PONTIAC G6

The 'Pontiac G6' is a mid-size car released in September 2004 for the 2005 model year. It uses the GM Epsilon platform, sharing it with the Cadillac BLS, Chevrolet Malibu, Opel Vectra, Saab 9-3, and Saturn Aura. Introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the G6 is a replacement for the Pontiac Grand Am, and the Pontiac Grand Prix Coupe.
Although the EPA lists the G6 as a compact car, its relative, the Chevrolet Malibu is listed as a mid-size car by the EPA; both cars are still considered mid-size.
The G6 was based on the G6 Concept revealed at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. The concept featured 20 inch wheels, and a 285 horsepower supercharged engine. The car was based on the design theme that Pontiac will from then on be "athletic."
Although the G6 was new to the public, in many respects it could be considered the sixth generation of the Grand Am (with G6 standing for 'G'rand Am '6'th Generation), even though that name was retired. Within a year, this new car had become the 11th best selling car in the United States (2005), and won several consumer-based industry awards from JD Power (APEAL), Strategic Vision ("Total Quality" and "Delight") and became a Consumer Reports Recommended Buy. Car of the Year by the Spanish magazine Automundo^[1][2]. GM leads all other automakers in Stategic Vision's Total Quality Index (TQI) ^[3]
Pontiac introduced a coupe convertible version of the G6 at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show. The G6 convertible began arriving on dealership lots during spring 2006. The starting price for the GT trim level was $28,490; while the GTP started at $29,990. At launch, it was the most inexpensive retractable hardtop available in the U.S. market.
The other body styles available are coupe and sedan. In its May 22, 2006 issue, Time magazine put the G6 on a two-car list, along with the Buick Terraza, of GM cars that "aren't going anywhere." Time continued to say that "GM did not capitalize on the G6's good reviews for interior styling and power train. It delayed a cheaper, four-cylinder version, as well as a coupe and convertible. Nevertheless, G6 sales grew +20% in 2006 over 2005 after all body styles were released, and 45% of its sales come from outside GM.

Contents

Plant

Engines

GXP

Marketing

Motorsports

References

External links

Plant

The Pontiac G6 is the replacement for the Pontiac Grand Am which ceased production on May 2, 2005, when the 100-year old Lansing Car Chassis Assembly plant closed. Most of the 3,500 workers affected were moved to the new Delta Township Assembly plant in late 2006. The G6 is produced at Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Michigan.

Engines

The G6 base comes standard with the 2.4 L ''Ecotec'' LE5 four cylinder engine producing 169 hp (126 kW) and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) of torque.
There was also a Base V6 option available with a 201hp 3.5L motor. While the motor was identical to that of the GT, the car lacked the aggressive gear ratios, and the tiptronic transmission.
The GT comes standard with the 3.5 L ''LX9'' engine which produces 201 hp (150 kW) and 222 ft·lbf (301 N·m) of torque. This was the only engine available for the 2005 and 2006 model years. The 2007 model has the 3.5 L ''LZ4'' uprated to 224 hp (167 kW) and 220 ft·lbf (298 N·m). The additional Horsepower from the LZ4 is a result of the added Variable Valve Timing (VVT) that was added to the engine. Convertible models have 217 hp (162 kW) and 217 ft·lbf (294 N·m) of torque. The reduction in power on the Convertible models is a result of the use of Hydraulic power steering instead of the electronic power steering that came standard on the normal models. Another cause of power loss for the convertibles is a result of the revised exhaust systems used to accommodate the redesign. This engine is optional in base models.
New for 2006, the G6 ''GTP'' came with GM's 3.9 L ''LZ9'' engine, producing 240 hp (179 kW) and 241 ft·lbf (327 N·m) of torque. This model was equipped with a variable intake design which used two different intake runners to either allow a small amount of air in the car for normal driving conditions, or the larger intake runner to accommodate the increased air volume that the engine would consume in full throttle conditions. The GTP model was also available with a close ratio Getrag 6-speed manual transmission, no other G6 model had a manual transmission option.
In 2007, the 3.9 L V6 will go into the ''GT'' + Sport Package, making way for the 3.6 L ''LY7'' engine with 252 hp (188 kW) and 251 ft·lbf (332 N·m) of torque and the new 6-speed automatic in the ''GTP''.

GXP

Pontiac unveiled a G6 ''GXP'' concept car at the 2006 New York Auto Show in April. It includes a lowered suspension and redesigned front clip with an integrated air dam and more chrome on the grille. A twin air-scoop hood will be most noticeable, however, as will the 19 in wheels. The GXP concept uses a 270 hp (201 kW) and 259 ft·lbf (351 N·m) version of the 3.9 L ''High Value'' V6.

Marketing

The launch of the G6 was a major publicity stunt: 276 of the cars were famously given away to audience members of ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'' on the talk show's fall 2004 season premiere. This promotion garnered international attention, a reported US$110 million in publicity, and put the G6, a previously unknown name, solidly on the lists of many shoppers. However, the stunt was also criticized for not reaching the G6's intended target audience, and for occurring before dealers had full G6 inventories. This despite the fact that the Grand Am had previously sold 65% to women, and Pontiac was intending on preserving that audience as part of its overall plan.

Motorsports

The G6 is currently used in the Rolex Sports Car Series as a replacement for the Pontiac GTO.R, which is no longer sold. The cars are refered to as ''GXP.R''s and built by GM's endorsed chassis constructor, Pratt & Miller.

References

★ Gannett Communications. (2005). Aging Lansing GM plant to close in May. Retrieved June 21, 2005 from http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=

★ General Motors. (2005). Pontiac G6 Specifications. Retrieved June 21, 2005 from http://www.pontiac.com/specs/specs_content_files/specs_viewall.jsp?brand=g6&pagename=models_prices
1. Pontiac G6 2005 car of the year ''Sportscar.com''
2. sicgmtrucks.com
3. Strategic Vision (2006). Total Quality Index ''MSN Autos''

External links

★ Official site