Personally I think it's a step in the right direction if they're going to dump the old image of the plastic cladded cheapie cars.

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=04526350

I think G6 is already a great name (since the future Grand Am will be a V6 only). Keep it and call the AWD supercharged version the GT6. Call the Pontiac version of the upcoming Cavalier replacement (since it'll be a 4 cylinder only) the G4 and the hot version the GT4. G8 and GT8 for the V8, even though it'd be sad to see the Grand Prix name go. The names would perfectly complement the GTO nameplate for brand identity.

 

Hmmm... I think this might be a bad move...

Grand Am has been Pontiac's top selling name for a long time, and has been in the Top 10 U.S. cars before... why dump your most successful name?

 

I dont understand what he meant by "it doesnt fit the direction pontiac is going". Why cant they just call the G6 the Grand AM?

 

I do, however, like the concept. That should be a quick little car.

 

G6, G8 - what the hell is this, Audi?

If it were me, I'd use this chance to throw on a retro nameplate if the car's actually as good as everyone says. I think the real reason, though, is that they figure that there's few people who will pay $30K for a Grand Am. I mean, can you imagine the snickers that you'd get from the watercooler crowd when you announce how much you paid? Drop the name "GT6", and I'm sure folks would be much more impressed

 

This is a valid point... and also a pretty scary one.

I will not complain about the price of cars like CTS-V et al, but when "Grand Am Replacements", no matter what the specs, get in the $30k's, there is going to be a big hole in GM's lineup, unless they have new product planned... but then... wouldn't that new product be the "Grand Am Replacement" and not the G6?

 

I wouldn't use a retro name on the car myself because that opens a whole can of worms with some people.

You'll have one group that remembers what the car really was and appriciates the return of a familiar name, and a whole other group that thinks every name from the past was a road rocket, and a new version should look like a retromobile.

I do, however, think it should have a name, not an alpha-numeric designation.

 

HATE alphanumeric names. Hated it when Cadillac announced it was dumping the traditional names for acronyms and I still hate it today (although I really like the cars! )

Alphanumeric names mean no brand identity, no creativity, no emotion. "I'm going to call my car the CXL Type S...isn't that cool?"

 

I like the alphanumeric names.. Z28, Z06, M3, RS6, GTI, STI, EVO, 911.. on and on..

Sure, an awesome carname would be great too, but can anyone think of any good ones?

 

Uh, those cars have names:

Z28 = Camaro
Z06 = Corvette
GTI = Golf
STI = Impreza
EVO = Evolution

I hate alphanumeric designations. Yawn. They might as well just make it all numbers (those letters make it too complicated) and change the emblems to Bar Codes.

 

I think the G6/Grand Am will be covering the $18,000 to $30,000 range

My guesses are:
base: $18K FWD 200HP 3.5L V6

high end: $30K AWD 285HP s/c V6 M6 retractable hard top

I think the G6 is a Hot car, I would be interested in an AWD 285HP M6 G6 coupe for around $27K.

 

$18,000 and FWD w/ 200 HP isn't a bad deal. Especially if the platform is as good as they say and the suspension is set up right.

I bought my first Camaro V6 for that price and that was in '98. Basically a bare bones car. Only options were T-tops, stereo, and rear defogger.

 

amen.

 

Agreed.

Notice too folks, no one has yet said that car will be called 'G6'. The article merely says they are dropping 'Grand Am'. What would be a good (NON-alphanumeric) name for the G6?

My vote: Gamma GT

 

Alphanumeric names suck. I hate how Caddy's have them now. Real names evoke emotion. Letters/numbers sound boring and unoriginal. [i]G6 GXP...../i] Sounds like I'm repeating code or something.