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| Those inside GM close to the project are saying that the new GTO's will be "more eye-catching" than the current car. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
Possibilities for a comeback include a harder edged sports car, with focus on total performance, rather than pure muscle. Some insiders speculate on a vehicle fashioned after the C6-generation Corvette, while others are touting something similar to the current Monaro, based on GM's new full-size rear-drive architecture. Yes, that's the same global family of rear-wheel-drive cars that the next-generation GTO will come from, commented Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson.
Those inside GM close to the project are saying that the new GTO's will be "more eye-catching" than the current car, which will be essential to its success, and should go into production sometime in 2008, most likely in Australia.
"The next-generation GTO will fulfill the promise of the current car," Hopson stated. "We have every intention of getting it on the street as soon as possible."
So, with a new more appealing GTO on horizon and much conjecturing about an upcoming Camaro (see automotive news section for Apr 16, 2005: Pure Speculation: Camaro Being Readied to do Battle with Hot-Selling Mustang), it doesn't appear that the current wave of muscle
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The opportunity is ripe for a new Camaro/Firebird combo; fans are simply begging for the return of this classic American muscle car duo. (Artist's Rendering)
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cars will be short lived. Both Ford and DaimlerChrysler have seized the moment, plus the imaginations and desires of buyers with their retro-styled Mustang and powerful Charger respectively, and with an LX-based Dodge Challenger expected in the immediate future the opportunity is ripe for a new Camaro/Firebird combo. Fans are simply begging for the return of this classic American muscle car duo, which will undoubtedly capture the heartbeat of "bowtie" muscle car fans far more than the inconspicuous GTO. If GM is truly on the ball with this project, expect it to arrive sometime during 2007 or 2008. And this one will definitely be coming to Canada. As for the next generation GTO, it is unknown if Pontiac plans to make it another niche model or open it up for mass market consumption. If the latter happens, it could very well make it north of the 49th.
