Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe Concept

The Pontiac Solstice is no stranger to the show floor at SEMA. Pontiac has previously shown the Solstice Weekend Club Racer in 2005, the Solstice GXP-R in 2006, and the single-seat Solstice SD-290 Concept. last year. For this year, GM's line of performance parts will be shown on the Solstice in coupe form for the first time when the Solstice GXP Coupe Concept is officially unveiled next week in Las Vegas. This customized Solstice shows off GM Performance Parts' Stage 2 performance kit , intake kit, and cat-back exhaust system that boosts horsepower from 260 to 290. The car also features a sportier suspension system, exterior graphics kit, customized leather-trimmed seats, race-style pedal covers, and an iPod interface. More details and live photos soon to come as part of our extensive SEMA 2008 coverage.

638-horsepower Pontiac G8 GXP Street Concept

One of the best parts about SEMA is getting to see the manufacturers build cars they might not otherwise. Take this G8 GXP Street Concept, for example. Sure, the 415-horsepower 6.2L V8 in the standard G8 GXP is plenty good enough, but why not stuff the new LSX454 crate engine from GM Performance Parts underneath the hood? The 7.4L V8 is good for a ZR1-matching 638 horsepower and 600 lb-ft torque, allowing this G8 to unashamedly call itself a true muscle car. Other features include stiffer springs and the brake package from the CTS-V as well as 20-inch black chrome wheels. The exterior has been given an aggressive makeover with a new front fascia with unique upper and lower grilles and a rear fascia that incorporates a diffuser and performance exhaust system. Inside are custom leather seats and a new gauge cluster. More details and plenty of photos are soon to come when we hit the show floor next week. Thanks for the tip, Jonathon!

2009 Nissan Versa Sedan 1.6 - Cheapest New Car in the USA

Priced from $9,990 (excluding a destination and handling fee of $695) the new Versa Sedan 1.6 is the cheapest vehicle on four wheels in the U.S. - or so Nissan claims. The newest addition in the Nissan Versa's range is powered by a smaller displacement 107HP 1.6-liter engine as opposed to the 122HP 1.8-liter unit found in the standard Versa Sedan and Hatchback models (pictured above) that are both priced from $12,990. The 1.6-liter engine is mated to a standard 5-speed manual gearbox and optionally, to a 4-speed automatic transmission.

NISMO Prepped Nissan 370Z Photo

Nissan might have been successful in keeping the all-new 2009 370Z under cover until the release of the first official photos earlier this week, but its in-house performance division NISMO (abbreviated from Nissan Motorsport) didn't manage to do the same. From our experience, this leaked photo of a NISMO accessorized 370Z (called Fairlady Z in Japan) looks like it's the real deal. The sports coupe pictured here features a full bodykit that includes a rear wing, side sills, a rear diffuser housing a new set of tailpipes and larger alloy wheels. Understandably, we're not aware of the mechanical upgrades that will be offered by NISMO but expect to see several goodies for the V6 engine, suspension, brakes and the interior.