Edmunds: Pontiac GTO Coming In Fall 2009

[Perian]

Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=120968

DETROIT — Despite earlier reports that it might have scrapped plans for a new family of rear-wheel-drive vehicles in North America, General Motors to the contrary has now expanded its Zeta architecture to include a variety of new products for Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Pontiac, Inside Line has learned.

The first of the new Zeta models is the Pontiac G8 sedan, based on the Australian Holden Commodore SS-V and due in Pontiac showrooms in early 2008. It could be joined next spring by a new Buick Park Avenue sedan, based on the Holden Statesman and just introduced in China.

While those two rear-drive four-doors are only mildly revised versions of Australian products, the next wave of Zeta models for the States will boast unique sheet metal. They include the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro, which goes into production in late 2008 and should begin arriving at U.S. dealers in early '09. It will be followed in short order by the replacement for the Pontiac GTO, which is due in fall 2009 as a 2010 model and will continue to be built in Australia.

Full article at link.

[JoeT]

If it's true the next Monaro/GTO will be built in Australia, Holden lovers will be happy. I'll believe it when I see it though.

It could also be a sign that it will be more of a Commodore Coupe like the last generation rather than a Camaro-type totally unique design.

[Cortazzo]

If they are building Camaros here, and are tooling a whole huge factory for RWD, doesn't it make sense to build all zetas here? You save on transportation and tariffs.

[Xeper]

Originally Posted by Cortazzo

If they are building Camaros here, and are tooling a whole huge factory for RWD, doesn't it make sense to build all zetas here? You save on transportation and tariffs.

Yes but remember, eventually Pontiac will be the sports version of Holden vehicles. So I imagine its easier to build them all in one place and then ship whatever becomes Pontiac, over here.

Good news to hear about the GTO. Cant wait to see the concept at '08 NAIAS.

[ponchoman49]

Thanks goodness they are going to introduce different sheetmetal for the States as the Aussie cars are kind of bland to me. The Park Ave is really nice inside and it more than likely rides and handles really well but it's exterior is a real yawner and the name Park Ave deserves better.

[cadillac jack]

These seem to be delayed and that they aren't coming out as fast as needed. 2011 is a long time to wait for a rear whell drive Impala while the current one will probably go unchanged. I also still dont know how GM will be able to differentiate Cadillac from the other brands if they both share the Zeta platform. It would be nice if they brought the Park Ave to the US with bigger engines though. They need that before 2011 also.

[nascarnate326]

My signature prayers have been answered. *waits for blixer*

[redfox]

Great to hear that the GTO will be back but i hope it's styled better than the last one.

[johnstarnes]

Originally Posted by ponchoman49

Thanks goodness they are going to introduce different sheetmetal for the States as the Aussie cars are kind of bland to me. The Park Ave is really nice inside and it more than likely rides and handles really well but it's exterior is a real yawner and the name Park Ave deserves better.

Yes I agree...mechanically the cars may be great but visually they are quite bland, "safe" and 80's-90's looking to my eyes.

[chrisbenz]

Why is GTO going to be so late? And there was no mention of a RWD Impala.Maybe b/c the Impala is a volume car it will stay FWD to help with MPG?

[VCDJ]

now if gm wound only introduce these with two mode hybrid. Market gto as a performance hybrid. Imagine having park avenue with two mode. Those two would sell great. But gm is gm, they will just do it easy way, put a big v-8. That is not always the right way to go.

[Maetrix66]

"now if gm wound only introduce these with two mode hybrid. Market gto as a performance hybrid. Imagine having park avenue with two mode. Those two would sell great. But gm is gm, they will just do it easy way, put a big v-8. That is not always the right way to go."

I was just thinking the same thing the other day. My brother was driving a moped up the hill, and I was just thinking that a 2,000.00 dollar 2-mode hybrid system would help get that little moped up the hill and up to it's theoretical 35 mph max speed much quicker. It would double the price of the moped, but what the hell, such is the price of progress.

[rsbaker]

My goodness we will have to wait for quite a long time to get all of these products. Much too long in my opinion. We need them now!

[Maetrix66]

GM is trying to delay the showing of the GTO to avoid the mistake that they made with the Camaro. It's nice to know that they are learning. I hope that if they take any styling cues from the past, they use the 67 GTO as inspiration. The later ones looked too bloated.

[Evo69]

As expected. I knew the GTO would come back, I just hope its better styled.