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)
Joe 9:27PM (2/18/2008)
Frankly if it doesnt have a shaker scoop it is not a Trans Am. If you are going to waste the time and money to bring back a classic, make it a classic comeback!! Nothing in the photo makes it a Trans Am, I mean nothing! Decals dont count. Also this photo is a disgrace to the actual SE Trans Am. Come on GM bring on the classic look of the real deal. To much rice burner look to this promo, and very disappointing. Look what Ford did to the Mustang at least they tried to recreate a great American Classic. I say I wont buy one.
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MAIR 10:47PM (4/21/2008)
if this is the concept they put out, there screwed. they should definitly put a different name other than trans am. even though it resembles a TA. the only concept they should put out is the one that kevine morgan drew up.
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clay 11:49PM (12/29/2008)
ok gm we whant the ta trans-am baby if you build it they will buy it come on take a ride into the knight
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CARS 9:19PM (5/08/2009)
THE GTO HAS ALREADY TRIED TO MAKE A COMEBACK. I SAY CHANGE THE FRONT END ON THE TRANS AM AND PUT IT ON THE LOT. IT'LL BE GOOD TO SEE THE TRANS AM,CAMARO,MUSTANG,AND CHALLENGER GO AT IT.
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fordozzer 1:05PM (10/10/2009)
ok first of all the 04 thru 06 GTO may have not looked like the great one from the 60's but had the sole of a tiger non the less. think deep if you know pontiac the 64 GTO was a lemans with a BIGGER engine the 04 was a monaro with a bigger engine. everyone who hates on that car doesn't know what the GTO came from. now about the T/A GM forgets what happened when that car was pulled off the market the car became one of most popular cars i know the price of my 01 is steadily going up not down like it should. pontiac its self isn't what it use to be. this G8 nice car reminds me of a grand prix why did they kill the name they've had sense 62. not only that but if they would used there heads. the 64 GTO excuse me 64 lemans GTO hold up 2010 G8 GTO a 2 door version with an LS3 now tell me that wouldn't sell. and let me take this deeper the T/A well sell no matter what they do with it because people like me who would never want to be seen in a camaro or mustang. there's something about that bird that is just great on the eye and i've seen some great ideas on that car why doesn't anyone step up and sell one to pontiac i'm sure there waiting for a kick in the head seeing how here about to be no more.
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Dave 11:50PM (2/23/2007)
I'm not feeling it. I don't see the point. The Camaro is going to hog so much attention that it's useless to try and make the same car twice - even if it's cool. I thought making the G8 was brilliant because the cars share architecture but not target market. If they are going to do it, it should be a GTO and have something that the Camero lacks. Perhaps suicide doors so I can talk my wife into a muscle car with a baby seat. Perhaps more elegance and a useful back seat like the Monaro/GTO had. Pontiac needs to be VERY careful that they don't get lost in the shuffle when the Carmaro debuts.
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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
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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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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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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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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ohmy 8:59PM (2/23/2007)
Neither... just name it the G8 Coupe...
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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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Thomas 9:09PM (2/23/2007)
Exactly Right #7
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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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