2006 Pontiac G6 Review

Specifications

Rebuilding GM One Model at a Time

There just arent as many personal coupes on the market as there used to be, which makes the introduction of an entirely new one, the Pontiac G6 Coupe, a bit of a celebration.

No doubt General Motors is celebrating the success its Pontiac division is enjoying with the sedan that goes by the same alphanumeric designation even more. Its a strong entry into an almost overwhelmingly challenging midsize market segment, and with its success GM is learning first hand that good products bring positive cash flow.

What makes it so much better than the Grand Am it replaces? Absolutely everything! From styling to interior fit, finish and materials quality, interior room to driving dynamics, the new G6 is a solid step up from the old model.

The new coupe will also go far in changing perceptions new car buyers have about domestic cars. Will it pull Honda Accord Coupe and Toyota Camry Solara owners away from their imports? Possibly some will jump ship and buy into GMs sportiest brand, but more realistically and of equal importance the new G6, in all of its configurations, will do much to slow the exodus of previously loyal customers out of the Generals fold.

There will be three versions of the G6 when the latest two finally arrive on the scene. When will that occur? The coupe will show up in dealerships later this month and the convertible will come to market next January. The retractable hardtop (read convertible with a collapsible metal roof) will be a first for the G6s entry-level midsize segment.

But this model will without doubt be more expensive than any Grand Am owner could have afforded, or at least would have been willing to fork over for a car. And most convertible owners hardly ever drop their tops anyway, with a roof overhead to block the sun and air conditioning pumping cool comfort on all inside.

This is why, for some buyers, a coupe makes a great deal of sense. And despite its two-door layout, which GM says wont hamper ingress and egress for rear passengers, the coupe allows plenty of rear legroom, and then again, a surprising amount of overall seating area. Exactly how much more room? The two-door G6 accommodates two adults in back, in either coupe or convertible guise. Of course, the G6s class-leading 112.3 inch wheelbase is also responsible for the extra legroom needed to accomplish such a feat.

“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.”

And just what levels of outstanding performance was Bunnell referring too? In GTP trim an all-new 3.9L OHV V6 with 240-horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 245 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm should provide plenty of get-up-and-go off the line, especially when mated to the 6-speed manual; which only comes in the G6 coupe and now sedan. The convertible will have to make due with Hydra-Matic 4T65-E 4-speed automatic with manual shift mode, also available on the coupe and sedan.

GT models get GMs 3.5L V6, pumping out 200 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 220 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It comes mated to GMs Hydra-Matic 4T45-E 4-speed automatic with manual shift mode, the only transmission choice.

Like the G6 sedan, both two-door models get an agile 4-wheel independent suspension system with MacPherson struts and aluminum L-shaped control arms plus a direct-acting stabilizer bar up front, and a 4-link independent setup with twin tube shocks and dual-rate mini-block coil springs for the coupe, or mono-tube shocks together with dual-rate mini-block coil springs for the convertible in the rear. While GT models are configured for sporty driving already, stepping up to the GTP will make sure the suspension has been tuned for optimal performance driving. The GTP also adds a hydraulic power steering system, more sport-oriented than the electric one that comes standard.

All two-door G6s get 4-channel ABS equipped 4-wheel disc brakes. Safety in mind, GT and GTP models can be purchased with an enhanced traction system, while Pontiacs Dynamic Vehicle Control System is optional with the GTP.

Seventeen-inch alloy rims come standard on GT and GTP models, while 18-inch wheels and lower-profile performance tires available.

Yes, its pretty easy to see that GM is positioning Pontiac towards more sport-oriented drivers, at least much more so than in previous generations, while other brands under the worlds largest automakers umbrella will offer more comfortable, luxury-biased coupes and convertibles.

“Whether its the coupe or convertible, these cars were designed to perform to the expectations of enthusiast drivers,” added Bunnell.

While targeting those who like to drive, the new G6 coupe will also be nicely appointed. The expected power windows and locks will be standard, as will remote keyless entry. When climbing inside pay heed to the indexing door window glass, which pops 0.25 inches downward when opening and then slides back up into place when the door is fully shut, sealing out exterior noise, odors and climate. A premium audio system will also be part of the package, with a dash-mounted 6CD changer and available XM satellite radio. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and “highly-bolstered” sports seats are also included.

Of course, leather will be offered as will heated seat cushions. A sunroof will be available too, as well as OnStar, strangely unavailable in the convertible. Remote start can be had in either configuration, allowing those in hot or cold climes to cool down or warm up the car prior to getting inside. While this feature is convenient, environmental groups have raised concerns about the negative impact such devices contribute to air quality.

As I mentioned earlier, the G6 coupe is said to offer easy rear-seat entry, thanks mostly to the previously stated extra long wheelbase as well as doors that are 6 inches longer than the G6 sedans front doors, and on average about 2 to 3 inches longer than doors on most rivals coupes. The doors also integrate counterweights which reportedly make them feel light and easy to manage. Of course, longer doors may mean getting out when parked in tight spaces beside other cars is more of a challenge than on the G6 sedan, for instance, but this problem is par for the course with two-door models.

Repeating myself again, rear seat passengers should find room enough to get comfortable, with about 35 inches of rear legroom - about an inch and a half shorter than the extremely accommodating G6 sedan. Pontiac says that headroom is also comparable to the G6 sedan, impressive considering the racy roofline.

That raked roofline differs whether inside a coupe or convertible, especially noticeable in the rear quarter window and C-pillar. The coupe features a kink, similar to that of a BMW, while the convertible quarter glass and C-pillar meet at a point. Both designs are attractive, and completely unique to the shape offered by the sedan, which only shares the same body panels ahead of the A-pillars by the way.

Other distinct coupe and convertible features are angular, wraparound taillamps, and LED Center High Mounted Stop Lamps (CHMSLs). The coupes CHMSL is positioned at the base of the rear window.

What about safety? The coupe gets optional side and head curtain airbags, while dual-stage frontal airbags come standard.

So, with all of these features, top-drawer styling and a price that will without doubt undercut the Japanese, how can Pontiac go wrong? As it seems, theyd have to mess up horribly in some other aspect of customer relations not to turn Grand Am Coupe buyers into owners of the G6 Coupe.

And who knows? Maybe what were seeing here is the new face of General Motors… one that could potentially return to profitability sometime in the near future. That would make a lot of GM executives happy, to say the least.