Spy Shots: 2009 Pontiac Vibe almost uncovered
UPDATE: Image removed at request of owner.
With the Toyota vs. GM smackdown in full swing, the Vibe/Matrix always seemed inconsistent with the two companies regular practice of beating each other's brains out. The shared models have been popular enough to warrant a second generation, which we should see officially unveiled at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. Cheers and Gears has a bunch of great spy shots from GenVibe member EastBaySaint of the 2009 Vibe nearly devoid of camo, follow the link to see them. What is missing is any semblance of cladding, a change that's been propagating through Pontiac for a while now, and is welcome anywhere it goes.
Toyota power is still underhood, likely in the form of the 2ZR-FE or 2AZ-FE inline four cylinders, offering 136 or 157 horsepower, respectively. Toyota's Valvematic may show up, as well, along with the attendant efficiency gains. The slightly modish lines of the original Vibe have evolved nicely, gaining less anonymous swept-back headlamps but avoiding the other styling convention du jour, fender vents. There's now a dip in the beltline, recalling the G6. The interior, too, has had its elements pulled together in an evolution of the original's design. Every inch of the Vibe has been scrutinized and revised to good effect, and the name may also be nipped and tucked to an alphanumeric to keep up with the rest of its stablemates, possibly being dubbed the G4.
[Source: Cheers and Gears]
With the Toyota vs. GM smackdown in full swing, the Vibe/Matrix always seemed inconsistent with the two companies regular practice of beating each other's brains out. The shared models have been popular enough to warrant a second generation, which we should see officially unveiled at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. Cheers and Gears has a bunch of great spy shots from GenVibe member EastBaySaint of the 2009 Vibe nearly devoid of camo, follow the link to see them. What is missing is any semblance of cladding, a change that's been propagating through Pontiac for a while now, and is welcome anywhere it goes.
Toyota power is still underhood, likely in the form of the 2ZR-FE or 2AZ-FE inline four cylinders, offering 136 or 157 horsepower, respectively. Toyota's Valvematic may show up, as well, along with the attendant efficiency gains. The slightly modish lines of the original Vibe have evolved nicely, gaining less anonymous swept-back headlamps but avoiding the other styling convention du jour, fender vents. There's now a dip in the beltline, recalling the G6. The interior, too, has had its elements pulled together in an evolution of the original's design. Every inch of the Vibe has been scrutinized and revised to good effect, and the name may also be nipped and tucked to an alphanumeric to keep up with the rest of its stablemates, possibly being dubbed the G4.
[Source: Cheers and Gears]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
spw 10:04AM (8/15/2007)
since the engine clearly shows Dual VVTI, it is ZR series engine. Most likely 1.8 ZR engine with 136hp (not 2.0).
Also, it is interesting that you find Pontiac design marks, when both interior and exterior are Toyota designed, including new Auris's steering wheel and shifter.
:-)
Reply
Mike 9:47AM (8/15/2007)
I was really tired this morning but after reading this I almost...zzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZ.....
Reply
Peter 9:52AM (8/15/2007)
Initial speculation had this thing with 2.4L engine, which would be a mistake.
The big draw of the Matrix/Vibe is decent space with great fuel econ. Hopefully they maintain or even improve that. A 2.4L would completely wreck it.
Reply
geo.stewart 10:21AM (8/15/2007)
the big Loser on the vibe/matrix is the 126hp Corolla engine. When you could get it with the 180hp Celica engine (Matrix XR), then it was something to talk about.
The car needs 140+ at least, 150 to be worthy, with something better as a sport option.
geo.stewart 10:24AM (8/15/2007)
excuse me, the 180hp XRS
and why you could not get hte AWD with the high end engine, I dont know...
Peter 11:08AM (8/15/2007)
geo:
Thats your opinion. If you want HP buy a Mazda 3. There is no other car that offers the combination of space/versatility/economy. It is not like this a smart car doing 0-60 in 20 seconds with no interior space.
It is like an SUV that gets 35mpg. With a totally flat load floor and folding passenger seat, it can carry 8ft loads with the hatch closed and the performance is not that bad. Edmunds tested the Slowest version (Auto, AWD) and it hit 60 in 11 seconds. A five speed with the new 1.8L (136hp) should hit it under 10 seconds, which is fine for a economy minded utility vehicle.
These things are very popular with high resale value around here. I may get the new version if it stays economical and versatile.
Kowell 9:54AM (8/15/2007)
The 1.8L has no feel to it and zero performance. The GM Ecotec 2.2L would be a great fit in this car but sadly GM will probably never use it since it would kill the already dreadful HHR.
Reply
Tony C 1:38PM (8/15/2007)
Pontiac couldn't put an Ecotec in the Vibe because it's a Toyota vehicle with a Toyota drivetrain. They can restyle minor cosmetics as much as they like, but in the end it's still a re-badged Toyota.
fm 2:00AM (9/25/2007)
No it isn't a "rebadged Toyota". In fact, it was a GM design. Toyota approached GM and not the other way arround. The only thing Toyota brought to the table is the powertrain.
Kowell 8:48AM (9/26/2007)
Dude... this thing is a hatchback Corolla....
paul 10:08AM (8/15/2007)
I love my 'zero performance' Matrix XR, it drives just fine for me and on a recent trip of about 3k miles we averaged 37 MPG at between 75-80 MPH (love the Matrix 5th gear ratio), including about 1k miles with 500 pounds of cargo in addition to two passengers and a dog. I've never been as satisfied with a car, and I'm excited to see what refinements have been made in the 2009 model.
Reply
CKCK 10:15AM (8/15/2007)
People that rip on the Vibe miss the point: this is good transportation with a whole lot of utility and economy and most of all value. This is not a performance car and it does not try to be. I had one for two years and it was a great car. Lots of space for people and cargo, plus 30-35 MPG,and I thought nice fit and finish-it is a Toyota underneath . Performance wise, I used to be surprised how easily and quietly the car with the 1.8L would cruise at 85 on the highway. This would be a great used car buy as its likely much cheaper then the Matrix resale.
Reply
MGBYG 10:28AM (8/15/2007)
Just make ABS and side airbags standard this time around...
This product 'fits' into the Toyopet line-up but never really made sense as a Ponttie-ack.
Headlamps stacked like the Aztek...not good vibes, there.
Reply
DC_1 10:33AM (8/15/2007)
Humm.... I thought that Pontiac was killing all fwd by 2010?
Reply
Ligor 11:32AM (8/15/2007)
the center console cheezzy look adn feel were the original issue with this car,
seems they didn't do much there.
Reply
Snark 12:15PM (8/15/2007)
Looks pretty decent. I've been daily driving a lime-green 2003 Vibe named the Chartreuse Goose for three years now, and I've got a lot of affection for it; it's characterful, fun to drive, and an excellent road trip car. It'll take on a rocky dirt road without complaint if you drive it with some sense and can haul four people and their backpacking packs in comfort for a 600 mile drive. The performance isn't stellar, but it's reasonably peppy and I've never felt unsafe merging or passing. The interior is spacious and comfortable, and I find it functional and durable. And I can say with experience that it can take a 70mph deer hit without getting totaled or killing me. What more can you ask for? This new one is a little G6-ish for me; I hope it doesn't sacrifice the old one's great styling. And if they ditch the outlet plug, I'd be sad. Otherwise, I'm excited to see this in the metal; I'd happily buy another.
Reply
justin 1:36PM (8/15/2007)
I would have bought Vibe but it's tough to find them new or used with side airbags. Bring on the safety features, and I'll buy one. Many people like me in their 20's need something to haul gear around in, and also want good MPG. I had to buy an Outback to get the hatchback I wanted, but now get 21mpg. DOh!
Reply
Tony C 2:02PM (8/15/2007)
It'll be very surprising if this is a major revision, because it seems more like an slight evolution with the only noticeable dashboard change being the two-tier layering over the glovebox and sweeping fluid feel that bumps out the shifter housing a couple inches. More noticed is a revision to the tunnel vision gauge cluster, a flush mount radio, revised climate controls (straight from the Toyota parts bin, ala RAV4 and Scion) and the latest Auris steering wheel.
The exterior is heavily camouflaged to hide critical design elements, but it looks even more untouched, except for the headlamps and larger Pontiac kidney grille. By all accounts, I was expecting the Matrix/Vibe to look like what I thought its intended replacement was supposed to be: the Auris/Blade. But the Auris has small triangular windows immediately behind the side mirrors and its greenhouse is noticeably taller and larger. Color me confused.
Reply
Spiel 2:13PM (8/15/2007)
Who buys these things?
nuf` said.
Reply
Snark 2:30PM (8/15/2007)
Well, I bought one. I've seen a lot of college kids with them, as well, and they seem to be popular with seniors because they're easy to get in and out of. I see them easily three or four times a day - so it seems that your lack of understanding of the target market is entirely your own.
They're popular little cars, and for good reason. Roomy for kids, cargo, or whatever you want to haul, space for 5, 33mpg, doesn't look like a SUV but delivers 95% of the advantages for cheaper than a Subaru. That hits a pretty broad sweet spot.