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Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
I also asked him if Riv hit production, would Buick like to keep with the front wheel drive mind set, or go rear wheel drive. He responded with that the car is set up to where it could be put on both, and that we would have to wait for the reaction of the concept across the world. A FWD model would be geared to be more of a smooth riding coupe where a RWD version would be geared around a bit more performance. It seems that if a RWD version would be made, that a G8 coupe would be a tough case.
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The solution is actually very simple. The Buick coupe (Riviera, Invicta, whatever) should be a hardtop convertible only. The Pontiac coupe (GTO, Monaro, G7, etc.) should be a more traditional fastback. Historically, big coupes do not sell well in the US. However, luxury hardtop convertibles like the SC430 and SL, and even soft top luxury convertibles tend to have a sought after following. Performance coupes are the other exception to the rule.
It is really great that Pontiac is getting back in the RWD V8 game with the G8 and G8 ST-whatchamacallit, and a manual can even be had with the GXP. They have the RWD Solstice and new Solstice Targa too, which is another very Pontiac vehicle--it may lack the V8 or even a 6, but it has style and a manual trans. The Vibe redesign just proves how strong Pontiac's designers are (especially compared to the Matrix). The probable arrival of Alpha is what gives me hope for Pontiac's future.
That said, I found the article rather depressing. Sometimes I wonder if GM just doesn't get it. Pontiac is your performance brand, it should sell performance vehicles with style. If it's not a car, not RWD (or at least AWD only), if it doesn't have a manual option, if it's not sexy, it's not a Pontiac. It may be a fine Chevy, it may make a sleek Saturn, it could even set high performance FWD standards as a Saab, but it's not a Pontiac. Pontiac's defining trait, beyond performance is the look, and I think entrusting that to the conservative Australian market of Holden is a giant mistake. Their chassis are excellent and very proficiently done, especially for so little investment, but the design really doesn't match up with the outgoing Pontiac character. The G8 is a good design, an Aston Martin is a great one. I have no doubt that Pontiac could design to that level if they allowed themselves to. The fact that making the G8 available with a manual or if the LNF motor should be included in the G5 is even a
question shows just how poorly GM understands Pontiac. I hope this is not a sign of things to come.
As for Buick, they are almost headed in the right direction. Enclave is a success, the Lucerne is actually very nice and a real bargain. While GM scrambles to kill the Northstar/Ultra V8 and RWD plans left and right (Impala, GTO/Monaro, Firebird/Trans Am, Sixteen, etc.) Buick is one brand that does NOT need those credentials to survive. A large flagship RWD Buick would be a great idea to set the tone for the brand, but midsize and compact models in FWD form would both help lower the CAFE numbers for GM and cut costs to instead spend on class leading interiors for each model. A Buick with 2 SUVs, 3 sedans, and one 5 seat hardtop convertible would make a perfect step just below Cadillac for those that want something a bit more elegant than the brash and edgy Art & Science models. I'm not sure I trust that to happen in China alone though. GM needs to work with all the best designs globally, not just hand off everything to China and hope for the best--in the same way that Pontiac should not be handed over to Australian design tastes without global input.
Pontiac should pack all the performance of Cadillacs minus most of the luxury (but still far more than Chevy) in a sexy wrapper. Conversely, Buick would maintain all the luxury but very little of the performance of Cadillac. The allure is that Cadillac would have the best of all brands in one.