Montreal Show: $500K Pontiac Top Tuner Solstice Turns Heads

MONTREAL — The goal of the Canadian customizing team working on the neon green Pontiac Top Tuner Solstice was simple: Take a stock car to the "tuning extreme."

The result is a hardtop showstopper decked out in Vivacious Candy Green, with a red suede interior and a custom Pioneer audio/entertainment system. GM says the Top Tuner Solstice is projected to have a street value of $500,000.

Although the Detroit automaker doesn't specify the output on the tuned Solstice, which is equipped with a tuned 2.0-liter crate engine donated to the project by GM Performance Parts, the word on the street is that it's good for 500 horses.

The tuners added such goodies as LSJ connecting rods, a piston set for LSJ rods, adjustable cam gears, a high-performance cam set, an aluminum fabricated intake manifold and a CTS-V rear differential gearset.

Leading the project was Tajai Das from Elite Tuners of Canada, who is the brains behind the 1994 Acura Integra "Acurabot." Das turned to Chris Nankoo from Phat Custom Rides in Montreal to create the custom exterior body kit, which includes a custom fiberglass hardtop, a fiberglass hood and a wide-body ground effects kit. GM said more than 30 companies from around Canada participated in the project.

The Top Tuner Solstice is just now making the rounds of major auto shows, putting in an appearance at the 2007 Montreal International Auto Show, which runs until January 28.
The Top Tuner Solstice was unveiled at the 2006 Sport Compact Performance Show in Montreal last October and earned an armload of awards at the 2006 SEMA show.

Production Callaway C16 Debut at Montreal Auto Show

Six hundred and sixteen horses worth of Callaway Cars' C4 LeMans race car technology is now available with fine German leather. The first production version of the Callaway C16 platform debuted at Montreal's Palais des Congres for the 2007 Montreal Auto Show this week. (The pre-production version was announced at the LA Show last November.) The law of demand led the company to offer its C16, which clocks 200 mph, posts a 10-second quarter mile, and comes with a five-year/100,000 mile warranty backed up by your local Chevrolet dealership (all that and mileage ratings of 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway). All this orangey goodness starts at slightly under 120 large. Full release and specifications after the jump. – Mike Bumbeck

Press release:

FIRST PRODUCTION CALLAWAY C16 SUPERCAR MAKES WORLD DEBUTAT 2007 MONTREAL AUTO SHOW

Penned by Canadian Designer Paul Deutschman, Callaway Cars' New 200 MPH Sports Car Takes Performance and Style to New Heights

OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT (January 3, 2007) - Callaway Cars today announced it will debut the first production model of its Callaway C16 sports car at the 2007 Montreal Auto Show. Incorporating Callaway's race-proven technologies, superlative craftsmanship and arresting style, the powerful supercharged 616bhp Callaway C16 will be showcased in the General Motors display, which opens January 19th at Montreal's Palais des Congres.

The 16th major engineering project from Callaway in the company's 30-year history, the C16 was drawn and modeled by noted Canadian designer Paul Deutschman. Montreal-based Deutschman Design, has an eighteen-year portfolio of Callaway projects that include the 254 mph Sledgehammer, Callaway's C4-based Le Mans race cars, its C7 carbon monocoque racecar, C12 sports cars and now the stunning Callaway C16. Much of the C16's body development was carried out in Montreal including 3D computer modeling, mold making, component production and prototype assembly.

A Callaway C16 pre-production prototype was displayed at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, resulting in great fanfare and a rush of customer orders. Based on the current Chevrolet Corvette platform, and carrying a high level of distinctiveness and style, the Callaway C16 offers a significant performance value. An MSRP of $119,865 for an automobile of this performance is a new benchmark in the category.

"The buyer looking for a Z06 level of performance is no longer limited to a manual gearbox, fixed-roof coupe," says company founder Reeves Callaway. "Buyers now have the choice of a targa-style coupe or a convertible with either a 6 speed paddle shift automatic or 6 speed manual gearbox. Our customer gets an individually built, uniquely styled automobile that does a 10-second quarter mile, delivers a top speed of over 200 mph, can be serviced at any Chevy dealer and comes with a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty."

The Callaway C16 represents a menu of all the components developed and engineered by Callaway Cars. This includes the exclusive Callaway/Magnuson supercharger, C16 bodywork, high-level interior, brakes, suspension, wheels and tires. The optional Callaway supercharged 6.0-liter LS2 V8 produces an impressive 616 bhp at 6,200 rpm and develops 582 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm. Excellent handling and ride are courtesy of a newly developed Callaway/Eibach Multi-Pro coil-over suspension system option.

Selecting the Deutschleder Interior Package option completely retools the C16 cockpit in exquisite German leather with brushed Alcantara accents. A Recaro Pole Position seat package including competition-style harnesses is also available. Door sill panels, steering wheel and passenger dash area carry signature Callaway badging. Clients may choose body color and interior appointments to individual taste. Each car is serialized and identified by its build plaque and personalized authenticity documentation.

The Callaway C16 is available exclusively through Callaway Cars' authorized dealer network in North America, Callaway Competition in Leingarten, Germany, and CorvetteTotal, Bonstetten, Switzerland.

MSRP for the 2007 Callaway C16 coupe starts at $119,865 USD.

All Callaway C16 components are available individually, for both new and currently owned Corvettes, through Callaway authorized retailers and installers.

source: jalopnik