GMI's Revitalization in Action | The Dream Pontiac Lineup

[NOS2006]

Saw this just browsing around and I'm going to add my honest opinion. Hopefully this doesn't make me sound like "the wet blanket" or whatever, but here's the opinion (from an 18 year old GM and "Modern Muscle Car" enthusiast)...


Firebird:
First, it's got a very sculpted, muscular body. However, the face is far too close to the '99 GTO concept with a very plain lower fascia and obscure headlights. Are those huge LEDs for headlights or 16 projectors glaring onlookers in the eye? Anyway, I also like the hood, but I'll also complain about only having 5 speeds in the manual transmission and no mention of a Trans Am version. Last but not least on the Firebird, you made this note: Various Other Options and Engine Packages with the most powerful engine mentioned being the 303 HP 5.3L V8. This is 2009! We've already squeezed 303 HP out of that engine, so add 2 years to that and tell me you can't engineer a little more HP out of a Firebird. This is a step backward considering the 4th Generation Firebird Trans Am went out with more horsepower than that 5 years ago... And, because of the weight/power (assuming it's got the exact same underbody as the Camaro), this may even make the Mustang GT a little quicker which is definitely not what GM and Pontiac are looking for.


GTO:
Now, I'm sorry to say this, but it looks like Chris Bangle designed it to me. Some people may say that's a good thing, others may disagree... I'm with those saying it's a bad thing. The face is too extreme and the body is too plain with a very strange rear fender indent. Again, I like the hood, but the face is just way too choppy. The rims appear to be the same as those on the Firebird except with the (I'm guessing) body-colored lip. Again, no 6 speed manual, let alone no manual transmission mentioned whatsoever! This is the largest complaint people have with the Hemi-powered DCX vehicles and you went ahead to repeat it. I'm sorry, but give it a T56 and at least 50 more horsepower. And, before I forget to mention it, the seats are very nice looking.. except for the driver's seat which appears to be different than all the others...


G8:
Many people criticize the current Grand Prix's headlights and you've used those exact headlamps to manipulate your modified ones... Doesn't work for me. Oh, and the driver's side headlight's outcome looks like it should've been fixed just a little more when rendering it because the upper edge of it is mangled a bit where it meets the fender. Oh, and the grilles are too large, too. However, I'll commend you on your lower fascia because it does look pretty good. However, if you're going to change the face, why not change the greenhouse or body? That's another mistake IMO. And, why no V6 engine and only a de-tuned LS2 (that's the engine you're using, right? I'm not sure what the "6000" designation represents)? Makes no sense to me, but whatever.


G6:
First off, why hold off on this one for two years after your G8 would debut by making it a 2010 model? Second, the face looks very nice compared to the previous ones, but looks like it'd be pointy like the current Grand Prix. Design-wise, this thing is world's better than the other three you've manipulated; kudos to that. However, I'm not sure I like how the fenders "sweep" into each other, and I definitely don't like the taillight configuration from this angle, which reminds me.. why don't you have a rear angle on any of these models? Anyway, the mirrors are too tall and stubby which is definitely not a sporty or exciting aspect in the least. Oh, and you finally got the transmission correct! A 6 speed manual, but in the least powerful car.. that doesn't make sense (well it does make sense to give it six gears, but why not that many in the GTO or Firebird?!). Also, I'm not sure why you'd give it two blown engines, but at least you gave it an AWD option, which will help it in the market.

Last Word:
I guess I expected more than what I got, but I don't think you guys went deep enough with this. You didn't answer all the questions before they were asked (i.e. You left notes, such as the one for the Options/Engine Packages for the Firebird). You didn't explain certain things enough, or even at all.. most of which I questioned above. There are no interior or rear views for us to judge. You even left out available colors, options, seating, and the Solstice!

So, to answer your question for only myself, no, this is not what I dream Pontiac to be. However, to close, I'd like to add that you made a good effort and hopefully your next line-up will reflect some of my complaints. Thanks for listening.

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by NOS2006

Saw this just browsing around and I'm going to add my honest opinion. Hopefully this doesn't make me sound like "the wet blanket" or whatever, but here's the opinion (from an 18 year old GM and "Modern Muscle Car" enthusiast)...


Firebird:
First, it's got a very sculpted, muscular body. However, the face is far too close to the '99 GTO concept with a very plain lower fascia and obscure headlights. Are those huge LEDs for headlights or 16 projectors glaring onlookers in the eye? Anyway, I also like the hood, but I'll also complain about only having 5 speeds in the manual transmission and no mention of a Trans Am version. Last but not least on the Firebird, you made this note: Various Other Options and Engine Packages with the most powerful engine mentioned being the 303 HP 5.3L V8. This is 2009! We've already squeezed 303 HP out of that engine, so add 2 years to that and tell me you can't engineer a little more HP out of a Firebird. This is a step backward considering the 4th Generation Firebird Trans Am went out with more horsepower than that 5 years ago... And, because of the weight/power (assuming it's got the exact same underbody as the Camaro), this may even make the Mustang GT a little quicker which is definitely not what GM and Pontiac are looking for.


GTO:
Now, I'm sorry to say this, but it looks like Chris Bangle designed it to me. Some people may say that's a good thing, others may disagree... I'm with those saying it's a bad thing. The face is too extreme and the body is too plain with a very strange rear fender indent. Again, I like the hood, but the face is just way too choppy. The rims appear to be the same as those on the Firebird except with the (I'm guessing) body-colored lip. Again, no 6 speed manual, let alone no manual transmission mentioned whatsoever! This is the largest complaint people have with the Hemi-powered DCX vehicles and you went ahead to repeat it. I'm sorry, but give it a T56 and at least 50 more horsepower. And, before I forget to mention it, the seats are very nice looking.. except for the driver's seat which appears to be different than all the others...


G8:
Many people criticize the current Grand Prix's headlights and you've used those exact headlamps to manipulate your modified ones... Doesn't work for me. Oh, and the driver's side headlight's outcome looks like it should've been fixed just a little more when rendering it because the upper edge of it is mangled a bit where it meets the fender. Oh, and the grilles are too large, too. However, I'll commend you on your lower fascia because it does look pretty good. However, if you're going to change the face, why not change the greenhouse or body? That's another mistake IMO. And, why no V6 engine and only a de-tuned LS2 (that's the engine you're using, right? I'm not sure what the "6000" designation represents)? Makes no sense to me, but whatever.


G6:
First off, why hold off on this one for two years after your G8 would debut by making it a 2010 model? Second, the face looks very nice compared to the previous ones, but looks like it'd be pointy like the current Grand Prix. Design-wise, this thing is world's better than the other three you've manipulated; kudos to that. However, I'm not sure I like how the fenders "sweep" into each other, and I definitely don't like the taillight configuration from this angle, which reminds me.. why don't you have a rear angle on any of these models? Anyway, the mirrors are too tall and stubby which is definitely not a sporty or exciting aspect in the least. Oh, and you finally got the transmission correct! A 6 speed manual, but in the least powerful car.. that doesn't make sense (well it does make sense to give it six gears, but why not that many in the GTO or Firebird?!). Also, I'm not sure why you'd give it two blown engines, but at least you gave it an AWD option, which will help it in the market.

Last Word:
I guess I expected more than what I got, but I don't think you guys went deep enough with this. You didn't answer all the questions before they were asked (i.e. You left notes, such as the one for the Options/Engine Packages for the Firebird). You didn't explain certain things enough, or even at all.. most of which I questioned above. There are no interior or rear views for us to judge. You even left out available colors, options, seating, and the Solstice!

So, to answer your question for only myself, no, this is not what I dream Pontiac to be. However, to close, I'd like to add that you made a good effort and hopefully your next line-up will reflect some of my complaints. Thanks for listening.

Sure, we're always listening. The next lineup will be more thorough in terms of views & information, etc. We'll have more time to work. Well, the G6 was being held off because that's when EPII is coming out. An all new G6 coming out now would be too soon in the lifecycle. The reason why we didn't change more on the G8 is because that's not going to be happening with the real one. The greenhouse/doors are some of the most costly parts, so it would be basically a whole new car. Hopefully that answered some of your questions.

[jbernie]

I will go with a simple response, those photoshops look very desirable. Having seen the ones for.. i think it was Buick... these are a class above.

Very nice work!

[56 socal. chevy]

Wheres the Solstice? lol and I wish they have givin the firebird more justice...

[5 watt]

Everything looks great, especially the G8. But no solstice or coupe/ hatchback from kappa??

[redfox]

I like the GTO a lot better than the firebird. The firebird still has the camaro look.

[Kappa]

I gotta say im rather impressed with there cars, almost makes me wish GM were to make them now. The G6 and G8 are the best ive seen in a while, but i have to say to keep the G6 ahead of Malabu and Aura, give it perminent AWD and a turbo GXP model. The G8 leave as is in that pic, i love it already. The other 2 while good, but risky more so to eachother than anything else unless marketed and engineered different enough not to compete with eachother. So have those 4 models, a Solstice coupe and ragtop, and a mid-engine Fiaro to maybe compete with the Cayman or boxster to. But overall, I love what i see and hope Pontiac takes the same direction you guys have takin here.

[GMlvrsince72]

I like all of these concepts.....especially the Goat.

I will say that the Firebird is silly to expect. The volume of the Camaro needs to be as high as possible....it don't need a brother to compete with. The suspensions and engines would be identical anyway . The body would just be useless cost.

[NOS2006]

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

Sure, we're always listening. The next lineup will be more thorough in terms of views & information, etc. We'll have more time to work. Well, the G6 was being held off because that's when EPII is coming out. An all new G6 coming out now would be too soon in the lifecycle. The reason why we didn't change more on the G8 is because that's not going to be happening with the real one. The greenhouse/doors are some of the most costly parts, so it would be basically a whole new car. Hopefully that answered some of your questions.

Well if it's our Dream line-up for Pontiac, why hold off on the G6? The current one in production definitely isn't what we'd dream of it to be as a Pontiac..

[JJSoCrazy]

Not to shabby for the Firebird or GTO good to see some news circulating about the cars though. I still prefer my sig

[elderon]

Great work! Great Lineup!

My only quibbles are with the Firebird. It has potential but dosen't look quite right to me. I LOVE the GTO!!!

[kenman923]

I like the idea of styling the Firebird like the 70s model. Actually, I hope they make a better design for the G6. Are they going for that LeMans look? I do wish they would have called the G6 the Tempest.

[JonathanRohr]

wheres the solstice?

[civilzues]

Originally Posted by JonathanRohr

wheres the solstice?

and the G4!!!

[salbracht]

Not digging the Firebird or the GTO. Too much Judge Dred for me.

The '99 Concept GTO features you pasted on the concept Camaro don't look too bad, but it's too much of a mishmash.

Interesting front end treatment on the GTO, but again it's too jaring. Back end looks fat - for no other reason than to differentiate from the Firebird concept.


G8 looks hot. Giving the Commodore the Pontiac styling actually makes it look really close to the G8 concept Pontiac made years ago (which was a design prototype of the current Grand Prix). Looks really good though. I always thought the current Grand Prix would look 100 times better with a larger grille. I would loose the little lights in the grille though. This one is far and away my favorite.

I appreciate you trying a new nose on the G6. The kidney grills are really getting old. Overall, it kindof looks like some of the concept vehicles that Oldsmobile produced back in the early/mid '90s. Squint your eyes and you can see Alero or Aurora.

All four are very polished. You can tell you took your time with them. Overall, I think they are a little too futuristic for my taste. (Pontiac tried to go futuristic with the Aztek, and we all know how that worked out.)

Good job.