Gxp Z0k?

[AlanBDahl]

I'm sure that Fast Mike will jump in with all sort of non-specific rumors but I'm looking for concrete information on the rumored GXP-Z0K. My allocation has finally come through and my car is most likely going to be build sometime in the next 1-2 months so accurate information is paramount or I'll end up with a car that isn't the ultimate for autocross (the reason I am buying the car in the first place).

What I need to know is:

- Is the GXP-Z0K for real?
- If so when will it be available for order?
- What are the specific changes? Will it be possible to convert a non-Z0K to a Z0K for a reasonable price? The scuttlebutt I've read on the forums so far says just springs will be different but Fast Mike is talking like there are tons of changes and that conversion will be virtually impossible.

The problem for me is I don't think I can stall this allocation very long and once it goes 3300 I'll be stuck. My dealer gets only 4 GXPs a year so if I pass on this one I'm looking at a long, long wait to get back in the queue, probably a year and a half or more (they have 10 sold orders behind me). That's why I need accurate information because I could pass on this allocation and wait but I'd have to be absolutely convinced that it's the right thing to do.

BTW I don't really understand why the Pontiac Motorsports department operates in such secrecy. With Mazda it was easy to call them up and get the latest scoop on what was happening when but for some reason Pontiac feels they need keep us would-be racers in the dark. I've tried to come up with a contact number for them but have been rebuffed, those current races who have the number appear to have been sworn to secrecy, why I don't understand.

[MemphisReighns]

I would lay odds on there not being a GXP ZOK this year. There might be one next year, but i'm guessing that pontiac is nearing it's production totals on the GXP/Redline, so there is no compelling reason to build a GXP ZOK with lots of changes.

Second, if such a beast does appear this year, I know a lot of current GXP owners will be pissed, especially if it's impossible to to covert a standard GXP to it.

Just my 2C.

[Krazed Kanary]

Alan, the GXP is already a ZOK. Different spring lengths but basically same (From info I have received) spring rates.
There may (wink wink nudge nudge) be a GXP "Club Sport" racer in the works (Likely what you are refering to).
but the major difference are likely to be some weight reduction by deleting some sound deadener, possibly a few convenience items, the folding top replaced by the bolt on FG top the NA ZOK club sport uses etc.
My guess is the GXP club sport will appear as a 2008 model since 2007 production ends the end of April. If any 07s are built I'd expect there will be very few and will be allocated to specific racing teams to prepare for the 07 runoffs.

PS: Honda has already announced their limited edition S2000 club sport model for 2008 to compete with the GXP. If Pontiac wasn't building a GXP club sport, there would be no reason for Honda to build one IMHO.

[brentil]

2007MY production goes till the end of June 2007 actually. 2008MY starts up the first of July.

IF a GXP Z0K is made I'd expect it to differ from the GXP like the base Z0K differs from the base car. Slightly different suspension items with maybe some items that were made base on the GXP removed. There's not much though option wise that was made base on the GXP that adds any significant weight however.

Also unless they changed out the gears/gearing I don't think it would make a very significant difference to SOLO racing like the base Z0K made for that car in SOLO. Any changes made to a GXP Z0K would probably be more beneficial in T2 since 2nd gear hitting 60 mph isn't as detrimental to them as it is to those in SOLO.

[MemphisReighns]

I'd be shocked if Honda produced a S2000 Type R; first, except for the Integra Type R, they have shown a complete lack of interest in doing special models here in the states. Second, S2000 production is ramping down, and it is likely not to exist in 2008 - you'd be more likely to see a revised roadster than a modification of the current model (really how many S2000 Type Rs would they sell? no more than a few hundred). And trust me, i loved my S2000.

I think that if there's a GXP clubsport, it won't appear until 2008. What they could do is fix the gearing for 08 - which i think will be the car's achilles heel.

[Miles@tirerack]

Alan,

Here's the kicker. If Pontiac doesn't make it an available option to order by March 1st 2007, you won't be able to use it in any class for SCCA Solo anyways. Wait a couple days and see if it pops up in the order system.

[Krazed Kanary]

Here's the Honda announcement:
The Last S2000 and the S to come
The last S2000 offering will be the "lightweight package" and it will follow the Type R
proposal's target of 100kg weight reduction, bringing the car from
1250kg to 1150kg, changing the power to weight ratio from 5.16kg/ps
to 4.75kg/ps. This should provide performance at turbo levels but
with the direct feel of natural aspiration.

-target of 100kg weight reduction
-balanced engine internals (Type R treatment)
-Type R exclusive interior
-air conditioning becomes a factory option
-SRS air bag becomes a factory option
-sound deadening material deleted
-front tire: 205/55R16 to 205/45R17 (implemented on AP2)
-rear tire: 225/50R16 to 245/40R17 (implemented on AP2)
-Type R exclusive suspension tuning
-Type R exclusive uprated brakes
-Type R exclusive body color(s)
-spare tire deleted
-mechanical LSD
-power soft top deleted
-lightweight carbon hard top
-audio becomes factory option

The S2000 is expected to be discontinued before March 2008, so the
lightweight package should be sold sometime between now and then.

After the 2008 year, the S car will move to the Acura line as a SLK Competitor. The new version will have four seats and shift upmarket toward a more affluent SLK-type audience.

note the bold above (my emphasis) This is definitely aimed at SCCA club racing where a softtop is not allowed, not at Solo. Airbags deleted would make it unlicensable for street use.

Note: The ZOK clubracer was not originally aimed at Solo, you even had to order it thru SCCA before the 06 runoffs. I expect the GXP clubracer and the S2K clubracer to be similarly restricted to SCCA licensed roadracers.

[Krazed Kanary]

Alan, Mike has me confused. Are you still going with the GXP or changing to the ZOK NA?

[Krazed Kanary]

Originally Posted by fastmike I am trying to talk him into the NA ZOK car. His allocation is finally coming in and he has to either "pull the trigger" on a stripper GXP or forget it VERY soon. He was going to order a cloth A/C delete GXP. One of his other options is to order a ZOK NA and race in CS. FM

I am really surprised at how many Miata people have jumped ship in CS and how few NA Solis are registered after how well y'all did, I was sure many more would show up. AS is very popular this year with the heavy hitters and those who have bailed from ZO6 in SS.
I was aware going in the GXP was an unknown for AS, but we'll keep developing ours and see where we are by the end of the season.
We can't survive without AC here.

[stork]

Originally Posted by fastmike I am surprised there isn't more NA cars out there too. They are WAY inexpensive and really a pretty good car. ...FM

I'm an NA buyer. I have had a ZOK on order since November and in December got an event code of 3000. So far that has not changed. I'll now be going without seat time this spring and it's frustrating. I am going to call a senior GM person I know to find out why the delay. If I get an explanation, I'll post it to this thread.

I am dealing with a small dealer in Oregon's Willamette Valley and that may be part of it. Also, I am theorizing that GM wants to build a bunch of ZOK models in a production block and may be waiting for enough to make a run of them. Does anybody have knowledge of how GM is running them? I want my Sol! http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/i...ies/frown2.gif

[Krazed Kanary]

According to Small Dealer the ZOK package is a regular assembly line option package just like any other option package, it is not being batch built.
IMHO GM did not expect the Solstice to be as big a hit as it has become, and did not dedicate enough production capacity to keep up with the demand. (Think PT Cruiser)
Altho frustrating to some of us, I expect it is not a bad thing for GM and especially for it's dealers. Nearing the end of the model year production at the same time the seasonal demand is ramping up is also producing production pressure with dealers ordering any and all allotments for stock as well as sold orders.

[Krazed Kanary]

Originally Posted by fastmike Or get a MS3 since our local one isn't the only one that is doing well. Some fun out of town info in regards to the MS3 and a "SOL" challenge with some out of towners showing up at a local SF event with the Sol: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=110430 No one knows forsure how a MS3 will do with R tires though. FM

We considered the MS3 but what turned us off is that Mazda decided to hobble the car by torque limiting it in 1st and 2nd gear.

[MemphisReighns]

What market is that announcement for? It looks like a JDM announcement, and therefore wouldn't be sold here. There have been all sorts of special S2000s in the JDM market since it was introduced. I still stand by my comment.

I think the GXP will be a force in AS - it has great handling, and what it looses to the S2000 in transitional response it should make up in mid corner speed. Really the only down side is the short second gear - and it thats the case, it'll have to be driven in third, which I still think will be more than enough.

I too am surprised that there are not more NA Sols out there - so far they seem to be the cream of CS. Could there be some back lash agianst it?

I can't wait to drive my GXP in anger...

[stork]

Originally Posted by Krazed Kanary According to Small Dealer the ZOK package is a regular assembly line option package just like any other option package, it is not being batch built. IMHO GM did not expect the Solstice to be as big a hit as it has become, and did not dedicate enough production capacity to keep up with the demand. (Think PT Cruiser) Altho frustrating to some of us, I expect it is not a bad thing for GM and especially for it's dealers. Nearing the end of the model year production at the same time the seasonal demand is ramping up is also producing production pressure with dealers ordering any and all allotments for stock as well as sold orders.

Thanks for the info, Krazed. I'll just keep waiting.

[snaponbob]

Originally Posted by Krazed Kanary Alan, the GXP is already a ZOK. Different spring lengths but basically same (From info I have received) spring rates. There may (wink wink nudge nudge) be a GXP "Club Sport" racer in the works (Likely what you are referring to). but the major difference are likely to be some weight reduction by deleting some sound deadener, possibly a few convenience items, the folding top replaced by the bolt on FG top the NA ZOK club sport uses etc. My guess is the GXP club sport will appear as a 2008 model since 2007 production ends the end of April. If any 07s are built I'd expect there will be very few and will be allocated to specific racing teams to prepare for the 07 runoffs. PS: Honda has already announced their limited edition S2000 club sport model for 2008 to compete with the GXP. If Pontiac wasn't building a GXP club sport, there would be no reason for Honda to build one IMHO.

As i previously committed on another thread, I did some homework. Got this form a Google (http://www.mcclatchie.com/reviews/S2000R.html) and had to wonder why nobody ever talked about this in the previous two years. More Googles showed it to be an apparent hoax. So, how valid are the current rumors? Great new!! Didn't have to deal with a rule book. (I hope people understand self deprecating humor.)