The New Grand Am?From all indications, the G6 is a thinly disguised preview of the next-generation Grand Am and was reportedly built from a pilot-line car. Indeed, the name G6 seems to indicate a 6th-generation Grand Am. If this is true, how much of the show car will make it to the showroom and when?
Here are some things we do know: The next-generation Grand Am will be based on the new GM Epsilon platform, which will also be the basis for the new-generation Chevy Malibu and Saab 9-3. It is also available now as the Opel Vectra, a car that is currently receiving critical acclaim in Europe. With the revised V-6 being billed by GM as "production intent," it's pretty clear it will be showing up soon, first in the 2004 Chevy Malibu and then in the new Grand Am, which is reported to be on deck for the 2005 model year.
With that in mind, we can look back at some of Pontiac's past concept cars that have made production and see the patterns in their transition to production. By examining the differences between the '95 300 GPX and the '97 Grand Prix, as well as the '99 Aztek concept vehicle and its '01 production variant, we can extrapolate some likely scenarios.
First off, we can expect a much more sedate wheel and tire combination, which will also negate the need for such large wheelwells. Look for sixteen-inchers in most cases with a 17-inch option available for a GXP version. Tire width would probably not exceed 225mm and with smaller wheels, the huge brakes will need to get a little smaller.
Inside, things would most likely be toned down a bit as well. The multi-colored leather would seem pretty doubtful and the titanium trim will probably not get past the accounting department, either. Though the choice of materials will need to come down to earth for series production, don't be surprised if the basic look of the dash remains. In the interest of practicality though, it is unlikely that the four-place seating would remain, which would also kill the attractive full-length console.
Okay, so what about the important stuff: the blower and the all-wheel drive? Can we expect or at least hope that both will be available on the ordering sheet? Well, we can hope all we want, but our most reliable sources tell us that AWD will be optional equipment, though the blower, if it happens at all, may be available as a dealer add-on through GM Performance Parts.
As it is with the '04 Malibu, the standard engine will be the 140hp Ecotec 2.2L, DOHC four-cylinder engine and the 3.5L"3500" V-6, which is rated 200 hp and 210 ft-lbs of torque. While talk of both 5- and 6-speed manual transaxles have been centered on the Epsilon platform, we will have to wait to see what sort of availability the Grand Am can muster.
Both engines will be mated to 4T45-E automatic overdrive transmission, which has been upgraded for higher speed and torque capacity, though AWD versions, if they happen, will be using the larger Aztek-sourced 4T65-E.
While it will probably be a cold day in Hades if the G6 comes to market 100% intact, it isn't really reason to lament. True, the production version of the next-generation Grand Am will not have all of the bells and whistles that its concept car sibling has, it will still represent a raising of the bar in an extremely competitive market segment. Whatever powertrain configurations become available, there is little doubt that the aftermarket will fill the gaps between the G6 concept car and the production Grand Ams. It looks like yet another exciting chapter of Pontiac performance history is about to begin.