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Pontiac G6
The Pontiac G6 was a mid-size car released in 2005. It uses the GM Epsilon platform, sharing it with the Chevrolet Malibu, Saab 9-3, Saturn Aura, Opel Vectra, and Cadillac BLS. Introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the G6 is a replacement for the Pontiac Grand Am (which previously shared its platform and components with the Oldsmobile Alero). It is currently reminiscent of the Mitsubishi Galant and Ford Fusion.
See Wikicars' comprehensive Pontiac G6 Review.
Recent Changes
- For 2009, the G6 receives its first mid-cycle facelift. [1]
Styles and Major Options
The 2007 G6 comes available in 4 trim levels: The Value Leader, Base model, GT, and GTP. In addition, the GT and GTP are available in either 4-door sedan or 2-door coupe body styles, and the GT is also available in a convertible. There are 6 engines 4 transmissions available, depending on trim and body style, but all versions come equipped with front wheel drive. Some of the standout features include:
Value Leader
- 2.4L 169hp I-4 engine
- 4-speed automatic transmission w/OD
- 16" steel wheels
- 6-way (2-way power) driver's seat
- Cloth seating trim
- Manual front air conditioning
- 6-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo
- Power windows, locks, mirrors
Base Model
- 2.4L 169hp I-4 engine
- Available 3.5L 224hp V6 engine
- 4-speed automatic transmission w/OD
- 17" silver alloy wheels
- Cruise control
GT Sedan
- 4-speed tip auto w/OD
- ABS and driveline traction control
- 17" alloy wheels
- Premium cloth seating
- Leather steering wheel and leather/chrome shift knob
- 8-speaker Monsoon AM/FM/CD audio system
GT Coupe
- 3.5L 224hp V6 engine
- Available 3.9L 240hp V6 engine
- 4-speed tip auto w/OD
- 6-speed manual transmission w/OD
- Sport suspension
- Rear bucket seats
GT Convertible
GTP
- 3.6L 252hp V6 engine
- 6-speed tip auto w/OD
- StabiliTrak electronic stability control
- 18" polished alloy wheels
- 8-way (6-way power) driver's seat
- Automatic air conditioning
- Rear lip spoiler
Pricing
Today's actual prices for the Pontiac G6 can be found at CarsDirect.
|
G6 Trims |
|||||||||
|
Value Leader |
Base Model |
GT |
GTP |
GT Coupe |
GTP Coupe |
GT Convertible |
GXP Sedan |
GXP Coupe |
Street Edition Package |
|
MSRP |
|||||||||
|
$17,175 |
$18,730 |
$22,310 |
$24,580 |
$22,080 |
$24,380 |
$28,680 |
$26,795 |
$26,595 |
GXP + $990 |
|
Invoice |
|||||||||
|
$16,230 |
$17,699 |
$21,082 |
$23,228 |
$20,865 |
$23,039 |
$27,102 |
$Price |
$Price |
$Price |
Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:
|
Trim |
|||||
|
MPG |
|||||
|
23/33 |
20/30 |
20/28 |
20/28 |
18/27 |
17/24 |
Reliability
According to Consumer Reports, reliability is well below average. There seem to be problems with the Panoramic sunroof option. It has been reportedly the cause of severe wind noise and in some cases may actually leak. For the 2008 model year the option has been deleted.
Another issue is reported cases of batteries running flat. The problem has been, in some cases, traced to a faulty body control module that continues to draw current even when the vehicle is shut down.
- RECALL ALERT: On March 13, 2009, GM issued a recall alert affecting 276, 729 cars, namely all Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet HHR, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Pontiac G5, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura and Saturn Outlook built for the 2009 model year, due to a loose clip on their transmission shift cable. The failure of the clip to be locked into place may prevent the transmission from moving into Park. This recall is filed under the NHTSA Campaign ID Number 09V073000. [2]
Safety
The 2007 G6 received high marks from the NHTSA. For passenger front-impact crash tests and tests for rollover, the G6 received 4-Star ratings, and for driver front-impact and all side-impact crash tests, it received the highest 5-Star rating. Some of the standard safety equipment found on all trim levels of the G6 includes:
- Front and rear anti-roll bars
- Driver/passenger front-impact airbags
- 1st/2nd row overhead airbags
- Occupancy sensors
- Side impact bars
- Ignition disable
- Security system
The G6 also recieved the highest rating of "Good" from the IIHS, for frontal offset testing. All models with side and side curtain airbags recieved a score of "Acceptable".
Photos
Colors
Available color combinations will vary, depending on trim, and a full list is viewable on CarsDirect.com. Some of the possible choices include:
Exterior
- Black
- Crimson Red
- Dark Steel Gray Metallic
- Emerald Green Metallic
- Granite Metallic
- Liquid Silver Metallic
- Sedona Beige Metallic
Interior
- Ebony
- Ebony/Morocco
- Light Taupe
Main Competitors
- Mazda Mazda6
- Volkswagen Passat
- Honda Accord
- Toyota Camry
- Hyundai Sonata
- Buick Lucerne
- Dodge Charger
- Toyota Avalon
- Kia Amanti
Hybrid Models
There are currently no hybrid models of the G6 in production.
Unique Attributes
Resale Values
According to Kelley Blue Book, "The G6 is projected to hold only average residual values, retaining slightly more than half its purchase price after the first 24 months. That's on par with the Ford Fusion and better than the Dodge Stratus, but far below the marks held by the Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta and Mazda Mazda6."
Criticisms
- "If we had our druthers, we'd replace the way-bright chrome surrounds on the gauges with brushed rings and find better-shaped, more supportive seats." - Car and Driver
- "There's nothing special about the G6 engine-it's a 3.5-liter pushrod V6 with 200 horsepower and lacks the sophistication of overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder." - MSN Autos
- "Available Panoramic roof steals headroom, forcing taller passengers to scrunch uncomfortably." - Consumer Guide
- "Equipped with this so-called sport suspension, we expected the GT to be, well, sporty. It wasn't." - Car and Driver
- "While the G6 offers decent handling to back up its sporty looks, the base and GT models are not terribly quick and feature slow-shifting automatic transmissions as standard equipment. Interior plastics are not up to the standards set by Mazda and Honda." - Kelley Blue Book
- "Bumps cause slight knocking in front end." - Consumer Guide
Current Generation: (2007–Present)
Although the G6 was new to the public, in many respects it could be considered the sixth generation of the Grand Am, even though that name was retired. Within a year, this new car 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.
Pontiac introduced a coupé convertible version of the G6 at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show. The G6 convertible began arriving on dealership lots during the Spring of 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.
The other bodystyles available are coupe and sedan. 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. Sales now rely on incentives and fleet deals."
Beginning in April 2005, the G6 became one of the first General Motors vehicles since the electric-powered EV1 to wear a "GM" badge. It is placed on both fenders behind the front wheels. Currently, all GM vehicles wear similar badges.
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, Michigan assembly plant closed. Most of the 3,500 workers affected will be moved to the new Delta Township, Michigan assembly plant in late 2006. The G6 is produced in the Orion Township, Michigan assembly plant.
Engine
The G6 base comes standard with the 2.4 L Ecotec four cylinder engine.
The GT Model 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.
New for 2006, the G6 GTP comes with GM's 3.9 L LZ9 engine, producing 240 hp (179 kW) and 241 ft·lbf (327 N·m) of torque.
In 2007 the 3.9 L V6 will go into the GT + Sport Package, making way for the 3.6 L V6 and the new 6-speed automatic in the GTP.
GXP
Pontiac unveiled a G6 GXP concept at the 2006 New York Auto Show in April. It includes a lowered suspension and redesigned front clip with an integrated air dam and more chrome on the grille. A twin air-scoop hood will be most noticeable, however, as will the 19 in wheels. The GXP concept uses a 270 hp (201 kW) and 259 ft·lbf (351 N·m) version of the 3.9 L High Value V6.
Worldwide
Design quirks and oddities
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.
Awards
See also
References
- CanadianDriver Communications, Inc. (2004). Pontiac G6 sports sedan on sale this Fall!. Retrieved January 11, 2004 from http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/040105-1.html
- 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
External links
This page uses content from Wikipedia; see Pontiac G6, which includes these contributors.
