Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of refreshed Pontiac G6 spy shots

The Pontiac G6 is one of those alright-looking cars that isn't begging for a total redesign, so General Motors is planning a mid-cycle refreshening of the car's nose instead. The updated design was recently photographed by spies, actual spies, around Detroit, and the changes to the G6 schnoz are clear. Pontiac designers will be adding some creases to the new front end giving it some angularity that's lacking on the current model, while the twin air intakes of the current car that mirror the grille shape will be replaced with one central lower air intake flanked by two smaller ones and requisite fog lamps. There may be some tweaks to the rear taillamps as well, but we're told those will be minor. Thankfully, the 2009 G6 comes available with GM's new six-speed transmission for the first time, making the overall package much more enticing. Some minor plastic surgery should only sweeten the deal for this very competent car in Pontiac's lineup.


[Source: KGP Photography]

When we read in Motor Trend that the Alpha platform would find its way beneath the bow tie instead of the next G6, we were a little disappointed. It didn't make sense that GM would forego the performance-oriented image of Pontiac that Blogger Bob promised us for the more family-friendly, high volume Chevy brand. If you can believe that Maximum Bob returns emails from fanatical Cheers and Gears message board posters (we definitely wouldn't put it past him), then we have nothing to worry about.

In the alleged email, the industry's most outspoken executive cut right to the chase to tell the wide-eyed emailer that Motor Trend's story was "totally untrue." Heck, maybe we'll get the best of both worlds and the General will make a Alpha-based performance Pontiac and a stylish, fun and affordable Chevrolet. We've been denied many of the best overseas platforms for too long, but nothing can make us forgive and forget faster than a couple of world-class RWD sedans that aren't the size of a freighter.

[Source: Cheers and Gears via The GM Source]

Citing suppliers and loose-lipped employees of General Motors as its source, Inside Line has learned that the rear-wheel drive Alpha platform will be making a big splash in the automaker's product portfolio soon. The Alpha will reportedly underpin a successor to the Pontiac G6 set to arrive in late 2010. Such a vehicle would do much to enhance Pontiac's unsubstaniated claim to build excitement, and would also augment the upcoming Zeta-based, rear-wheel-drive G8 sedan nicely. After that, the Alpha will take up residence beneath the next-generation Cadillac BLS sedan that's currently sold only in Europe. Once it makes the switch, IL expects the BLS to cross the Atlantic and slot in below the CTS in Cadillac's North American lineup. Next up would be a new rear-wheel-drive Alpha-based sedan for Saturn that would be positioned below the front-wheel drive Aura and above the Astra.

The Alpha infusion would occur in GM's lineup just as the aged front-wheel-drive W-body platform is phased out and replaced by the Epsilon II platform. The W-based Buick LaCrosse will make way for an Epsilon II successor that revives the Regal name, while the next-gen Malibu and Aura will move over to the new platform, as well. The Malibu may also be offered in a long-wheelbase version to appease current Impala customers who will still need a large, front-wheel-drive sedan once that car jumps to the rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform.

Regardless of whether any of these plans actually happen (nothing's written in stone in this business), it's clear that GM's push to globalize its platforms is on track.

[Source: Inside Line]

If product is everything, then Pontiac may be one of General Motor's shining examples. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, while sales for the sporty brand may have dropped in the first quarter this year compared to 2005, some of those figures can be attributed to GM's de-emphasis of fleet sales as the automaker moves away from that market. And while the Solstice is still sold out, the G6, now made (in)famous on Oprah, has already posted a 78-pct increase this quarter compared to last year. GM partially attributes the G6's sales success to new trim packages, more powerful engine choices, and appealing design. The automaker points to studies showing that the brand has some of the youngest buyers in its segment, helping it to compete with Honda and Nissan.

But Pontiac watchers are concerned. They point to the upcoming G5, based on the Chevrolet Cobalt, and worry about a repeat of the badge-engineering that damaged the marque in the first place. Pontiac, though, says the G5 will be distinctly a Pontiac.

[Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Pontiac will be whisking the cover off this G6 GXP at the New York Auto Show. Officially just a concept car, we're guessing the GXP will soon see production.

The GXP "performance series" badge first saw the light of day on Pontiac's 2003 Bonneville GXP, and later graced the performance model of the Grand Prix. A Solstice GXP will launch later this year.

The G6 GXP is meant to provide buyers with a more aggressive 2 2 coupe, with a full package of GXP mechanical and styling enhancements.

On the performance side, the GXP boasts a mildly reworked 3.9-liter V6 (270 hp, 250 lb-ft) coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. The car rolls on 19-inch wheels providing a glimpse of cross-drilled brake rotors (after all, nothing says performance like brake disc holes). The suspension is lowered about an inch all around.

Styling-wise, the GXP gets a redesigned front fascia with integrated air dam, a couple of air scoops in the hood, side rocker panels, a new rear fascia sporting dual exhaustsand a faux diffuser, and a new "hammerhead"-design spoiler. The interior receives a red accent treatment, including red chrome trim. The Autoblog jury's still out on the grille (which looks to some of us like a shotgun wedding of Pontiac's "nostrils" and the Audi "waterfall"), but overall the package offers a nice performance upgrade for the G6.

All in all, a factory-edition tuner car. More pics after the jump.