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The coupe is dead! Long live the coupe! Despite recent cancellations of the Celica and Sebring/Stratus coupes, Pontiac is forging ahead with these variations of its mid-sized G6. In addition to having rear-end styling that would make a Nissan 350Z owner proud, the doors are 152.4-millimetres longer than the G6 sedan's to help ingress and egress. To further distinguish itself from its GM Epsilon platform Malibu, Saab 9-3, and new Saturn Aura mates, Pontiac is bringing innovation and performance. Novelty is the Karmann-designed retractable hardtop. Legitimate performance comes in the form of the GTP models with their 240-horsepower, 3.9-litre vee-six with a four-speed manu-matic or available 6-speed stick
ON SALE: Fall 2005
ESTIMATED PRICE: $27,000-39,000 Cdn.
FUTURE COMPETITORS: Chrysler Sebring, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry Solara
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Many a pre-2005 Jetta were sold solely on their distinctively austere German design. In catering to big-boned North Americans, the 2006 Jetta is bigger in every dimension than its predecessor. This space utilization has resulted in a car whose looks have been inspired by, of all things, the Toyota Corolla. Not sure how that's going to go down with the anti-establishment Gen Y buyers who made this VW's best-selling North American car. At least VW is providing more oomph in the form of an all-new, 2.5-litre, straight-five cylinder base engine making 150-horsepower. Later in 2005, Volkswagen will offer its excellent DSG manu-matic transmission on TDI models.
ON SALE: March 2005
ESTIMATED PRICE: $23,000-33,000 Cdn.
FUTURE COMPETITORS: Volvo S40, Mazda3, Saab 9-2x, Pontiac G6