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Pontiac's new Formula D drift racer, the Red Bull Solstice GXP Drift. 500 horsepower from the turbocharged, race-modified Ecotec engine, and it runs on ethanol. (Photo courtesy of Pontiac)


Pontiac Red Bull Solstice GXP Drift will be raced by reigning Formula Drift champion Rhys Millen. (Photo courtesy of Pontiac)

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Pontiac unveiled its next-generation drift vehicle, the Red Bull Solstice GXP Drift, on Thursday.

The 500-horsepower roadster will be piloted by 2005 Formula Drift champion Rhys Millen and will make its official Formula D drifting debut on June 10 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

The GXP Drift features a race-modified version of the Solstice GXP turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine that produces roughly double the horsepower of the street-legal GXP that will go on sale this fall.

The competition Ecotec engine runs on E85 ethanol-based fuel, uses thick-wall iron cylinder liners, a race-ported cylinder head, tubular stainless steel exhaust headers, a performance camshaft, a unique engine control system and a water-to-air intercooled turbocharger. It was developed by the same GM Racing engineers behind the Ecotec sport compact drag racing motors. The GXP Drift is outfitted with a production six-speed transmission and the production GXP rear differential.

"With the added power, this new drift vehicle is sure to give me a boost against some very strong competition while fighting for our second drift title," said Millen.

What this means to you: In other words, this hot little Solstice is The Fast and the Furious: Detroit Drift.

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=114913#2