Report: GM Will Speed Up Pontiac Vibe Development - Vibe GT/AWD Will "Likely" Return

[Perian]

Report: GM Will Speed Up Pontiac Vibe Development

Ward's is claiming that GM is speeding up developement of the 2009 Vibe. Click below to find out why.

GM Speeds ’09 Vibe to Meet Matrix Timetable
By James M. Amend - WardsAuto

General Motors Corp. will accelerate production of its redesigned ’09 Pontiac Vibe by at least two months, a move meant to satisfy an advanced timetable for the ’09 Toyota Matrix and growing consumer demand for choices in the upper-small car segment.

The 6-year-old Vibe and Matrix share a common platform. The Vibe is built at New United Motor Mfg. Inc., a Fremont, CA-based facility operated jointly by GM and Toyota Motor Corp. The Matrix is produced at Toyota’s Cambridge, ON, Canada, plant.

Toyota wants to update the Matrix because it has attracted families, rather than younger buyers the auto maker originally sought.

“The styling does not have the sense of motion about it,” says Mike O’Brien, head of product planning for Toyota Motor Co. USA, during a recent industry event in Michigan. “It’s a bit boxy. And it just does not have the appeal to young people that we had hoped for.”

In speeding the Matrix redo, production of the ’09 Vibe now will begin in first-quarter 2008, ahead of a typical NUMMI production turnover in mid-second quarter.

“They are sister vehicles, so the timing that would affect one vehicle would affect the other,” a GM spokesman tells Ward’s.

In GM’s case, the earlier the redesigned hatchback arrives the better. More fresh choices in its fuel-sipping small-car portfolio could help diversify its mix.

Vincent Brown, a sales associate at Inland Valley Pontiac-GMC-Buick in San Bernardino, CA, likes the idea of a new Vibe arriving early but also hopes the redesign distances the Pontiac model from the Matrix.

“The Vibe and Matrix look way too similar,” he says.

While the current Vibe achieves a thrifty 33 mpg (7 L/100 km) on the highway, its model range also has shrunk to just a single variant after GM discontinued all-wheel-drive and GT variants with the ’07 edition.

GM says those models likely will return with the redesign, although given the Vibe’s fuel efficiency, plans do not include a hybrid.

[Perian]

This is a risky move on the part of GM/Toyota/Nummi.

Introducing the new Matrix, Vibe and Corolla all at the same time with Toyota engineering under great stress may not be a wise move.

That said, I look forward to driving the new Pontiac Vibe. It's always been a personal favroite.

[Havasavana]

It would be interesting to know some details of the Toyota/GM agreement re. what GM gets from the Fremont plant. I believe Toyota also makes the Corolla and Tacoma there; could GM get one of these instead of the Vibe? I'd think a Corolla with a GM badge would be a better seller than the Vibe.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by Havasavana

It would be interesting to know some details of the Toyota/GM agreement re. what GM gets from the Fremont plant. I believe Toyota also makes the Corolla and Tacoma there; could GM get one of these instead of the Vibe? I'd think a Corolla with a GM badge would be a better seller than the Vibe.

GM thought it would also...Remember the Geo Prizm? No one else does either.

IMO the Vibe is a nice fit with the current Pontiac. However, if the G8 is a grand slam home run, and the consumer embraces the idea of "Pontiac Performance" once again, then my opinion might change.

As you know, sweet crude hit $80 per barrel today. It seems Pontiac is covering its' bases.

[PA Dweller]

Will we see some GM powertrains this time around? Plus will you be able to get the GT with AWD for the Vibe?

[Smellhound]

Originally Posted by PA Dweller

Will we see some GM powertrains this time around? Plus will you be able to get the GT with AWD for the Vibe?

I don't think there will be GM powertrains. With Toyota updating th 1.8 to a new version, I am guessing that is what will go in the new Vibe (unless the new Vibe/Matrix grows in size weight....then it may get engine that is in the new Xb.)
Now if they can upgrade the transmission to a 5 speed automatic, and keep the curb weight from increasing too much, I think that new Toyota engine would be a very good thing. It certainly isn't overly powerful, but it is fine for getting around town (meaning it isn't totally anemic) yet gets great fuel economy. I'd love to still see it in the Vibe...with MAYBE a GM engine/transmission for a GT model (but not sure if that will happen).

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by Smellhound

I don't think there will be GM powertrains. With Toyota updating th 1.8 to a new version, I am guessing that is what will go in the new Vibe. Now if they can upgrade the transmission to a 5 speed automatic, and keep the curb weight from increasing too much, I think that new Toyota engine would be a very good thing. It certainly isn't overly powerful, but it is fine for getting around town (meaning it isn't totally anemic) yet gets great fuel economy. I'd love to still see it in the Vibe...with MAYBE a GM engine/transmission for a GT model (but not sure if that will happen).

I would like to see them put the RL engine from the Sky into the GT trim give it a 6 speed auto and optional AWD. That would be a nice ride.

[OrlandoGuy80]

Will it still be called Vibe, or will we see a changeover to the Gx nomenclature?

[roteague]

GM needs to get out of this horrible business arrangement, and build their own small car.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by OrlandoGuy80

Will it still be called Vibe, or will we see a changeover to the Gx nomenclature?

Good question. The name 'Vibe' never really fit. I drove one as a company car when it first came out. Unexciting ... underpowered, and completely forgetable.

[CobaltSScrazy]

throw the LNF in the vibe and get a GXP model all ready to take on Caliber SRT4/Mazdaspeed3 since you already made the astra Ball-less over here GM! I'd seriously consider buying one IF the interior were up to par not a mild rehash like i saw in spy pics a few weeks ago and IF the exterior styling had a more aggressive look, UNlike the pseudo - refresh of the past few years...

CobaltSScrazy

[Koasterking]

Any pics or drawing of the next Vibe??

[KIDDIESEL79]

Originally Posted by PA Dweller

will you be able to get the GT with AWD for the Vibe?

I wanted that soooo bad when the first Vibe came out. I also would rathe see either a 2.2 or the 2.4 ECOTEC dropped into this. This car has been badly laking torque.

[Hollywood]

I've personally seen the car and sat in it. It's a nice evolution over the current Vibe both inside and out. Clean sides resemble that of the Matrix, while the interior is similar, yet has a more quality feel (although it looks even more like a Toyota). One interesting note is the gauges featuring dual chrome rings, and one rounded horizontal gauge with fuel and one other needle - possibly oil pressure can't remember anymore. It works though - you'll see what I mean.

The car's done though, so this whole "speed up" development is pure marketing cover up.

And yes folks, they still use Toyota powertrains - no ecotecs. They are the new Toyota engines however.

Without giving anything anyway.. IF gm were to create another GT, it would have an automatic. Let's leave it at that.

One more thing.... the name may change to a "G" moniker.

[Lawnchair8]

Originally Posted by CobaltSScrazy

throw the LNF in the vibe and get a GXP model all ready to take on Caliber SRT4/Mazdaspeed3 since you already made the astra Ball-less over here GM! I'd seriously consider buying one IF the interior were up to par not a mild rehash like i saw in spy pics a few weeks ago and IF the exterior styling had a more aggressive look, UNlike the pseudo - refresh of the past few years...

CobaltSScrazy

Well said. I think we all want to see an AWD LNF Vibe.

Any as for the name, the Cobalt sounds nice because its not Cavalier. A similar rename should be given to the Vibe along with a substantial refresh.