Beyond the sporty visual cues, all occupants will definitely appreciate the powerful performance of the Monsoon audio system
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| All occupants will definitely appreciate the powerful performance of the GXP's Monsoon audio system. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
installed in GXP versions of the Bonneville. With the GXP sitting as Pontiac's pinnacle vehicle, nothing less than a heavily contented cabin would suffice, and this benchmark has been easily met. My leather and suede trimmed sample was equipped with dual zone climate control plus rear air, heated front seats and a full gauge package to name a few goodies. The constellation of controls, switches and dials for all these comfort and convenience features created in me a state of sensory overload. It's as if Pontiac hopes to win points by wowing us with a dash layout more complex and comprehensive than in a Boeing 747. And if you think I am overstating the issue, drive the GXP at night and bear witness to the multitude of bright red backlit gauges, buttons, dials and knobs that surround the driver. On the positive side though, all of the controls are within easy access of the driver. Basic audio controls are repeated on the steering wheel, enhancing safety and convenience. The expansive dashboard houses no less than eight circular air-vents for cooling the
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| It's as if Pontiac hopes to win points by wowing us with a dash layout more complex and comprehensive than that in a Boeing 747. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
driver and front seat passengers, which in my view tends to add to the overall cluttered appearance of the GXP's interior, especially when the vents are highlighted by the aforementioned carbon fiber trim surrounds. Of course, a strong dose of cooling air is essential when overwhelmed. As the dash arcs toward the passenger side of the car, it sweeps down to seamlessly join with the center console. Here Pontiac has bolted in a conventional, straight-line shifter that does not offer a manual mode. It's unfortunate that such a driver-oriented car doesn't encourage driver involvement in the selection of gears. Even a gated shift pattern would enhance precision in the cog swapping process that many drivers enjoy being part of.
