Well, whatever it will consist of, we can make some safe guesses on what it will be:

An architecture based on hydroformed rails with off the shelf GM parts hung on it.

An architecture based around the Ecotec, both in packaging and in power production.

An architecture that is far more flexible than Kappa, that is engineered to be assembled with greater automation than Kappa and be priced at an entry level for RWD.

 

Z284ever is right. Using Sunbird on just about anything would be a mistake, especially a nice car.

 

mmm Y-body Firebird

 

So.... What Fiero merchandise is GM going to be selling?

 

What if Firebird was coupe version of the small RWD sedan Pontiac wants. What if this whole program had it's development based in say...Austrailia, which badly wants Torana?

Just throwing things out. I do think you need more than Ecotech for the car to be succesful. If it was limited production, Fiero would be fine because their are tons of Fiero enthusiasts still around.

Lets not forget to some people Camaro brings up images of trailor parks mismatched hubcaps..and now it is obvious that it would be dumb not to revive the name. To bring Fiero back, GM would need to design a car that reminded everything of what was right about the old one.

I would say put Fiero on the Solstice Coupe, and save Firebird for a more "substansial" car.

 

Actually, I think limiting this platform to the Ecotec is a big part of the business plan.

 

I'm not that big of a fiero fan I even know that anyhting with the Fiero name better have a Mid Engine layout.

 

Then I am guessing they do not plan on getting old Firebird buyers to buy this new one?

If you take this whole thread and replace Firebird with Camaro, people would be up in arms.

I can stomach maybe a high feature turbo V6 as top of the line, but as soon as you mention Ecotech only I am done. I am a pretty accepting buyer...just look at the cars I have had...but I could not stomach a 4 cylinder only turbo Firebird. And I would be one of the first ones in line for a new Firebird (if the styling/powertrain was right)...more so over a Camaro.

 

Returning the Camaro as a 4 cylinder only = abomination

Returning the Firebird as 4 cylinder only = greatest idea ever

 

If you like Camaros....

 

This is part of the reason Im convinced its going to stay dead.

Firebird enthusiast arent going to want anything that departs to far from the formula, no FI, no AWD, no high price.

Neither Chevy nor Camaro enthusiasts are going to want Pontiac to have anything obviously superior, although thats were Pontiac ought to be.

 

Honestly, I can deal with a high feature V6 (turbo or not), AWD, and even a high price (old T/A's were not cheap).

However, you start talking Ecotech, I am outta here. I don't care how much boost you put behind it, it is simply not gonna be cheaper, lighter, or more efficiant than a LSx engine.

I would say bring the Firebird back, base it off a small to midsized RWD platform that could also spawn a new sedan (would be awesome for a new BLS also) and give it a high feature V6, with up level having a turbo option. Aim it squarly at the the G35 and 350Z, and call it a day. Then you can sell it maybe in the in the low-mid $30K range and move Pontiac upscale towards the Infinity performance/luxury market.

If you wanna take a turbo 4 and slap it on an AWD car to take on the WRX and EVO...call it a Grand Am. Just my opinion.

 

Having a Grand Am compete with an EVO and STI would be really weird.

 

having a grand am compete with anything would be weird.

 

Ddin't Warren Johnson campaign a Grand Am in NHRA pro-stock before they moved to the GTO? (not really the same I know )