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Pontiac
Pontiac, the performance-driven division of General Motors, promotes sport-tuned coupes, slick sedans and car-based crossover utility vehicles (CUV). For 2008, Pontiac adds firepower with new GXP editions for the mid-size G6 coupe and sedan as well as Torrent the CUV.
Pontiac's two-seat Solstice roadster looks swift with a long nose, mid-ship cockpit and stubby tail crowned by dual nacelle blisters trailing behind seatbacks. Built on GM's rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Kappa platform, the roadster has 50/50 weight distribution with independent suspension and Bilstein monotube shocks plus 18-inch alloy wheels and all-season tires. For a base engine, Solstice employs GM's Ecotec 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine netting 177 hp through a five-speed manual stick or five-speed automatic. Solstice GXP features a twin-cam 2.0-liter Ecotec four-in-line with direct-injection turbo-charging and air-to-air inter-cooling. It zips to 260 hp.
Pontiac's G6 mid-size cars, riding on a long front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform, conform as a sleek four-door sedan, sporty two-door coupe and cool hardtop convertible. G6 base sedan packs GM's 2.4-liter Ecotec four-in-line engine and a four-speed automatic shifter. GT issues draw from a 3.5-liter V6 making 219 hp through a four-speed automatic with manual shift mode, but the new GXP coupe and sedan use a dual-cam 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing (VVT) to generate 252 hp via a six-speed automatic. GXP models wear modified fascias front and rear and have leather hides covering the seats.
The G5 compact-class car from Pontiac conforms as a slickback two-door coupe. Its architecture -- GM's Delta platform -- is shared with Cobalt at Chevrolet and Saturn's Ion. G5 comes in two trims, each with a different Ecotec four-in-line engine. The base model uses a 2.2-liter plant, while a dual-cam 2.4-liter VVT Ecotec worth 173 hp motivates the sporty GT edition. Air conditioning and a load of power equipment apply even to the base G5, with new standard safety gear like curtain-style side air bags and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), while GT gets GM's StabiliTrak skid controls.
Pontiac's new G8 performance sedan rolls out early in 2008. It's the first North American application of GM's global RWD architecture and G8 lines up as a V6-powered base edition and the V8-powered GT. The entry model uses a dual-cam 3.6-liter V6 with VVT. It rates at 261 hp and links to a five-speed automatic with manual shift mode. G8 GT rocks with a 6.0-liter small-block V8 posted to 362 hp through a six-speed automatic with manual shifting. G8's V8 also features Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology to pare cylinders when boosted power is not needed.
Pontiac's mid-size Grand Prix sedan presents curvy styling on a four-door body and a big cabin with flexible flip-and-fold seats. For 2008 there are two trim designations, each with a different engine. Grand Prix the entry edition pulls from GM's 3.8-liter V6 racked to 200 hp. The performance-geared Grand Prix GXP has a 5.3-liter aluminum V8 with AFM and rips to 303 hp. Body enhancements go to the GXP with front and rear fascias plus rocker extensions. And new paint shades show up, like Gold Mist Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Dark Slate Metallic.
The mid-size Pontiac Torrent CUV runs large for the compact class with a broad track and extended wheelbase. Its cabin contains front buckets and a rear three-place bench that slides fore and aft by eight inches to vary legroom and cargo space. Two traction versions -- FWD and AWD -- pack safety equipment like anti-lock brakes and StabiliTrak skid controls. Base Torrent uses a 3.4-liter V6 which generates 185 hp with an automatic five-speed shifter. New Torrent GXP with a dropped suspension and 18-inch wheels employs the dual-cam 3.6-liter VVT V6 for 263 hp off a six-speed automatic.
The Vibe crossover wagon, charted for FWD traction, mixes the spry road manners of a small sports sedan with the cargo capability of a SUV and the miserly fuel efficiency of an economy car. It's part sports car, part station wagon and part thrifty runabout that's practical to use but fun to drive. A sole trim for 2008 stocks a dual-cam 1.8-liter VVT four-cylinder engine which musters 126 hp with a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic shifter. Vibe brings choices for four-wheel ABS brakes, StabiliTrak skid controls and 17-inch alloy wheels.
