Pontiac Vibe

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Pontiac Vibe
2006 Pontiac Vibe
Manufacturer: NUMMI (General Motors/Toyota)
Production: 2003–present
Class: Compact
Body style: 4-door station wagon
Engine: 1.8 L 1ZZ-FE I4
1.8 L 2ZZ-GE I4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 102.4 in
Length: 171.9 in
Width: 69.9 in
Height: 62.2 in
Related: Toyota Matrix
Toyota Voltz
Similar: Dodge Caliber
Ford Focus
Mazda3
Subaru Impreza
Suzuki SX4

The Pontiac Vibe is a car produced in Fremont, California, in the United States by NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc), a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota. It is a short and tall station wagon that is being marketed as a trendy, quasi-SUV vehicle for younger buyers. Prototypes were shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2000 and production vehicles came on the market in 2002 for the 2003 model year.

Toyota markets the same vehicle in North America as the Toyota Matrix. Due to lack of capacity at the NUMMI plant in Fremont, the Matrix is produced at a Toyota plant in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

The car features a standard household-style 115 volt AC electrical outlet so that common electrical devices can be used inside the car without a separate inverter.

The Vibe is available in an economical base model, a "sporty" GT trim with more power, or an all-wheel drive model.

Powertrains available for this car are a 1.8 L I4 16-valve engine producing 126 hp on the base model (manual or automatic transmission), 118 hp on the all-wheel drive model (automatic only), or a version with VVTL-i producing 164 hp for the GT (manual 6-speed only). The Vibe is currently the most fuel efficient vehicle sold by GM in North America.

There have been some minor changes between model years. The Vibe was first produced in 2002 and went on sale as a 2003 model. Horsepower ratings for the first three model years were slightly higher, with the GT up to 180 hp, the base model rated at 130 hp, and the all-wheel drive model rated at 126 hp. Engine power claims decreases to current levels for 2006, as a result of Toyota's re-testing of its engines for the new SAE ratings standard.

2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe
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2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe
2005-2006 Pontiac Vibe
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2005-2006 Pontiac Vibe

The front fascia was freshened in the 2005 model year. In an attempt to 'converge' the Pontiac look, the front grill was restyled to resemble the look of the Pontiac Solstice, also adopted by other vehicles in the Pontiac line.

The all-wheel drive and GT versions will be dropped after 2006 due to poor sales and new federal emissions standards, leaving only the base Vibe. The Vibe is equipped with GM's OnStar and XM Satellite Radio. The Vibe is GM's most fuel-efficient car in North America. The Pontiac Vibe has great cargo room and has lots of features. The Detroit Auto Show will release the new 2008 Pontiac Vibe. The new 2008 model will begin sales as early as April 2007.

[edit] Toyota Voltz

Main article: Toyota Voltz

The Vibe was exported to the Japanese market (with minor badging changes) and sold as the Toyota Voltz from 2002 to 2004.

[edit] Scale models

Road Signature has manufactured two diecast models of the Vibe; a 1:18 scale version of the 2003 Vibe GTP show car and a 1/24 stock Vibe GT. In Mattel's Hot Wheels line, a Vibe is available in about 1/64 scale.


Pontiac road car timeline, United States market, 1960s-present - [edit]
1960s 1970s 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 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Subcompact T1000/1000 LeMans
Compact Astre Sunbird J2000/2000 Sunbird/Sunbird Sunfire G5
Compact/Mid-size Ventura Phoenix Grand Am G6
Mid-size Coupe Tempest Grand Am Grand Am Grand Prix GTO
Sedan 6000 Grand Prix G8
Intermediate LeMans Bonneville
Personal Grand Prix
Full-size Bonneville / Catalina / Star Chief / Executive Parisienne Bonneville
Crossover Vibe
Aztek Torrent
Minivan Trans Sport Montana SV6
Sports Firebird/Trans Am Solstice
2-seater Fiero

[edit] External links

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