This year at the 2003 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Pontiac unveiled the Vibe Autocross show vehicle. This particular show vehicle blends a variety of appearance and performance modifications typically seen in Autocross racing applications.

At first glance, the obvious appearance modifications are noticable. This includes the remarkable customized paint job, called Electric Blue, which was developed by Color Design Studio of America and produced by Sherwin Williams. Optically enhanced, the spotlights used to illuminate the vehicle at the show made it possible to see the high quality and visually stunning work that was performed to develop and apply this color to the Vibe Autocross.

The next appearance change includes the agressive front fascia extension which boasts a wide-open and lowered stance compared to the standard Sport Appearance Package extensions. The remainder of the side and rear extensions were taken from the already available Vibe Sport Appearance Package obtainable from your dealer.

The lack of the standard roof rack may have also caught your eye. This was done in order to provide this show vehicle with a smooth and sleeker look which also helps to accentuate the rear upper spoiler in particular. The roof rack cross bars and side rails were removed and capped over with body colored pieces. The remainder of solely appearance modifications include the dual rear spoilers which are also available to order through your dealer. Racing-inspired front seats and four-point belts offer maximum support and safety for the Autocross driver. The rear seats were modified to match the color inserts of the front seats but were not modified in any other way. Projector beam headlights, which include a single bulb for each the high and low lamps compared to the single bulb used in the stock Vibe, round out this category.

Moving along to the Vibe Autocross' performance modifications, you will notice its lowered and more agressive stance. This was done with the help of aftermarket performance tuned shocks and struts which aid in keeping the vehicle planted on the road when cornering. In addition, custom 18-inch wheels (Panther) and BF Goodrich g-force T/A KD performance tires dramatically improve grip and the overall appearance of the Vibe.

Under the hood, you will find the much anticipated Supercharger kit, which helps to increase the performance of the Base Vibe engine to nearly 175 horsepower. In the Vibe Autocross show vehicle, the Supercharger was mated to an Automatic transmission, but you will also be able to purchase the kit with the 5-speed Manual transmission. The Supercharger kit is readily available for the Base Vibe with the Automatic transmission and within the next couple weeks for the 5-speed Manual transmission.

Rounding out the performance modifications, the Vibe Autocross also sports a custom cat-back exhaust, produced by Corsa. To aid in braking, an upgraded and larger 4-wheel disc brake and caliper system developed by Stainless Steel Brake Corp. was fitted to this vehicle. The stock Base Vibe incorporates a front disc/rear drum brake system while the stock GT model is standard with a 4-wheel disc brake system.

The following Pontiac Accessories were featured on the Vibe Autocross:

• Rear fascia, side rockers and rear dual spoilers from the Vibe Sport Appearance Package - pn 12498806
• Supercharger kit - pn 12498927

If you are wondering which of the above modifications Pontiac plans on officially releasing (other than the already mentioned Pontiac Accessories) for the Vibe, you will hopefully be pleased to find some features are being considered but no firm answers could be given. More than likely, the most highly considered modificiation would be the option to purchase a Vibe with or without the roof rack installed depending on buyer choice. The Electric Blue exterior color, however, was only developed solely for the Vibe Autocross and there is no immediate intention for its release. You can expect other new colors to be released for the Vibe in the coming model years including a slight refresh due on the 2006 model year Vibe.

To see more photos of the Vibe Autocross and other vehicles from the 2003 SEMA Show, visit the GenVibe Photo Gallery. GenVibe will continue to bring you the latest Vibe news and information as it becomes available.