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

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Liberty crash kills Emmitsburg man Gettysburg Times According to police, Humerick, operating a 2007 Pontiac Solstice, was traveling east on Waynesboro Pike around 12:15 pm when the vehicle traveled off the ... and more »

Old and New Cars at the Sands Point Preserve - Patch - Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:21:56 GMT+00:00

Old and New Cars at the Sands Point Preserve Patch John Adams, a former 1st sergeant in the Army during Vietnam, showcased his 2007 Pontiac Solstice and its unique mural on the inside of the hood. ...

Stepson arrested in theft of stepfather's car - News Courier - Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:01:41 GMT+00:00

Stepson arrested in theft of stepfather's car News Courier Deputy Shannon Thrasher received a report Tuesday that a 2008 Pontiac Solstice valued at $25000 and two credit cards had been stolen from the 20000 block of ...