San Diego Union Tribune EAST COUNTY — A woman was flown to a hospital after flipping her Pontiac Solstice convertible north of ...

Lutz at GM says it's time to retire - UPI.com - Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:16:21 GMT+00:00

Globe and Mail

Lutz at GM says it's time to retire UPI.com Lutz, whose influence is seen in the Dodge Viper, the Chevrolet Malibu sedan and the discontinued Pontiac Solstice, made a name for himself in 2008 by ... Having Reinvigorated Design at GM, Bob Lutz Is RetiringDailyFinance Lutz Plans to Retire From G.M. in MayNew York Times Bob Lutz talks of 46 years of successes, 1 regretChicago Tribune The Detroit News -Examiner.com all 503 news articles »

AMP's Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice EV Conversions Will Use Remy Electric Motors - Gas 2.0 (blog) - Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:29:52 GMT+00:00

AMP's Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice EV Conversions Will Use Remy Electric Motors Gas 2.0 (blog) The Kappa cars, the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice, are as dead as their respective brands. But AMP is still proceeding with its conversion plans, ...

AMP Announces Chevy Equinox Electric Conversion With 150 Mile Range - Gas 2.0 (blog) - Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:41:47 GMT+00:00

EV World

AMP Announces Chevy Equinox Electric Conversion With 150 Mile Range Gas 2.0 (blog) AMP, the EV company best know for it's Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky conversions, is moving on up in the world… up in size that is. ... AMP Unveils the 100% Electric GM Chevrolet EquinoxIndia Business Blog (blog) all 4 news articles »