2009.5 Brings 4-Cylinder G6 Coupe

[nsap]

2009.5 Brings 4-Cylinder G6 Coupe
www.gminsidenews.com
November 4, 2008
By: Nsap

In a time of uncertain gas prices and changing consumer demands with vehicles, one of the changes General Motors has made on the 2009.5 G6 engine selection actually makes sense. In the past the GT and GXP Coupe models were only available with V6 powertrains. The GT had the 3.5L OHV VVT V6, while the GXP had the well-known 3.6L High-Feature V6 and a six-speed automatic. It now appears that GT and GXP Coupe models will be joined by a "SE" model. Just the other day that cosmetic changes made to the 2009.5 G6 became known through an advertisement Pontiac had in this month's automotive magazines.

Starting with this "2009.5" model, G6 Coupe models will have the ECOTEC 2.4L VVT four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic standard. The engine produces 164 HP and 156 lb.-ft. of torque. This seems like a logical addition to the G6 Coupe line considering current market conditions. One has to ponder why GM did not have a four-cylinder coupe all along.

In addition to the new four-cylinder, the G6 line has a revised front fascia to better match it with its newer brothers; the G8 and Vibe. You'll note the new, square-ish grille and revised lower air damn. 2009.5 also brings all new switchgear to the G6; updating it to the same "Black-Tie" units that nearly all GM vehicles now use. The driver information center is no longer on the radio; new gauges have been installed with a traditional DIC location.

We anticipate the 2009.5 G6 to start showing up anytime. GM's online order guide has been updated to reflect the 2009.5 model and it is showing up in GM dealership's AutoBook.

Thanks to our source for info!

[PontiacBixler]

Now let's see how overpriced it is.....
Good thing that there is the I4 but what if they had put the 2.0 Turbo in it instead???

[96_impala_ss]

Whats the estimated MPG on it?

[Chaz_23]

BTW, did anyone else see the Pontiac ad in Motor Trend? The G6 there gets the good corporate radio and HVAC controls instead of the cheap ugly junk. Not sure if it's true but I sure hope so.

[nadepalma]

Good news for Pontiac dealers and G6 fans. The updates overall may have been modest, but appreciated.

However, the addition of a 4cyl/6speed autobox for the Coupe lineup is also very appreciated. It will lower the price and possibly move more metal out of showroom floors. The G6 Coupe is one of the nicer looking mid-sized 2-doors on the market and this should help.

Now if the JUST OFFERED A STICK SHIFT, I'd go and buy one. I guess a boy can only dream...

[Bokl]

Ok pontiac is performance brand according to GM and nobody else. Now why dont they use 2.0 T from saab as a base engine and 2.0 DI from sky to replace crapy 3.5L. and 3.6 di to replace standard 3.6. and add 6-speed manual.Now that would improve g6 right away. It would be much different from malibu and aura. it just shows you how gm can not manage brands. Look they already have these engines why not use them?

[kylepo]

Originally Posted by 96_impala_ss

Whats the estimated MPG on it?

probably the same 22 33 found in the sedan

[Bravada]

I've just had my Miss South Carolina moment - give the SEMA timing, I thought that "Brings" is a name of tuner or something, and I was hoping for a surprising combo of performance and frugality from a comissioned team of enthusiasts...

[GMusa]

Good idea.. just keep the price as low as possible! Cuz the G6 isnt gonna sell on design.

[Hunid Racks]

Would rather have this car than the G5. In fact wouldn't bother me to see the G5 go away.

But please don't have an "inspired" moment and give away hundreds on Oprah again.

We build excitement and being the pace car of the afternoon talk show cicuit don't go together.

[TorrentRS]

Originally Posted by GMusa

Good idea.. just keep the price as low as possible! Cuz the G6 isnt gonna sell on design.

That's for sure.

[igotzzoom]

What would be really sweet is if the four was the new direct-injected 2.4 like they're talking about for the Equinox. With 210 hp, you could pretty much drop the base 3.5L.

[civilzues]

Originally Posted by igotzzoom

What would be really sweet is if the four was the new direct-injected 2.4 like they're talking about for the Equinox. With 210 hp, you could pretty much drop the base 3.5L.

That would be awesome. And it might make sense b/c the 3.5 is all but gone.

[fbg6coupe]

I agree with adding the 4cyl coupe, but I wish it had more power and torque. As for MPG, I have an 06 GT Coupe, and I average 23 city, 30hwy. Guess it really depends on how you drive... So unless the cyl gets much better mpg, it really isn't worth it.

Also, I don't mind the new radio and DIC, but I wish they made the displays red to match the rest of the car. The new ones are going to look like Frankenstein, with parts borrowed from Chevy & other cars!

How hard could it be to give the radio and DIC a red display? The best thing about the current interior is the red dash and radio display. I've always been a fan of the red text on black background and feel that it is as much a signature of Pontiac as the twin grill!

And that the G8 and Vibe don't have that element is my biggest complaint about them.

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by Bokl

Ok pontiac is performance brand according to GM and nobody else. Now why dont they use 2.0 T from saab as a base engine and 2.0 DI from sky to replace crapy 3.5L. and 3.6 di to replace standard 3.6. and add 6-speed manual.Now that would improve g6 right away. It would be much different from malibu and aura. it just shows you how gm can not manage brands. Look they already have these engines why not use them?

Saab's 2.0T is far more expensive to build than the Ecotec 2.4L and less efficient. Besides a small turbo engine in a large vehicle like G6 isn't going to get very good mileage. In the Cobalt SS it gets 30mpg. The 2.4L gets 33mpg in the bigger Malibu. The 3.5L has its place. Its cheaper to build than the 2.4L, runs on E85 and makes lots of torque, but the mileage penalty isn't huge. With a 6sp auto it would probably earn 30mpg. That said, the G6's engine lineup should be

2.3L DI Ecotec 200hp
3.0L DI V6 250hp
3.0T DI V6 350hp

Instead of using the 3.6DI and overlapping with Buick, just turbo the 3.0.