AFAIK, there are absolutely no plans for a V8 to go with this platform...most probably, not even a V6. Take Lutz's comments about it being designed for a four cylinder literally.

In a way, it's kinda too bad the timing of this platform is afew years out. It would have been interesting to merge this with the Camaro program. The architecture would have had, as one of it's parameters, the ability to accept a V8, and the Camaro itself might have been smaller and lighter to boot.

 

It is also interesting to note the Solstice V8's that have been running around the Proving Grounds that GM themselves put in there. Of course this is really not on topic, but since the discussion of a V8 has been brought up I figured I'd throw that in.

 

I don't see "Firebird" as the name to use on a 1-series competitor. If I were Pontiac, I'd also get away from the "G" alphanumeric soup that really has little significance. I realize there are studies done on this subject, but they've shown that a good product will do well with an actual name.

 

Please. I would so trade my cobalt in tomorrow if it is.

 

GM does all kinds of things with all kinds of cars for all kinds of reasons. Don't read too much into that.

 

I wasnt saying that they should but that it would be possible. And why not a 6 under the hood? I dont have a problem with a 4 banger but you know that surely are considering either a large 4 (almost 6 cy size) or a small 6 under its hood. Also whos to say that they wont merge (later down the road as maybe 6th gen) with this Torana in 5 or so years. I know this is all spectulation at this point but the possibility is there..

 

Yeah, speculation is fun, but anything like that would be waaaaay out in the future.

The sense I get on this new platform is that it will be strictly based around Ecotec and Turbo Ecotec power. There were some murmurs of possible V6's previously, but that seems like a real long shot now.

But as BL hinted in his Paris comments, the final form of this new platform is still being debated.

 

And with a light car and the potential of a 300+ hp direct injected/vvt turbo ecotec ....a V6 really isnt necessary for what said car would be marketed as .

 

can us canucks get in the action this time?

 

Grand Prix. The name hasn't been dragged through the mud like many other GM stand-by's. It's always been high performance relative to its competitors, and until two years ago was recognized as the best looking in its class.

Two other possibilities:

1) Bonneville - This name was dragged through the mud, but the public seems to have a short memory with this kind of stuff. Note the way everyone talks about the 5th gen Camaro as if it's some retro call to the late '60's, and not the latest iteration of a car that was generally unpopular in its last five years of production.

2) GTP - This would be ala Seville to STS. GTP is widely recognized as a Grand Prix moniker. The GTP badge really has not stuck at all on the G6, and it's confusing to have both it and GXP as trim designations. Calling the new car this would be a nice way to start afresh while still retaining some of the marketing equity built up over the past ten years.

G8 really irks me. The G6 experience should have taught Pontiac that people don't really beleive that alpha-numerics make something "first-ever." In the meanwhile, the brand loses a ton of brand-equity, which might be okay for Chevrolet, but not marketing starved Pontiac.

 

Since we're waxing nostalgic, why not Pontiac Super Chief?

 

Okay. What about Acadian? Or Parisienne?

 

I wonder what the Pontiac nose will look like. An easy fix would be to attach the HSV nose, looks good on the car and is close enough to fit the Pontiac look.

 

Like Charlie said ....Im pretty sure they learned a big lesson on the GTO . That being said , the SS-V stateside should have a lil more Pontiac flavor even though all they have is the bumpercover to work with . I think theyll do better this time around . When ya look back at 60's and early 70's pontiacs they have such a strong front end design theme to fetch ideas off of . It would be really cool if Pontiac could capture some of the early cars with the split grills off the headlights and long cutouts under the headlights that mimmicked the grills of the headlights and incorporated fogs . All 4 understated grills divided by a thin strip of aluminum . I got a perfect idea of how a badass contemporary pure Pontiac design should look , while still paying a lil homage to the past

dav305z- except for the fact the G6 is selling very well ....GTP included .

 

Thats good I thought the GTO front end look terrible compared with the Monaro.