[nsap]

Pontiac has chosen the name Torrent for a new sport wagon coming next year, industry sources say.

The 2006 model-year vehicle will be based on General Motors' Theta platform, which is shared by the Chevrolet Equinox and Saturn Vue. Front- and all-wheel-drive models are expected.

GM North America President Gary Cowger said the Pontiac vehicle will not be a rebadged Vue or Equinox.

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**How many tiems have we said that!**

 

[powervette]

strange name for a car

 

[budweisert]

It's a better name than aztec!

I'm thinking this new SUV will be what the aztec was supposed to be...an attractive, youthful, multi-capable and inexpensive SUV for a performance brand that is in dire need for a good SUV.


oh yeah...I'm back bitches! :zippy:

 

[nadepalma]

Sounds like a decent name and it's much better than Aztek -- now I only hope it looks and drives uniquely enough that it stands out as a Pontiac and not another GM clone!

Though I kind of question what direction Pontiac is going with their naming scheme here? Before Pontiac-GMC ManagerLynn Meyers decided to step down recently, I would have thought that Pontiac was going to go with AlphaNumeric names -- at least for their cars. G4, G6, G8 topped off by the GTO --- not a bad sounding car range, right? Then the Montana SV6 would eventually become just the SV6 (remember how the Transport became the Transport Montana, which became just the Montana, etc?...made sense). Of course there would be abnormalities in this scheme like the Solstice and, if they ever decided to resurrect the Firebird nameplate sometime later. But now I'm not sure what they're trying to do with these names. Has the new brand manager changed the gameplan? Will the SUVs/Crossovers/CSV/niche products (Solstice) all have normal names, while the car range goes AlphaNumeric? Or will they abandon the AlphaNumeric idea before it even really gets started and this will be the one and only generation of the "G6"?

Just looking to see if there will be some consistency to the lineup to promote an image for the brand -- which can be just as important in the end for marketing reasons as the good products are to attract customers.

 

[Ming]

3900+3rd row seat+AWD+no friggin 4-speed tranny or console shifter = I might be interested.

I think the grille of the SV6 is somewhat tasteful - that kind of look could work for me.

 

[casket_demon]

oh yeah...I'm back bitches! 

Have U been gone???? :blink:

 

[GN6]

As far as weather patterns on cars is concerned, Pontiac's use of names like "Tempest" and "Torrent" sound alot more aggressive & assertive than "Stratus", "Cirrus", or "Breeze". ("Breeze"? Who the hell thought that was a good name for a car? I can just hear the dealer now, "Don't drive this car over 20, it'll blow off the road. And be sure to use the factory installed tie-downs when you park, the car might not be there when you get back.")

 

[ibechip]

Equinox, Torrent, Vue? Maybe GM decided that the Theta platform was going back to nature.

 

[CaveTroll15]

I have a question about this. GM keeps describing this car as a "Sport Wagon" and yet it seems that many of us keep talking like it's going to be an SUV. Perhaps I missed something, but aren't those two different animals? I'm not at all worried about getting a rebadged VUE or Equinox, because those are SUVs and the Torrent will be a Sport Wagon. Am I right?

 

[Ming]

"It has good differentiation in styling, ride, handling and interior." Gary Cowger on how the Pontiac Torrent will not be a rebadged Vue or Equinox.

All I know is that if they put a Honda engine or a hoary, old-generation 3.4L V6 in that engine bay, and don't use the 3.5L and/or 3.9L , I'm boycotting Pontiac...!)

My dream setup, that shouldn't be that hard:

Optional 3900 VVT V6 - with a base 3500.

5-speed auto transmission

Interior similar to the Equinox, but with less gray, more black and dark brown.

Versatrak AWD

-----------

Nightmare setup:

Just an Equinox with Pontiac lipstick, and a different suspension setup.

http://www.autosite.com/Previews/2005-chev...let-equinox.asp

Making 185 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 210 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,800 rpm, the Equinox's V6 is the venerable overhead-cam Vortec 3400 engine that has been deployed in everything from the Chevrolet Venture to the Pontiac Grand Am. We haven't driven the Equinox; in other GM products this motor offers decent power off the line but becomes winded at mid- to high-rpm driving. Power delivery is somewhat unrefined, with plenty of engine racket accompanying forward velocity. Why GM didn't design the Chevy Equinox to use the Malibu sedan's more powerful 3500 V6 is anyone's guess.

 

[MelvinJ]

Originally posted by CaveTroll15@Apr 26 2004, 07:25 PM
I have a question about this. GM keeps describing this car as a "Sport Wagon" and yet it seems that many of us keep talking like it's going to be an SUV. Perhaps I missed something, but aren't those two different animals? I'm not at all worried about getting a rebadged VUE or Equinox, because those are SUVs and the Torrent will be a Sport Wagon. Am I right?

I guess we are assuming that because it's based on the same platform as two other SUVs. Maybe they will make it more car-like, but "sport wagon" can cover a lot of ground these days.

 

[thatoneguy]

Torrent= Equinox with re-done front

When this baby comes out.. i ll be sayin i told you sooo

 

[Smilingoat]

it will be cool to see it. a performance equinox? sure why not?

anyway i thought the azteck was a cool name, i just didnt like what they gave it to. and no never again will a car/truck be able to use that name for it is ruined...

 

[Ming]

Originally posted by thatoneguy@Apr 26 2004, 03:22 PM
Torrent= Equinox with re-done front

When this baby comes out.. i ll be sayin i told you sooo

If that is all it ends up being, I'd much rather have a "sport wagon" G6 with the Malibu MAXX hatch - similar to the MAX SS concept.

That would kick the tippy 3.4L powered Equinox clone's butt in the "sport wagon" department.

 

[driver]

I hope they don't have a Torrent of recalls.

 

[saber11]

The same GM Vehicle Line Dircetor produced the VUE, the Equinox is in charge of the Torrent Project as well. FWIW.

 

[mgescuro]

Originally posted by driver@Apr 26 2004, 05:06 PM
I hope they don't have a Torrent of recalls.

:brick:

No recalls of VUE yet.... should be ok.

 

[CaveTroll15]

I really hope this thing isn't an SUV at all. IMO, Pontiac doesn't need trucks. That's what Chevy and GMC are for. Sport Wagon (Audi/Mercedes style) GREAT, another rebadged SUV, BAD. Hopefully, when they say "sport wagon" they mean five-door sedan with car-like ride-height and a good dose of Pontiac "excitement."

Of course, since it shares a platform with a couple of SUVs, we're all a littled frightened of getting a good dose of GM rebadging. . . :zap:

I'm gonna remain hopeful, no matter how retarded that may be.

 

[GM_Guy81]

well, just because it is based on something doesnt mean its going to be a rebadged version of it. I dont think the Vue and the Equinox look anything alike other than both being SUV's. It will be interesting to see how versitile theta is.

 

[CaveTroll15]

just because it is based on something doesnt mean its going to be a rebadged version of it

That's exactly what I'm hoping for.