2006 Best Performance/Fun To Drive

[Ghrankenstein]

2006 Best of GMI: Best Performance Car/Most Fun to Drive


2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP


By Ghrankenstein


While the 2007 Corvette represents GM’s best foot forward, we have more realistic expectations for ourselves. The Corvette will always have its fans, but this time around more people cast their votes for the Pontiac Solstice GXP for this award.

I’m among the lucky few who have gotten to drive the GXP. I haven’t been able to engage in any life-threatening antics, but I know the car well enough to describe it with authority. More than anything else, the Solstice GXP is a blast to drive and a huge shot of adrenaline beyond the more docile 2.4L base. The GXP Solstice is a raucous, visceral beast that goes to great lengths not to be cute. Dig in the spurs, and it gets howling mad, much to my delight.

The credit goes to the new SIDI (spark-induced direct injection) version of the much loved 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec engine. The SIDI motor has been stripped of the acoustical and physical refinement materials that make it so pleasantly elegant in the Saab 9-3, or subtly eager in the supercharged Chevrolet Cobalt SS. What’s left is a borderline ugly and decidedly mean-spirited 260 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The dual exhaust and engine pair up to produce sounds that are higher and more sporting than the farty drone of the regular Solstice’s 2.4L VVT Ecotec, but just as loud. If you want anything close to refinement, the Solstice GXP is not for you, and you’re probably better off with a base BMW Z4 or Audi TT.

The GXP accelerates hard, and its wicked personality will guarantee that passengers will be terrified. The turbocharger’s shriek is demonic from outside (or presumably with the top down), but inaudible with the top up and the exhaust bleating. The SIDI Ecotec’s response is so strong and so linear that turbo lag is not even perceivable, and barely believable.

I’d opt for the Aisin 5-speed manual, and its short, precise throws. I’ve reported before that the action is stiff, but in a way that I appreciate from my days as an LS1 F-body owner. The CTS-sourced 5-speed automatic deserves driver shift control (DSC), but is otherwise a good match for the SIDI Ecotec. Traction Control kicks in early and often, and the rear end squirms despite big, meaty tires. It’s more disturbing to a hapless passenger than a grinning, hooting driver.

From a handling standpoint, the Solstice GXP is just as exhilarating. Thanks to the exhaust note, you’re aware that you’re pushing the legal limits long before the driver or the car is seriously challenged. I never had the chance to verify other reports that the GXP understeers at the cornering limit, but I can say that sporting jaunts reveal surprisingly supple chassis that goes where it’s pointed and feels good while doing so.

It’s a wonder what a power-to-weight ratio like the GXP’s will do for the handling of a car. The range of command offered by the SIDI Ecotec’s monstrous torque, makes the GXP feel lighter and more agile than the Solstice 2.4, while it retains its Corvette-like stability. Pontiac engineers have done a superlative job of neutralizing the negative effects of the oversized 18” wheels on this vehicle. The Solstice GXP feels agile, responsive, and “right.”

For all our nuttiness, we’re not just a bunch of squirrels out on a limb. You guys whole heartedly agreed, and your takes backed it up. Unlike the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, which was our runner-up, the Solstice GXP is an easily aspirational vehicle that is a mere promotion away, rather than a lifelong dream. The 2007 Solstice GXP is a raw, impractical, and unrefined toy. It’s also very fast, with good moves, and an adolescent mean streak. It’s one exhilarating thrill ride, and in our eyes, the most fun you can have behind the wheel of a GM vehicle.

Ghrankenstein's Take- Saab 9-3 Aero: I've gone with the Aero because it's currently Saab's best performance vehicle, and because I adore the handling characteristics of the 9-3. All 258 lb-ft are available at 2000 rpm, which is rather insane, and I think the paddle-shift 6-speed Sentronic transaxle complements the smooth 2.8L turbo V-6 almost perfectly. Great performance, great moves, great car. Honorable mentions go to the Colorado/Canyon ZQ8.

Paul8488’s Take- Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged: Z06 dreams on a Cobalt budget? It's not as depressing as it used to be. The SS Supercharged is a tight little package that makes performance available to a young and power-hungry group that previously had no home at GM.

BigAl’s Take- Will continue to be the CTS-V. I never had so much fun in a 4dr sedan.

Asim’s Take- With the Z06 Corvette as being the current flagship from GM performance, you'd think that all the votes would be for that car. But NO, there is a small little car ready to perform too. It's the Pontiac Solstice GXP. The GXP is a great performer with plenty of horsepower under the hood, especially for the segment. It beats the competition into the just, especially with it's engine. Under the hood there is a turbo Ecotec with VVT and Direct Injection. Talk about a pretty advanced engine in a GM performance car. The sexy looks and the relative cheap price just sweetens the deal. For all these reasons (and more), I pick the Pontiac Solstice GXP as the GMI Best Performance car for the year.

Counterpoint: Read HoeyHimself’s ExtendedTake

[asim]

Awesome my take was posted (and I actually picked the car that won)! This is pretty cool, and like stated above I whole-heartedly support this as the most fun to drive GM vehicle out there.

Man...I should have tried to send in more submissions for this awards thing. It's so very cool. At least there is next year. =D

[stevecmh]

if money was no factor i would take the CTS V... but otherwise i agree

[bryce miller]

i like solstice and sky but i think solstice's design is a tad more unique looking.

[99Hugger]

Best performance car/fun to drive.Im going to get destoyed on this one but!The Chevrolet Impala SS.Its the last car that you think is going to kick some ass in a stop light drag.My cousin bought one and that car is way more fun to drive then his wifes Solstice .No the Solstice is not a GXP.But when you can can pull up beside some rice can or and I was in the car when it happened, a Mustang GT and smoke its ass with no warning its the most fun I have had driving a car this year.

[IROCNROL1]

Just make a hardtop version and I'll be a lot more interested.

[superstreet]

i¨ll take the Z06