Despite CAFE, Pontiac Optimistic About Performance

[T-Type]

James M. Amend
Ward's AutoWorld, Apr 1, 2008 12:00 PM

General Motors Corp. is not giving up entirely on shifting some of its higher-volume products to rear-wheel drive, despite stricter fuel-economy laws that begin as early as 2010.

But Pontiac Market Director Craig Bierley admits a rethinking is in order as to what constitutes performance at GM's “excitement division.”

GM last year said it might abandon plans to switch its popular Chevrolet Impala midsize sedan from front-wheel drive to RWD, citing a new corporate average fuel economy standard of 35 mpg (6.7 L/100 km) for the U.S. fleet by 2020.

Also seemingly caught in the crosshairs was Pontiac, which GM executives hope to evolve into a stylish performance brand with a RWD backbone.

Indeed, GM product boss Bob Lutz once characterized his aspirations for the brand as “an affordable, American BMW,” and arguably the first salvo was the Pontiac Solstice roadster that arrived in 2006. At the recent New York International Auto Show, Solstice added a coupe variant due in early 2009.

But as Lutz pointed out in January, extensive rear-drive programs now may be unwise given inherently higher drivetrain friction that translates into poorer fuel economy.

Bierley insists that's not entirely the case, at least at Pontiac.

“We're not writing off rear-wheel drive at this point — heck, we're just launching the G8,” he tells Ward's during a preview in San Diego for Pontiac's new flagship sedan designed, developed and manufactured by GM Holden Ltd. in Australia. “We now have two rear-wheel-drive cars in our portfolio.”

http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_despite_cafe_pontiac/

[Ambalanche]

I'm not looking for Pontiac to be a full-line make anyway. It doesn't need to be since it is grouped with Buick and GMC. While it would be nice for the G6 to be RWD, I don't think it has to be if it will have a real performance vehicle, and it can be if EpiII is biased like the next 9-3. That said, I'd still like Alpha to come to pontiac if not as the G6, then as another car altogether. Maybe the G5 replacement!

[skylark68]

The G5 replacement needs to be RWD. no other manufacturer has a small sporty RWD sedan or coupe, except the BMW 1, and it would cost more than likely thousands of dollars more. The G6 can stay FWD as long as it gets a significant makeover into a real sporty sedan. Keep the G8 and the G8ST (or whatever they call it), refine the Solstice and bring out the G8 coupe or Firebird and Pontiac is done.

[stevecmh]

ooo 2 cars..

i hope that will jump past just he G8 and the Solstice..
I am fine with the G6 being FWD.. its better in the snow which is important for when i get of 100 inches of snow like i did this year in Milwaukee..... GO Brewers

[Archangel]

I think that RWD is a powerful tool for American cars. I love the idea of a RWD Pontiac line-up. A RWD G6 and even better a G5 would be great. I mean, how many RWD sport compacts are out there right now? That, along with some aftermarket support would be very good for Pontiac. An optional AWD system would be great for the G6 if it remains FWD, along with a more powerful version of the 3.6L V6. Direct injection, perhaps?

[spidge]

Originally Posted by stevecmh

ooo 2 cars..

i hope that will jump past just he G8 and the Solstice..
I am fine with the G6 being FWD.. its better in the snow which is important for when i get of 100 inches of snow like i did this year in Milwaukee..... GO Brewers

Yeah, Pontiac needs something in between an impractical (for most), diminutive two-seater, and a full-sized premium sedan. A relatively-mainstream, Alpha-based compact RWD coupe/sedan, to take the place of the G5/G6 would compliment the Pontiac lineup nicely. IMHO, the FWD G6 should be reincarnated as an entry-level Buick (it certainly drives like one), leaving the Vibe, to be offered with AWD only, to provide all-weather traction, and keep with the sporty image of Pontiac.

[KIDDIESEL79]

I want an Alpha Pontiac sooo bad. Nuff said

[eb110americana]

GM, you've got FWD cars covered. There are myriad Chevrolets to chose from. If people want something a bit more swoopy, sporty, or import intended, there's Saturn. If they want something even more sporty and luxurious, there's Saab. Even Buick will support the FWD luxury class at it's lower end. That's 4 brands already that specifically cater to FWD of whatever flavor you could desire. Oldsmobile died because the market couldn't support a single one more. Stop building overlapping products. Enthusiasts want RWD Pontiacs, and while there is a market for FWD cars, you offer sufficient choices already.

We know Alpha is coming, so don't miss out on a Pontiac version. Kappa is already here, and in about 10 years time the market will be flooded with 1-Series sized cars, so get a sedan on Kappa under Pontiac after Alpha. The Commodore-don't-call-it-Zeta platform is a great start in the G8, but this is the one I see least likely surviving 2020 with much in the way of performance chops left. 3 RWD platforms, 3 sedans, and at least 2 coupe/sportscar/2 door variants. Is it that much to ask not to have more variants of Cobalts, Matrices, Malibu/Aura, etc.?

[jbernie]

My call is Pontiac to go to an all RWD brand, and get the performance going again now, make the brand more appealing if nothing else. We know full well that Holden can provide the Hybrids etc as the technology matures and becomes more affordable. The dual modes will work on the G8 platform.

Performance AND fuel economy. Pontiac has a lot of selling power when that happens. Guilt free G8 V8 performance.... in a sedan, ute, sport wagon and coupe.

Give the Solstice variants high power economical 4cyl engines and get the G6 over to Alpha and life is looking good for the brand.

[BlueMontreal]

Performance is not just about hp. Just look a Lotus.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by eb110americana

GM, you've got FWD cars covered. There are myriad Chevrolets to chose from. If people want something a bit more swoopy, sporty, or import intended, there's Saturn. If they want something even more sporty and luxurious, there's Saab. Even Buick will support the FWD luxury class at it's lower end. That's 4 brands already that specifically cater to FWD of whatever flavor you could desire. Oldsmobile died because the market couldn't support a single one more. Stop building overlapping products. Enthusiasts want RWD Pontiacs, and while there is a market for FWD cars, you offer sufficient choices already.

We know Alpha is coming, so don't miss out on a Pontiac version. Kappa is already here, and in about 10 years time the market will be flooded with 1-Series sized cars, so get a sedan on Kappa under Pontiac after Alpha. The Commodore-don't-call-it-Zeta platform is a great start in the G8, but this is the one I see least likely surviving 2020 with much in the way of performance chops left. 3 RWD platforms, 3 sedans, and at least 2 coupe/sportscar/2+2 variants. Is it that much to ask not to have more variants of Cobalts, Matrices, Malibu/Aura, etc.?

Love the first paragraph!

[atomicshark]

I think Pontiacs should be RWD and AWD for those of us that want the option up north. I doubt it will happen because AWD is too costly if GM want Pontiac to stay less expensive. Also, I think Pontiac will stay FWD and RWD unless they really make a bold move and kill off the G5, G6 and Vibe and intro a small and midsize RWD sedan that will most likely sell in lesser numbers but, they would go a long way to making Pontiac a legitimate performance division.

[IAMCANADIAN]

I agree with eb110americana, GM has plenty of FWD offerings. Pontiac and Cadillac should stick to RWD and AWD and Saab, Buick, Saturn and Chevy with FWD & AWD. I'd like to see the next gen G5 on the Alpha platform and the next gen G6 with AWD on the Epsilon II platform. The Vibe should also be only AWD and should replace the Toyota 4's with the more powerful (and probably just as efficient) ECOTEC L4s. It'll definitely be interesting to see what GM has to offer in the next decade or so.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by Archangel

I think that RWD is a powerful tool for American cars. I love the idea of a RWD Pontiac line-up. A RWD G6 and even better a G5 would be great. I mean, how many RWD sport compacts are out there right now? That, along with some aftermarket support would be very good for Pontiac. An optional AWD system would be great for the G6 if it remains FWD, along with a more powerful version of the 3.6L V6. Direct injection, perhaps?

That would be cool, it doesn't necessarily need to be RWD to be fun. Pontiac can have RWD vehicles and give its remaining FWD/AWD vehicles the Mazda treatment. I would really like to see Pontiac's FWD vehicles become AWD only. Have one or two AWD vehicles and the rest be RWD. Though that seems unlikely, as AWD would be only optional.

[djo165]

Originally Posted by eb110americana

GM, you've got FWD cars covered. There are myriad Chevrolets to chose from. If people want something a bit more swoopy, sporty, or import intended, there's Saturn. If they want something even more sporty and luxurious, there's Saab. Even Buick will support the FWD luxury class at it's lower end. That's 4 brands already that specifically cater to FWD of whatever flavor you could desire. Oldsmobile died because the market couldn't support a single one more. Stop building overlapping products. Enthusiasts want RWD Pontiacs, and while there is a market for FWD cars, you offer sufficient choices already.

We know Alpha is coming, so don't miss out on a Pontiac version. Kappa is already here, and in about 10 years time the market will be flooded with 1-Series sized cars, so get a sedan on Kappa under Pontiac after Alpha. The Commodore-don't-call-it-Zeta platform is a great start in the G8, but this is the one I see least likely surviving 2020 with much in the way of performance chops left. 3 RWD platforms, 3 sedans, and at least 2 coupe/sportscar/2 door variants. Is it that much to ask not to have more variants of Cobalts, Matrices, Malibu/Aura, etc.?

Exactly!

Hey if the folks up north need FWD or AWD, let them get a EPII with an AWD option. But for goodness sakes, someone should make at least one affordable, mid-size RWD sedan!