Pontiac Aztek

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Pontiac Aztek

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2001–2005
Assembly	Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
Predecessor	Pontiac Sunrunner (Canada)
Successor	Pontiac Torrent
Class	Mid-size crossover SUV
Body style(s)	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	U-body
Engine(s)	3.4 L LA1 V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed 4T65-E automatic
Wheelbase	108.3 in (2751 mm)
Length	192.1 in (4625 mm)
Width	73.7 in (1872 mm)
Height	66.7 in (1694 mm)
Curb weight	3779–4043 lb (1714–1834 kg)
Related	Buick Rendezvous
Designer	Wayne Cherry

The Pontiac Aztek was a mid-size crossover produced by the General Motors marque Pontiac from the 2001 model year to the 2005 model year — the first crossover offered by General Motors.

The Aztek was heavily criticized on its exterior styling, with TIME Magazine in 2007 calling the Aztek one of the worst cars of all time^[1], and a poll in The Daily Telegraph in August 2008 placing the Aztek at number one of "The 100 ugliest cars" of all time.^[2]

Contents 1 Background 2 Original concept 3 Technology and notable features 4 Safety 5 Yearly American sales 6 Critics 7 Year to year changes 7.1 2001 7.2 2002 7.3 2003 7.4 2004 7.5 2005 8 References 9 External links

[edit] Background

This section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (June 2009)

Given the fact that the vast majority of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were rarely taken off-pavement by their owners, much less driven under serious off-road conditions, a new type of car-based "crossover" was marketed that was hoped would provide all the elements that customers actually wanted from their SUVs such as cargo carrying capacity, elevated seating height and the suggestion of an active outdoor lifestyle with fewer of the drawbacks typically associated with traditional SUVs such as poor gas mileage, uncomfortable ride, high step-in height, propensity to roll over, etc.

[edit] Original concept

First shown to the public in 1999, the Pontiac Aztek concept car was fairly well received.^[3] It featured "Xtreme" futuristic styling and promised maximum versatility in support of a young and active lifestyle for its intended Generation 'X' buyer demographic.

The production edition of the Aztek was launched with the tagline: "Quite possibly the most versatile vehicle on the planet." in conjunction with CBS's hit game show, Survivor in 2000.^[4]

Colby Donaldson won this car as a prize during the final reward challenge of Survivor: The Australian Outback.^[4]

[edit] Technology and notable features

• The Aztek was produced at General Motors' Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, assembly plant, where it shared an assembly line with the Buick Rendezvous. In Canada, it filled the gap left since the Sunrunner's discontinuation in 1997, while in the United States and Mexico it was the first Pontiac-badged SUV ever sold.

• At launch the Aztek was available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive in base and GT trim.

• In lieu of four-wheel drive, the Aztek offered Versatrak, a full-time, fully-automatic all-wheel drive system which provided sure-footed traction in the snow or rain and could handle moderately rough off-road surfaces, but was not meant for serious boulder-climbing, Rubicon Trail-type activities.^{[citation needed]}

• The Aztek was one of the first automobiles to be designed entirely using computerized rapid-prototyping/rapid-visualization tools^{[citation needed]}.

• The dashboard was designed by NASA contractor Johnson Controls, and featured Pontiac's trademark red lighting scheme along with an optional heads-up display.^[5]

• The Aztek was able to carry within its interior the standard 4 feet (1.2 m) by 8 feet (2.4 m) sheet of plywood, a common and useful task most of its SUV competitors were unable to perform. (note: Aztek carries 4x8 plywood sheets with the tailgate lowered, but the gate doesn't lie completely flat and the large glass liftgate is heavy.^[6] )

• In support of the Aztek's intended role as an accoutrement for a youthful, active lifestyle it offered a number of novel options/accessories, such as a center console that doubled as a removable cooler, a tent/inflatable mattress package that along with a built-in air compressor allowed the Aztek to double as a camper. Extending this image was a seatback mounted backpack, and a number of specialty racks for bicycles, canoes, snowboards and other such objects.

• An optional 10 speaker Pioneer stereo system provided a set of controls located within the rear quarters of the vehicle for tail-gate parties as well as an unusual 2-piece tailgate with built-in cupholders and contoured seating area for added comfort. The Aztek was available in a Limited Edition model in 2004. It featured standard leather trimmed seats, a higher grade stereo system, a rear spoiler, aluminum interior trim, standard heads up display, and an adjustable 6 way driver's seat. The model only lasted for two months.

• The Aztek was also available with two rear cargo area options, a pull-out cargo tray that held up to 400 pounds (180 kg) that rolled on built-in wheels when removed from the vehicle, or a versatile cargo net system that held up to 200 pounds (91 kg) and could be configured a claimed 22 different ways.

[edit] Safety

The IIHS gave the Aztek a Marginal overall score in the frontal offset test. However they did not conduct a side-impact test.^[7]

2004 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings:^[8]

Frontal Driver:

Frontal Passenger:

Side Driver:

Side Rear Passenger:

[edit] Yearly American sales

Calendar Year	Total American sales
2001[9]	27,322
2002	27,793
2003[10]	27,354
2004[11]	20,588
2005	5,020
2006[12]	347
2007[13]	25

[edit] Critics

GM forecast sales of up to 75,000 Azteks per year, and needed to produce 30,000 annually to break even. Just 27,322 were sold in 2001^[14] with more than 50% being sold to captive rental company fleets or used by General Motors executives.^{[citation needed]}

Pricing of the Aztek was also an issue at launch. In addition to being widely criticized for styling, the vehicle was simply too expensive for its intended "Generation X" audience and was priced significantly higher than competing vehicles. After the 2001 model year, the GT model was dropped and pricing was slashed, in addition to extremely generous rebates and cut-rate financing instituted by GM in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

The Aztek was cited derisively numerous times in Steve McConnell's software design book, Code Complete 2: The Pontiac Aztek and the Perils of Design by Committee

The Aztek had among the highest CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) scores in its class, and won the appellation of "Most Appealing Entry Sport Utility Vehicle" in 2001 from J.D. Power and Associates, an independent consumer survey organization who noted: "The Aztek scores highest or second highest in every APEAL component measure except exterior styling."

Just as the 1959 Cadillac represented the zenith and final overextension of the tailfin as a desired styling device, the Aztek's "overuse" of cladding marked a breaking point for the automotive press' and public's acceptance of the ribbed cladding that Pontiac used as its primary styling differentiator for almost 15 years^{[citation needed]}, a styling element introduced with the 1985 Grand Am which quickly spread to all of its models^{[citation needed]}. The restyled 2002 Aztek's body colored cladding eliminated most of the horizontal strakes, and Pontiac began a program at the direction of Bob Lutz to substantially subdue or remove cladding from all of its models^{[citation needed]}.

The Aztek was discontinued after the 2005 model year, and was replaced by the Theta platform Pontiac Torrent. The Aztek's production line in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, was retooled to build the Chevrolet HHR.

[edit] Year to year changes

[edit] 2001

• All new model available as base model and GT both in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, the latter boasting an independent rear suspension.
• In February 2001, a red Aztek served as the pace car for the Daytona 500.^[15]

[edit] 2002

• Cladding smoothed and changed to body colored, front marker light/turn signals changed from amber to clear, spoiler added to rear glass gate.

[edit] 2003

• Aztek "Rally Edition" introduced, which was an option package which featured a lowered front suspension, a larger rear spoiler, body colored grille and 17" chrome wheels.
• DVD entertainment system, XM satellite radio and a tire pressure monitoring system added to the options list.

[edit] 2004

• A CD/MP3 player was added as an available option.

[edit] 2005

• In its final model year, the Aztek gained hands-free operation of its OnStar system.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pontiac Aztek

• Aztek Fan Club

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	Phoenix					Grand Am							Grand Am							Grand Am
Mid-size	LeMans		Bonneville																							G6
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Full-size	Bonneville			Parisienne				Bonneville					Bonneville								Bonneville								G8
	Catalina		Safari
Mid-Size Crossover																						Aztek					Torrent
Minivan											Trans Sport							Trans Sport/Montana								SV6
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