Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe

When the original Pontiac Vibe hit dealer showrooms for the 2003 model year, it was a different kind of General Motors vehicle in just about every way. Sure, it wore a Pontiac badge and had that horrible plastic cladding hanging off its sides, but the vehicle's basic shape was unlike anything else in the General's lineup. There was a very good reason for this, as the Vibe is produced by GM's joint venture with Toyota called NUMMI, or the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. This JV currently produces the Vibe, Corolla and Tacoma pickup for both automakers, and the new Vibe is basically the same vehicle as the 2009 Toyota Matrix with a different skin and interior.

For 2009, the Vibe loses all that plastic armor but keeps its Toyota ties, receiving the recently updated Corolla underpinnings and powertrains. Will the Vibe's many changes make the little Pontiac good enough for prospective buyers to consider again? We took a brand new 2009 Vibe GT for a week-long spin to find out.


All photos Copyright ©2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe.

Pontiac released the pricing details on the 2009 Vibe today, and when the wagon/CUV hits dealers this February you'll be able to drive off in the base model for $15,895 (including destination fee) – a significant drop from the '08 model's $17,395 cost of entry. The all-wheel-drive equipped Vibe will come in at just under $20k at $19,495, while the GT model is priced at $19,895. Both the GT and AWD versions come with the Toyota-sourced 158 hp 2.4-liter inline four.

Not a bad deal, especially considering that all models come standard with four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, StabiliTrak traction control, OnStar and six airbags.

Pontiac's press release can be viewed in full after the jump.

click above image for high-res version

The GM Source appears to have scooped the universe with what is apparently the first official shot of the cleaner, cladding-free 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT. Yes, the GT trim level makes its return to the erstwhile Excitement Division, which is slowly, steadily getting its mojo back. We have no info other than the photo and what little detail The GM Source provides on its site, which sadly doesn't include any tech specs. The '09 Vibe will be officially unveiled at the LA Auto Show, and the GT will be joined by an AWD model as well. The Vibe's mechanical sibling, the Toyota Matrix, will debut at SEMA later this month. We'll update the Vibe info as more information comes to light. Until then, tell us your thoughts on the redesign in the comments.

UPDATE: Though it wasn't available before we published this post, the official image from GM has since been released. Click above to see it in high-res.
UPDATE 2: Follow the jump for GM's ultra-brief press release. The car will arrive in showrooms in early 2008.

[Source: The GM Source]