Pontiac G6

Hot off the buzz following the recently-debuted Pontiac G6 sedan, GM’s “performance” division is out to reclaim the driving enthusiast buyers who may have strayed to other brands in the recent years. The latest Pontiacs to step to the plate at the Los Angeles Auto Show are two sleek G6 derivatives and a crossover based on the Chevrolet Equinox.

Rolling the dice, GM decided to go ahead with making a coupe and convertible derivative of the G6 midsize sedan. Though the market hasn’t exactly been entirely hot for midsize coupe/convertibles lately, Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda have continued to stick it out with their Solara coupe/convertible and Accord coupe. However, GM has spotted a potential opening due to the fact that the aforementioned heavyweights (the Solara, specifically) aren’t exactly performance-oriented 2+2’s.

Enter the G6 coupe and convertibles, midsize front-wheel-drivers bent on claiming a little bit of the market back for the red, white, and blue. “The G6 coupe and convertible are uniquely Pontiac vehicles that are great additions to the family started by the G6 sedan,” said Jim Bunnell, Pontiac-GMC general manager. “The G6 coupe delivers outstanding performance and generous interior room, and the G6 is the only hardtop convertible that has room for four adults.”

Pontiac G6 Coupe

You heard that right, the G6 convertible has a Karmann-designed hardtop that that operates at the touch of a single button to transform it from coupe to convertible in about 30 seconds. The G6’s class-leading 112.3-inch wheelbase insures that the coupe and convertible can truly fit 2+2 people, rather than just squeeze poor souls into miniature back seats like sardines. Extra long doors make ingress and egress a less painful process than in some competitors.

Style-wise, the coupe and convertible continue with the sleek, minimalist approach of the G6 sedan. Gone is the ribbed plastic body cladding of yore, replaced with swooping lines and heavily raked rooflines. Though, interestingly, the rear of the coupe is slightly reminiscent of the Toyota Solara, the overall execution is much better. Though the final product may not be to everyone’s liking, Pontiac must be applauded for relying on good design rather than tacky add-ons to provide exterior excitement.

A double-hinged trunk lid facilitates stowing the top of the G6 convertible. It opens like a conventional trunk for cargo storage, but is reverse-hinged to accept the folding hardtop. A hard tonneau cover automatically appears as part of the hardtop retraction process, and there is no visible “stack” when the top is down – it simply disappears into the storage compartment. It operates with the touch of a single button, and the entire process takes less than 30 seconds. When the top is stowed, the trunk provides 1.8 cubic feet (61 liters) of cargo space. With the top up, trunk capacity increases to 5.8 cubic feet (164 liters). Not large by sedan measures, but what do you expect?

Pontiac G6 Coupe

The interior of the G6 coupe and convertibles is pretty much the same as the one in the G6 sedan. That is to say, not bad. While perhaps not up to Honda Accord standards, it is decidedly better than most of Pontiac’s previous works. Some features include:

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and highly-bolstered sports seats
• Available leather and heated seating
• Premium audio system with in-dash six-CD changer
• Dual-stage frontal air bags
• Available side and head curtain air bags (coupe only)
• Available remote start
• Available sunroof (coupe only)
• XM Satellite Radio available
• OnStar available (coupe only)

The G6 coupe and convertible will come in two trim levels, GT and GTP. The GT is powered by a 3.5L V6 with 200hp and 220 ft-lbs of torque. The GTP comes with a 3.9L V6 that pumps out 240hp and 245 ft-lbs of torque. A six-speed manual is standard in the G6 coupe while a four-speed automatic is also available (and standard in the convertible).

All G6 models come with a four-wheel independent suspension system that features MacPherson struts in the front and a four-link design in the rear. Similar to the G6 sedan, the coupe and convertible models are tuned to provide a controlled, sporty ride with reduced body roll during cornering. GTP models are tuned for optimal performance driving, including the use of a hydraulic power steering system. All models come with four-wheel disc brakes and ABS. Traction control and Dynamic Vehicle Control is available. 17-inch wheels are standard on the GT and GTP, with 18-inch wheels available. The G6 convertible comes standard with 18-inchers.

Pontiac Torrent

The other major Pontiac model debut was the new Torrent, a crossover SUV clearly based off of the Equinox. Since it’s not exactly something new, we won’t spend too much time on it. Basically, take a Chevy Equinox and add a Pontiac front end to it and you have what this thing is. Though considered to be a compact SUV, it is larger than many vehicles in its class. As such, it needs the 185 hp 3.4L V6 – and probably more. Front wheel drive is standard, though all wheel drive is available. Other features include:

• Five-passenger seating
• Power door locks with remote keyless entry
• Power windows
• Air conditioning
• Rear liftgate with defogger and washer/wiper
• CD stereo with six speakers
• Multi-position sliding and folding 60/40-split rear seat
• Flat-folding front passenger seat for longer cargo items
• Fog lamps
• 16-inch aluminum wheels
• Four-channel ABS standard on AWD (available on FWD)
• Dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags