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Pontiac GTO

4353 messages,  Last post on Oct 13, 2010 at 5:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Pontiac GTO, Coupe

Messages Page 320 of 436

#3188 of 4353 by exalteddragon1

Aug 04, 2005 (1:23 pm)


 
"Rear drive is back at GM--and not just at Cadillac. GM's new rear-drive Zeta platform will make its debut in Australia in April 2006 with the launch of the all-new Holden Commodore sedan and Monaro coupe. But the versatile Zeta--which will be built in long-wheelbase form for Holden's upscale Statesman and also with all-wheel drive for its crossover and pickup models--also is scheduled to spawn a bunch of American GM cars besides the new GTO. They include:
 
• Pontiac G8: A rear-drive sport sedan designed to replace the front-drive Grand Prix and the recently discontinued Bonneville.
• Chevrolet Chevelle: A midsize Chevrolet coupe tipped to revive this classic nameplate
• Buick Velite: A halo car based on the 2004 New York show convertible concept; originally meant to be a Chrysler 300-fighting sedan appearing in 2007.
 
In addition, GM is said to be working on a smaller rear-drive platform that fits between Kappa and Zeta. The genesis behind this new platform is a concept car, called the Torana TT36, designed and developed in Australia by Holden. Developed under the codename XP54, scale clay models of the car were shown to GM product czar Bob Lutz, design chief Ed Wellburn, and North American engineering VP Jim Queen in February 2004.
 
Holden boss Denny Mooney pushed the idea of what Holden sources call a "unique lower dominant structure" (i.e., platform) designed to "expand the GM parts bin." Known by some sources as Beta, this platform is now believed to be a live program that could be used for the following:
 
• Holden Torana: A smaller rear-drive car designed to fit below the GTO-size Commodore sedan. The TT36 concept was a five-door hatch powered by a 375-horse twin-turbo version of the new high-feature 3.6-liter V-6.
• Chevy Camaro: One of the most iconic names in the Chevrolet pantheon. The smaller Beta platform would distance the Camaro from the GTO and actually take the nameplate back to its ponycar roots. GM promised the Canadian Auto Workers it wouldn't build a new Camaro unless it was in a Canadian factory, so it's either a Great White North plant or a new name.
• Pontiac G4: A little brother for the G8, though where this might fit against the G6 is unclear. So how about ditching the meaningless numbers and call the G8 the Le Mans and the G4 the Tempest and leave the G6 for the ladies?"

#3189 of 4353 Re: [exalteddragon1] by gxpgtodanman

Aug 04, 2005 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: exalteddragon1 (Aug 04, 2005 1:23 pm)
That would be nice. The 2 door version of the new Rear-drive Zeta that will replace the Holden Monaro 2 door may not be ready until 2007 or 2008

#3190 of 4353 Cyclone Gray GTO by mitsurob

Aug 04, 2005 (8:06 pm)

I took delivery of my 05 GTO in early July. So far so good. I think the overall design and look is great and does not look like a "sleeper" like others have mentioned. The hood scoops and rear exhaust pipes are a big improvement over the 04. I do have one inquiry that maybe others might comment on. When removing the ignition key, it seems a little hard to pull out. Once out, and then if you re-insert it, the key moves in and out easily. Just wondering if this is normal? Other than that, the car has been great. No rattles, real solid suspension and a fun ride.! Just wish I had that sunroof!

#3191 of 4353 Re: hammen2 [gxpgtodanman] by elkiii

Aug 04, 2005 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: gxpgtodanman (Aug 03, 2005 11:37 am)
Interesting data. These numbers aren't really out of line with the current production/sales numbers. One thing to remember is that back prior 1964 if you wanted a big engine you had to buy a big car, or do it yourself.
 
In the early days there wasn't much competition for the GTO so the sales number were higher. As more manufacturers copied the GTO method (big engine in a lighter, for the times, body) sales numbers would have dropped.
 
There was never a huge market for muscle cars. Thats what made them special. True, the Mustangs and Camaro/Firebird sold a fair number of cars. But for the most part these were low-end 6 cylinder and small (mostly 2-barrel) V8s, not the monster 396/428/429 versions or the Boss 302 or chevy 302 versions.
 
Today is much the same for the Mustang. The bulk of the sales are V6 with the GT counting for much smaller numbers.
 
Today there are any number of performance cars of many different stripes competing with the GTO. I'd guess the overall numbers of different models is larger than what was available in the late 60s. Also I think the sales numbers are for cars like the WRX STi, BMW M3, and yes the Mustang GT (NOT the v6) are comparable If Pontiac can sell 11,000 to 12,000 per year they're doing really well with such a car.

#3192 of 4353 Re: Cyclone Gray GTO [mitsurob] by gxpgtodanman

Aug 05, 2005 (3:27 am)

Replying to: mitsurob (Aug 04, 2005 8:06 pm)
I hvae the same problem with the ignition key being slightly hard to pull, otherwise perfect. Perfect too. Webasto does a sunroof for the GTO for $1200, not bad. I have heard g ood things about them.

#3193 of 4353 Re: [exalteddragon1] by hammen2

Aug 05, 2005 (6:41 am)

Replying to: exalteddragon1 (Aug 04, 2005 1:23 pm)
The info in your post is all old.
 
There is no/will be no Beta. Buick is NOT getting a RWD coupe (sedan maintains a possibility) - they are getting a FWD Epsilon. Large Chevy RWD coupe? Maybe not. Rumor is a cheaper Sigma (no IRS) will become a Camaro-type car/Mustang competitor:
http://autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102918
 
The GTO (GMX282) and G8 (Grand Prix replacement, GMX284) are a go, though. A really bad Photoshop of an ugly-looking (IMHO) vehicle can be seen at:
http://autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102907
 
The Torana actually misled people - they thought it was a potential new car from Holden, when in fact it was a styling prototype for the upcoming, much larger Commodore. We should see pics sometime in September (Sydney Auto Show), which may give hints to the next-gen GTO and G8/Grand Prix.
 
--Robert

#3194 of 4353 Re: [hammen2] by elkiii

Aug 05, 2005 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: hammen2 (Aug 05, 2005 6:41 am)
I don't know. Maybe the real one will look better. This looks like they want to go after the "look at me" Mustang crowd. That could be a mistake. Also noticed the tidbit at the end of the article. If they go ahead with the rear-hinged doors I wonder how that'll affect structural rigidity. I know Saturn and Mazda use these but in the case of the RX8, the entire platform was designed with the rear hinged doors in mind.

#3195 of 4353 too-bright MPH on dash / mpg / antenna modulator by elias

Aug 05, 2005 (12:48 pm)

dealer reported that the TSB for the too-bright-mph-indicator only applies to 04s and they can't change the brightness of my 05's MPH indicator on the dash. harumph.
for the AM radio problem they had to order an antenna modulator and could not predict how long it would take.
body shop appt is in another couples weeks.
so i'm picking up the car and in the meantime maybe will only drive it if the red sox aren't playing. i'll miss the morning sports-radio-rants from 850AM/dennis-and-connolly though. oh well, the GTO exhaust note will make up for that, i suppose.
as for no 30 mpg at 90 to 100 mph, ok, i agree 30 mpg would be a stretch. but with my 1989 IRAQ-Z28 i didn't have any trouble getting 28 mpg at about 90 mph on a cross-country-cruise. (i named it thusly because i drove it cross-country during the 1991 war - the ground-war started after i left, and ended before i got to california).

#3196 of 4353 Re: [hammen2] by exalteddragon1

Aug 05, 2005 (2:09 pm)

Replying to: hammen2 (Aug 05, 2005 6:41 am)
if you click on the pic it links you to my source. I just posted the latest data i could find. Hope the camaro will be back though, and the firebird, or just keep the GTO.

#3197 of 4353 Re: [hammen2] by bumpy

Aug 05, 2005 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: hammen2 (Aug 05, 2005 6:41 am)
Judging by the styling of the Torana concept's nose, this may not be too far off from the VE:

Messages Page 320 of 436

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