I can't tell if your joking or not. Pontiac= no trucks, minivans, SUV's. There are other GM divisons for that.

 

I was poking fun. He said "something for everyone". That's what the smily was for.

 

Since we know the LS series fits in a Kappa, why weren't you afraid of the LS7 Solstice and other variants

I think the lineup rlchv70 posted is pretty solid, if you absoutely can't havea Pontiac on Zeta. Otherwise, bringing over the Commodore, like evok suggested, is probably the best idea. That would make two recent Pontiacs that are Holden rebadges.

What if Pontiac became completely Holden rebadges...?

 

Jesus Christ! Why dont we turbo and AWD everything.... be realistic......... Pontiac is not Subaru.....

 

Interesting, but I don't think Holden has the manufacturing capacity for that.

As far as I'm concerned it's all about the G6. It should have an available turbo Ecotec, IMO. As well as HF V6's, both normally aspirated and turbocharged. And of course AWD. And there should be one version with a real OMG!!! chassis, with huge brakes.

And as far as the G6 coupe, maybe it can more than just a generic Pontiac Solara. How about a WS6 package for it? With badass chassis and powertrain, and of course functional RamAir. Certainly something that could eat a Mazda Speed6 and Dodge Caliber SRT-4. I mean GEEZE!!... is it that hard to imagine!!??

 

I'd say that's a safe bet.

 

But you have to admit that it would add excitement and differentiate it from the other GM brands...

 

Maybe that is part of the problem

(Although the Mazda treatment would be a better fit).

 

Small Kappa 4 door 2+2.

 

48 months? I agree with Evok, it can be done in less than that.

Pontiac sold over 395,000 cars last year, about the number of Taurus, Focus, and Crown Vics Ford sold last year alone (Ford's cars alone, sold over 740,000) keeping things in perspective.

The G6 is now selling on par with the Malibu (14K for Chevy & 12K for G6), so that's not the problem given there's far fewer Pontiac dealers than Chevy.

Pontiac needs a top sedan to fill in the Bonneville's position, but it needs to define what Pontiac's about. Bonneville sold barely 30,000 per year towards the end, but that's still a yawning gap. GTO coupe sold 13,500 last year. a Commodore LWB sedan with GTO's nose, hood, and changes should be easily good for 20K additional cars, and will eliminate Holden's layoffs for awhile. The car has it's fuel tank forward the rear axle. Sure, pontiac will likely have a US made version by 2009, but this car can be done tomorrow and can fill in a couple of years in the meantime.

Grand Prix sold 122,000 cars last year. Nothing wrong with the body, but regarless as to when the car's due to be replaced, the nose and "industrial" interior needs to go. NOW! Get an interior that looks and feels like GTO's. Add a front that doesn't look as much like (I think Branden said this once) it should be called "Bucky the Beaver". A split grill is fine, but it would look better if it were split full width, ie: the LeMans GTOs of yesteryear or trans Ams of the late 70s. Not a direct ripoff, but used for inspiration. Simply being new is likely to create a spike in sales, but with an interior at GTO's level and a unique front end, it's bound to be even bigger. Pulling a number out of thin air, it should bring it up to 200,000, adding another 80K cars.

Killing the Sunfire, despite being ugly as sin, cost Pontiac over 25,000 in sales. A Pontiac that looks like a Cobalt would be ridiculous for an "excitement" division that aspires to be upmarket from Chevrolet. However, a version that's styled along the lines of the Saturn Aura (wheel bulges and all) would no doubt see far more than the Sunfire did it's final couple of years, while setting itself clearly apart from Chevrolet. Another out of the air guess, I'd say a good sedan would at least double or triple that number, adding another 25-50,000 cars.

Finally, say what you want about the Vibe, but it still did well. Sales climbed 9% last year to 64,000. The interior styling is really good. The exterior needs a little of that styling seen on the new Buick Enclave. Instead of killing it off, give it a restyle. A good one should bring it up to 100K, increase of over 35K.

None of these involve a large outlay of money.

The VE already has the money invested for the US, and Holden has the capacity for a modest number of "aspirational" sedans. Grand Prix needs barely a hood, lights and bumper and new instrament panel. New sheetmetal stampings for the Pontiac "Cobalt" (it can even keep the Cobalt interior with just trim changes). Restyle Vibe with GM's new design direction.

Though it's a wild guess, 150-200,000 extra sales bringing Pontiac up to 600,000. Roughly a 50% increase, doable within 18 months. Enough to put Pontiac right behind Ford in total car sales.

BTW: I'm sure making that Solstice coupe is likely to add another 15,000 at least (as long as that's not what Chevy's planning).

 

I really wonder if that will become a reality. I know there are people at GM that want it, but you just can't get there from here with the current Kappa. It'll be interesting to see if GM actually spends the bucks on such a platform.

 

Firehawk;
Stretched Epsilon, M5 sized sedan with manual trans and RWD, LS block with special re-designed crank and cam for 180 flat crank. 3750 lbs, room for 4 adults, and 500 hp with RWD. 20 inch rims, lo pro tires, sport tuned WS6 suspension package.
Entry level would be with subdued styling but with large rims also, and a 4.8L LS V8 crammed with every bit of fuel saving crap GM has.
high level 4 seat sedan. 30k entry to 40k for 500hp version.

Firebird;
Stretched and reinforced Kappa, hard top and convertible, 2 seat with same engines as Firehawk, base V8 making 320 hp, and top level making 420.
mid priced 2 seater 26k to 31k


Solstice;
Rush GXP to market, in 4th year change to an all aluminum V6 with 270 hp base, and 360 hp Supercharged GXP. Get Coupe to market in 3 years with upgraded engines. 19k to 25k
low priced 2 seater

G6;
Performance edition, AWD 270 hp V6 to be used in Solstice mated to a 6 speed manual. GTP edition with supercharged V6 and 360 hp + awd and 6 speed and perf suspension.
Keep the 2 door, 4 door and Convert. current prices up to 32k

GTO;
Return with more aggressive styling, slight performance improvements, and highly upgraded suspension. Base version will fuel saving V8.
This would be the RWD 2+2. 28k to 35k.


altogether, 2 new models and 2 improved ones. They are already getting a Epsilon version, I just pointed out a good direction for it (using the firehawk name), then the F-bird, based off the the Kappa to creat a different car. Faster and better handling than the Solstice, also bigger, but not a vette, and not a Camaro Clone.

 

I'm guessing this RWD, V8, 500 hp, EPSILON has optional photon torpedoes.

 

No, skipping the photons and going straight to quantum torpedoes.

 

Every post V8 Slayer makes is bashing someone else's ideas, with no real solution of his own....

I like what Z28x has put up there.. Very interesting ideas.

But evok/GuionM 's idea seems logical too. A Commodore SS would look great with the GTO treatments, who could argue with this car?