Pontiac expands the G6 family. Now in addition to the sedan, he presented at the Los Angeles Motor Show 2005 the coupe and coupe convertible versions. They bring the same V6 engines from the sedan. They will be marketed in 2006.
Pontiac will manufacture in 2006 the new G6 coupe and convertible hard roof. Both have 2 + 2 configuration, allowing you to transport 4 adult passengers with the necessary comfort. It should be noted that the G6 will be the longest American coupe (type 2 + 2) between axles, with 2852 mm. That is why the overhangs of the car are reasonably short, since the length of the car is used inside, gaining more room for the legs of the occupants of the rear seats.
Pontiac manager Jim Bunnell praised the new products presented by the firm. He explained that they are vehicles according to the tradition of the brand, which will expand the success initiated by the G6 sedan. He added: “the coupe G6 delivers a lot of power and great interior comfort; and above it is the only convertible hard roof that can accommodate 4 adults inside.”
The goal of the convertible hard roof is to allow the user to live the experience of driving feeling the wind, without sacrificing the safety and elegance of a coupe. The retractable roof was specially designed by Karmann (Germany) and consists of only 2 articulated sets.
A significant fact is that the roof of the G6 is the largest retractable in the world, necessary to cover a large interior. The rear glass is standard and includes thermal window. Conversion from coupe to convertible without roof takes just under thirty seconds and is operated by the press of a button.
The double opening trunk can be opened upside down for storage of the roof (automatic) and the common mode for loading luggage. Excellent attention to detail ensures that no joints or flanges of the junction area between the trunk and the roof are visible. You hardly notice that this is a convertible.
The retractable roof is a very nice chiche... but nothing practical for carrying capacity. The small trunk of 164 dm3 capacity is reduced to just 61 dm3 when it houses the roof inside. No thinking about long trips.
Both G6 coupe and convertible will be available in GT and GTP versions. GT versions will feature a 200-horsepower V6 3.500 cm3 engine at 4800 rpm and 220 lbs foot torque at 4400 rpm. The power is transmitted through an electronically controlled Hydra-Matic 4T45-E automatic box.
It can also be operated manually. The GTP models will debut a new V6 3.900 cm3 that erogate 240 HP at 5900 rpm. They reach a maximum torque of 245 pounds foot at 2800 rpm. The standard gearbox will be the automatic Hydra-Matic 4T65-E with the possibility of manual actuation. Meanwhile, these new V6 have as an optional six-speed manual gearbox, but only in the coupe version.
As in the sedan, the independent suspensions on all four wheels have been calibrated for sporty gear, but safe enough to avoid too much torque on both chassis and bodywork during cornering. The GTP versions were calibrated for a more specific requirement of sports handling. They were even added hydraulic steering.
All versions of the G6 bring 4-wheel vented disc brakes and 4-channel ABS and traction control plus 17-inch wheels. Only GTP feature optional 18-inch tires and high-performance tires.
The chassis is common to both models, but reinforced in certain key areas in the case of the convertible for added rigidity. The European design structure combines two virtues: the possibility of a large interior space without sacrificing in safety of maneuverability in sports handling. It also allows you to mount a large body, on which a lot of aesthetically worked.
Another point in favor is that the doors are really very large, 152 mm more than the front doors of the G6 sedan. This especially helps those who enter the rear seats. The windows are lowered or raised 6 mm each time the doors are opened or closed to avoid “air bag” and make the manoeuvre smoother.
Highlights include: suspensions, brakes, traction control, keyless remote access, audio equipment with CD exchanger and two-stage front airbags.
Some interesting options are heated leather seats, transparent roof and side curtain airbags (coupe) and XM Satellite Radio system.
© Adrián Blanco 2005 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
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