FRESHENING LINEUPS: Chevy, Pontiac to take center stage with unveiling of 5 models
01-05-2005, 10:44 AM
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FRESHENING LINEUPS: Chevy, Pontiac to take center stage with unveiling of 5 models
January 5, 2005
BY MICHELLE KREBS
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER
LOS ANGELES -- While General Motors Corp. focuses attention next week in Detroit on its Saturn division, Chevrolet and Pontiac take center stage this week at the 2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.
The two divisions are to unveil a combined five new models at the first media day of the show today.
Chevy spruced up its high-volume Impala sedan and companion Monte Carlo coupe. The Impala, criticized by the media for being dowdy in appearance, has been popular, nonetheless. Chevy has sold more than a million Impalas since its 1999 debut and increased market share in its segment from 2 percent in 1999 to 8 percent through 2003, while GM overall has suffered a lower share of market in total.
In addition to mild appearance freshening on the inside and out, the two cars now are outfitted with a new family of V6 engines: a 3.5 liter, 210-horsepower and a 3.9-liter, 240 horsepower. The SS (super sport) versions of both vehicles now come with a new 5.3-liter, V8 engine with GM's Displacement on Demand technology that shuts off four of the eight cylinders when appropriate to save gas. GM claims the system improves fuel economy as much as 12 percent.
Chevrolet also introduced a new model, the HHR. The retro-styled HHR is Chevy's take on the Chrysler PT Cruiser but is years late to the party.
It wears styling cues, such as bulging fenders borrowed from Chevrolet's SSR. Ironically, both the PT Cruiser, which carries heavy incentives, and the SSR, of which there are skyrocketing inventories, are doing poorly in the marketplace.
In fact, Bryan Nesbitt, who was stolen by GM from Chrysler and now heads GM design in Europe, styled it.
On sale in the second half of 2005, the HHR shares its underbody with the Chevrolet Cobalt small car, now selling in the United States. It will come as the LS or LT, both powered by GM's 2.2-liter, 140-horsepower Ecotec four-cylinder engine.
Pontiac, as part of its ongoing revitalization efforts, unveiled a trio of new models here. The G6 midsize car line, which included last year's launch of the sedan to replace the Grand Am, adds convertible and coupe versions. Their styling appears to borrow heavily from the Nissan Z sports car.
Both the convertible and coupe, which come as the GT and GTP, feature four-passenger seating. The convertible has a Karmann-designed retractable hardtop that, with the touch of a button, lowers in 30 seconds. The GT is powered by a 3.5-liter, 200-horsepower V6 engine. The GTP is outfitted with a 3.9-liter, 240-horsepower V6 with a four-speed automatic with manual transmission or a six-speed manual.
Pontiac also is adding a compact sport-utility vehicle to its line, the Torrent. The Torrent is Pontiac's version of the Chevrolet Equinox and Saturn Vue. The five-passenger SUV comes with the same engine as the Chevy: a 3.4-liter, 185-horsepower V6 made in China.
The Torrent replaces the Aztek, which has been harshly criticized for being ugly. The Torrent is far more mainstream -- and attractive -- than the Aztek
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/gm5e_20050105.htm
BY MICHELLE KREBS
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER
LOS ANGELES -- While General Motors Corp. focuses attention next week in Detroit on its Saturn division, Chevrolet and Pontiac take center stage this week at the 2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.
The two divisions are to unveil a combined five new models at the first media day of the show today.
Chevy spruced up its high-volume Impala sedan and companion Monte Carlo coupe. The Impala, criticized by the media for being dowdy in appearance, has been popular, nonetheless. Chevy has sold more than a million Impalas since its 1999 debut and increased market share in its segment from 2 percent in 1999 to 8 percent through 2003, while GM overall has suffered a lower share of market in total.
In addition to mild appearance freshening on the inside and out, the two cars now are outfitted with a new family of V6 engines: a 3.5 liter, 210-horsepower and a 3.9-liter, 240 horsepower. The SS (super sport) versions of both vehicles now come with a new 5.3-liter, V8 engine with GM's Displacement on Demand technology that shuts off four of the eight cylinders when appropriate to save gas. GM claims the system improves fuel economy as much as 12 percent.
Chevrolet also introduced a new model, the HHR. The retro-styled HHR is Chevy's take on the Chrysler PT Cruiser but is years late to the party.
It wears styling cues, such as bulging fenders borrowed from Chevrolet's SSR. Ironically, both the PT Cruiser, which carries heavy incentives, and the SSR, of which there are skyrocketing inventories, are doing poorly in the marketplace.
In fact, Bryan Nesbitt, who was stolen by GM from Chrysler and now heads GM design in Europe, styled it.
On sale in the second half of 2005, the HHR shares its underbody with the Chevrolet Cobalt small car, now selling in the United States. It will come as the LS or LT, both powered by GM's 2.2-liter, 140-horsepower Ecotec four-cylinder engine.
Pontiac, as part of its ongoing revitalization efforts, unveiled a trio of new models here. The G6 midsize car line, which included last year's launch of the sedan to replace the Grand Am, adds convertible and coupe versions. Their styling appears to borrow heavily from the Nissan Z sports car.
Both the convertible and coupe, which come as the GT and GTP, feature four-passenger seating. The convertible has a Karmann-designed retractable hardtop that, with the touch of a button, lowers in 30 seconds. The GT is powered by a 3.5-liter, 200-horsepower V6 engine. The GTP is outfitted with a 3.9-liter, 240-horsepower V6 with a four-speed automatic with manual transmission or a six-speed manual.
Pontiac also is adding a compact sport-utility vehicle to its line, the Torrent. The Torrent is Pontiac's version of the Chevrolet Equinox and Saturn Vue. The five-passenger SUV comes with the same engine as the Chevy: a 3.4-liter, 185-horsepower V6 made in China.
The Torrent replaces the Aztek, which has been harshly criticized for being ugly. The Torrent is far more mainstream -- and attractive -- than the Aztek
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/gm5e_20050105.htm
01-06-2005, 06:00 PM
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The 3.9L V6 with 240 HP from the G6 GTP?? Thats a pretty cool idea for the Impala and Monte Carlo. From what I had read this engine would be a pushrod engine featuring VVT, and a 60 degree V6 (based on the 3.5) instead of the 90 degree 3.6L.
Also, I clad that the Monte and Impy SS models will FINALLY get the V8 they needed all along, even if it is still FWD. You gotta wonder about torque steer though, as a 5.3 V8 will develop a lot of torque for FWD.
Also, I clad that the Monte and Impy SS models will FINALLY get the V8 they needed all along, even if it is still FWD. You gotta wonder about torque steer though, as a 5.3 V8 will develop a lot of torque for FWD.
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