Autoblog

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.

The evidence: rumor had it at the LA Auto Show that customers would soon have the option of buying a hybrid Toyota Matrix and a hybrid Pontiac Vibe; the 2009 Pontiac Vibe is made at NUMMI, a GM-Toyota joint venture manufacturing plant where the Matrix is also made; Toyota's already got its hybrid synergy drive -- so is GM working on a hybrid with Toyota, or will they use Toyota's hybrid tech to work in the Vibe?

The evidence is circumstantial, certainly. But it's possible. Lutz said at the recent Reuters Auto Summit that, no matter what GM thinks of hybrids, the company made a mistake letting Toyota get so far ahead with hybrids such that now the Japanese brand has become practically synonymous with hybrids and is perceived to be atop a green moral high ground. True, there's the Volt, and GM might not be doing anything with Toyota at all and it could just be a rumor. Or GM could surprise us with something completely new -- it wouldn't be the first time.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Pontiac officially unveiled the 2009 edition of the Vibe hatchback yesterday, and a question has been raised by several commentors about the powertrain lineup. As we all know, the Vibe shares a platform with the Toyota Corolla and all of its derivatives. The question of why the Vibe uses the Toyota engines rather than GM's own Ecotec lineup was raised during the press conference. After all the 2.4L EcoTec as used in the Cobalt is rated at 173hp and yields EPA numbers of 22/32 mpg according to the 2008 EPA tests. That's 15 hp more, and it bests the 21/27 mpg of the Toyota 2.4 in the Vibe GT.

According to a Pontiac spokesman, the deal with Toyota allows GM to provide product performance requirements, and do the styling, final calibration and tuning. The base engineering responsibility falls to Toyota, and they select the major component suppliers and subsystems, including engines. So, as long as GM maintains this relationship with Toyota, they will have limited control over whatever vehicles are produced. When you consider GM's recent products, it may be time for the General to create the next generation Vibe from its own Delta platform instead. Dropping the 260 hp turbo DI 2.0 Ecotec from the HHR SS (and Cobalt SS, and Solstice GXP, and Sky Red Line) into the AWD Vibe might make a pretty sweet alternative to the new Caliber SRT-4 from Dodge.

[Source: General Motors]

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT

click above image to view video

The 2009 Pontiac Vibe will be officially unveiled at 4:00PM EST today during an event called the Vibe Slam. You can watch the live reveal here, but we're on hand in person and will bring back all the material info on Pontiac's new people mover for your perusal. Of course, one could argue that the Vibe was debuted last week at SEMA when Toyota debuted its essential clone, the Corolla Matrix. In fact, aside from appearances, there appear to be hardly any mechanical differences. Returning to the Vibe lineup after a hiatus is an all-wheel-drive option and the GT model. Unfortunately, coupling a power-sapping all-wheel-drive system to the car's tiny top shelf engine, a 154-hp 2.4L four-cylinder, is a recipe for the antithesis of excitement. We'll bring you more official info after the car is unveiled at 4PM, but until then you can watch the 2009 Pontiac Vibe motor along on video thanks to a few clips that snuck onto YouTube early.

[Source: GM]

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]