She famously gave an entire studio audience, 276 people, each a Pontiac G6 of their own. By releasing the car nationwide by donating 276 cars to people on an incredibly popular talk show, Pontiac succeeded in making the G6 a household name overnight. However, soon after the show debuted controversy began. Though the sedans were given to people in need in Oprah’s audience, the taxes were not paid. Many of the winners were unable to even keep the vehicle because they simply did not have enough money to cover the cost of taxes.
The Pontiac G6 Sedan is also used in racing. The G6 took the place of the GTO.R in the Rolex Sports Car Series. Also, the G6 GXP is involved in Powerade Drag Racing. Though the G6’s marketing campaign was incredibly different than that of its competition, the maker succeeded in creating a brand that all became familiar with very quickly. Since then, other makers have been pushing vehicles more and more on talk shows by giving them away to deserving audience members. However, none have done it on quite the grand scale that Pontiac did.

Pontiac released a G6 convertible. The retractable hardtop put the G6 convertible in the running with much more expensive car brands, such as the Infiniti G35. The GT trim of the G6 came with TAPshift, much similar to the AutoStick. The TAPshift gave the G6 the ease of driving an automatic, but allowed the driver to upshift or downshift manually when necessary. The 2006 model year also introduced 201 horsepower, a much needed boost for a car marketed as “sporty.” It was not until 2007 when Pontiac gave the G6 GT an engine upgrade to a 3.9L V6 that produced 252 horsepower. The latest G6 trim is the GXP. The GXP had a revamped front end and featured two air scoops on the hood.

The Pontiac G6 was originally unveiled at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. The G6 was put in place to reinforce GM’s idea that their daughter division was the sportier of the bunch. The Pontiac G6 was and still is available as a sedan, convertible, or coupe. In 2005 the G6 was ranked at number eleven in the top selling cars in America.

The G6 Sedan comes standard with a 2.4L Ecotec LE5 4-cylinder engine, producing up to 169 horsepower. In the 2005 model year, Pontiac released a G6 convertible. The retractable hardtop put the G6 convertible in the running with much more expensive car brands, such as the Infiniti G35. The GT trim of the G6 came with TAPshift, much similar to the AutoStick. The TAPshift gave the G6 the ease of driving an automatic, but allowed the driver to upshift or downshift manually when necessary.

Oakland Motor Car line, the Pontiac name was actually first used twenty years prior by the Pontiac Spring and Wagon Works, and linked to Chief Pontiac, who had led an uprising against the British shortly after the French and Indian War. In 1908, Pontiac and the Oakland Motor Company decided to merge under the name of the Oakland Motor Car Company, and their operations were joined in Pontiac, Michigan, to build the Cartercar. The next year, General Motors purchased Oakland.

The first General Motors Pontiac was conceived as an affordable six-cylinder that was intended to compete with more inexpensive four-cylinder models, and it was outselling Oakland within months of its introduction.

As you all know, the Pontiac era is scheduled to end by late 2010 so it comes to no surprise that the only model offered for retail sale in General Motors’ 2010 Product Guide for the United States is the Vibe - most probably because of the fact that it is produced by GM’s joint venture with Toyota called NUMMI. The compact crossover continues in the new model year with a few minor upgrades.

Only a week after General Motors stated that the Vibe would be the only Pontiac model to be offered for retail sale in the brand’s 2010MY portfolio, the automaker announced today its decision to discontinue production of the compact crossover by the end of August 2009. The Vibe is produced alongside its sister model, the Toyota Matrix, at the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) facility jointly operated by GM and Toyota in Fremont, California.

The base sedan, which has a starting MSRP of $22,500, has a 200 horsepower, 3.8 liter V6 engine, and the GT (starting at $25,420) has the same engine, kicked up to 260 horsepower. For a base MSRP of $29,500 the GXP comes with a 303 horsepower, 5.3 liter V8 engine, that also has electronic throttle control. There are two available transmissions: a four-speed automatic, or a TAPshift transmission that allows manual gear shifting.

Estimated fuel efficiency is 20 mpg city and 30 highway with the 3.8 liter; 19/28 with the supercharged version; and 18/27 with the 5.3 liter. (Fuel capacity is 17 gallons.) Crash avoidance features include a four-wheel antilock braking system as well as an enhanced traction control system, and a system that monitors tire pressure. Daytime running lights, fog lights, and high intensity halogen headlights are other options that vary by trim level.

Security features include automatic door locks, keyless entry, and an electronic anti-theft system, as well as emergency trunk release handle. The 2007 Grand Prix comes with multi-stage front airbags, as well as head-protecting side-impact airbags for both the front and back seats. Safety-cage construction, three-point seat belts for all passengers, and the LATCH system for child seats round out the standard features.

Buyers have their choice of six upgrade packages like the security package that includes extra airbag protection, anti-lock brakes, and traction control. Some potential buyers might be put off by the fact that certain features are considered additions and thus come with an attached fee; however, others will likely find that this gives them a chance to customize their Grand Prix. Buyers also have their pick of two trim levels, the Sedan or GXP, that vary in both power and upgraded interior features.

While the 2008 Grand Prix Sedan is fitted with a 200 horsepower 3.8L 3800 Series III V6, the Grand Prix GXP is equipped with a 5.3L 5300 V8 that produces around 303 horsepower. The GXP also features active fuel management to provide greater fuel economy in a larger engine. The active fuel management works by disabling some of the cylinders when they are not being used; thus, the fuel economy in a vehicle with active fuel management could rival a V6 or even a 4-cylinder. With the Sedan reaching a combined fuel rating of 29 MPG, and the GXP reaching up to a combined 27 MPG, Pontiac has certainly been working to help buyers adapt to the higher cost of fuel. Nevertheless, buyers might not be thrilled with the availability of only one transmission, a 4-speed automatic with electronic overdrive.

Standard in the GXP is the Preferred Package that includes a remote start system, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, audio controls mounted on the steering wheel and chrome interior accents. However, it will take the addition of the Premium Package on the Pontiac Grand Prix Sedan to get dual-zone automatic air conditioning and heated leather front seats. Available in both the 2008 Grand Prix Sedan and GXP is a Sun and Sound Package that features a power sunroof, quality speaker system and 6-disc in-dash CD changer. This 4-door sedan can also have fog lights, a rear spoiler and grille inserts added without a package purchase.

The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix’s base MSRP of $22,960 will draw potential buyers away from such models as the Audi RS4. The price coupled with the gas mileage might just put the Grand Prix in the running to become a bestseller for Pontiac. Unfortunately, if buyers are looking for a sporty sedan that comes standard with a number of features, they’ll need to look somewhere else. Though the base MSRP is reasonable, once features start being added (features that are commonly standard on other makers’ sedans), the price will quickly climb as well.

The second generation, beginning in 1969, dropped the Grand Prix to mid-size. The new Grand Prix got its own body style for the first time. It sported a 400 or 428 cubic inch engine, the latter replaced by the 455 in 1970. Transmission offerings remained essentially the same. In 1972 it carried Pontiac’s first radial tire offering.

Beginning with the third generation in 1972, the Grand Prix grew again, though marginally. During this time Pontiac offered four engines, including their first V6, but overall engine performance declined due to new federal emission guidelines. The manual transmission was dropped in favor of the three-speed automatic. Sales hit record levels in 1976 and 1977.

The fourth generation faced new realities of driving - environmental concerns and the rising price of gasoline. Beginning in 1978 the Grand Prix was a foot shorter and six hundred pounds lighter. For the first time, the standard engine was neither V8 nor Pontiac. It was a Buick V6.

The new engine was matched with a standard three speed manual transmission, though the old three speed automatic was optional. The sporty appearance was toned down and a more sedate, family looking vehicle took its place. By 1982, Pontiac engines were phased out entirely. During this period the Grand Prix got its only diesel engine.

The fifth generation Grand Prix was scaled down to a more “personal” size. It was still available in two or four doors, but even the V6 was beginning to seem upscale as the first four-cylinder engine became standard on the low-end model in 1990. A four speed automatic and a five speed manual transmission were offered during this time.

The sixth (1997) and seventh (2004) generation Grand Prix kept, but modernized, the basic look of the fifth generation. It moved back to a V6 standard for all models and the seventh generation even offered a new V8. But major changes lay underneath the skin as the Grand Prix kept up with the safety and efficiency standards of the industry. 2008 was its last model year. Without doubt, the Pontiac Grand Prix was one of America’s most innovative vehicles ever.

The sedan, however, is arguably the wiser choice, delivering more value and functionality than its sister models. This 4-door sedan shares the same basic design as the Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura and Saab 9-3 and is available in 4 price leading trims-the Value Leader, Base, GT and the sporty new GXP. For the 2008 model year, the GXP trim is added to the lineup, while anti-lock brakes, traction control, side impact airbags and Onstar are added to the standard equipment list for all versions of the G6.

The Value Leader and Base G6 Sedans have a 164 horsepower, 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine and a 4 speed automatic transmission. The GT Sedan is powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine rated at 219 horsepower with a 4 speed automatic transmission, while the performance oriented GXP comes equipped with a potent 252 horsepower, 3.6 liter V6 mated to a 6 speed automatic. Both engines provide ample power and the automatic transmissions downshift readily for impressive acceleration when passing. Using regular grade fuel, sedans equipped with the 3.5 V6 average about 22 miles per gallon.

The Value Leader GT Sedan is very well equipped and comes standard with many safety features including a full array of airbags, traction control, anti-lock brakes and an anti-skid system. Also included are 16 inch wheels, daytime running lights, air conditioning, Onstar, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, split folding rear seat, full power accessories and an AM/FM/CD stereo system. The Base Sedan replaces the 16-inch wheels with 17-inch wheels and adds cruise control and remote keyless entry. The GT Sedan adds a leather wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio system controls, an upgraded sound system with in dash CD changer and satellite radio; fog lights and a sport tuned suspension. In addition to the most powerful engine in the lineup, the GXP features heated front seats, automatic climate control and a power adjustable driver seat.

Although the 2008 Pontiac G6 Sedan lacks some of the well tuned feel and the exceptionally quiet cabin of some of the other midsize sedans on the market today, however the much sleeker looking G6 Sedan does undercut them on price while still providing a safe and very comfortable ride as well as an almost thrilling driving experience.

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