Pontiac G6

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Pontiac G6
Image:Pontiac G6 GT sedan.jpg
Manufacturer	Pontiac
Parent company	General Motors
Production	2005–present
Assembly	Lake Orion, Michigan
Predecessor	Pontiac Grand Am Pontiac Grand Prix (Mexico)
Class	Mid-size
Body style(s)	2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	GM Epsilon platform
Engine(s)	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
Transmission(s)	6-speed manual 4-speed automatic 6-speed automatic
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)
Fuel capacity	16 US gallons (60 L)
Related	Saab 9-3 Chevrolet Malibu Saturn Aura Opel Vectra Cadillac BLS Opel Insignia

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, Fiat Croma, Opel Vectra, Saab 9-3, and Saturn Aura. Introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the G6 is a direct replacement for the Grand Am, and is also aimed at the market formerly held by the Grand Prix. The G6 is the sole replacement for both vehicles in Mexico, since that market will not initially receive the new Pontiac G8.

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 would from then on be the "athletic" division of General Motors. The G6 name is new but the car is a replacement for the Grand Am. The G6 is available as a sedan, a coupe and a hardtop convertible. 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 Grand Am 6th Generation), even though that name was retired.

Within a year of its launch, the G6 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 Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index (TQI) ^[3]

Pontiac introduced a convertible version of the G6 with a retractable hardtop 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.^{[citation needed]}

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 1 Plant 2 Engines 3 GXP Concept 4 Note 5 Marketing 6 Motorsports 7 References 8 External links

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 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. Shortly after the model year began, the GT Sport package ceased production on G6 coupes and sedans. The 3.9L V6 remained an option for convertibles.

For 2008, the GTP trim was discontinued and replaced by the new GXP trim. The 2008 GXP is mechanically identical to the 2007 GTP, powered by the same 3.6L DOHC engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.

[edit] GXP Concept

Pontiac unveiled a G6 GXP concept car at the 2006 New York Auto Show in April. It included a lowered suspension and redesigned front clip with an integrated air dam and more chrome on the grille. Also notable were a twin air-scoop hood and 19 inch wheels. The GXP concept used a 270 hp (201 kW) and 259 ft·lbf (351 N·m) version of the 3.9 L High Value V6.

[edit] Note

Pontiac discontinued the F40 6 speed after only one year of production in the GTP, leaving the sports car enthusiast consumer with only the automatic transmission as an option. Many of these well constructed gearboxes were "dumped" on the internet through outlets such as eBay for adaption into older Fiero models, but there are lingering problems with mis-matched parts, especially the axle shafts.

[edit] 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 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 referred to as GXP.Rs and built by GM's endorsed chassis constructor, Pratt & Miller.

[edit] 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

[edit] External links

• Official site

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Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Subcompact	Sunbird	T1000/1000							LeMans
Compact			J2000/2000 Sunbird/Sunbird													Sunfire												G5
																								Vibe						Vibe
	Phoenix					Grand Am							Grand Am							Grand Am
Mid-size	LeMans		Bonneville																							G6
	Grand Am		6000
	Grand Prix								Grand Prix									Grand Prix							Grand Prix
Full-size	Bonneville			Parisienne				Bonneville					Bonneville								Bonneville								G8
	Catalina		Safari
Crossover																						Aztek					Torrent
Minivan											Trans Sport							Trans Sport/Montana								SV6
Sports	Firebird		Firebird											Firebird											GTO
					Fiero
Roadster																											Solstice

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