High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
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High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
Interesting article:
http://highperformancepontiac.com/ho...ns_am_concept/
Could this be the rumored big news that is going to be announced this weekend at the New York Autoshow? In a recent thread, someone mentioned the news will be as big as the unveiling of the Camaro.
http://highperformancepontiac.com/ho...ns_am_concept/
Deja vu 1974--gas prices are high and the GTO is once again cancelled for the following year. Buick-Pontiac-GMC General Manager John Larson broke the news to dealers in a video clip on Tuesday, February 21, 2006. He says the cancellation of the GTO is due to '07 airbag standards that cannot be met with the current car. We're sure it didn't hurt that the GTO sold only 15,728 units in 2004 and just 11,069 in 2005, while it was scheduled for production of 18,000 for those two years. The possible peripheral reasons are many--some cite a snubbing by the GTO faithful, others say it was too expensive, and still more lament the body styling. While we all can be Monday morning quarterbacks, the fact remains that Pontiac once again will be without a rear-drive V-8 performance car by 2007. But for how long? Just over a week after the cancellation notice, we seemingly got an answer.
General Motors Vice President for Global Product Development Bob Lutz stated during the Geneva motor show that a new GTO would arrive based on the new Camaro's and Holden Commodore's Zeta platform in late 2008, as reported by AutoWeek.
HPP contacted Jim Hopson, Pontiac GMC Manager of Communications for confirmation. On March 6, 2006, Jim stated, "Nothing has been confirmed yet. There is nothing on the production schedule, but Bob Lutz's comments are very intriguing, and we have been working toward this. However, we have nothing to announce at this point."
Possibly, all will be confirmed by the time you read this magazine. Our questions, which remain unanswered at this time, are as follows:
* Will the GTO be released at the same time as the Camaro?
* Hopson shared that one of the problems GM was facing bringing the Camaro and GTO to market was the cost of its proposed platform Zeta. "It was too expensive in its original configuration to keep the retail price point where it needed to be, so the program was put on hold." We heard rumors of a possible Zeta-Lite based on design changes to Zeta that would provide cost reductions. Will the new GTO, Camaro, and Commodore be built on this Zeta-Lite platform?
* Will the GTO be built in the United States, or Australia alongside the Commodore sedan?
* Which engine(s) will power the GTO, and how will its power rating compare with the Camaro?
* And what of a rumored Firebird rebirth?
Check the various enthusiast and auto-related news Web sites, and it's claimed the Camaro is on its way, and a Firebird won't be far behind. At Geneva, however, Lutz reportedly said no to reviving the Firebird. Are the Web sites getting accurate Deep Throat inside information, or is it simply wishful thinking directed toward the hope of a self-fulfilling prophecy? Time will tell.
Whatever the case, the current GTO is a great-performing car even if it hasn't sold well. When production ends, the performance division of GM will be lacking a model with a V-8 torturing the rear tires for two years. Currently, Ford can't build Mustangs fast enough, Dodge has the Charger and the Magnum on the road, and its Challenger concept is driving everyone crazy, much like the Camaro. As you can see, from a performance standpoint, Pontiac can ill afford not to field a competitive model should all these retro-performers continue to grow in popularity.
Despite Lutz's current comments on the likelihood of a new Firebird, aficionados of the model who have held out hope for a resurrection since the F-body's demise in 2002 see the Camaro as a great opportunity do reintroduce the legendary ponycar.
HPP reader Kevin Morgan has provided us with his take on a modern-day Trans Am should GM decide to change its corporate mind, and Kevin's illustration has been popular fodder for hobbyists. "I honestly never dreamed that these drawings would create such a stir." Kevin told us, regarding the Internet buzz over his series of drawings on www.transamcountry.com. "I drew them because of my love for the Trans Am and love of drawing. I just wish we could get our Firebirds and Trans Ams back!" Perhaps if we yell loud enough, GM will oblige, or will the Pontiac-buying masses be satisfied instead with an all-new GTO? What are your thoughts?
General Motors Vice President for Global Product Development Bob Lutz stated during the Geneva motor show that a new GTO would arrive based on the new Camaro's and Holden Commodore's Zeta platform in late 2008, as reported by AutoWeek.
HPP contacted Jim Hopson, Pontiac GMC Manager of Communications for confirmation. On March 6, 2006, Jim stated, "Nothing has been confirmed yet. There is nothing on the production schedule, but Bob Lutz's comments are very intriguing, and we have been working toward this. However, we have nothing to announce at this point."
Possibly, all will be confirmed by the time you read this magazine. Our questions, which remain unanswered at this time, are as follows:
* Will the GTO be released at the same time as the Camaro?
* Hopson shared that one of the problems GM was facing bringing the Camaro and GTO to market was the cost of its proposed platform Zeta. "It was too expensive in its original configuration to keep the retail price point where it needed to be, so the program was put on hold." We heard rumors of a possible Zeta-Lite based on design changes to Zeta that would provide cost reductions. Will the new GTO, Camaro, and Commodore be built on this Zeta-Lite platform?
* Will the GTO be built in the United States, or Australia alongside the Commodore sedan?
* Which engine(s) will power the GTO, and how will its power rating compare with the Camaro?
* And what of a rumored Firebird rebirth?
Check the various enthusiast and auto-related news Web sites, and it's claimed the Camaro is on its way, and a Firebird won't be far behind. At Geneva, however, Lutz reportedly said no to reviving the Firebird. Are the Web sites getting accurate Deep Throat inside information, or is it simply wishful thinking directed toward the hope of a self-fulfilling prophecy? Time will tell.
Whatever the case, the current GTO is a great-performing car even if it hasn't sold well. When production ends, the performance division of GM will be lacking a model with a V-8 torturing the rear tires for two years. Currently, Ford can't build Mustangs fast enough, Dodge has the Charger and the Magnum on the road, and its Challenger concept is driving everyone crazy, much like the Camaro. As you can see, from a performance standpoint, Pontiac can ill afford not to field a competitive model should all these retro-performers continue to grow in popularity.
Despite Lutz's current comments on the likelihood of a new Firebird, aficionados of the model who have held out hope for a resurrection since the F-body's demise in 2002 see the Camaro as a great opportunity do reintroduce the legendary ponycar.
HPP reader Kevin Morgan has provided us with his take on a modern-day Trans Am should GM decide to change its corporate mind, and Kevin's illustration has been popular fodder for hobbyists. "I honestly never dreamed that these drawings would create such a stir." Kevin told us, regarding the Internet buzz over his series of drawings on www.transamcountry.com. "I drew them because of my love for the Trans Am and love of drawing. I just wish we could get our Firebirds and Trans Ams back!" Perhaps if we yell loud enough, GM will oblige, or will the Pontiac-buying masses be satisfied instead with an all-new GTO? What are your thoughts?
Last edited by meissen; Mar 31, 2006 at 01:54 PM.
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Re: High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
"Deja vu 1974--gas prices are high and the GTO is once again cancelled for the following year. Buick-Pontiac-GMC General Manager John Larson broke the news to dealers in a video clip on Tuesday, February 21, 2006. He says the cancellation of the GTO is due to '07 airbag standards that cannot be met with the current car. "
Wow this article is just out there. Knowing the GTO is cancelled due to the airbag problem but just have to make a hit about gas prices.
Its been said over..and over...and over...and over...Firebird isnt comming back...not in 2008...probably not even 2013. Lutz said it aint comming back.
The pontiac enthusiast will have to move over to Camaro...or jump on GTO/g8. I wish they could bring back the firebird, but its not cost efficient now...so its gone.
Wow this article is just out there. Knowing the GTO is cancelled due to the airbag problem but just have to make a hit about gas prices.
Its been said over..and over...and over...and over...Firebird isnt comming back...not in 2008...probably not even 2013. Lutz said it aint comming back.
The pontiac enthusiast will have to move over to Camaro...or jump on GTO/g8. I wish they could bring back the firebird, but its not cost efficient now...so its gone.
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From: Houston
Re: High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
The next GTO is being worked on....
It will be on Global RWD with the Camaro....
The Trans Am/ Firebird is STILL DEAD.....
Come on people this is all over the forum....
It will be on Global RWD with the Camaro....
The Trans Am/ Firebird is STILL DEAD.....
Come on people this is all over the forum....
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From: Chesterfield Twp, MI
Re: High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
Originally Posted by Mustang Killer57
Lutz said it aint comming back.
It was an interesting article none the less.
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Re: High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
Take a subject that has been beaten to a pulp, write an article gets people's hopes going despite the fact that it's been already definitively answered. Many times.
Scott has said, I've learned, and this has been proven 100s of times, just because it's in a magazine doesn't make it true. Late last fall, Automobile magazine stated that Camaro was not coming back. Early last year (when the Camaro was coming together) a magazine "quoted" Bob Lutz (completely out of context as it turned out) that Camaro wasn't coming back. Nevermind that their actual position was that it was on "hiatus", and the fact that no one was allowed to talk about Camaro.
This site (along with CheersandGears and GMI) are months ahead of the car mags. Some of those guys actually come to sites like this instead of using their own resources. Like everyone else, alot of them go to the wrong sites, listen to the wrong people, and come up with the wrong conclusions.
Once again (for about the 1001 time) Firebird isn't in the cards.
Even though I'd love to see a modern 70s version, and it's one of my all time favorite cars, Trans Am is NEVER coming back!
Pontiac's General Manager has said Firebird isn't coming back. Bob Lutz has said "Firebird's day has past", and again just recently said Firebird isn't in the cards.
Everyone up to Scott (even Lutz once touched on where he though GM went wrong on the F-cars said something about this) has talked about how Firebird took up a disproportional amount of resources of the F-body program, & how Firebird essentially canibalized potential Camaro sales. If you look at the sales of the $30K+ GTO and look at the sales of the $30K+ Firebird models, seems GTO sold more.
It's been described in detail many times why the name Trans Am has about as much chance returning to life as a passenger on the last space shuttle Columbia flight. GM doesn't own that name & had to pay the SCCA for each Trans Am they sold. They have no intention of going down that road again.... GM even tried to get rid of the name in 1983.
Firebird (to date) isn't coming back. This is from every comment coming from GM including the guy who decides what cars get approved.
Trans Am (especially at a penny counting, cash difficient GM) doesn't have a prayer. Assuming $100 per car and 20,000 Trans Ams sold per year, that means GM is giving up $2 million per year. Given a choice of spending $2 million per year on a name that can be easily subsituted, or using the cash on better interior materials, or taking the money to to plug their losses, using the money on the name is the loser.
And no..... they can't use the initials either.
Scott has said, I've learned, and this has been proven 100s of times, just because it's in a magazine doesn't make it true. Late last fall, Automobile magazine stated that Camaro was not coming back. Early last year (when the Camaro was coming together) a magazine "quoted" Bob Lutz (completely out of context as it turned out) that Camaro wasn't coming back. Nevermind that their actual position was that it was on "hiatus", and the fact that no one was allowed to talk about Camaro.
This site (along with CheersandGears and GMI) are months ahead of the car mags. Some of those guys actually come to sites like this instead of using their own resources. Like everyone else, alot of them go to the wrong sites, listen to the wrong people, and come up with the wrong conclusions.
Once again (for about the 1001 time) Firebird isn't in the cards.
Even though I'd love to see a modern 70s version, and it's one of my all time favorite cars, Trans Am is NEVER coming back!
Pontiac's General Manager has said Firebird isn't coming back. Bob Lutz has said "Firebird's day has past", and again just recently said Firebird isn't in the cards.
Everyone up to Scott (even Lutz once touched on where he though GM went wrong on the F-cars said something about this) has talked about how Firebird took up a disproportional amount of resources of the F-body program, & how Firebird essentially canibalized potential Camaro sales. If you look at the sales of the $30K+ GTO and look at the sales of the $30K+ Firebird models, seems GTO sold more.
It's been described in detail many times why the name Trans Am has about as much chance returning to life as a passenger on the last space shuttle Columbia flight. GM doesn't own that name & had to pay the SCCA for each Trans Am they sold. They have no intention of going down that road again.... GM even tried to get rid of the name in 1983.
Firebird (to date) isn't coming back. This is from every comment coming from GM including the guy who decides what cars get approved.
Trans Am (especially at a penny counting, cash difficient GM) doesn't have a prayer. Assuming $100 per car and 20,000 Trans Ams sold per year, that means GM is giving up $2 million per year. Given a choice of spending $2 million per year on a name that can be easily subsituted, or using the cash on better interior materials, or taking the money to to plug their losses, using the money on the name is the loser.
And no..... they can't use the initials either.
Last edited by guionM; Apr 1, 2006 at 01:50 PM.
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Posts: 515
Re: High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
Just to show how bad the press is. The new Motor Trend has the 2009 Camaro vs the 2009 Mustang. They did a simlulation with what they think are the powertrains that will be in the cars. The funny part is they have no clue.
Magazines are advetising driven and in these days and times want to hook readers with the cheapest easiest storys they can produce. Their budgets are cut to the bone and integrity has traded off to the almighty $$$. The print media in general is in trouble these days and with the internet are a day late and a dollar short on news.
Trust what guionM has posted as he has given you as much as your gong to know this side of Lutz and Scott S. He keeps up on this and knows as much as your going to find.
FIREBIRD RIP good friend, you job is done.
Magazines are advetising driven and in these days and times want to hook readers with the cheapest easiest storys they can produce. Their budgets are cut to the bone and integrity has traded off to the almighty $$$. The print media in general is in trouble these days and with the internet are a day late and a dollar short on news.
Trust what guionM has posted as he has given you as much as your gong to know this side of Lutz and Scott S. He keeps up on this and knows as much as your going to find.
FIREBIRD RIP good friend, you job is done.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
What a great job! 
Spend 20 minutes scanning some threads on enthusiast websites. Write a story about what you've found. Get paid for it.
Once upon a time there was a thing called journalism.
The people who practiced this profession were called journalists.
These "journalists" actually used to have real sources that divulged interesting - if somewhat sketchy - info.
This info would then be used to write engaging stories..........
Spend 20 minutes scanning some threads on enthusiast websites. Write a story about what you've found. Get paid for it.
Once upon a time there was a thing called journalism.
The people who practiced this profession were called journalists.
These "journalists" actually used to have real sources that divulged interesting - if somewhat sketchy - info.
This info would then be used to write engaging stories..........
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,802
From: Annapolis MD
Re: High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
Originally Posted by Z284ever
What a great job!
Spend 20 minutes scanning some threads on enthusiast websites. Write a story about what you've found. Get paid for it.
Once upon a time there was a thing called journalism.
The people who practiced this profession were called journalists.
These "journalists" actually used to have real sources that divulged interesting - if somewhat sketchy - info.
This info would then be used to write engaging stories..........
Spend 20 minutes scanning some threads on enthusiast websites. Write a story about what you've found. Get paid for it.
Once upon a time there was a thing called journalism.
The people who practiced this profession were called journalists.
These "journalists" actually used to have real sources that divulged interesting - if somewhat sketchy - info.
This info would then be used to write engaging stories..........
OOooooo, and how did it end???
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 374
Re: High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
Originally Posted by guionM
It's been described in detail many times why the name Trans Am has about as much chance returning to life as a passenger on the last space shuttle Columbia flight. GM doesn't own that name & had to pay the SCCA for each Trans Am they sold. They have no intention of going down that road again.... GM even tried to get rid of the name in 1983.
Firebird (to date) isn't coming back. This is from every comment coming from GM including the guy who decides what cars get approved.
Trans Am (especially at a penny counting, cash difficient GM) doesn't have a prayer. Assuming $100 per car and 20,000 Trans Ams sold per year, that means GM is giving up $2 million per year. Given a choice of spending $2 million per year on a name that can be easily subsituted, or using the cash on better interior materials, or taking the money to to plug their losses, using the money on the name is the loser.
And no..... they can't use the initials either.
and how does this company get away with the Trans Am name? http://www.transamtruck.com/mainpage.htm
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Posts: 3,123
From: Melbourne, Australia
Re: High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
Sorry but that Trans Am 'undoes' a lot of the good work done on Camaro if that image is any guide. You'd have to ask if its necessary to have the same car albeit with a different (ugly) skin.
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Posts: 237
From: united states
Re: High Performance Pontiac - 2008 Trans Am Concept - The Goat Takes a Vacation
I dont see why they (GM) wants to put out another GTO so fast, considering the latest installment was a flop. (yes we all know what a wonderfully performing car it was , but it didnt sell.) I wish they would at least consider exploring a Firebird (that names is ok right?) alternative , before tacking in the last few nails of the pontiac coffin.