Autoblog

There's not a whole lot going on for General Motors at the LA Auto Show, but the company's making some minor announcements via press release before the shindig in la-la land gets underway tomorrow. The Pontiac G6 receives a minor facelift as a 2009½ model, with updated front and rear fascias and some interior tweaks. Those interior improvements bring the G6 up to par with its platform-mate brethren and include new trim bits, the standard GM radio (in a 2007 G6 I drove, the radio had this ridiculous ribbing on the dials -- a very 90s-Poncho feel), "all-new" (read: GM partsbin) HVAC controls, and an optional MY LINK communication package that includes Bluetooth, a dash-mounted USB port and related tech. You can also get a more attractive 2-tone interior with leather or cloth seats as an upgrade over the standard (and dreary) all-black treatment.

Underhood, the G6 Coupe is now available with the 4-cyl/6-speed powertrain combo, complete with paddle shifting. A flex-fuel 3.5L V6 is also available at no additional cost over the gas version in the full range of body styles, so the dozen G6 shoppers who also have access to actual E85 pumps should be enthused. The convertible's 3.9L V6 carries over and the 3.6L "high feature" V6, as before, is exclusive to the GXP. By the way, the GXP does not get any facelift love, and thus the infamous "Street Edition" remains ugly enough to stop every clock in a 132-mile radius.




[Source: Pontiac via finchannel.com]

Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma

The Big 3 may be laying off workers left, right and center, but at least one start up is moving into town to swoop up some skilled workers. That start-up is Fisker Automotive, the aspiring luxury-hybrid automaker headed up by noted designed Henrik Fisker. The new facility is based in a leased property in Pontiac, Michigan, in suburban Detroit, and will help Fisker's engineers get the Karma, first shown in concept form at the last Detroit show and ambitiously gearing up for a production preview at the next one.

The Pontiac site is not replacing Fisker's Irvine, California, headquarters, nor its production site in Finland. It will, however, bring the outfit closer to component suppliers in the Detroit area in an effort to expedite the development process. The 34,000-sq.-ft. Pontiac facility already has approximately 130 staff members hard at work on the Karma, ramping up to 200 dedicated workers and consultants from local parts suppliers.

[Source: Automotive News – subs. req'd]

General Motors has been the perpetrator of several fortunate and unfortunate badge engineering jobs over the years, and the G8 -- based off the Holden Commodore -- is the most recent example. The Aussie sedan was partially developed with American sales in mind and because of that, it doesn't take much to give your spiffy new G8 a nose job inspired by the Land Down Under. Australian firm JHP Vehicle Enhancements will sell you an entire body kit to change your G8 into a Holden for a mere, um, $4,000 if you choose to go all out in an attempt to replicate the HSV model. That's a sizable chunk of change, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Since we're less concerned with appearances, we'd just put the extra scratch towards upgrading to the GXP.

[Source: JHP Vehicle Enhancements via Autofiends]

Click above for high-res gallery of the Pontiac G8 Street Concept

We couldn't help but listen to the comments of other onlookers as we closely inspected the G8 GXP Street Concept in the G8 booth. Every reaction was overwhelmingly positive, from the overall design to the motor. After all, what's not to like? For starters, the standard 6.2L V8 has been replaced with an LSX454 crate motor that uses the LSX Bowtie block, six-bolt LSX cylinder heads and a forged rotating assembly. In total, the 7.4L V8 pushes out a massive 638 horsepower and 600 lb-ft torque that's directed through a 6-speed automatic transmission. The exterior gets a makeover with new front and rear fascias, rocker panels, custom upper and lower grilles and black chrome trim. Inside, the G8 GXP Street Concept also gets custom leather trimmed seats, a new gauge cluster and more black chrome. Yeah, it's basically a four-door ZR1. You can look at all the details of the car in the gallery of live high-res photos below.

Click above for a high resolution gallery of the Solstice GXP Coupe Concept

GM gave us an early look at its Solstice GXP Coupe Concept a few days ago, but we made sure to stop by the GM display to check out the coupe in person. We're glad to say that it's just as attractive in person, and we hope the graphics kit is an option when the coupe goes on sale later next year. Already available from the GM Performance Parts catalog is the Stage 2 performance kit and cat-back exhaust that bumps output to 290 hp. This particular Solstice also features blue accent stitching on the seats and race-style pedal covers. Check out the gallery below for the live shots from the show floor.

Click above for a high resolution image

One of the best parts about SEMA is getting to see the manufacturers build cars they might not otherwise. Take this G8 GXP Street Concept, for example. Sure, the 415-horsepower 6.2L V8 in the standard G8 GXP is plenty good enough, but why not stuff the new LSX454 crate engine from GM Performance Parts underneath the hood? The 7.4L V8 is good for a ZR1-matching 638 horsepower and 600 lb-ft torque, allowing this G8 to unashamedly call itself a true muscle car. Other features include stiffer springs and the brake package from the CTS-V as well as 20-inch black chrome wheels. The exterior has been given an aggressive makeover with a new front fascia with unique upper and lower grilles and a rear fascia that incorporates a diffuser and performance exhaust system. Inside are custom leather seats and a new gauge cluster. More details and plenty of photos are soon to come when we hit the show floor next week. Thanks for the tip, Jonathon!

[Source: GMInsideNews.com]

Click above for a high resolution image

The Pontiac Solstice is no stranger to the show floor at SEMA. Pontiac has previously shown the Solstice Weekend Club Racer in 2005, the Solstice GXP-R in 2006, and the single-seat Solstice SD-290 Concept. last year. For this year, GM's line of performance parts will be shown on the Solstice in coupe form for the first time when the Solstice GXP Coupe Concept is officially unveiled next week in Las Vegas. This customized Solstice shows off GM Performance Parts' Stage 2 performance kit , intake kit, and cat-back exhaust system that boosts horsepower from 260 to 290. The car also features a sportier suspension system, exterior graphics kit, customized leather-trimmed seats, race-style pedal covers, and an iPod interface. More details and live photos soon to come as part of our extensive SEMA 2008 coverage.

[Source: GMInsideNews.com]

Pontiac hopes to clear things up with a post on Pontiac blog regarding the future of its current products, namely the G8 and Solstice. It was just the other day that rumors of the brand's two rear-wheel drive vehicles possible being canceled hit the interwebs, and we dutifully reported on the story as we always do. According to Pontiac, though, those rumors are nothing more than speculation and should not be taken as gospel unless you hear it from the horse's (or Mr. Lutz's) mouth, which we have not. Still, the rumor in question indicates that the G8 will live on at least another five years, assuming it continues to sell that long, but would not be replaced after that. This could still be the case. Likewise, the Solstice has not been canceled, but it's replacement in GM's lineup still seems unlikely given the low volume of sales the vehicle attracts. In short, nobody can predict the future, but sometimes the handwriting on the wall isn't that tough to read.


[Source: Pontiac Underground]

It looks like things will be getting a lot less exciting at Pontiac, as some reports indicate that the erstwhile performance brand will be losing its best performers. Despite the fact that the G8 sedan has seen nothing but positive press from the media, including your humble scribes here at Autoblog, the realities of fuel economy and the global economy appear set to kill off the rear-wheel drive performance sedan in the prime of its short life. GM will reportedly not renew the G8 after its Holden-sourced chassis architecture is redesigned following a planned five-year run.

The Pontiac Solstice in both coupe and convertible forms is also unlikely to see a second generation. Unfortunately, the Solstice, Saturn Sky and their Opel spin-off don't generate enough sales to support another go-round, which could leave Pontiac with exactly zero vehicles with overtly sporting pretensions. While the G6 may be a decent car, it and a Cobalt derivative in the form of the G5 and a rebadged Aveo known as the G3 do not a BMW competitor make. What does this mean for the future of Pontiac as a brand? We'll see.


[Source: Inside Line]

The Firehawk name is well known by GM performance buffs, having graced some of the highest performing Firebird models from 1991 until 2002. Built by New Jersey based SLP (Street Legal Performance), the Firehawk models received various levels of performance upgrades and could hang with the best of American muscle during its day: the later models could run 0 to 60 mph in around five seconds and passing the 1/4 mile in the mid 13's. While the Firebird wasn't revived along with the Camaro, SLP has decided to use the G8 to revive the Firehawk name with three special edition cars based on the V6 and V8 models as well as a supercharged version. The cars will be sold through Pontiac dealers and will carry a full warranty. Sound great, right? Current Firebird Firehawk owners don't think so. After hearing the news on LS1Tech.com, many of the members were outraged that the Firehawk name would be watered down on something besides a Firebird, in particular a four door sedan. In all fairness, SLP owns the Firehawk name and can use it how it wants, so we'll reserve judgment until the car is actually unveiled and we can see how it performs. Thanks for the tip, Russ!

[Source: LS1Tech.com]