Pontiac turns sleek, chic

By Jim Kenzie

HALIBURTON- A Pontiac with no corrugated body-side cladding? Better get used to it, Pon-Pon fans: the sleek-flanked G6 is the harbinger of this brand's future.

The replacement for the Grand Am is based on General Motors' international front-wheel-drive platform, known as the Epsilon.

If it makes a good Opel Vectra, Saab 9-3 and Chevrolet Malibu, why would it be any different for a Pontiac? A world-class, 27-hertz bending frequency for the structure provides a sound underpinning for the suspension and returns dividends in crash safety and longevity, too.

The mid-size G6 uses the longer-wheelbase variant of this platform, the same as the Malibu Maxx. Added rear seat legroom is the main advantage, although the elongated profile and coupe-like roofline are additional benefits.

Another key GM product auto writers previewed recently on this run from Oshawa through cottage country was the Buick Allure mid-size sedan (LaCrosse in the U.S.; see my report on page G24).

As for the Pontiac, a four-door sedan with a 3.5-litre, overhead-valve V6 and four-speed automatic will be the only available configuration when the G6 hits showrooms in mid-September.

The engine is rated at 200 hp at 5,400 rpm and 220 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,800 rpm.

The G6 V6, as Pontiac calls this base model, will be priced at $24,670.

Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes (shamefully, not with ABS, although it is an option); 16-inch wheels; power locks, windows and mirrors; tilt-and-telescope steering wheel; remote keyless entry; anti-theft alarm and air conditioning.

The G6 GT ($27,685) gets fatter tires on 17-inch wheels, the ABS is (finally) standard, suspension is firmed up, and the transmission gains a manual override feature.

Next spring, a GTP model with a new 3.9-litre, 240-horse V6 and six-speed manual gearbox joins the party.

A G Pontiac powered by an Ecotec 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine, producing 170 hp, will be available in late 2005.

Coupe and retractable-hardtop styles will be added for the 2006 model year.

The G6 is built in Orion, Mich.

If the cladding-free body is a surprise, the interior is a revelation. "Tasteful" and "refined" are words few people would have applied to any Pontiac of the past decade or so.

But the G6's chrome-trimmed circular gauges look classy.

Trim materials are of a much higher quality than before. Fit and finish are excellent.

A split-folding rear seat is standard; adjustable pedals are among the useful options.

G6's Malibu cousin is the only car to make both the "best cars for tall drivers" and "best cars for short drivers," compiled by leasing consultants www.edmonds.com. This Pontiac should be equally accommodating.

G6 introduces what GM bills as a North American exclusive: a "panoramic" sunroof, consisting of four separate glass panels.

The front one pops up like a deflector, the other three slide backwards and nest together to form one of the largest sunroof apertures in the business. This $2,175 option is available on both models. I won't be the only one to be reminded of the SkyDome roof.

G6 is a critical car for Pontiac. The Grand Am is the division's best-seller in the United States and Number 2 in Canada, where about 19,000 units a year are sold. (Grand Am will remain in production for fleet customers).

A General Motors embargo prevents me from sharing my G6 driving impressions with you at this time.

Will long-term Pontiac fans accept the new, sleeker, more sophisticated styling? Will Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Jetta, Mazda6, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry buyers respond to the G6's strong value story - essentially, a V6-powered sedan for the price of most competitors' four? Let the games begin.

wheels @ thestar.ca Jim Kenzie (jim @ jimkenzie.com) is Wheels' chief auto reviewer.