New Holden Monaro Program Depends On Exports - New Pontiac GTO?

[skylark68]

Why not call it a Firebird or Trans Am and call it a day... haha

[gmlifer]

The only hope of getting this car into the US is as a Pontiac. It looks too much like the G8 to call it a Buick unless they spend the extra dollars to change the interior and sheetmetal.
I like the idea of bringing it over as part of the G8 family with a V-6 and V-8 option.
The super high performance version could be given the GTO badge with some slightly different styling...just as it was in the Tempest-GTO days of the 60's and 70's.

The 3 versions of the G8 family could go a long way in giving Pontiac the performance image it needs and may be the cars that save Pontiac.

I just want my GTO and I want it now!

[Rbbrnts]

I know that this may be way out there but since we are in a fuel economy state of mind just like what happened in the mid to late 70's, what if they brought it back as the Grand National?

[spidge]

Originally Posted by nascarnate326

If GM could get it into their heads its not a volume car, and monitor dealers I think it could work. Kind of like the plymoth prowler, very low numbers.

Very good point! Coupes don't sell in the high volumes that family-oriented vehicles like sedans, minivans, and SUV's/crossovers do, anyway! The previous Monaro was also sold in New Zealand, England, North America, and Saudi Arabia (where gasoline is cheap), as far as I know, and a successor would likely also garner some sales in these markets. Axing low-volume coupes should not do much for their CAFE numbers, when they continue to sell all the big SUV's they can make.

[Bolex]

Originally Posted by 61BelAir

My Boss who drives an Audi and is pretty much an import lover saw the C60 concept and was really impressed! With designs like that GM can lure customers who currently only look at imports.

the hard part is convincing these types to actually buy 'em. i wonder how many audi,beemers,lexus types bought a GTO?

I know what you mean tho' most of my friends/acquaintences are import lovers and i show 'em whats goin on on the Domestic front and they 'say' it looks cool, but there next cars are always imports/euro.

i may like the 350Z or Nissan GTR skyline whatever.., but when it comes down to throwing down 40K, i'd rather buy domestic. and if my attitude is like there's, it'll be real hard, almost impossible to make someone switch over.

[Phoenix]

I don't think the last GTO's problems had anything to do with its name. The whining you see on the internet means nothing. The real problems were the dealerships, and the fact that the design was aging and resembled a 99 Grand Prix, 97 Taurus. This is a beautiful car more than worthy of the GTO badge.

GM can't cater to current GM customers anymore because current GM customers are not keeping the company alive.

[vw1610]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I don't think the last GTO's problems had anything to do with its name. The whining you see on the internet means nothing. The real problems were the dealerships, and the fact that the design was aging and resembled a 99 Grand Prix, 97 Taurus. This is a beautiful car more than worthy of the GTO badge.

i totally agree with you.

I would probably trade in my 06 GTO for one of these. wait no i wouldn't i d just buy another one lol. its a great looking car.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I don't think the last GTO's problems had anything to do with its name. The whining you see on the internet means nothing. The real problems were the dealerships, and the fact that the design was aging and resembled a 99 Grand Prix, 97 Taurus. This is a beautiful car more than worthy of the GTO badge.

GM can't cater to current GM customers anymore because current GM customers are not keeping the company alive.

The GTO has this childish sound coming from the back. Looked like a Camry with a childish roar.. That killed it.

[GMusa]

This would be a great car for Pontiac!! No question!

[jdj2838]

I agree that the GTO name would not be a good Idea. Why not call it a Grand Prix since the current Grand Prix is being discontinued and the original Grand Prix back in the 60s and 70s were all RWD.
I also like the idea of making it a Buick Riviera, more of a luxury coupe.

[TCBNJ]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

The GTO has this childish sound coming from the back. Looked like a Camry with a childish roar.. That killed it.

My $.02 cents - it amazes me to hear the people who trash the 04-06 Goat are those that never owned one or even drove one. It was probably one of the greatest performance values GM ever sold in N. America, ever.

As Bob Lutz himself said, GM's sales expectations with the 04-06 Goat were not met largely due to substandard marketing and incorrect geographic distribution.

If Pontiac sells this car, I would recommend that N American sales consist of a GTO and a G8 Coupe or "LeMans". Pontiac should fully exploit the model brands it has. (For the same reason there should not be a G8 sport truck - very few people who think Arrowhead, think truck). Any GTO must have V8 power, a power to weight ratio of 10 and comfortable seat 4 (no pony car size back seat). The lesser powered coupe should be equipped with a power plant like the Solstice GXP T4 DI for buyers those who like the body shape but don't want the power/lower mileage.

[1931Chevy]

the think here will be the price, the car looks damn gorgeous but if the price is to high I see GTO crash 2.0

[Maetrix66]

I think that this should be the car that begins Pontiacs climb back into relevance.

I am thinking a Twin Turbo 3.6l DI V6, with the manual standard and the Automatic optional.

Name it what you want, but Pontiac needs to start putting the pedal to the metal. The rear tires are starting to get into the loose gravel on the shoulder of the American auto scene, and they need to power out of it.

The image I have for Pontiac is this, technology upgrades (drivetrain related) ICE-upgraded stereos/entertainment systems. And for the GM brass to decide that they need to sprinkle a little attitute to the marketing, then realize that the marketing agency forgot to tighten the attitude shaker cap.

[crooner214]

Originally Posted by Rbbrnts

I know that this may be way out there but since we are in a fuel economy state of mind just like what happened in the mid to late 70's, what if they brought it back as the Grand National?

My thoughts exactly. In fact, in the last Coupe 60 thread I said to call it the Grand National, although calling it the Riviera would work, just put the Statesmen nose on it.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by TCBNJ

My $.02 cents - it amazes me to hear the people who trash the 04-06 Goat are those that never owned one or even drove one.

OH YEE!!! with the Eye that sees through time!!

Who said I never drove one?
I freaking almost bought one. I went to the store to buy it when they just came to the market. But I did not want that stupid childish sound coming from the back. Nor the stupid nose upfront they added later..
I want a quite fast understated coupe. I do not want to look like a 19 year old on the freeway..