2006 Pontiac G6

PONTIAC G6 LINEUP EXPANDS IN 2006 WITH COUPE AND HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE BODY STYLES; FOUR-CYLINDER AND GTP MODELS

Pontiac G6's momentum continues into its second year with a greatly expanded lineup. Two new body styles, including a sleek coupe and innovative hardtop convertible, are complemented by a new base four-cylinder sedan and GTP performance models of the sedan, coupe and convertible.

The G6 GT and GTP convertibles feature an all-weather retractable hardtop – the longest retractable top in the industry – and uncompromising seating for four. Both the convertible and the GT and GTP coupe feature large doors that allow easy and comfortable access to the rear seats. GTP models feature a new 3.9L V-6 rated at 240 horsepower (179 kw),* which is matched with a standard four-speed automatic with manual shift control or an available six-speed manual transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)

With its economical 2.4-liter Ecotec engine, the new G6 sedan four-cylinder is the entry point for the entire G6 lineup. The high-output engine is rated at 167 horsepower (124 kw)* and delivers excellent fuel economy. As with all G6 models, the four-cylinder sedan is well equipped with standard safety and convenience features, including standard air conditioning, CD stereo, dual-stage frontal air bags and available head curtain and seat thorax side-impact air bags.

For 2006, all G6 models are updated with standard automatic air bag suppression, a sporty, new three-spoke steering wheel, standard four-way driver seat (with power height adjuster, ratcheting lumbar and seat back pockets), available automatic climate control (standard on GTP) and a single antenna that combines OnStar and XM Satellite Radio. Two new colors – Crimson Red (replaces Sport Red Metallic) and Emerald Green Metallic – have been added to the G6's exterior color choices.

'The G6 sedan four-cylinder will be the choice for those looking for a sporty yet economical sedan, while the coupe and convertible models are stylish offerings for those who seek a personal and exciting vehicle,' said John Larson, general manager of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. 'The bottom line is, whatever a customer is looking for in a midsize car, he or she will find it in the '06 G6 lineup.'

G6 four-cylinder details Adding a more economical, lower-priced entry point for G6 customers, the new G6 sedan with standard four-cylinder power is by all measures a sporty competitor. It features the all-new 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine, which uses variable valve timing to produce 167 horsepower (125 kw) and 162 lb.-ft. (220 Nm) of torque.* It's connected to the smooth-shifting Hydra-Matic 4T45-E four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) And because the powertrain is installed in the same robust chassis as all other G6 models – which includes the class-leading 112.3-inch wheelbase – the four-cylinder sedan offers razor-sharp handling and the smooth ride expected of a larger sedan. (concept carz)

Standard equipment includes 16-inch wheels and tires, AM/FM with CD stereo, air conditioning, power door locks and windows, driver information center and rear defroster.

New coupe and hardtop convertible


The G6 convertible, with its clever retractable hardtop, offers design excellence, precision engineering, and the innovative quality once thought to be the domain of expensive European cars. In addition to the excitement generated by the retractable hardtop, Pontiac made the G6 convertible hardtop a true 2+2. Rear seat room is generous and long doors make rear seat access easy. The G6 coupe and convertible doors are 6 inches longer than G6 sedan doors.

Those extra-long doors help take the squeeze out of rear seat ingress/egress. The doors feature special counterweights that give a lighter feel when opening or closing. Also aiding rear seat access is the front passenger seat that slides forward when the seatback is released. The driver seat also features a release button that is easily accessible by rear seat occupants.

Both the coupe and convertible offer approximately 35 inches (889 mm) of rear legroom. For comparison, the larger Grand Prix sedan offers 36.5 inches of rear legroom. Headroom, too, is comparable to the G6 sedan, with the rear seat design providing an extra measure of space to accommodate the rake of the roofline.

The G6 convertible hardtop offers open-air driving, as well as the security and refinement of a coupe. Convertible-engineering specialist Karmann was instrumental in developing the sophisticated two-piece clamshell-style retractable hardtop that takes less than 30 seconds to change from closed to open, or vice versa. The touch of a single button operates the top.

A double-hinged trunk lid facilitates stowing the top. It opens like a conventional trunk for cargo storage, but is reverse-hinged to accept the folding hardtop. A hard tonneau cover automatically appears as part of the hardtop retraction process, and there is no visible 'stack' when the top is down – it simply disappears into the storage compartment. A specially insulated headliner provides acoustic (quietness) and thermal (temperature extremes) protection. All G6 convertibles undergo stringent water tests at the factory to ensure a dry, hardtop-quality interior.

The coupe and convertible have LED-lit center high-mounted stop lamps. The coupe light is at the base of the rear window and the convertible's wide lamp is part of the decklid. An indication of the high level of quality engineering and attention to detail is the automatically indexed door glass in the G6 coupe and convertible. The glass moves up and down about 0.25-inch when the doors are opened or closed. Features such as this are most often associated with upscale European cars.

GTP performance


The GTP badge is synonymous with Pontiac 's mission of balanced high performance and it reaches the G6 lineup in '06 on sedan, coupe and convertible models. All GTP models feature:

New 3.9L V-6 with variable valve timing technology rated at 240 horsepower (179 kw) and 240 lb.-ft. (325 Nm) of torque on the G6 coupe and sedan, and 227 horsepower (169 kw) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 Nm) of torque on the G6 convertible*
Standard Hydra-Matic 4T65-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control
Available six-speed manual transmission (not available on convertible)
Sport-tuned suspension
StabiliTrak, GM's electronic stability control system
Standard 18-inch five-spoke painted alloy wheels on (standard on GT convertible)
Available 18-inch five-spoke Últra Bright (polished) alloy wheels
Standard P225/50R18 touring tires
Available P225/50R18 summer-only performance tires (not available on convertible)
Available GTP-specific leather-appointed seating with embossed GTP logo
Standard automatic climate control
The GTP's 3.9L V-6 uses variable valve timing and a variable-length intake manifold to help produce 240 horsepower (179 kw) and 240 lb.-ft. (325 Nm) of torque on the sedan and coupe. The 3.9L engine delivers more power and usable torque over a broad operating range, with 90 percent of peak torque available from 1800 to 5800 rpm.

This new engine is part of a new family of cam-in-block V-6 engines developed by GM Powertrain and features an all-new cylinder block casting and new cylinder head design – it shares only valve lifters with any previous GM engine. The 60-degree 'V' configuration is naturally balanced, ensuring drivetrain smoothness and eliminating the need for costly balance shafts. And, unique to this V-6 engine family are offset cylinder bores – the intersection of the cylinder bores' centerline is not at the crankshaft centerline. In this case, the bores' centerline is 3 mm lower than the crankshaft. This was done to allow packaging room for the wider bores, as well as the longer stroke of the larger-displacement 3.9L version.

Additionally, the adaptation of variable valve timing is a first for cam-in-block engines. The system incorporates a vane-type camshaft phaser that changes the angular orientation of the camshaft, thereby adjusting the timing of the intake and exhaust valves equally to optimize performance and economy, and help lower emissions. It offers infinitely variable valve timing in relation to the crankshaft. The cam phasing creates 'dual equal' valve timing adjustments. In other words, the intake valves and exhaust valves are varied at the same time and at the same rate.

Powertrain and chassis layout


Available in G6 sedan and standard with GT sedan, coupe and convertible models is the strong 3.5L V-6 that debuted in the 2005 G6 six-cylinder. The 3.5L is rated at 201 horsepower (150 kw) and 221 lb.-ft. (300 Nm) of torque. It has a broad power band for excellent low-rpm acceleration and high-rpm responsiveness. The 3.5L V-6 is mated to the Hydra-Matic 4T45-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, which features a manual shift mode for quick, crisp gear changes.

The chassis of all G6 models are tuned to complement their respective powertrain with responsive handling. All models use a MacPherson strut front suspension, with aluminum lower control arms and a direct-acting stabilizer bar. Suspension components mount to a Ú-shaped hydroformed chassis cradle. Rubber mounts isolate the body from the chassis cradle to minimize noise, vibration and harshness.

Out back, a four-link independent suspension design uses twin-tube shock absorbers and another direct acting stabilizer bar. Body roll is minimal during cornering. High-performance braking is an integral part of the G6's sporty nature. Large, heavy-duty four-wheel disc brakes provide excellent stopping power and great fade resistance. Front discs are vented and the rear ones are solid. Four-channel ABS is standard. Traction control systems are available and GM's StabiliTrak stability control system is available on GTP models.

Sixteen-inch wheels are standard on the G6 sedan four-cylinder and six-cylinder, with 17-inch wheels standard on GT sedan and coupe. G6 GT convertible and all GTP models receive standard 18-inch wheels.

Sunny and sophisticated interiors

All 2006 Pontiac G6 body styles and models have the ability to enjoy open-air motoring thanks to several roof options. A traditional power sunroof is available on the sedan and coupe. In addition, sedans are available with the market-exclusive Panoramic roof, which features four sliding glass panels to create a convertible-style open-air driving experience. The electronically operated glass roof has three of its four panels slide rearward to create a sunroof large enough for even rear-seat passengers to enjoy. The front panel tilts up to act as a wind deflector.

For the ultimate in sunny-weather fun, the new G6 convertible hardtop offers total open-air driving. A single button brings up the all-weather retractable steel top in less than 30 seconds. When the retractable hardtop is up there is 5.8 cubic feet of trunk space. When the top is stowed there is still 1.8 cubic feet of cargo space.

Sporty driver-oriented interiors with refined controls and instrument layout are part of all G6 models. Standard features include: highly bolstered body-hugging seats, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, racing-style gauges with true-red LED instrument backlighting, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, AM/FM/CD player, variable intermittent wipers, tachometer and theft-deterrent system. Available items include power adjustable pedals, six-way power seats, heated seats, leather seating surfaces, in-dash 6-CD changers and remote vehicle start.

Interior materials were selected for their rich, textured surface and low-gloss appearance. Touch points feature precision operation and feel. The steering wheel is thick and comfortable, with a new, sporty three-spoke design replacing the previous four-spoke wheel. All coupe models receive the three-spoke steering wheel at the start of the production, while sedan models receive the new wheel early in the model year.

Safe and solid

G6 features safety cage construction that is complemented with reinforced rocker sections, reinforced front body hinge pillar and roof pillars that were designed to improve impact protection. A magnesium cross-car beam unites the lower sections of the A-pillars. It helps protect passengers in side-impact crashes and also serves as the foundation of the instrument panel. High-strength steel was used in strategic areas to augment overall structural integrity.

Consistent use of safety belts remains the most effective form of occupant protection. All G6 seating positions have three-point safety belts. Front outboard retractors have built-in load limiters to reduce peak chest loads by allowing a controlled amount of belt give during 'ride down' crash conditions.

Dual-stage frontal air bags provide supplemental protection for front seat passengers. For '06 GM's Passenger Sensing System is standard on all models. This system works with the front passenger seat and differentiates between adults – 5 th percentile females and larger – and small children or child seats to adjust air bag deployment. This smart system helps reduce the risk of air bag-induced injuries. Front safety belt pretensioners deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing. Pretensioners minimize occupant movement during a crash.

Head curtain and side-impact air bags for front-seat occupants are available on G6 sedan models.

G6 interiors are equipped with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system anchors for child safety seats. Two lower anchors and a top tether anchor secure the child seat to the vehicle seat structure for proper installation of compatible child safety seats.

OnStar-equipped G6 models feature OnStar dual-mode (analog-digital) equipment. OnStar's digital equipment also includes enhanced 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 Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.

The OnStar service standard on the 2006 G6 includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to the participating 911 centers to help them dispatch the appropriate live-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster.

Source - GM Media