Right now there is a 4cyl 260hp/260tq turbocharged engine in the Solstice GXP. Why doesn't GM just opt out for the Vortec 4.8L V8? It has 295hp/305tq. It would put the Solstice 0-60 in ~5 seconds and shouldn't cost all that much more. It could be marketed as a V8. If we could really strip it down we could maybe get it to $22k? Essentially, it'd become a poor kid's Camaro.
Whadayathink?

 

Still a poor mans Corvette more than Camaro.

 

I think it has been discussed before. The reasoning is the extra strengthing needed for the engine's power would make it cost too much. The frame just isn't designed for it.

 

I'm personally dead set against anything of the sort. Why?

1. We already have a V8 RWD 2 passenger sports car. It's called Corvette. If you want a Corvette, then just buy a Corvette. Solstice isn't a Corvette. There's just one Corvette.

2. A poor kid's Camaro is now a 4th gen Camaro. Price for a good LT1 is getting below 5 grand. A decent LS1 can be had for 15.

3. A kid with no credit history, no long term job, the worst insurence rates of any age group, & the lowest disposable income of any age group, won't be buying a new car... especially a high powered, 2 passenger V8 sports car.... anyway.

4. A V8 isn't the answer to everything.

5. Just because something has more horsepower doesn't make it a better car.

6. And by far the biggest: A V8 will completely screw up what a Solstice is and what it should be!

A high revving, turbocharged, 4 cylinder, 2 seat sports car is something that has a strong place in the automotive world. I take my hat off to GM and the guys that not only pushed the Kappa through, but also secured funds to make the turbocharged GXP possible.

If they finally started making that Solstice fastback coupe, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be the only one who'd be a fast, hardcore convert of turbo 4s.

 

I agree with guionM

Plus if you want 300HP the GXP engine can be made to put out 300HP

 

I really, really want a Solstice GXP coupe...

Badly...what a car that would be.

 

I dunno, why wouldn't GM just create a half-priced Corvette for Pontiac and then market it as the poor kid's Camaro?

 

What about the direct injected 3.6 we keep hearing about thats supposed to be eventually coming out with around 300hp. That would go nicely in the Solstice among other future vehicles

 

If you want a V8 in a Solstice, do it yourself. That's what Hot Rod magazine did, using an LS7.

IMO, the Solstice/Sky should stay as is - sporty, small, 4-cyls. They're targeting Miatas, not Vipers and Porsches.

 

Sounds really really enticing.

But there seems to me something fun about a high revving, blown 4 that's rear wheel drive. It has that affordable "toy" feeling. Something easy and fun to tweak and tinker with.

 

Ahhhhh! Don't you see mannnn!! That's what the Camaro should be. You're describing hotroding up until the 70s. The exact place everyone want to be!

 

And it would be cheaper than the Camaro. Which is why it'd be the poor kid's Camaro.

It would be fast in a straight line only so it wouldn't be competing with Porsche as said above.

 

Yet I've read about execs complaining that kids these days prefer 4cyl cars? Hmmmm...

 

Which is exactly why it shouldn't be done. A factory V8 Solstice goes against what the car is and why it was created in the first place.

This has been pretty much beaten to death. I think GM is right on the money with where the Solstice and Sky are positioned. Let the megabuck tuners have fun with V8 Kappas....It's more important that GM show their skill in other areas besides throwing their already proven small blocks into everything.

 

From what I've read, the LS7 Solstice Hot Rod did handled quite well.