I received word that it's official, the GTO will be going on an indefinate vacation. There will not be a 2007 Pontiac GTO.

Pontiac, though, realizes that there is a market for a RWD car, be it a sedan or coupe, it was said.

This comes from the BPG GM.

 

It was nice while it lasted......

5th gen firebird please

 

I'd really love to know what GM has for in terms of plans for Pontiac. How can they bring over the GTO as a stop gap for a few years, then just drop it? Not very good projecting it would seem, and it just makes Pontiac lacking in terms of cars that it offers. Something needs to be done.

 

...Thanks for offering one in Canada.

I still love that car. Maybe buy a used one and bring it over....

Jeff

 

I don't think this is a surprise at all.

We all knew the current car was goign to end with the 06 model year.... the new car wasn't going to be ready for the 07 model year.... I still expect to see a new GTO for the 08 model year.

We'll see, I guess.

 

Surprise? Nah.

Pontiac does know the need for a RWD sedan or coupe though, and that comforting at least.

Having a new GTO by 2008? That'd be a stretch from what I'm hearing, but who knows? I don't think GM knows right now!

 

That seems to be the truth right now, doesn't it?

Especially when it deals with Pontiac.

 

Forget '08.

Pontiac wants a GTO, but the business case for it is a bear. Only being able to sell 2/3 of the projected 18,000 GTO's per year didn't help one bit.

IF Pontiac gets a G8, I'd accept a "Charger SRT-8 type" package on it called GTO. Most here wouldn't though.

 

Not much here, but here's where I found out about it:

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/21/g...e-pontiac-gto/

 

So I guess in about 6 years, we can anticipate a new GTO?

 

There was going to be a gap in GTO production from the start.

Buick was supposed to get the Zeta for 2007 (some months after it debuted at Holden), Pontiac was supposed to get the sedan and GTO's replacement in 2008, and Chevrolet was planned for 2009.


GM delayed, then dramatically changed their RWD program around. Camaro seems to be moved ahead, Chevy's sedan seems poised to come out the same time, and Pontiac and Buick seem like they are going to get sedans in that order in the 2 succeeding years.

Holden is doing alot of final Camaro stuff. Holden seems to have also done up a version for them on the car which is likely to get approved.

The GTO options as I see it:

1. Import a version of Holden's VE sedan as GTO.
(Probability: Snowball's chance in a hot oven. Holden may export something here soon, but it's more likely to be a Buick or an El Camino than a GTO sedan.)

2. Wait till funds are available to do a coupe or quad coupe on the big Zeta.
(Downside: won't be likely before 2011).

3. Do a version of the upcoming Pontiac RWD sedan as GTO instead of GXP.
(Likelihood: 3 months ago, I'd say no way in hell. But if Pontiac sells Grand Prix alonside this new RWD sedan, I'd say it's pretty realistic, and would probally be done by 2010).

4. Turn GTO into a model of their version of Camaro.
(Chances: Realistic. Would result only in a year or so delay over original plans, good replacement for the "Trans Am" name. Could be completely done in a matter of months, easily making Camaro's production start.)

GM is going to finalize their RWD program later by mid-year to get the machinary moving. Should be getting word (perhaps from GM itself) on which way they're going on this.

 

Just drive your GP GXP in reverse if you want RWD.

I also find it interesting with the talk of no Firebird due to "badge engineering" that they could even consider a GTO as a Camaro clone.

 

[QUOTE=guionM]

4. Turn GTO into a model of their version of Camaro.
(Chances: Realistic. Would result only in a year or so delay over original plans, good replacement for the "Trans Am" name. Could be completely done in a matter of months, easily making Camaro's production start.)

QUOTE]


If this is to come to fruition, how is it any different than bringing back Firebird as Camaro's sister car? Wouldn't GTO basically be a Camaro with different skin, grille, and sheetmetal? I thought GM was getting away from badge engineering cars?

Ugh, as much as I love GM, I sometimes can't stand the double standards if you will of how they run business.

 

The only thing I like less than a 'Camaro clone' Firebird, is a 'Camaro clone' GTO.

 

With the exception of the lame duck Vibe, the GTO was Pontiac's one unique platform. I hate to see it go without a replacement ready. Pontiac needs more models that are not shared with three or more divisions.