Crazyquik
05-27-2003, 10:18 PM
Taken from Autoweek Online:
(08:30 May 28, 2003)
Name Games: Pontiac to rename Grand Am; '05 replacement needs different image, Lutz says
By RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
The Grand Am replacement will be nearly identical to the Pontiac G6 concept, above, unveiled in January at the Detroit auto show. A new name will reflect a new direction, according to Bob Lutz.
PHOENIX - Pontiac will drop the Grand Am name when its replacement appears late next year, says Robert Lutz, vice chairman for product development at General Motors.
The unnamed car will bow for the 2005 model year and closely resemble the Pontiac G6 concept that was unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January.
The Grand Am name, which Pontiac has used since the 1973 model year, doesn't fit the enthusiast image that Pontiac is trying to create for the brand and the new car.
"The car will signal a new era at Pontiac," Lutz said at a press event here.
GM will add more standard equipment to the redesigned car and will try to raise the transaction price. All-wheel drive and a retractable hard top will be offered. Today, Pontiac relies on rebates to sell many Grand Ams to budget-minded shoppers.
The Grand Am is Pontiac's No. 1-selling vehicle, tallying 150,818 sales last year. The Grand Prix was second at 130,141.
Regarding the decision to drop the name, Lutz said: "You hesitate to do it because Grand Am has name recognition. On the other hand, we are moving in such a totally different direction with the new car."
The Grand Am replacement will be developed from GM's new global front-drive Epsilon platform. The standard engine will be a V-6.
By contrast, the 2003 Grand Am has an inline four-cylinder engine. Lutz compared the redesigned car's ride with that of the redesigned Saab 9-3, which also is an Epsilon car.
Insiders say the G6 sets for the tone for the Grand Am replacement.
The four-door concept features awd and a supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine producing 285 hp.
The G6 was described as a driver's car during its unveiling and fits the image Lutz envisions for Pontiac this decade.
Previously, Lutz said that he wants Pontiac's future cars to "get a lot closer in overall driving experience to BMW."
http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2003/detroit/highlights/images/pontiac-g6-3797.jpg
http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2003/detroit/highlights/images/pontiac-g6-3793.jpg
J.
(08:30 May 28, 2003)
Name Games: Pontiac to rename Grand Am; '05 replacement needs different image, Lutz says
By RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
The Grand Am replacement will be nearly identical to the Pontiac G6 concept, above, unveiled in January at the Detroit auto show. A new name will reflect a new direction, according to Bob Lutz.
PHOENIX - Pontiac will drop the Grand Am name when its replacement appears late next year, says Robert Lutz, vice chairman for product development at General Motors.
The unnamed car will bow for the 2005 model year and closely resemble the Pontiac G6 concept that was unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January.
The Grand Am name, which Pontiac has used since the 1973 model year, doesn't fit the enthusiast image that Pontiac is trying to create for the brand and the new car.
"The car will signal a new era at Pontiac," Lutz said at a press event here.
GM will add more standard equipment to the redesigned car and will try to raise the transaction price. All-wheel drive and a retractable hard top will be offered. Today, Pontiac relies on rebates to sell many Grand Ams to budget-minded shoppers.
The Grand Am is Pontiac's No. 1-selling vehicle, tallying 150,818 sales last year. The Grand Prix was second at 130,141.
Regarding the decision to drop the name, Lutz said: "You hesitate to do it because Grand Am has name recognition. On the other hand, we are moving in such a totally different direction with the new car."
The Grand Am replacement will be developed from GM's new global front-drive Epsilon platform. The standard engine will be a V-6.
By contrast, the 2003 Grand Am has an inline four-cylinder engine. Lutz compared the redesigned car's ride with that of the redesigned Saab 9-3, which also is an Epsilon car.
Insiders say the G6 sets for the tone for the Grand Am replacement.
The four-door concept features awd and a supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine producing 285 hp.
The G6 was described as a driver's car during its unveiling and fits the image Lutz envisions for Pontiac this decade.
Previously, Lutz said that he wants Pontiac's future cars to "get a lot closer in overall driving experience to BMW."
http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2003/detroit/highlights/images/pontiac-g6-3797.jpg
http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2003/detroit/highlights/images/pontiac-g6-3793.jpg
J.