This sort of fell between the cracks in our Geneva show coverage. It's an Opel GT with a V8 of unspecified origin by performance enhancer Irmscher, and is called the Irmscher GT i40.
Now we know there's a 6.0L GM V8, and I wonder if it could fit under the hood of the Pontiac Solstice? Mr...
kurtamaxxxguy says:
07:16 AM, 03/24/08
Aren't there American tuners who are now dropping small block GM V8's into Solstices and Skys?
Unless they've done miracles with traction control, this wmight be the ultimate open-air drift machine.
ateixeira says:
07:48 AM, 03/24/08
I love roadsters, but this is just overkill. It will make it very nose-heavy and probably spoil the handling, too.
I'd love to hear what the weight distribution was - probably 65/35 front to rear.
huyracing says:
10:25 AM, 03/24/08
nothing new, Mallet Cars does conversions in the US for the Solstice and Sky... www.mallettcars.com
dem2009 says:
10:48 AM, 03/24/08
cool roadster
st034 says:
12:36 PM, 03/24/08
http://www.mallettcars.com/whychoosemallett.htm
kurtamaxxxguy says:
02:18 PM, 03/24/08
Perhaps Edmunds can get one of these Mallets for test and show the world how cool a V8 roadster can be ??
stovt001 says:
05:42 PM, 03/24/08
Yes of course this destroys the balance. I'm sure this is more for the cool factor than serious performance driving. Still, the idea of Corvette power in a micro-Corvette is awfully appealing.
firstwagon says:
08:17 AM, 03/25/08
It doesn't have to destroy the balance. V8's are not the heavy pigs they once were. When you factor in all the other things that make cars so overweight these days, an extra 50 to 100 lbs forward of the driver won't make that much difference.
karjunkie says:
08:30 AM, 03/25/08
Seems like overkill to leap from the pathetic ecotec four banger to a V8. Why not use GM's direct-injection V6, which makes 304 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque? Certainly, a lot easier to shoehorn into the front of the car and probably a bit lighter too.
estreka says:
02:13 PM, 03/25/08
Karjunkie - You bring up a good point. I'd like to see the V6 DI from the CTS in this baby.
I just thought you guys might enjoy the article.