2005 Pontiac G6

2005 PONTIAC G6 SEDAN: NO COMPROMISES

When it came to developing the all-new 2005 G6, Pontiac set out to challenge the look and feel of sporty midsize cars – and 'compromise' wasn't in the lexicon of change. This all-new sports sedan reinvigorates the midsize segment with contemporary design, total performance and exceptional attention to detail.

'The G6 is going to shake up the midsize segment,' said Jim Bunnell, Pontiac-GMC general manager. 'It represents Pontiac's performance renaissance through fresh design and dynamic driving experience - and it demonstrates GM's commitment to leadership in the passenger car market.'



• New 3.5-liter V-6 with 200 horsepower (149 kw) and 205 lb.-ft. of torque (278 Nm)

• Sophisticated, electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode standard on GT model



• Four-wheel sport-tuned independent suspension, with MacPherson strut front suspension, four-link independent rear suspension, variable-assist electric power steering, full function traction control, and a range of 16- and 17-inch wheels and tires

• GM's global Epsilon architecture with cross-car magnesium beam results in 27.3 Hz bending frequency which provides rigidity and body stiffness for quiet, solid and more responsive ride and handling characteristics

• Engaging, driver-oriented interior with sporty, refined controls and instrument layout; tilt and telescoping steering column; available adjustable pedals; highly bolstered, body-hugging seats; racing-style gauges with true-red LED instrument backlighting; and premium sound system with available in-dash six-CD changer

• Market-exclusive Panoramic roof, which features four sliding glass panels to create a convertible-style open-air driving experience

• Contemporary, sensuous design with upscale refinement and attention to detail

• Outstanding quality, reliability and safety, including standard dual-stage air bags, and available side- and head curtain air bags

• Available segment-exclusive factory-installed remote start.

Solid foundation
Built on GM's rigid, European-designed Epsilon architecture, the G6 delivers responsive ride and handling qualities thanks, in part, to its class-leading 112.3-inch wheelbase. Stretching more than 5 inches longer than key midsize competitors, the G6's wheelbase pushes the wheels to the corners of the body, enabling razor-sharp handling with minimal body roll.

The G6's long wheelbase is comparable to full-size sedans, giving rear-seat passengers class-leading legroom. On the outside, the aggressive proportions culminate in a taut, contemporary design. The unique proportions allowed many unexpected details, including rear passenger door glass that rolls down all the way and the available Panoramic roof – a four-panel, electronically operated glass roof. Three of the four panels slide rearward, creating a sunroof large enough for even the rear-seat passengers to enjoy an open-air, almost convertible-like experience; the front panel tilts up as an air deflector. The G6 sedan currently is the only vehicle in North America to offer this sliding roof design.

Refined design
With its long wheelbase and short overhangs, the G6 has a dramatic profile. Designers pulled the A-pillars forward, raking the windshield and sharpening the vehicle's aggressive good looks with a wedge-shaped profile that suggests motion even when the car is stationary.

The G6's lithe good looks are reinforced with numerous refinements, including prominent reflective-optic headlamps and projector-beam foglamps with crystal-clear lenses and jewel-like lighting elements. The Pontiac signature twin-port grille features chrome accents and mesh center sections made from galvanized steel.

At the rear of the vehicle, large, bright taillamps flank a prominent trunk that is designed for easy loading. And though many competitors in the midsize segment have gooseneck-style trunk hinges, which can impede storage space, the G6 features gas-charged struts and a four-link hinge system that does not interfere with cargo when the trunk is closed.

Driver-oriented interior
Complementing the G6's bold exterior is a driver-focused, sports car cockpit with intuitively placed controls. Refinement and attention to detail are immediately apparent, from the brushed metal accents and chrome trim, to the precise, crisp true-red LED backlighting on the instrument cluster.

An upscale aura is conveyed through the use of materials selected for their rich, textured surface and low-gloss appearance. Touch points, such as the HVAC vents and instrument panel controls, operate firmly and directly – further heightening the G6's feeling of precision.

The front seats are firm yet comfortable, with high-bolstered sides that hold the driver and passengers confidently in place. Settling into the right driving position is made easier with a tilting and telescoping steering column and available adjustable pedals. Driving confidence also is enhanced with the thick, leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel.

Other interior features include: available factory-installed remote start; available adjustable pedals, premium Monsoon sound system with in-dash six-CD changer, sub-woofer and available steering wheel controls; personalized driver information center; 60/40 rear-seat folding combinations; and available XM Satellite Radio.

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.

Exceptional powertrains
The G6's new family of powertrains complements its athletic good looks and 'let's-do-that-curve-again' handling. At the start of production the G6 and G6 GT models will be offered with a new 3.5L V-6 engine, rated at 200 horsepower (149 kw) and 220 lb.-ft. of torque (298 Nm). The engine has broad power bands that produce stirring performance for low-rpm acceleration and high-rpm responsiveness. Technical innovations, including electronic throttle control, enhance the connection between driver and car.

The 3.5 V-6 is backed by theHydra-Matic 4T45-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) For drivers who enjoy more control of the engine's power bands, the G6 GT's automatic transmission also is equipped with a manual shift mode. The feature allows the driver to manually select the gears without the need for a clutch or just leave it in the fully automatic mode.

With the manual-shift mode, sophisticated programming allows much more driver control than some competitors' manual-control automatics. Gear changes are quick and crisp; and although the system's programming won't allow the engine to rev into a damaging rpm zone, it will only shift for the driver in manual mode when safety may be a concern.

Intuitive handling
With its wheels at the corners and long wheelbase, the G6 significantly raises the bar for responsive handling in the midsize segment. The 112.3-inch wheelbase provides a smooth ride and enables more aggressive and responsive suspension tuning.

The front suspension consists of a MacPherson strut design with aluminum lower control arms and a direct acting stabilizer bar. The suspension is mounted to a Ú-shaped hydroformed chassis cradle that is isolated from the body with four specially tuned rubber mounts. The mounts reduce noise, vibration and harshness felt in the vehicle for a smoother, quieter ride.

In the rear, a four-link independent suspension design uses twin-tube shocks and, like the front suspension, a direct acting stabilizer bar. Attached to the shocks, in addition to the chassis, direct acting stabilizer bars respond more quickly to suspension loads and driver input, as well as reduce body roll. Sixteen-inch wheels are standard on the G6, with 17-inch wheels standard on GT.

Variable-assist electric power steering (EPS) is standard and aids low-speed maneuvering with a lighter feel, while increasing in firmness at higher speeds. EPS reduces underhood mass and, because there is no hydraulic fluid, eliminates a potential environmental pollutant.

World-class braking also is an integral component of G6's performance. Large, heavy-duty four-wheel disc brakes have reduced caliper drag performance, as well as European-style brake pads that provide excellent pedal feel, stopping power and fade resistance. An enhanced traction system is available on base models, while a full-function traction control system is available on G6 GT. Anti-lock brakes are standard on the GT.

Safety assurances
The solid Epsilon architecture provides the G6 with built-in safety assurance. Its safety cage construction is complemented with reinforcements in the rocker areas, front body hinge pillar and roof pillars designed to improve impact protection.

A magnesium cross-car beam is an integral component in the G6's safety construction. Serving as the foundation for the instrument panel, this beam ties together the lower sections of the A-pillars and helps the vehicle protect passengers in side-impact crashes. Additionally, high-strength steel is used throughout the architecture in strategic areas to bolster overall strength while reducing mass.

Safety belts remain the primary and most effective form of occupant protection. All seating positions in the G6 have three-point safety belts. 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.

The G6 has dual-stage frontal air bags for supplemental protection of 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.

The G6 also has pretensioners in the 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.

The G6 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.

Remote keyless entry and a content theft alarm are standard on V-6 models.

Source - GM Corporation