A couple of years after the original GTO came out, it was determined that there was a market for low po versions.

They came with 2bbl carbs, 2 speed powerglides and "turnpike" gears. They were for people looking for the image of a GOAT without having to live with the "compromises" of a performance drivetrain.

What about the next gen GTO? When production ramps up here in NA in afew years, there will be production flexibility for a broader range of models.

Would a lower powered GTO (say 300-325 hp)...possibly with AWD.... be a good marketing move, addressing those buyers looking for a relatively quick (but not all-out performer), secure, sporty personal luxury car?

 

I think an option like that would work. It would be less costly, maybe not much, but somewhat less. Buyer perceptions always play a big part. If they perceive that they're getting a cool GTO that's a great performer at a lesser price, then I believe they will buy it even if it's not top of the line.

The V-6 Mustang shows there's a market where people want a cool car and don't really care if it's the top performer or not. The Hummer H2 is a similar situation. These buyers simply want the status symbol that Hummer provides and couldn't care less if it's got the real off-road hardware underneath that the original Hummer's have.

bburn

 

I suppose....Only if it didn't overlap on Camaro, since that would need to be a volume model. Maybe with different marketing direction and focus.

 

I think the 285HP AWD G6 will cover this market nicely

 

I don't think so, the Camaro should handle that. Although there's probably not gonna be a Firebird, so actually it could make sense.

 

i question the awd thing
i think that would make it more expensive (maybe not much more) but still...
if they could do that though and make it cheaper and coupled with a lower po engine, i'd think there'd be a market

 

Holden tried it here with the Monaro, they had a V6 model to go along with the CV8. It lasted through series one and two, but was dropped for series three due to lack of sales. The V6 version only accounted for about 3% of all sales.

 

Are they still planning on making this? I haven't seen anything about it in a long time. With the area I live in (DC), and commute with carpooling, this would more than likely be the next car I bought if it was actually going to see production.

 

Yep, it's still on.

 

I can see a Buick version with V6 and RWD/AWD competing directly with the G35 Coupe.

 

what GM V6 would this be??? if you mean the HF 3.6l, then what's the point? it won't be much cheaper than the LS1/LS2 veriaty GTO and make a bunch less hp and still not enough to go against a lighter, more powerful G35..

 

Believe it or not......there are consumers who would prefer to NOT have a muscle car!

The HF 3.6 is actually the engine that I had in mind. But it might also be the "high torque" HF 3.8.....and who knows, maybe they'll even have a Series IV 3800 by then (That motor won't die).

As far as weight, the G35 coupe comes in at 3369lbs. The G35 sedan gets a 260 hp V6, the coupe 280 hp.......and G35 now has available AWD.

Hmmmm.........A 280 hp, Buick RWD V6 coupe , at around 3400lbs, equipped with very high luxury content....WITH AVAILABLE AWD, priced in the low to mid $30's.......sounds like a perfectly acceptable G35 competitor to me.

 

except the Buick is likely to be heavier than 3400lbs...

 

It might be, but I hope not.....that would mean that Camaro will be heavy too.