From Automobile.com
Source: http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Pontiac/review/2006-pontiac-g6-coupe-preview/1262/

2006 Pontiac G6 Coupe Preview
June 9, 2005
by Trevor Hofmann / American Auto Press


There just arent as many personal coupes on the market as there used to be, which makes the introduction of an entirely new one, the Pontiac G6 Coupe, a bit of a celebration.

No doubt General Motors is celebrating the success its Pontiac division is enjoying with the sedan that goes by the same alphanumeric designation even more. Its a strong entry into an almost overwhelmingly challenging midsize market segment, and with its success GM is learning first hand that good products bring positive cash flow.

What makes it so much better than the Grand Am it replaces? Absolutely everything! From styling to interior fit, finish and materials quality, interior room to driving dynamics, the new G6 is a solid step up from the old model.

The new coupe will also go far in changing perceptions new car buyers have about domestic cars. Will it pull Honda Accord Coupe and Toyota Camry Solara owners away from their imports? Possibly some will jump ship and buy into GMs sportiest brand, but more realistically and of equal importance the new G6, in all of its configurations, will do much to slow the exodus of previously loyal customers out of the Generals fold.

There will be three versions of the G6 when the latest two finally arrive on the scene. When will that occur? The coupe will show up in dealerships later this month and the convertible will come to market next January. The retractable hardtop (read convertible with a collapsible metal roof) will be a first for the G6s entry-level midsize segment.

But this model will without doubt be more expensive than any Grand Am owner could have afforded, or at least would have been willing to fork over for a car. And most convertible owners hardly ever drop their tops anyway, with a roof overhead to block the sun and air conditioning pumping cool comfort on all inside.

This is why, for some buyers, a coupe makes a great deal of sense. And despite its two-door layout, which GM says wont hamper ingress and egress for rear passengers, the coupe allows plenty of rear legroom, and then again, a surprising amount of overall seating area. Exactly how much more room? The two-door G6 accommodates two adults in back, in either coupe or convertible guise. Of course, the G6s class-leading 112.3 inch wheelbase is also responsible for the extra legroom needed to accomplish such a feat.

"The G6 coupe and convertible are uniquely Pontiac vehicles that are great additions to the family started by the G6 sedan," said Jim Bunnell, Pontiac-GMC general manager. "The G6 coupe delivers outstanding performance and generous interior room, and the G6 is the only hardtop convertible that has room for four adults."

And just what levels of outstanding performance was Bunnell referring too? In GTP trim an all-new 3.9L OHV V6 with 240-horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 245 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm should provide plenty of get-up-and-go off the line, especially when mated to the 6-speed manual.

Like the G6 sedan, both two-door models get an agile 4-wheel independent suspension system with MacPherson struts and aluminum L-shaped control arms plus a direct-acting stabilizer bar up front, and a 4-link independent setup with twin tube shocks and dual-rate mini-block coil springs for the coupe, or mono-tube shocks together with dual-rate mini-block coil springs for the convertible in the rear. While GT models are configured for sporty driving already, stepping up to the GTP will make sure the suspension has been tuned for optimal performance driving. The GTP also adds a hydraulic power steering system, more sport-oriented than the electric one that comes standard.

All two-door G6s get 4-channel ABS equipped 4-wheel disc brakes. Safety in mind, GT and GTP models can be purchased with an enhanced traction system, while Pontiacs Dynamic Vehicle Control System is optional with the GTP.

Seventeen-inch alloy rims come standard on GT and GTP models, while 18-inch wheels and lower-profile performance tires available.

Yes, its pretty easy to see that GM is positioning Pontiac towards more sport-oriented drivers, at least much more so than in previous generations, while other brands under the worlds largest automakers umbrella will offer more comfortable, luxury-biased coupes and convertibles.

More: http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Pontiac/review/2006-pontiac-g6-coupe-preview/1262/1

 

I think it's a beautiful car, but I have been in one yet.  

im not tryin to sound like a hard ass, but i'm not really impressed with it.  especially in a straight line.  i drive a '03 mazda 6 base model with a  few mods and i was at a stop light one night and this dude in a G6 pulls up next to me and gave me "the look" (you know what im talkin about).  anyways i had 3 other people in the car and a tool kit.  so the light turns green and we both pull about the same but once i get into 2nd and get up to about 4000-4500 rpms he started to pull away.  now i thought this was unusually slow for a 3.6L (?) V6 making around 200 hp, whereas im making 160-170 plus i had like 400 lbs of extra weight.  so just my first hand expierence with one and just my oppinion  

I hate to be a hater but I am not very fond of GM's products.  I wonder if this is another GM car made in Canada or Mexico.  Next time I hear someone say by American I will tell them to check the factory sticker and look for mostly made somewhere else but in the Unite States.  

NOW BOYS, THIS IS A IMPORT WEBSITE IS IT NOT? WHY ARE WE DEBATING OVER A JUNK AMERICAN MADE CAR?......EXCATLY  

I'm no fan of Pontiacs.  I find them to be weak, unreliable and unsafe cars altogether (i.e Sunfire).  I don't expect the G6 to break any patterns.  I don't trust any company that still doesn't make ABS standard on many of it's models.  

I'd be a lot more inclined to buy a G6 than any iteration of the Grand Am that it replaces. The G6 is completely new and doesn't carry on the tradition of troubles from the old car.

If you really want to know how well it drives or what not, go test one out. It's not really fair to base an opinion on what others have said unless they themselves have driven it. I plan on buying a GTO very soon, and that thing is awesome. Every car magazine around has lauded Pontiac for their well thought out design of the car outside of its exterior.  

The GTO flat out is a BADASS CAR.  

The "well thought out" GTO is basically a Holden Manero built in Australia for years. Pontiac merely adds some body work and Pontiac emblems.  

first fact of life. . .american cars are not built in america.  they are built overseas (ie holden in aus).

second fact of life. . . honda's are designed and manufactured in ohio.  wtf???  

go figure.

that makes about as much sense to me as buying a GTO, that is, none at all.  

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The "well thought out" GTO is basically a Holden Manero built in Australia for years. Pontiac merely adds some body work and Pontiac emblems.

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first fact of life. . .american cars are not built in america.  they are built overseas (ie holden in aus).

second fact of life. . . honda's are designed and manufactured in ohio.  wtf???  

go figure.

that makes about as much sense to me as buying a GTO, that is, none at all.

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So, what? Because the GTO is built elsewhere or is a GM, it is instantly a POS? Hardly. There are SOME good American cars, they just happen to be few and far between. Remember this as well: Holden is owned by GM. And not all Hondas are designed and built in Ohio. Get your facts straight.

I'm not doubting that a large, substantial portion of Honda's production is made in the U.S. and Ohio to be more specific. Honda is not the only one who does this, either. The bulk of most "import" cars (well, Japanese ones) are produced in the U.S.

I don't necessarily like the idea of GM of borrowing a design from one of their subsidiaries and calling it the GTO either. They should have doen some in-house work, but they're concerned about the here and now, not waiting to start a new production line. Besides, the Holden Monaro is a good car as it stands. Go drive a GTO soime time. You may change your tune.

Lastly, I think it's pretty unfair to say that all GM cars are POS cars. Now, if we were talking about Ford, I'd be inclined to agree...    Anyway, GM has done so much better over the poast few years to increase build quality and reliability it's downright shocking.

You're entitled to your opinion, and I respect it whether I agree with it or not. At least you have no shame in voicing it and defending it as well. You get a virtual handshake from me.  

Why are you talking about American crap cars? American cars suck! The website is called IMPORT TUNER, this isnt for american crap. American cars are ugly, slow, cheap, and junky. Japan Forever!!!