Pontiac Solstice Concept

The Pontiac Solstice is a roadster from the Pontiac division of General Motors. Introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the Solstice began production in Wilmington, Delaware starting in mid-2005 for the 2006 model year. The exterior styling of the production Solstice is similar to that of the 2002 Solstice concept that preceded it. Pricing begins at US$ 19,995. Production of the Solstice was to be running before Summer 2005, but delays at the Wilmington plant pushed volume production to the fourth quarter.

The Solstice uses the GM Kappa platform, which also underpins the Saturn Sky and Opel GT. Pontiac may eventually build a fixed-roof coupe version, which would allow the Solstice to be eligible for certain racing events not open to convertibles.

The Solstice was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award and Design of the Year award from the AJAC for 2006. It has been a runaway hit for Pontiac, with 7,000 orders in the first 10 days of availability and 6,000 more orders before winter. Although first-year production was planned at 7,000, GM apologized to customers for delays and increased production, delivering 10,000 by March 1. The base price was adjusted upwards to $20,490 in mid-December, but many buyers report paying $5,000 or more over sticker to get a Solstice.

ACCELERATION - Seconds Zero to

30 mph: 2.3
40 mph: 3.7
50 mph: 5.3
60 mph: 7.2
70 mph: 10.1
80 mph: 13.1
90 mph: 16.8
100 mph: 22.2
110 mph: 31.6
BRAKING

70-0 mph @ impending lockup: 165 ft
HANDLING

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g
Understeer: minimal moderate excessive
FUEL ECONOMY

EPA city driving: 20 mpg
EPA highway driving: 28 mpg
Independently observed: 16 mpg (Car and Driver review

Pontiac Grand Prix G-Force Concept

The Pontiac Grand Prix is an automobile produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors Corporation. First introduced as part of Pontiac's full-size model offering for the 1962 model year, the Grand Prix name has also been applied to cars in the personal luxury car market segment and the mid-size offering, slotting below the large Bonneville in the company's lineup. As of mid-model year 2006, the Grand Prix is Pontiac's largest automotive offering in production, superceeding the recently cancelled Pontiac Bonneville program.

1997

In 1997, the W-bodies got a major redesign. The first 1997 Grand Prix was built on August 12, 1996. Promoted widely for its "wide track" appearance, the second generation W-body Grand Prix sold well. There were 3 trim levels available in 1997; the SE, GT, and GTP. Also beginning in 1997 was the inclusion of a supercharger for the GTP, boosting power to 240 hp. The Grand Prix was made in the Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kansas until 2003, when production was shifted to Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The Fairfax plant was then retooled to build the current Chevrolet Malibu. The last Grand Prix coupe rolled off the assembly line on July 19, 2002, and the coupe was replaced by the Pontiac GTO for 2004.

2004

The Grand Prix was updated for 2004 on a revised version of the GM W platform. 2005 saw the high-end GXP trim as the successor for the now-defunct Bonneville. The first 2004 Grand Prix was built on May 5, 2003. A notable addition to the 2005 line is the GXP's small-block 5.3 L V8, the Grand Prix's first V8 since 1987. With the closing of the Oshawa plant that produces the car in 2008, the Grand Prix will likely end production, and for 2009 it may be replaced by the Zeta-based G8.

2005

The Grand Prix remains basicly unchanged from 2004. With the Base coupe, the GT, GTP and the GXP. 2005 Is the last year of the GTP. In 2006, the GT offers the Supercharged 3800 Series III Engine. The GT has the potent 3800 Series III engine, which gains a 20 bhp boost from intake and head redesigns, as well as an electronic throttle body. The GXP powerplant is the LS4 V8, a 5.3 litre Displacement On Demand engine based off of the legendary LS1 block. It has a shortened crankshaft, and a host of other modifications to make it fit into a FWD vehicle. The GXP also has TAPshift, a Formula One inspired technology that allows the driver to control gears semi-manually. The engine has 303 bhp and 323 ft·lbf of Torque.

2006

For 2006, little has changed for the Grand Prix. The three options are the Grand Prix, powered by the 3800 Series III V6, the GT, powered by the 3800 Series III Supercharged V6, and the GXP, powered by the LS4 V8. Next model year, 2007, is rumored by many to be the last of the Grand Prix's incredibly long run, and many enthusiasts are sad to see it go, but the potential for Pontiac to make a turning point out of the car that replaces it, gives hope to the community.

Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

The 2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck blurs the line between cars and trucks and is creating an all-new segment in the North American car market. This dramatically different vehicle blends the sporty handling of a performance coupe with the cargo capabilities of a light truck.

Based on the all-new Pontiac G8 performance sedan, the newest member of the G8 family has a longer wheelbase and a cargo bed suitable for either work or recreation. The Pontiac G8 sport truck significantly stretches Pontiac's commitment to style and performance and is expected to arrive in dealers' showrooms in late 2009.

"Pontiac has never shied away from offering segment-defining vehicles, going back to the original GTO," said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager. "There's simply nothing else like the Pontiac G8 sport truck on the road today, and we definitely believe that there are customers who will be excited by its distinctive design, performance and cargo capabilities."

Consumer named

Another unique aspect of this new vehicle is the fact that it will be named by a consumer. Consumers can visit http://www.pontiac.com/namethiscar and submit their name ideas. "As an important part of the G8 family, we know that 'sport truck' doesn't fully describe the vehicle's ability to blur the lines between sports car and truck," said Craig Bierley, Pontiac marketing director. "Because its fans will surely be as unique as the vehicle itself, we're giving them a voice in selecting a name that reflects its appeal." The winning entry will be announced April 15, 2008.

Suzuki Kizashi Concept

Suzuki Kizashi Concept gives a glimpse of the direction Suzuki will be taking in the third phase of their world strategy.

Although Suzuki is known for excellence in compact cars and full-fledged four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles, we're now getting ready to expand into full-size passenger cars, and the Suzuki Kizashi Concept highlights this exciting new initiative. In the Suzuki Kizashi Concept, strength and flexibility are combined in a way that makes the car an impressive status symbol for its owner; a car that never fails to stir the spirit.

Suzuki A-Star Concept

The Suzuki A-Star concept will be presented to the public at the Auto Expo 2008 in New Delhi (11-17 January 2008).

The car will feature a newly developed Euro 5 compliant 1.0-Liter petrol engine with CO2 emissions of only 109 g/km.

Toyota Auris Space Concept

Designed from the inside out, Auris is a new concept from Toyota; maximising interior space and comfort while promising an engaging drive. Thus Auris embodies the Toyota design philosophy of Vibrant Clarity - forward looking and energetic while retaining a clarity of purpose and rationality.

"Auris space concept is tall and spacious. The high waistline, short overhangs and forward balance of the cabin architecture ensure it retains a sense of dynamism and agility. We call this perfect imbalance", says Wahei Hirai, Toyota Global Design Managing Officer.

Auris presents a high quality interior design that puts driver and passengers in harmony with the car. The innovative sculpted bridged centre console is elegant yet practical, raising the gearlever and other controls to the perfect ergonomic height. The open under section allows for a feeling of airy-ness to be retained around the driver and front passenger.

The inside-out concept finds echoes in the panoramic glass roof, the flat rear passenger floor and high window surfaces - all contributing to an overwhelming sense of interior light and space.

Auris space concept presents a strong, dynamic exterior face. The powerful and vertical front shows a sense of nobility while the wide shoulders and short overhangs suggest driving pleasure, emphasised by the sports styled, 19-inch alloy wheels, freeform geometric lamps, prominent brake callipers and deep rear bumper with integrated chrome exhausts.

Finished with a striking gold exterior and interior piping to reflect its name (Aurum is the Latin name for gold), Auris delivers a timeless appeal that stirs strong emotions of comfort, nobility, and sophistication.

In creating Auris, Toyota wanted to reflect the shift in values in C-segment customers' mindset, as well as its brand attitude of optimism.

Auris embodies the way forward for Toyota.

Dimensions (mm)

Overall length: 4226
Overall width: 1762

Toyota FT-86 Concept

The Toyota FT-86 Concept is 4,160mm long, 1,760mm wide, and 1,260mm high with a wheelbase of 2,570mm, giving it a compact feeling that is easy for the driver to handle while able to accommodate four occupants. In addition to being light and having a low center of gravity, the Toyota FT-86 Concept boasts the handling of a racing car as well as a 6-speed manual transmission and ADVICS brakes.

The stylish concept captures the heart with the "functional utility" of its highly-refined body. It is the creation of Toyota Europe Design Development known as ED2, which has established body lines that take into consideration a low center of gravity and aerodynamics. The interior is distinctive, featuring an instrument panel with a gray and white base, gauges with red neon lights and digital displays, and a navigation system. In addition, a zipper that evokes an image of interior lapping with minimal covering of a highly-refined body presents a striking display.

It is necessary to create a vehicle in which the driver plays the main role in order to have as many people as possible experience the joy of driving.

The Toyota FT-86 Concept is neither an electric vehicle nor a hybrid vehicle, but is a sports model with a gasoline engine developed to convey the essential appeal of automobiles in a new era. It is a must-see concept car that expresses TMC's desire to once again create a Toyota sports car.

A Small FR Sports Concept Vehicle that Combines Environmental Performance and the Joy of Driving

TMC seeks to develop the ultimate earth-conscious environmentally-considerate vehicle with a focus on hybrid technologies without losing sight of the appeal of cars themselves or the joy of driving.

Over the past several years, the need has been rising for motor vehicles that take into consideration global warming and other environmental issues, while there has also been concern that there have been too few new sports cars that make the heart beat faster and that the time is right for a new generation of sports cars. In response to these needs, TMC has developed the Toyota FT-86 Concept, a sports car equipped with a 2,000cc, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated gasoline engine that evokes the joy of driving a car and the pleasure of vehicle ownership.

As the name "Future Toyota 86 Concept" implies, the Toyota FT-86 Concept, which will be exhibited at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, is a new 86 Toyota with a flash red finish. It is a compact, rear-wheel drive sports concept car that embodies speed and the excitement of driving that give cars their appeal as well as environmental performance.