GMI EXCLUSIVE: Pontiac Shakeup

[nsap]

GMI Exclusive: Pontiac Shakeup
November 13, 2006
Compiled By: GMInsidenews Staff
Written By: NSAP
www.gminsidenews.com

The same brand that was referred to by GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz as a “damaged brand” is in the process of a major overhaul. Rumors of Pontiac’s dismiss have surfaced off and on throughout the last year, and while Pontiac’s future may still be uncertain to some point, they have some exciting and shocking plans for their upcoming product.

Until now it was believed that the G6; like its Epsilon cousins, would be redesigned on the Epsilon II (E2) platform sometime around 2010. The E2 platform is said to be front-wheel drive and available with all-wheel drive. We’ve heard for a long while now that Pontiac wants to be a true performance niche brand at GM. Apparently they are serious, because rumor has it that the front-wheel drive G6 is cancelled. It’s important to note that the G6 is getting a replacement; what type of replacement that will be is uncertain. It is believed that Pontiac will be replacing the G6 with a similarly sized rear-wheel drive performance car; a 3-series type car if you will. Again, GM has not yet made a final decision on what to replace it with. If GMI learns when they do officially decide on what to replace the G6 with, we will run it.

To continue Pontiac’s pursuit to become a true performance division, they are also mulling the idea of bringing a rear-wheel drive compact car to the market. This would replace the current, rebadged G5 Coupe. The car would be available in sedan and coupe form, and would likely carry the “G4” name. GMI’s sources have not disclosed what vehicle architecture the G4 would ride on, but one obvious choice would be the Kappa platform that underpins the Pontiac Solstice. Back in mid-2004 GMI reported that Pontiac was pondering a second Kappa compact car; it sounds as if that plan is still on the drawing board. Like the G6 replacement, the G4 has not been “green-lighted,” but has a good chance of it.

Expect Pontiac to be one of the show-stoppers at the upcoming North American International Auto Show. A concept “Pontiac G8” will be bowing for it’s debut there.

If the two above products make it through the maze of product development and potential business cases, it should be safe to say that Pontiac is on track to become a the true performance brand it’s die-hard fans have been asking for for years.


DISCLAIMER: The above story is based on RUMORS, and is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. Product plans change on an almost daily basis.

[civilzues]

THANK YOU GOD! this is sweet. 2009 should be a great year- my hopes!

[TahoeMikeZ71]

I figured that we should see a Pontiac RWD Sedan concept at an upcoming show.

[nadepalma]

WOW, that's fantastic news!

So we've basically got a confirmed G8 RWD sedan that will share it's underpinnings with the rest of the Zeta products -- and more than a hint that the next G6 will be a RWD product as well. I'm assuming that the latter will be based on the "rumored" mid-sized RWD platform that Holden has been talking about for some time?

Outstand News, Thank God!

Originally Posted by nsap

To continue Pontiac’s pursuit to become a true performance division, they are also mulling the idea of bringing a rear-wheel drive compact car to the market. This would replace the current, rebadged G5 Coupe. The car would be available in sedan and coupe form, and would likely carry the “G4” name. GMI’s sources have not disclosed what vehicle architecture the G4 would ride on, but one obvious choice would be the Kappa platform that underpins the Pontiac Solstice. Back in mid-2004 GMI reported that Pontiac was pondering a second Kappa compact car; it sounds as if that plan is still on the drawing board. Like the G6 replacement, the G4 has not been “green-lighted,” but has a good chance of it.

This is arguably the BEST news of it all. If there was to be a G4 sedan/coupe slotted in the lineup it would do wonders in getting Pontiac back to their performance roots.

BUT, it would also shine some light and insight into what the G5 truly is -- a place holder that is meant to fill a void for now -- but it also explains why they used the "G5" nameplate instead of the "G4" nameplate, so it won't spoil or ruin the name for the upcoming product.

GM, make it happen!

[jbartley]

ooo, this quells rumors of pontiacs uncertain future.

the RWD G6 makes perfect business sense: the AURA and MALIBU can take med FWD sedan customers. The G6 can be the performance focused midsize sport sedan it should be!

(AND not have any fake wood inside!)


just a thought: what does this mean for the G6 coupe and convertible? can the brand have 3 different coupes? although different sizes, that's alot for pontiac? the G6 could keep the convertible thought. i think pontiac can handle all three if, the are giving the right style, and marketing.

but i'm curious what others think?

[Buick61]

I like what I'm hearing, everything should be rear-wheel drive. Though, none of this seems anywhere near finalized, which is a let-down of sorts.

[Uzzy]

This is going to be bad news for the Canadian Pontiac dealers that sell far more G6s, and Pursuit G5s than the Chevey dealers sell Malibu's and Cobalts, but I think it's really what Pontiac needs to stay alive. Saturn, and Chevy can easily fill the gap left by the dissapreance of the G5 & G6. Pontiac should be truely performance oriented, and RWD, or AWD exclusively, not the generic crap it's got now.

[asim]

Wow. To me, this is an amazing thing. It looks like the days of a boring Chevy-rehash brand is over. Its looks like they won't even have "regular" cars, just hot performance models. I am 100% IN SUPPORT of this, and hope that GM does continue in this plan.

Pontiac can do many great things if they go on this route!

[gmhashope]

That's good to hear. Hopefully GM follows through with this plan. I can't wait to see the G8 concept.

[PocoToro]

Please be TRUE, I'm putting too many miles on my soon to be collectible SSR, and I still want to drive a two door rear weal drive

(No I don't want a second Chevy)

[uboys]

Originally Posted by civilzues

THANK YOU GOD! this is sweet. 2009 should be a great year- my hopes!

I like your reaction.

It's nice to me, because I can see GM now has an opportunity to differentiate their brands--and thus market effectively.
That this is under onsideration shows that the brands are free to move once again.
This BPG might be one of the smartest business moves GM has ever made.

Before the anti-RWD people wail, I must say that BPG can do just fine with trucks, SUVs, a minivan and luxury (Buick). It's a more profitable lineup than just Chhevrolet.
They don't have to wallow in the mass-market anymore, especially if Buick picks up itself. Leave the Camcord to Chevrolet and Saturn.

[rhvfd10]

If performance is the new theme then mabye the firebird does have a future.

[voltar]

And maybe just maybe theyll stop being ****************************s and start offeing manual transmissions!!!

[redfox]

I hope this is true as Pontiac can't survive selling re badged Chevrolet's.

[bryce miller]

I think they should keep G6 even if there is an awd version for under 24k or something i see G6s everywere i look