Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac
Should Pontiac's RWD coupe be the GTO or Trans Am?
In its latest issue, Winding Road calls the fact that Pontiac will get its own rear-wheel drive coupe based on the same Zeta architecture (sorry, "Global RWD platform" is the new official name) used by the upcoming Camaro is a "poorly kept secret". We weren't aware the decision to give Pontiac a piece of the pie was so solid, but are pleased to hear the news nonetheless.
When a new rear-wheel drive Pontiac debuts sometime around 2010 as a 2011 model, however, what should it be called? The obvious choice is to reuse the GTO moniker that was controversially slapped on the back of a Holden Monaro coupe and sold in the U.S. from 2003 to 2006. But what's a Camaro without a Firebird Trans Am twin, we ask? GM still retains the rights to those names, and as the speculative rendering above done by Poblete proves, Burt Reynolds' most famous ride looks damn good updated for the new millennium! We encourage you to check out the latest issue of Winding Road by clicking here to see an additional rear shot of this Trans Am mockup. It's worth the extra couple clicks.
I'll be honest with everyone, I've never been the new Camaro's #1 fan in terms of design, but I could get behind a Trans Am that looks good, screaming chicken and all.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Jim 8:15PM (2/23/2007)
I don't know, the front end is looking a lot like a sunfire.
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TriShield 8:19PM (2/23/2007)
I'd rather see the GTO name return on a stylish, modern coupe with a real backseat and trunk (unlike the upcoming Camaro). The Monaro-based Ram Air 6 concept shows GM can pull off a modern look that doesn't shame the classic name. It would be a good template to start out with. GTO also fits in well with Pontiac's G naming scheme.
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clay 11:38PM (12/29/2008)
we what the firebird trans-am thats a mans car
Tim UF 8:29PM (2/23/2007)
I dont care what ita called, but if thats what its gona look like, it ALREADY needs a nose job, ugh
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J 8:32PM (2/23/2007)
the side scoops and intakes on the car in the picture scream ferrari 599, not american muscle.
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Chris 8:46PM (2/23/2007)
There are a few problems with that story.
1 - There is no Pontiac coupe program currently on the books at GM. At present, the only global zeta car Pontiac will get is the G8. Could this change in the future? Sure.
2 - The story says the global Zeta program will underpin a new Monte Carlo. That is not true, the Monte Carlo is dead after it's current run.
3 - The production estimate of 150k units a year is quite a bit off from what GM intends to build.
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ws6_trans_am02 8:52PM (2/23/2007)
No question. The Camaro has always had a platform-mate, and it has always been the Firebird/Trans-Am. I've owned 2 trans ams so far (and i'm only 18). There's a much bigger fan base for Trans Ams as opposed to the GTO. If it is going to be a GTO, they need to lengthen the wheelbase a bit, make a true backseat, and give it more horsepower than the Camaro.
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ohmy 8:59PM (2/23/2007)
Neither... just name it the G8 Coupe...
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Thomas 9:09PM (2/23/2007)
Exactly Right #7
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DanMan 9:11PM (2/23/2007)
Trans Am, another GMC Truck to Chevy Truck type relationship? GMC looks better (to me) and Chevy sells 100s of thousands of the same stupid truck just with a bowtie and not three letters on the front. Camaro doesn't need a platform mate. Just make the Camaro as damn good as possible and sell as many as possible.
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naif 9:18PM (2/23/2007)
it looks more like a trans-am than a goat.
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mk 9:33PM (2/23/2007)
Maybe this won't happen....
But if it does:
Sedans: G8, Impala, maybe Regal.
Big coupes (rear seat, highway GT car): G8 Coupe (GTO as the top end) and Monte Carlo/SS, Buick Grand National/GNX.
Pony car coupe/convertible (sporty, insignificant rear seat, more power, closer to Corvette): Camaro/RS/SS/IROC, and Firebird/Formula/Trans Am.
I like the fact that the Pontiac illustration from Winding road is more aerodynamic than the bluntly brutal Camaro concept.
It looks a little too much like a Corvette mixed with a Saab AeroX concept. Something slightly more original, but sleeker than Camaro would be nice.
Why should GM not flood the market for V6/V8 RWD cars? the platform gets amortized sooner, buyers get their choices, and are more likely to buy SOMETHING GM, than saying that their particular flavor isn't accounted for, and decide to go with Mustang, or G35/G45 coupe. (upcoming) or Nissan 350Z/Skyline, Audi S5, or BMW 335i/M3-V8.
Coupes are coming back, and with sport sedans filling out the lineup, like the G8, it makes a compelling lineup.
SUVs are old news, and not performance oriented, like these are.
If they are affordable, people will buy them. Give Americans something to buy, the more choices, the better. We're sick of looking oversees and seeing affordable fun cars that don't arrive here.
IF people want to "tout" their "buy American" agenda, then give us compelling products for americans to be proud to buy.
Product sells product, more than labels, especially to enthusiasts who know what they want, and spend the money to get it.
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Jason 9:40PM (2/23/2007)
Trans Am duh. That is if Pontiac stays in business.
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jamey 9:44PM (2/23/2007)
trans am. everyone knows what the trans am represents; some people think of the new GTO over the original thus the name is tainted for the time being.
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mike 9:54PM (2/23/2007)
Shaaazam!!
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Rossi 10:16PM (2/23/2007)
LMAO GLORIFIED SUNFIRE
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Rossi 10:17PM (2/23/2007)
LMAO GLORIFIED SUNFIRE
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Howard Kerr 10:27PM (2/23/2007)
Well, if the choice is GTO or Trans Am, I'd say T/A if only because they tried GTO and didn't pull it off.
BTW, I agree, with the need to come up with a "beak" that DOESN'T scream Sunfire. Also, if this picture is anything to go by, they are making the same styling mistake as they did with the GTO AFTER it got hood scoops. DON'T just stick on some scoops GM, at least make them LOOK like they could be functional. The ones on the hood of the car in this picture look like they came off another BRAND of car.
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Baapo 10:35PM (2/23/2007)
2011...OMG!!!
Does it look like I will care what its named 5 years from now; heck I'll be too damn tired waiting for it to launch...
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Fletcher 10:47PM (2/23/2007)
GTO. The Camaro & Firebird were always too close in design and target market that they cut into each others sales. A Zeta-based GTO should be better appointed and have a higher price point. It should also not offer a V6 option. GM shouldn't expect to sell as many as the Camaro. Make the Camaro the volume leader, and position the GTO as something more exclusive.
A Zeta-based Pontiac coupe may just be speculation, but if they need to amortize the Camaro tooling by extending components to a second model, this (IMHO) is the way to go. Plus, if Pontiac is still sticking to it's new G+ nomenclature 3-4 years from now, the GTO name fits.
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