Pontiac G6

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Pontiac G6

Manufacturer	Pontiac
Parent company	General Motors
Production	2005–present
Assembly	Lake Orion, Michigan
Predecessor	Pontiac Grand Am
Class	Mid-size
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	GM Epsilon platform
Engine	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	6-speed manual 4-speed automatic 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	112.3 in
Length	189.0 in (sedan) 189.1 in (coupe)
Width	70.6 in (sedan) 70.4 in (coupe)
Height	57.1 in (sedan) 56.4 in (coupe)
Fuel capacity	16 US gal
Related	Saab 9-3 Chevrolet Malibu Saturn Aura Opel Vectra Cadillac BLS
Similar	Mitsubishi Galant Nissan Altima Toyota Camry

Pontiac G6 Coupe

Pontiac G6 Convertible Hardtop

The Pontiac G6 is a mid-size car released in late 2004 for the 2005 model year. It uses the GM Epsilon platform, sharing it with the Cadillac BLS, Chevrolet Malibu, Opel Vectra, Saab 9-3, and Saturn Aura. Introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the G6 is a replacement for the Pontiac Grand Am.

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 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]}

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, 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^[1]^[2]. GM leads all other automakers in Stategic Vision's Total Quality Index (TQI) ^[3]

Pontiac introduced a coupe convertible version of the G6 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]}

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. Nevertheless, G6 sales grew +20% in 2006 over 2005 after all bodystlyes were released, and 45% of its sales come from outside GM.

1 Plant
2 Engines
3 GXP
4 References
5 References
6 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, Michigan assembly plant in late 2006. The G6 is produced at Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Michigan.

Oprah Winfrey giving a G6 to every audience member on her show.

[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.

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). Convertible models have 217 hp (162 kW) and 217 ft·lbf (294 N·m) of torque. 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.

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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