2008
PONTIAC NEW CAR MODEL GUIDE
 Pontiac,
the performance-driven division of General
Motors, promotes sport-tuned coupes, slick
sedans and car-based crossover utility
vehicles (CUV). For 2008, Pontiac adds
firepower with new GXP editions for the
mid-size G6 coupe and sedan, as well as
Tthe orrent CUV.
 Solstice
Pontiac's two-seat roadster looks swift
with a long nose, mid-ship cockpit and
stubby tail crowned by dual nacelle blisters
trailing behind seatbacks. Built on GM's
rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Kappa platform,
the roadster has 50/50 weight distribution
with independent suspension, Bilstein
monotube shocks, 18-inch alloy wheels
and all-season tires. For the base engine,
Solstice employs GM's Ecotec 2.4-liter,
in-line four-cylinder engine netting 177
horsepower through a five-speed manual
stick or five-speed automatic. The Solstice
GXP features a twin-cam 2.0-liter Ecotec
four-in-line with direct-injection turbo-charging
and air-to-air inter-cooling. It zips
to 260 horsepower.
 G6
Riding on a long, front-wheel-drive (FWD)
platform, Pontiac's mid-size cars comes
as sleek four-door sedans, sporty two-door
coupes and cool hardtop convertibles.
The G6 base sedan packs GM's 2.4-liter
Ecotec four-in-line engine and a four-speed
automatic shifter. The GT model draws
from a 3.5-liter V6 making 219 horsepower
through a four-speed automatic with manual
shift mode, while the new GXP coupe and
sedan use a dual-cam, 3.6-liter V6 with
variable valve timing (VVT) to generate
252 horsepower via a six-speed automatic.
The GXP models wear modified fascias front
and rear with leather-covered seating.
 G5
The compact-class G5 from Pontiac conforms
as a slickback, two-door coupe. Its architecture
— GM's Delta platform — is shared
with the Cobalt from Chevrolet and Saturn's
Ion. The G5 comes in two trims, each with
a different Ecotec four-in-line engine.
The base model uses a 2.2-liter plant,
while a dual-cam, 2.4-liter VVT Ecotec
worth 173 horsepower motivates the sporty
GT edition. Air conditioning and a load
of power equipment apply even to the base
G5 models, with new standard safety gear
like curtain-style side air bags and a
tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
on board. However, the GT gets additional
features like GM's StabiliTrak skid controls.
 G8
Pontiac's new G8 performance sedan rolls
out in early 2008 as the first North American
application of GM's global RWD architecture.
The G8 is available in both the V6-powered
base edition and the V8-powered GT. The
entry model uses a dual-cam, 3.6-liter
V6 with VVT. It rates at 261 horsepower
and links to a five-speed automatic with
manual shift mode. The G8 GT rocks with
a 6.0-liter, small-block V8 posted to
362 horsepower through a six-speed automatic
with manual shifting. The G8's V8 also
features Active Fuel Management (AFM)
technology to pare cylinders when the
boosted power is not needed.
 Grand
Prix
Pontiac's mid-size Grand Prix presents
curvy styling on a four-door body, offering
a big cabin with flexible, flip-and-fold
seating. For 2008, there are two trim
designations available, each with a different
engine. The entry edition Grand Prix pulls
from GM's 3.8-liter V6 racked to 200 horsepower.
The performance-geared Grand Prix GXP
has a 5.3-liter aluminum V8 with AFM,
which rips to 303 horsepower. Body enhancements
go to the GXP model with new front and
rear fascias plus rocker extensions. New
paint shades show up for 2008 as well,
like Gold Mist Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic
and Dark Slate Metallic available.
 Torrent
The mid-size Pontiac CUV runs large for
its compact class, with a broad track
and extended wheelbase. The Torrent cabin
contains front buckets and a rear, three-place
bench that slides fore and aft by eight
inches, varying legroom and cargo space.
Two available traction versions —
FWD and AWD — pack safety equipment
like anti-lock brakes and StabiliTrak
skid controls. The base Torrent uses a
3.4-liter V6, which generates 185 horsepower
with an automatic five-speed shifter.
The new Torrent GXP, with a dropped suspension
and 18-inch wheels, employs the dual-cam
3.6-liter VVT V6 for 263 horsepower off
a six-speed automatic.
 Vibe
The fuel efficient Vibe crossover wagon
— charted for FWD traction —
mixes the spry road manners of a small
sports sedan with the cargo capability
of a SUV. It's part sports car, part station
wagon and part thrifty runabout that's
not only practical, but fun to drive.
The sole trim for 2008 stocks a dual-cam,
1.8-liter VVT four-cylinder engine, which
musters 126 horsepower with a five-speed
manual or optional four-speed automatic
shifter. The Vibe offers choices such
as four-wheel ABS brakes, StabiliTrak
skid controls and 17-inch alloy wheels.
For
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