- Pontiac G6
Infobox Automobile
name = Pontiac G6
manufacturer =Pontiac
parent_company =General Motors
production = 2005–present
class =Mid-size
assembly =Lake Orion, Michigan ,USA
body_style = 2-doorconvertible
2-doorcoupe
4-door sedan
predecessor =Pontiac Grand Am Pontiac Grand Prix (Mexico )
platform =GM Epsilon platform
layout =FF layout
engine = 2.4 L "LE5" I4
3.5 L "LX9"V6
3.5 L "LZ4" V6
3.6 L "LY7 " V6
3.9 L "LZ9" V6 |V6
related =Fiat Croma Cadillac BLS Chevrolet Malibu Opel Insignia Opel Signum Opel Vectra Saab 9-3 Saturn Aura
wheelbase = 112.3 in (2852 mm)
length = Sedan: 189.0 in (4803 mm)
Coupe/Convertible: 189.1 in (4804 mm)
width = Sedan: 70.6 in (1793 mm)
Coupe: 70.4 in (1788 mm)
Convertible: 70.6 in (1793 mm)
height = Sedan: 57.1 in (1452 mm)
Coupe: 56.4 in (1432 mm)
Convertible: 56.7 in (1441 mm)
transmission = 6-speed manual
4-speed 4T45 automatic
6-speed 6T70 automatic (2007 GTP models)
fuel_capacity = 16 US gallons (60 L)The Pontiac G6 is amid-size car produced under thePontiac brand of American automakerGeneral Motors . It was introduced in the fall of 2004 to replace theGrand Am . The car is built off theGM Epsilon platform which it shares with theChevrolet Malibu andSaab 9-3 along with other General Motors vehicles.Styling was redone in a more conservative fashion, and the ribbed cladding and rear spoiler that were prevalent on the Grand Am was replaced by standard sheet metal. [http://www.autobuyguide.com/2005/12-aut/pontiac/g6/reviews/index.html] New features included a remote starting system as well as a panoramic sunroof option.Overview
For 2005, two trims were offered, base and GT. Both came standard with the 3500 V6 engine that produced 200 horsepower. The engine is matched to a four-speed
automatic transmission . Trim levels grew in 2006, when acoupe and convertible version were added. The GTP and new base model were added. The base model used a 2.4LEcotec engine that produced 169 horsepower. The GTP was added as the top of the line model, with a 240 hp 3.9L V6 engine. This engine could be ordered with a six-speedmanual transmission . Theconvertible used a 227 horsepower version, due to a different exhaust system.In 2007, the 3.5LV6 was given Variable Valve Timing (VVT), which increased horsepower to 224. The 3.9L and six-speed transmission were moved as an option on the GT, when the GTP received a new 252 horsepower, 3.6L High Feature V6 with DOHC and 24-Valves. The GTP only featured a six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.9L was soon dropped on coupes and sedans and made optional on the convertible only. The six-speed manual transmission was dropped altogether in mid-2007. In 2008, the GTP was replaced by a GXP model, adding to Pontiac's increasing GXP lineup. Other than styling changes, the GXP was the same as the GTP. The 3.5 and 3.9 V6 engines received a drop in horsepower due to SAE ratings. Horsepower was 217 and 222, respectively.Models with the four-cylinder Ecotec engine see the option of a six-speed automatic transmission, similar to that found in the new Chevrolet Malibu for the 2009 model year.
Marketing
The launch of the G6 was a major
publicity stunt : 276 of the cars were given away to audience members of "The Oprah Winfrey Show " on thetalk show 's fall 2004 season premiere. This promotion, alongside a reported US$110 million publicity campaign, attempted to garner national attention for the brand-new G6. However, the stunt was criticized for not reaching the G6's intended target audience, and for occurring before dealers had full G6 inventories.Fact|date=February 2007Motorsports
The G6 is currently used in the GT class of
Rolex Sports Car Series as a replacement for thePontiac GTO .R, which is no longer sold. The cars are referred to as "GXP.R"s and built by GM's endorsed chassis constructor,Pratt & Miller . [ [http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2008-Pontiac-G6-GXP-R.htm 2008 Pontiac G6 GXP.R press release] ]It is powered by LS2
V8 engine that produces approximately 450 horsepower (335 kW). Weight saving features include carbon fiber body panels, shatter-resistant polycarbonate windows. The body panels are attached to a custom tube-frame chassis, with the front and rear fenders flared to cover the wide, 18-inch wheels and class-spec Hoosier racing tires. [ [http://www.auto-power-girl.com/cars-2007/pontiac-specifications/pontiac_gxp_r-1504 Pontiac GXP.R review:] ]The G6 GXP will also race in the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock class.
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=External links
* [http://www.pontiac.com/G6 Official site]
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