Spy Shots: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G and debut in New York
Looks like Pontiac might be losing their Vibe for 2008. And we don't mean the two versions of the Vibe they already killed off. What will be showing up in its place is likely to be a similar vehicle, but the name will change. In place of "Vibe" we are likely to get a "G" something or other, to fit with the current naming formula being employed within Pontiac. Maybe we will get the VVT-i versions back if they release a GT down the road.There's also a spy photo of the new vehicle courtesy of KGP Photography, and although it is heavily cloaked at the front and rear, you can see a revised side that somehow manages to be different and the same all at once. Think evolution instead of revolution. Rumor has it Toyota will again get its own version of this vehicle, but we aren't sure whether or not it will retain the "Matrix" moniker. "Vibe" might be available, if they're interested.
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
adelossa 6:48PM (3/15/2007)
I hope it'll be something other than the letter "G". Toyota is supposedly making the next Matrix more like the Mazda3 :D (proclaiming that the '3 is the benchmark for its class).
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Bob R. 7:15PM (3/15/2007)
Is the production version of the Ford Fairlane concept going to be introduced at the NY show?
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jgp 7:21PM (3/15/2007)
Mazda3? Isn't that what the Corolla (Axio) and Auris are supposed to be competing against?
Toyota should be redoing the Matrix to compete with the Mazda5, instead. We need more compact MPVs in the US. Hmm...maybe they should just drop the Matrix and build the Corolla Spacio/Verso at NUMMI.
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Ben 7:25PM (3/15/2007)
Call it the V2. It will establish a new naminf system for the crossovers and SUVs.
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AirZurk 7:52PM (3/15/2007)
what happened to Pontiacs move to all RWD?
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doglet 8:06PM (3/15/2007)
this should be a chevy. pontiac is just emerging from the doldrums of fwd mom cars.
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Casey 8:29PM (3/15/2007)
Frank, you make it sound like the first gen Matrix originated with a GM chassis. In fact, the Vibe is GM's version of the Matrix, and not the other way around.
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Mike G 8:42PM (3/15/2007)
#7, I was about to say the same thing, lol: Oh really? Will Toyota also "again get its own version of this vehicle"? That's funny, because Toyota designed and built it at their factory in California. Pontiac is again getting its version of the Matrix. Come on, GM doesn't know how to originate a good looking smaller car, sheesh.
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Harrison 9:22PM (3/15/2007)
As long as they don't call it the G-String.
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razl 11:12PM (3/15/2007)
better find another letter..that's infiniti calling, they want their G[35] back.
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Robert 10:01PM (3/15/2007)
Yet another reason to make it up to NYC. Even with all of the exotic iron the Suzuki SX4 stood out in 06 as an interesting and attainable vehicle. I recommended it to a rare Suzuki fan I know. Hopefully, the Vibe 2.0 will deserve the same interest.
Harrison, rumor has it the new name is G-Spot. I can understand the misunderstanding as one often leads to the other.
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Stoneman 10:10PM (3/15/2007)
I hope GM can pull it back; get their quality in line and costs down. I never liked the Vibe or the Matrix, but hey, if that's what turns your crank, so be it.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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Bryan 12:58AM (3/16/2007)
Never cared for this or the Matrix. Dumb names for ugly vehicles. The "G" name is stupid!
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Brian 1:08AM (3/16/2007)
"Maybe we will get the VVT-i versions back if they release a GT down the road."
You forgot an L.
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Dandy 9:17AM (3/16/2007)
I think they should call it the "G thirty vibe"
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dave 11:17AM (3/16/2007)
This drives me nuts. It is part of their continuing effort to kill off a great vehicle. Yes maybe it isn't the sport machine the Pontiacs are supposed to be, but Pontiac gave that up long ago(except the solstice). I couldn't believe the lack of marketing push for this car last summer. It gets 29/34 which is better than any other Pontiac and all the Chevys I know of except maybe the Aveo. They just don't want to admit that 10 year old Toyota tech is still better than anything they have.
My wife loves this car and it was way ahead of the crossover curve.
When we were at the dealership, they tried to sell us everything but, the sales guy even tried to claim the G6 had better efficiency. If you were to ask me the only Pontiacs that should be kept are the Solstice, and the Vibe. Guess what? No Gs. Save that letter for a new GTO.
Are companies so out of ideas the that there are all forced into alphanumeric names. What happened to the Sunfire or the Firebird.
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Jim 11:37AM (3/16/2007)
I would have bought a new one in 06 if it had been equipped with telescoping steering column. The driving position was just too awkward for me (6'2"). Hope the new one fixes this. As for those who don't like the Vibe and Matrix, fine. can't please all the people. But the Pontiac dealer did tell me the Vibe was that dealer's best selling vehicle last summer ($3 gas).
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tigers84 1:05PM (3/18/2007)
Toyota actually came to GM looking for a design for the Matrix. So, believe it or not, GM did have the design and made the agreement with Toyota to share the 1.8 VVTi engine with Pontiac.
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Esprit bird 12:41PM (3/16/2007)
Im with Dave on this one.
I'd think marketing would be alot easier with actual BRAND names instead of just like one letter and one number, i see a G6 on the street and ask my dad "what car is that?" and he goes "oh they made the Grand Prix smaller!" -_-
i'd much rather see a G8 get a GTO treatment and a G6 have a Grand prix trim and Pontiac go back to the old formula of keeping the Muscle car wars alive with the Trans Am and the Firebird being a smaller v6.
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Guenther 1:34PM (3/16/2007)
JGP- offering a corolla Verso here, especially with the German market D-Cat motor would be cool. And you're absolutely correct- the Auris IS designed as the C-group contender. Has been known in Germany as "Golf Klasse" for years.
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