AGGRESSIVE STYLING, PERFORMANCE AND PRICE When you look at today's Grand Am, it's hard to believe that it started life as the high performance replacement for the legendary GTO. In 1973 Pontiac stunned industry onlookers with the "European inspired" Grand Am. While big block power was available in the form of a 310-hp 455 cubic-inch V8, sporty handling was its forte. Nearly 30 years later the 2002 Grand Am sedan and coupe are still performance biased, especially in 2-door GT guise. Standard on the GT, P225/50/R 16 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires wrap around 16-inch chrome plated 5-spoke alloy wheels, improving the 4-wheel independent suspensions road-holding. Fifteen-inch steel wheels come standard on the SE and SE1, while 15" aluminum wheels are optional. The GT receives variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering, optional on the SE1, allowing more confidence at speed. You would think the standard traction assist system (ETS) would keep the front wheels from spinning when under hard acceleration, but not so. Attention seekers will enjoy rubbernecking bystanders when screeching away from stoplights, even on dry pavement. Power comes via an all-new Lotus engineered 2.2-L ECOTEC I-4, replacing last year's 2.4-L 4-cylinder. Output is down by 10-hp while torque is reduced by 5 lb-ft - 140-hp and 150 lb-ft. Still the new engine revs more freely (6,200 rpm) making it more fun to drive. It's a great match to the standard Getrag 5-speed transmission, with improved shifting compared to previous gearboxes. Most people, however, will prefer the 4-speed automatic - the only transmission in V6 powered cars. As a note, when parking a 5-speed equipped Grand Am, it's important to remember to deploy the hand brake after shifting into reverse, prerequisite to removing the ignition key. Pulling the brake first and shifting after will get you whacked in the hand by the brake lever.
2002 Pontiac Grand Am Road Test