Pontiac G6

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Pontiac G6

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2004-present
Model year(s)	2005–present
Assembly	Lake Orion, Michigan, United States
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 F40 manual 4-speed 4T45 automatic 6-speed 6T40 automatic (from 2009.5) 6-speed 6T70 automatic (GTP models)
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 gal (61 L; 13 imp gal)
Related	Fiat Croma Cadillac BLS Chevrolet Malibu Opel Signum Opel Vectra Saab 9-3 Saturn Aura

The Pontiac G6 is a mid-size car produced under the Pontiac brand of American automaker General Motors. It was introduced in the fall of 2004 to replace the Grand Am.^[1] The car is built off the GM Epsilon platform which it shares with the Chevrolet Malibu and Saab 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.^[2] New features included a remote starting system as well as a panoramic sunroof option.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Safety 3 2005 GXP concept 4 Marketing 5 Motorsports 6 Yearly United States sales 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Overview

When the G6 was introduced in 2005, it had two trim levels, base V6 and sportier GT. Both engines, however, used a 3.5L pushrod V6 producing 200 horsepower and 220 lb/ft of torque. Matched to a four-speed automatic transmission, the GT featured TAPshift, where the driver could select the gears manually. Base models were well equipped, featuring power locks, windows and mirrors with keyless entry, 6 speaker CD stereo, power drivers seat, air conditioning and split folding rear seat. GTs added an 8 speaker Monsoon stereo, premium cloth seats with 6 way adjustment, remote start, ABS and traction control.

In 2006, the G6 added two new trim levels and two new bodystyles, a coupe and a retractable hard top convertible. The new trims were a new base four-cylinder trim (sometimes referred to as "SE"), and the high performance GTP. Coupes and Convertibles were available in GT and GTP trims only. The new base model used a 167 horsepower, 2.4L DOHC inline-4, mated to a 4 speed automatic transmission. The 3.5L V6 was now part of a sport-package on the base/SE, and remained standard on the GT. The new GTP used a 3.9L version of the GT's 3.5L V6, but also utilizes Variable-Valve Timing (VVT), increasing output to 240. A four-speed automatic transmission was standard, but for no cost, a six-speed manual was available. The 6 speed and 3.9L combination produced a 0-60 time of an impressive 6.4 seconds. The GTP convertible was not available with the manual transmission and reduced it's horsepower to 227, due to a more restrictive exhaust system. The GTP also features stability control, not available on other G6 models.

The 2007 G6 saw more engine changes, and standard side torso and side curtain airbags was new. The GT now featured VVT on its 3.5L V6, raising horsepower from 200 to 224. The 3.9L V6 became an option on the GT, producing 227 horsepower in automatic transmission form and 240 horsepower in manual transmission form. The GTP was given a new 3.6L DOHC V6 with 24 valves and VVT, producing 252 horsepower. It is mated to a 6 speed automatic transmission. Midway through the model year the 6-speed was dropped with the 3.9L, along with its 240 horsepower output. The GTP convertible was also discontinued. For 2008, the GTP became the GXP with more dramatic styling cues, and the 3.9L engine became an exclusive convertible option, with horsepower down to 222. SAE ratings also dropped the horsepower ratings on the 2.4L and 3.5L models to 164 and 219 (217 on convertibles), respectively.

For 2009, the G6 4-cylinder sedan adds a sport package that adds the GTP's 6-speed automatic transmission. Midway through the model year, the G6 was given a facelift, with a revised front and rear fascia as well as a revision on the interior. 2009.5 also marks the availability of a four-cylinder engine on the coupe for the first time.

[edit] Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Pontiac G6 an overall Good score in the frontal offset crash test^[3] but an Acceptable score in the side impact crash test even though newer model year G6's feature standard side airbags. The lower side impact score is due to a marginal rating for the structure/safety cage category.^[4]

[edit] 2005 GXP concept

The 2005 GXP concept was built by General Motors Performance Division. It includes a 3.6L HO VVTI V6 engine rated 275hp, F40 6-speed manual transmission, performance intake, GM Performance cat-back exhaust with bright tips, and 19-inch wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE040 255 series tires. It was unveiled in 2004 SEMA show, and was later sold at eBay Motors.^[5] The bid ended in 2009-05-03 with winning bid price of US $16,500.00.^[6]

[edit] 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 the talk 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.

[edit] Motorsports

The G6 is currently used in the GT class of 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.^[7]

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 custom tube-frame chassis is not at all based on the road car's chassis and the 6-speed gearbox delivers power to the rear wheels. The front and rear fenders flared to cover the wide, 18-inch wheels and class-spec Hoosier racing tires. A rear wing reminiscent of sports option package on the race car is fitted at the back, underneath the proper racing rear wing.^[8]

The G6 GXP will also race in the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock class.

[edit] Yearly United States sales

Calendar Year	Total American sales
2004[9]	16,185
2005	124,844
2006[10]	157,644
2007	150,001
2008[11]	140,240

[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=

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pontiac G6

• Official site

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Type	1980s										1990s										2000s										2010
	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	0
Subcompact	Sunbird	T1000/1000							LeMans																					G3
Compact			J2000/2000 Sunbird/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
Mid-Size Crossover																						Aztek					Torrent
Minivan											Trans Sport							Trans Sport/Montana								SV6
Sports	Firebird		Firebird											Firebird
																									GTO
					Fiero
Roadster																											Solstice