Thanks to one of my followers on Facebook, I got my next post for you. We were discussing the Buick Avista and he brought up the point that GM should just bring the Trans Am back. That is and probably will always be something that all enthusiasts want, but we are stuck with the harsh reality that it won’t happen. After some more discussion, I had an epiphany of sorts and inadvertently, my new friend gave me, the idea for this post.
Disclaimer: The opinions of this post are reflective of my opinions and what I would do. If you have your own ideas, opinions etc…visit the comments section of this post.
Ladies and Gentlemen, what if GM decided to do us a favor and resurrect Pontiac? What models would make a return? What models should stay in the graveyard? Well my friends, here’s my idea.
First of all, Pontiac was the “Excitement Division” for GM.
Umm…let me touch on that before I continue. The Merriam-Webster definition of “excitement” is, ” a feeling of eager enthusiasm and interest : the state of being excited”. In other words, Pontiac, being the “Excitement Division”, needed to excite the masses with exciting vehicles. I don’t regard minivans, badge-engineered sedans and SUVs, and a rebadged Chevy Aveo as exciting rides. That’s just being honest.
In order for Pontiac to actually be exciting, there are only three or four models that need to return. In opinion, the GTO, the Firebird/Trans-Am, the Grand Am and the G8 in the several variations that were made. No Aztek, no Bonneville, no Grand Prix, no Montana, no Torrent. Performance vehicles only. I’ll start with the Grand Am seeing as y’all probably want to know why.
The Grand Am would be would be the entry level Pontiac sports car. I’d straw away from what it looked like in the early 2000s and go it would probably favor a G6 GXP. It would more or less compete with the Civic Si and other sports cars in its category. Of course, it wouldn’t be V8 powered or even V6 powered. It would be a four banger with turbos and other performance parts. Like I said, this only opens the door to Pontiac and would probably be the volume seller.
The G8 would be the flagship sedan for Pontiac and it would retain the and formula that it used during the first generation. The G8 would also add depth to the lineup because it would also be built as a ute and a wagon. I always believed that Pontiac would have never died, had GM really pushed the G8 and various forms of it. LS or LT engine, RWD or AWD, auto and manual transmissions as well as V6 as an entry level engine. GXP editions would also be built which would be aimed more at high performance luxury; more than just high performance. The G8 would be pushed to show how broad the Pontiac can be.
The Firebird/Trans-Am would be the muscle car. Based on the alpha platform and built to be what we have wanted since its retirement in 2002. Like before, the Firebird would be primarily V6 powered except in the Firebird Formula trim. The Trans Am would be LS or LT powered and I think horse power numbers near 500HP would not be out of out of the question. The WS6 would be the ultimate Trans-Am and be the equivalent of a ZL1, in terms out technology, and the Z28 in terms of track prowess. The Firebird/Trans-Am would be a volume seller as well as the ultimate muscle car.
The GTO is a awkward fit, but with the right work it could work. The GTO would be pushed up market, which pushes it out of the muscle car realm. The GTO would still be muscle car oreinted in terms of design and some mechanical details but be aimed as a hybrid between muscle/sports and supercar. I have no clue how this would happen to be honest. I can say that the GTO would be V8 powered, with forced induction possibly, with other supercar oriented materials and technology. I believe that the GTO wouldn’t have to look the part but, it will perform as if it did.
Of course, some of this stuff is opinion and even if I were to bring back Pontiac myself (like that would happen), these opinions are tentative. Could my GTO bang with some of the world’s established supercars? I don’t know. Is it impossible? No. I’d just want the opinions of other Pontiac enthusiast. With that being said, what would be your plan to resurrect Pontiac? Shoot some comments in the section below.