2005 Pontiac Bonneville

2005 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE: PERFORMANCE LÚXÚRY WITH THE EMPHASIS ON PERFORMANCE
Bonneville has been a leader in performance luxury since its 1957 debut. And with the introduction last year of the GXP model, the Bonneville returned to its V-8 roots. The Bonneville GXP is back for '05, along with luxurious and capable SE and SLE models – each model boasting a long list of standard and personalization features.

For 2005, the Bonneville SLE receives the smooth, refined styling of the GXP model, including new front and rear fascias, front and rear headlamps, foglamps, bodyside molding and rockers. The SLE also has standard 17-inch aluminum wheels.

GXP leads with performance
With an eight-cylinder heart and a look all its own, the Bonneville GXP is a performance leader. Refined styling, including specific front and rear fascias, headlamps, taillamps, exhaust outlets and rear spoiler, identifies the GXP at a glance, but the 4.6L DOHC 32-valve Northstar V-8 is the special model's defining character trait. Rated at 275 horsepower (205 kw) and 300 lb.-ft. of torque (406 Nm), the V-8-powered Bonneville GXP provides an exhilarating driving experience unlike any other in the front-wheel-drive, full-size sedan segment.

To handle the V-8 engine's torque output, the engine is mated to the Hydra-Matic 4T80-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) Bonneville SE and SLE models equipped with the 3800 V-6 engine use the Hydra-Matic 4T65-E four-speed automatic. GXP and SLE models share exterior styling, but have different exhaust outlets, wheels, tires and spoiler.

The GXP's power is balanced with a performance-tuned handling package that includes a four-wheel independent suspension, StabiliTrak electronic stability system and an electronically controlled transaxle with a 3.71 final drive gear. Stopping power for the GXP is handled by standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. Also, 18-inch W-rated performance tires add cornering grip, while styled aluminum wheels enhance the vehicle's performance aesthetic.

StabiliTrak assists the vehicle in maintaining the driver's intended path by applying brake force at any corner of the vehicle independent of the driver's use of the brake pedal. StabiliTrak uses an accelerator pedal position sensor, a brake master cylinder pressure sensor and a steering wheel angle sensor as inputs to interpret the driver's desired path and whether to decelerate the vehicle. StabiliTrak also uses these sensors plus a lateral accelerometer and yaw rate sensor to determine the vehicle's actual path. If the difference between the driver's desired path and the vehicle's actual path becomes great enough, StabiliTrak takes appropriate action to assist the driver with maintaining the desired path. If the vehicle begins to 'snowplow,' or understeer, StabiliTrak applies the appropriate rear brake to help turn the vehicle. If the vehicle begins to fishtail, or oversteer, StabiliTrak applies the outside front brake to straighten the vehicle. StabiliTrak is integrated with the traction control and ABS systems.

The GXP's interior is as luxurious as its mechanicals are performance-minded. Últralux suede inserts adorn the seats and door panels; the shifter handle is brushed aluminum; carbon-fiber trim is abundant and the interior switches are a rich ebony. Standard memory bucket seats on the GXP model include power lumbar and power recliner controls on the driver's seat. The GXP includes a center console with storage and rear heating/cooling outlets. Driver and front-passenger side-impact air bags and dual-zone climate control with individual climate settings for the driver and front passenger are standard with this top-of-the-line model.

A CD-cassette player and Monsoon eight-speaker sound system rivaling many great home systems are also part of the GXP.

Standard luxury in SE and SLE

The standard model Bonneville SE combines the performance of the 3800 Series II V-6, rated at 205 horsepower (153 kw) and 230 lb.-ft. of torque (312 Nm), with room to carry up to six passengers in comfort. This well-equipped model offers standard features like driver- and front-passenger air bags, a floor console and electronic cruise control. Bonneville SE also features power door locks, full instrumentation, remote keyless entry, rear-seat pass-through, an AM/FM stereo with CD player, a theft-deterrent alarm system, a tire-inflation monitor and power windows with an express-down feature for the driver and front passenger.

Bonneville SE owners who are looking for a higher level of content in their vehicle will find SE's 1SC Preferred Equipment Group ideal. It adds the 3.05 performance axle ratio, one year of OnStar Safe & Sound service, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, all-speed traction control, a six-way power driver's seat and front leather seating surfaces.

Drivers preferring to move up to the Bonneville SLE receive a standard driver information center, one year of OnStar's Safe & Sound service, 17-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels, all-speed traction control, heated power exterior mirrors, a 3.05 performance axle ratio and a rear deck spoiler.

XM Satellite Radio also is available on all Bonneville models. XM Satellite Radio (continental Ú.S. only) provides more than 120 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original commercial-free music and premier news, sports and talk as well as advanced traffic and weather information for select major metropolitan areas nationwide. Consumers can subscribe to the basic service for $9.99 a month. In addition, GM customers with GMAC financing can choose to include the XM subscription in their car payments.

Bonneville safety

Safety belts remain the primary and most effective form of occupant protection. All seating positions in the 2005 Bonneville models have three-point safety belts. Inboard belts are mounted to the seats so the buckle moves with the seat during adjustments. Retractors for front outboard seating positions have built-in load limiters that allow a controlled amount of give in the belt, thereby reducing the peak load on the chest during the 'ride down' in a crash.

Bonneville also has dual-stage frontal air bags for supplemental protection for front seat passengers. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag system's control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most frontal impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.

Seat-mounted side-impact air bags are available on Bonneville SE and SLE models; they are standard on Bonneville GXP. Bonneville also has pretensioners in the outboard front safety belt system that deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing. Pretensioners also help reduce the amount of occupant movement in the event of a crash to help reduce the risk of injury.

Bonneville also is equipped with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system anchors for child safety seats. This system provides two lower anchors and a top tether anchor to be used to secure a child seat to the vehicle seat structure. These anchorages are designed to make it easier to properly install compatible child safety seats.

All Bonneville models come standard with OnStar, featuring new, sixth generation hardware with digital and analog coverage. OnStar's Gen 6 hardware also includes upgraded hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the Únited States and Canada. Úsing the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Personal Calling that allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated phone calls using a powerful three-watt digital/analog system and external antenna for greater reception.

Source - GM Corporation