GM announced their latest creation – the ALL NEW 2009 Pontiac G3.  And by “all new”, of course I mean “rebadged Chevy Aveo”.  No one likes the Aveo when it’s wearing a Chevy badge.  Who would like it wearing the arguably less attractive Pontiac grille?  I say arguably because the Aveo grille is no thing of beauty.

Just for comparison, I tossed in a picture of the 09 Aveo below.  See any similarities?  Why, GM, why.  When you have great products in the pipe ( Chevy Volt ), must you continue to repeat the mistakes of yesterday.  Folks who didn’t want the Aveo aren’t going to suddenly by a G3 because it’s a Pontiac.  Ain’t.  Gonna.  Happen.

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Four hundred and fifteen ponies.  Six point 2 liter small block pushrod V8.  Rear wheel drive American sedan.  Six speeds – complete with 3 pedals.  Put all that together and you get the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – one badass machine. 

Forget the stupid name.  Forget the fact that Pontiac isn’t a brand you’d really like to own.  Focus on the facts – this car rocks, plain and simple.  With well over 400 horses under the hood, this thing will move like a bat out of hell, complete with a nasty snarl so you know who is boss.  Oh, for the days when gas was a buck-fifty.  If those days were back again, you can be damn sure I’d be first in line for one of these puppies.

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The Pontiac G6 is getting a baby update for the 2009 model year.  Overall it’s a pretty good looking car, especially in coupe form.  Rather than going for an all-out overhaul, GM is just tweaking a little bit in the nose area.  The twin air intakes merge into a single intake, with fog lamps hanging around on the outside.  There is some camo in these spy shots, so GM may have a bit more in store for the 09 G6.

GM should be dropping the six speed automatic in the G6, though it’s not clear if only certain trim levels will get the upgraded transmission.  That’s the case with the Malibu, so it may carry over to the G6.  No word on engine tweaks, but I wouldn’t expect anything significant.

The G6 is a decent car in an otherwise sorry lineup.  A minor update is all it really needs right now.   Looking forward to seeing the final product.

See the rest of the spy shot at Autoblog.

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Bummed that the G8 GT doesn’t offer a meat cleaver?  Be bummed no more.  Today Pontiac revealed the 2009 G8 GXP, complete with available 6 speed manual.  For those of you who aren’t up on Pontiac speak, just know this – GXP is Pontiac for “go fast”.  As in, Corvette-powered fast.  Yes folks, the G8 GXP has the world-famous LS3 6.2 liter V8 sitting under that long hood.  Horsepower isn’t finalized, but should come in right around 402 ponies.

GM’s performance numbers look a little something like this:

• 0-60 MPH in 4.7 seconds
• Quarter mile in 13.0 seconds @ 108 MPH

It’s no secret that a good driver can beat manufacturer numbers any day – so this could be a high 12 second car, stock.  Damn.

The return of the manual

Sure, you can get the G8 GXP with a 6 speed automatic if you want.  But why would you?  Pontiac is offering a Tremec TR6060 six speed manual, and I’d expect most buyers to tick that box.  Either way you get a limited-slip differential – you’ll need it to try to maintain some sort of traction.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet…. but in all likelihood this is a car that will start in the very high 30′s.  $39,995 perhaps?  Less than a Charger SRT-8 with nearly as much power – not a bad deal.  Gas prices?  What high gas prices?

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Pontiac “accidentally”  put up this photo featuring the upcoming Solstice Coupe.  I say that in quotes because I don’t think big automakers leak upcoming models unless it’s on purpose.  In this case, it sounds like they’re trying to generate some buzz by confirming the rumored coupe.  Well GM, here’s your free publicity.  Can’t wait until the Solstice coupe hits the market.  Oh, and could you make a Saturn Sky coupe too, pretty please?

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Rear wheel drive.  Corvette powered American muscle car.  Made in Australia, but who cares.  Already you have the makings of a great vehicle, deserving of a great name.  So what does Pontiac come up with?  G8.  G8 evokes about as much emotion as, well, G6.  That is to say, none.  Starting with such a great platform and engine, this car should have a seriously bad-ass name, and G8 just doesn’t cut it.  Issue with the name aside, what’s the car like?  Well, let’s take a look.

You have your choice of a 256 horse V6 starting at $27,595, or a 361 horse beast starting at $29,995.  My advice?  Pony up the extra $2500 and get the V8 – you will enjoy those extra 100 horsepower immensely.  Gas mileage won’t even suffer that much if you can manage to stay out of the gas.  Not that you’ll be able to, of course – 361 HP is way too much fun not to enjoy.  And GM’s bean counters saw fit to drop the 6 speed auto in the G8, to keep you in the torque curve’s sweet spot while hammering it, and still get you good mileage on the highway.

Styling-wise, the G8 is a toss up.  It’s not super-bland like the new GTO before it, nor is it in-your-face like the Dodge Charger.  It’s distinct without being offensive, which overall is a good thing.  The interior is OK… it’s no Malibu, but it’s no Cobalt either.  Pontiac could have done much better here.  Overall, the G8 is a very good car.  The engine is what makes the car though -without the LS2, the G8 is just another ho-hum Pontiac.  Thankfully GM did drop the big engine in there, and the power goes to the right ( rear ) wheels.  If I had to choose between this and the Charger, it would be a tough call.

2008 Pontiac G8 Specs

• 256 HP 3.6 liter V6
• Available 361 HP 6.0 liter V8 ( GT trim )
• RWD standard
• Six speed automatic transmission
• 4 wheel ABS with side & side curtain airbags
• Curb weight: 3885 lbs (V6) / 3995 lbs (V8)
• EPA Says: 15 MPG city / 24 mpg highway ( V8 )

2008 Pontiac G8 Reviews

Popular Mechanics reviews the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT and says – ‘The G8’s suspension and steering systems are some of the best GM has produced. One afternoon we hit our favorite canyons—high above the crashing waves of Malibu, Calif. We were expecting a taut but detached driving experience, but we were wrong—the steering is direct, precise and lively. And the G8’s multi-link strut front and four-link rear suspension seems to have been tuned perfectly for running through rough, twisty sections of blacktop—must be that Aussie influence. In fact, the harder you run the G8 in the twisties, the smaller it tends to feel. Better yet, whether you choose the V8 car of the V6 model, you get the same basic suspension tune.’

The Hollywood Extra reviews the 2008 Pontiac G8 and says – ”I think the G8 is a fine car for someone looking for a roomy family sedan.  Starting at $27 500, it competes with V6 versions of the Camry and Accord. While being roomier and looking better.  Plus, you won’t be driving everybody else’s car.  A loaded V6 goes for $30 700. That includes premium audio, leather and sunroof.  No navigation system is available (yet), you get Onstar.  Compare this with a loaded Camry XLE V6 for $28 800.  Honda Accord EXL V6 at $28 700.

Edmunds reviews the 2008 Pontiac G8 and says – ‘With our test car’s optional 245/40R19 Bridgestone RE050A tires providing the grip, this big, heavy sedan is fast on a mountain road. Very fast. But it also rides right, with proper compliance, buttoned-down body motions and a tight overall feel. The one misstep is a rear suspension that can feel a tick underdamped over some surfaces, especially when the G8′s huge 19.2-gallon fuel tank is full.’

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Pontiac is GM’s “Excitement Division”, at least by their standards.  The problem is that very few of their models are particularly exciting.  With the announcement by GM that there will be no new Firebird or Trans Am, the prospects get even worse. Today I’ll be going through their lineup of 7 cars and ruthlessly deciding what should stay and what should go, as I create the Ultimate Pontiac Lineup.  For fun today, I’ve decided to add a little surprise to the mix, and include something that isn’t currently in production at Pontiac.

The ones that made it:

G6 – The G6 is available as a coupe, sedan, or convertible – it covers three important segments.  It’s a pretty attractive looking car, at least when measured against the other vehicles in its’ class.  The body lines are handsome and modern, and Pontiac did a pretty fine job on the exterior.  Inside is where they failed, as the G6 has a pretty low end interior that badly needs a makeover.  It falls far short of it’s competitors here.  GM – get to work and give the G6 a new interior, and you have a fine competitor.

G8 – The G8 isn’t on the market yet, but it deserves a place in the lineup.  With the available 361 HP 6.0 liter V8 and standard RWD, this is one vehicle that screams excitement.  The design is solid, though it could do without the traditional Pontiac grille.  Also, the name is horrible.  G8 sounds like a business summit, not a muscle car.

Solstice – Bravo, Pontiac.  Small, RWD, sporty, fun to drive, and good looking.  Oh, and price right.  That’s what makes a good sports car for the masses.  The only real flaw with the Solstice is that it looks downright ugly next to it’s twin, the gorgeous Saturn Sky.  It looks great next to anything else though, which is ok by me.

Firebird / Trans Am – Chevy gets  the Camaro, which is smart because it has powerful brand loyalty.  But what is the Camaro without it’s twin, the Firebird?  And what is Pontiac without a V8 powered firebreathing coupe?  GM cited cost concerns ( $200 million to bring it to market ), but that’s absurd.   The interior, platform, and engine choices would be identical to the Camaro – only the sheetmetal need be reworked.  I simply don’t believe the cost of an exterior design is two hundred million dollars.  Pontiac needs this car to be relevant.

Misc. Sport Compact – Perhaps built on the Cobalt ( shudder ) platform, Pontiac needs a sporty, fast, compact car.  Something along the lines of a WRX perhaps – AWD, turbo 4 power in the low-mid 200 HP range.  Fuel mileage would be reasonable due to the small engine, and if done properly people would eat it up. 

The ones that didn’t make it

G5 – It’s a Cobalt.  No one likes the Cobalt, why would they like a Pontiac Cobalt?  There is no excitement here folks, and Pontiac does not need this car.

Grand Prix – I thought Pontiac had killed this horrid vehicle already, but I guess not.  What purpose does it serve with the G6 being better in every single category?  Not even a 300 HP V8 was able to save this car.  Repeat after me Pontiac – 300 HP V8′s don’t go with FWD.  Ever.  Ridiculous wheelspin and torque steer do not equal excitement.

Torrent – What is exciting about a Chevy Equinox clone?  NOTHING.  That’s what.  Pontiac doesn’t need an SUV, unless it fits in with the brand.  And the Torrent does not, so it goes bye bye.

   Vibe – The Vibe should have been a Chevy all along.  It is not exciting in any way, shape, or form.  A rebadged Toyota Matrix does not inspire any sort of emotion other than boredom.  Not that it’s a bad car, just that it shouldn’t be a Pontiac.

Final Words

GM is consolidating GMC, Pontiac, and Buick so that all three brands are at one dealership.  There’s no longer any need for Pontiac to try to be everything to every customer.  Pontiac needs a laser focus on the performance market, and can any models that don’t fit in.  Without a focus, Pontiac will simply continue to flounder and lose sales to other brands.  Pontiac has a chance to live, and even thrive, but they have to make changes quickly and decisively.

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Pontiac has another home run in the making.  Due in 2008 or early 2009, Pontiac will release a hardtop coupe version of their fast selling Solstice.  The jury is still out on whether it will be a 2008 or 2009 model – I’ll pass on any info as it becomes available.

When the Solstice Coupe debuts, it will come with an updated engine, though it will still be a 4 cylinder only ( no V6 option ).  The GXP will surely be an option for the coupe as well. 

Though there’s only a rear shot of what the Solstice coupe will look like, I think it’s very promising.  However, the exciting thought is that the coupe version will make it to the gorgeous Saturn Sky – now that’s something to dream about.

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The 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP is no ordinary Solstice – it’s packing a turbocharger under the hood, boosting power to a very respectable 260 horses.  Coupled with the Solstice GXP’s reasonable curb weight of under 3,000 lbs, this little roadster can move.  The quarter mile comes up in just 14.2 seconds – that’s real, honest-to-goodness sports car territory.

The Solstice isn’t a one trick pony either – it’s got the looks to go with the power.  Though I like the Saturn Sky better ( is there a better looking car in that price class? ), the Solstice is definitely easy on the eyes.  Handling and gas mileage ain’t half bad either.  Overall, there isn’t much negative to say about the Solstice GXP.  It takes the regular Solstice ( which is a fine car ) and gives it some serious muscle.  I’m not one to often say no to more power, and this is no exception.  If you tick all the options boxes, you’ll come out a little north of $30,000.  Considering the fun factor, that’s not too bad at all.  Nice one, Pontiac.  This is how you make a successful car – keep ‘em coming.

2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP Specs

• 260 HP 2.0 liter Turbocharged 4 cylinder engine
• 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic
• RWD
• Quarter Mile goes by in 14.2 seconds
• Curb weight : 2976 lbs
• EPA Says : 22 mpg city / 31 mpg highway ( manual )

2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP Reviews

TTAC reviews the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP and says – ‘The GXP’s engine should replace every non-V8 in The General’s stable. In the same way that Cadillac reduced the displacement of the Northstar V8 when fitting a supercharger to it for STS-V duty, Pontiac decreased the Solstice’s Ecotec I4 from 2.4 to 2.0-liters. This was largely accomplished by reducing the stroke, which allows the eager motor to rev faster. Result? A four-banger with a single turbocharger and no detectable lag. No really. None.’

Automobile Mag reviews the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP and writes – ‘If the standard Solstice is Pontiac’s poodle, the GXP is its whippet. Boost rises quickly just past idle, with peak torque invigorating the driveline by 2000 rpm. With the throttle floored and 18 psi of boost tickling your ribs, you need a quick hand to keep up with gear changes. The joy begins petering out by 4500 rpm, but there’s still plenty of urge up to the 6300-rpm redline. The run to 60 mph is a fleet 5.7 seconds, only a tick slower than the Ford Mustang GT, and the quarter mile clicks by in 14.2 seconds at 99 mph. Boasting a specific output exceeding that of every turbocharged engine on the market save Porsche’s new 911 and Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution, the GXP’s four-cylinder is the strong, silent type, thanks to its small displacement, twin balance shafts, and recycled exhaust energy.’

NYTimes reviews the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP and applauds the gas mileage - ‘While many cars struggle to hit their E.P.A. numbers in the real world (which is why the E.P.A. revised its measuring standard for the 2008 model year), the Solstice GXP actually delivered right in the middle of its E.P.A. numbers, returning 26 miles a gallon under enthusiastic driving. When I mellowed out, however, it blew the E.P.A. highway number out of the water, returning 41 miles a gallon over about 15 miles of mixed 60-mph cruising and stop-and-go traffic. Direct fuel injection is a boon to economy, and if you’re not indulging in the turbo, the GXP could function as a pretty thrifty commuter car.’

Driving Sports reviews the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP and writes – ‘The GXP comes with a turbocharged 2.0-Liter Ecotec four cylinder engine that makes 260 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque. With a curb weight of 2990 pounds, that gives the Solstice GXP just the right amount of power for a small four-cylinder traditional sports car. Too much more power and the car would be all about muscle, any less and it would disappoint. The little convertible, from the MGA through the Triumph TR-4 through the Mazda Miata, should be zoomy, but not a neck-snapper. Plus, if the Solstice was any faster, it would cut into the Corvette market. ‘

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The 2007 Pontiac G6 is a pretty versatile vehicle for Pontiac. You have your choice of three body styles – coupe, sedan, or droptop. You also have your choice of 3 engines, a 169 HP four banger, a mid level V6, and a sweet 252 HP 3.6 liter V6.

It’s hard to make a midsize sedan look particularly good, and the G6 sedan is no exception. The G6 coupe however, is quite nice looking. It’s no Altima coupe, but it’s easy on the eyes, and that’s saying a lot for a Pontiac.

If you’re the fun in the sun type, the G6 Convertible offers one of the least expensive retractable hardtops on the market today. Ragtops are going the way of the slant six, and I for one am not going to miss them. Retractable hardtops are just much nicer looking, and offer better sound insulation than a ragtop ever could.

Pontiac in particular, and GM in general, has made a lot of mistakes over the last few years. I can say with confidence that the G6 isn’t one of them. While I don’t feel that the G6 can stand up to a Nissan Altima or Honda Accord, I still think it’s a solid offering. And when you consider the price difference, the G6 starts to look pretty darn good.

2007 Pontiac G6 Specs

• 169 HP 2.4 liter I4
• Available 224 HP 3.5 liter V6
• Available 252 HP 3.6 liter V6
• Coupe, Sedan, and Convertible body styles
• EPA Says: 23 MPG city / 33 MPG highway

2007 Pontiac G6 Reviews

Autosite reviews the 2007 Pontiac G6 and writes – ‘The reality part is that at least one of the three props holding up this brand channel isn’t what GM’s marketing folks would have you believe. The Pontiac G6, while perfectly fine in many respects, is not a performance car. Not in terms of its powertrain or its handling. True, a new engine pushing about 250 horsepower is coming, but a quick look around in the G6’s segment unearths several competing models with equal or greater power, and few trying to paint themselves as performance machines. To be worthy of such a description, a car needs not only a lively powertrain, but responsive steering and tightly controlled handling. The G6 lacks all of these traits.’

Edmunds reviews the 2007 Pontiac G6 and writes – ‘With hydraulic power steering now standard on the GT and GTP and optional on the standard G6 sedan, our previous gripe about the G6′s numb steering feel (due to the electric power-assist system) has been addressed on all but the Value Leader sedan. Regardless of trim level, the G6′s suspension returns a surprisingly sporty ride, which is taken to a higher level in the more firmly sprung GT and GTP. Choose either one and you’ll enjoy flat, composed cornering with a minimum of body sway while pressing on a twisty road. The G6′s solid platform makes for a flex-free ride over the bumps and the convertible’s insulated hardtop allows the G6 drop top to rival the coupe for serenity while cruising at freeway speeds.’

Detroit News reviews the 2007 Pontiac G6 and has this to say – ‘Tell someone that you just spent some time in the G6, and they might think you’ve returned from an economic summit.  Tell them that you were in the Grand Am, and they’ll know you drove a Pontiac.  For reasons that must be clear only to marketing experts, names are out and numbers are in when it comes to identifying automotive models.  In labeling its sporty fleet of sedans, coupes and convertibles, Pontiac has created a hierarchy of G’s, ranging from the G5 to the upcoming 2008 G8.  The mid-level G6 is so designated because it was the successor to the Grand Am, hence the “G,” and is the sixth generation of that line.’

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