2009 G3 Coming to the U.S.

[Rich]

http://jalopnik.com/5051538/2009-pon...etjust-because

We brought you the rumor here first, then we were told it wasn't going to happen, and then back on, but now it's official — Pontiac G3 will be headedto the United States as a 2009 model year five-door hatchback. Yes, folks, GM's decided the Chevy Aveo was just so nice, they couldn't let Chevy have all the fun, now foisting the rebadged Korean econobox onto the brand that was once all about "driving excitement." But that time seems so long ago. Don't get us wrong, we're of the opinion the Chevy Aveo's a very nice little fuel-sipper that's great for the driver who never wants to, you know, enjoy driving. But it saddens us Pontiac's ending up with one of these appliances in the stable. We guess those rumors were true. Still, all those Hummer-GMC-Pontiac dealers are probably going to be pretty happy they'll finally have something other than the G5 ringing in at over 30 MPG to put on the lots. Full details on the new Chevy Aveo the car you CAN ignore 2009 Pontiac G3 after the jump and more deets here as well.

press release:

PONTIAC ANNOUNCES NEW SMALL CAR FOR U.S. MARKET

2009 G3 Offers Sporty Functionality, Fuel Efficiency, Value

Detroit - Expanding its portfolio in the rapidly growing small car segment, Pontiac announced plans to bring the sporty, five-door hatchback G3 to U.S. showrooms early next year. When it arrives, the G3 will provide Pontiac with a total of four vehicles capable of more than 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

Already successful in Canada (as the Pontiac G3 Wave) and Mexico (as a sedan model), the G3 offers an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway while providing the best shoulder and hip room in the segment for seating five adults.

“The small car segment has literally exploded in recent months, with sales up nearly 33 percent in the first six months of 2008 alone,” said Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. “With its proven success in other markets, we felt the time was right to bring the G3 into the BPG portfolio for our U.S. customers.”

The 2009 G3 will join the all-new 2009 Vibe (32 mpg) and recently enhanced 2009 versions of the G6 sedan (33 mpg) and G5 coupe (37 mpg) in Pontiac’s “Over 30” club.

“More than ever, fuel economy is an important factor in Pontiac’s formula of style and performance,” said Docherty. “The Vibe, G3, G5, and G6 prove that you don’t have to sacrifice sporty design and responsive driving to achieve impressive fuel economy.”

Generating 106 horsepower (79 kW), the G3’s 1.6L Ecotec four-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission. It will also feature an unusually rich mix of standard features for an entry-level car, including air conditioning, a CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input jack, fog lamps, rear spoiler, OnStar, and a host of standard safety features, including four airbags, that gain the G3 a five-star frontal crash rating.

Interior space is optimized to comfortably seat five adults, including “theater”-style seating for rear seat passengers. The rear seats also feature a 60/40 split to offer up to 42 cubic feet of cargo space.

The Pontiac G3 will arrive in U.S. showrooms in spring 2009 as a 2009 model and will be backed by GM’s five-year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to introduction.

just what pontiac needs

the end is nigh

[Vegeta]

I wanna know if a 3900 or 3.6 DOHC will fit with either the 4T65 or 6T70.

[Cormaster]

I really wonder what GM is thinking sometimes... Didn't they already make a Pontiac Wave for Canada?

[FuriousG]

If you really want to know how out of touch with reality they are then jsut read this line again:

“The Vibe, G3, G5, and G6 prove that you don’t have to sacrifice sporty design and responsive driving to achieve impressive fuel economy.”

They REALLY think those cars are "sporty design"?!? This list includes the least sporty cars Pontiac has built in decades.

[PhantomLover007]

God that thing is ugly.... FOCK!!!

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by FuriousG

If you really want to know how out of touch with reality they are then jsut read this line again:



They REALLY think those cars are "sporty design"?!? This list includes the least sporty cars Pontiac has built in decades.

They ARE clueless. we told a GM engineer, Spoon, who use to be here all the time, when they were designing the G6 that we as the previous gen cars population DID NOT find it sporty, edgey, cool, or to our general liking....and that it would not succeed in competing with the accord crowd (who they were shooting for) and would be a sales dud unless whored to rental agencies. They tried the first year not to sell to rental agencies, but when the GA was completely gone they had to give in to sell cars.


Guess what................we were right, and even the general public agrees. That's why it is one of the worst selling cars on the market when you look at "time sitting on lot before sale" data.

[cardude007617]

i heard about this at work about a month ago, i laughed and didnt think it would happen. i guess GM really has lost their marbles now. why not focus on resdesigning the crappy G6 line? ****, they might as well come out with a pontiac version of the Enclave/Acadia/Outlook and call it the SPORTY alternative.

correct me if im wrong but the new malibu is supposedly a good car right? why cant they redesign the grand prix after it? keep the pontiac specific styling but use the new chassis for it?

[intmd8r]

Originally Posted by Cormaster

I really wonder what GM is thinking sometimes... Didn't they already make a Pontiac Wave for Canada?

The G3 looks like a re-designed Pontiac Wave/Chevy Aveo to me.

[McFlurrey06]

^^ It is.

[99GTCoupe]

They did it to compete more with Ford's 6 or so small cars that are coming out next year. That's my opinion, at elast. ****ty car though D:

[cardude007617]

hey at least its..... oh wait theres nothing good about it

[Wubby{Beat]

hey at least its..... oh wait theres nothing good about it

your on to something there man

[GregFarz78]

ugh more badge engineering

[sarcasm]way to go GM for putting out something original[/sarcasm]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

They ARE clueless. we told a GM engineer, Spoon, who use to be here all the time, when they were designing the G6 that we as the previous gen cars population DID NOT find it sporty, edgey, cool, or to our general liking....and that it would not succeed in competing with the accord crowd (who they were shooting for) and would be a sales dud unless whored to rental agencies. They tried the first year not to sell to rental agencies, but when the GA was completely gone they had to give in to sell cars..

remember that ugly ass malibu maxx they thought was going to be a big hit

[GregFarz78]

Originally Posted by intmd8r

The G3 looks like a re-designed Pontiac Wave/Chevy Aveo to me.

b/c it is what else is new with pontiac their new slogan should be "pontiac, at least its not a chevy...oh wait yes it is!"

[Exodus]

Originally Posted by GregFarz78

remember that ugly ass malibu maxx they thought was going to be a big hit

Thought thought he farted but he really sh¡t his pants.....
GM really needs new management, pronto!!!!11111111111

[GregFarz78]

yes new YOUNGER management in touch with what consumers want

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by GregFarz78

ugh more badge engineering

[sarcasm]way to go GM for putting out something original[/sarcasm]



remember that ugly ass malibu maxx they thought was going to be a big hit

I've said it before here, and I'll say it again for the newbs:

Spoon brought the Malibu Maxx over to the hotel at GAP 2003 to show us all the test mule of this "new ride" RAZE here, literally said to his face in his New York accent: "Is this for real? Do you really think people are going to buy this?..........................This car is ugly. There isn't one thing great about this car that makes me want to buy it. It's ugly and boring. It's not going to sell."

I was like because of his bluntness. But as for it's truth, I was like

[bigbenSC]

Craptastic! Badge engineering is alive and well at GM. Pontiac, despite good efforts from the G8 and Solstice, remains a huge joke to the majority of the buying public. This won't help at all.

[Cormaster]

Whats messed up about GM is remember how they made a big deal about how Badge engineering is dead? Other than the G8, Pontiac IS the badge engineered division. G6= Malibu, G5= Colbalt, Vibe = Matrix, Solstice = Sky, Torrent = Equinox, and now G3 = Aveo. These days if you want a new pontiac all you gotta do is pick a chevy or Saturn that isn't in the division yet, throw a kidney grill on the front, add some red lighting to the interior and your good to go!

Honestly the announcement of the crappiest car GM makes coming to Pontiac division makes me wanna puke. I really would rather just see Pontiac go these days. The best days of Pontiac are in the past! The only thing Pontiac has brought out that was "driving excitement" in the past 20 years was the WS6 and the GTO. Well the Solstice too, I gotta admit I like those things, but since they are being discontinued its not going to matter much longer.

[Hodge]

god they have the most ****ing boring names

G3,G5,G6,G8

get creative