2006 Pontiac Torrent Road Test
Ever heard of the California International Auto Show? The Anaheim-based event is not exactly revered to the same level as the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the annual auto show in Chicago or for that matter the Los Angeles auto show just down the road, but nevertheless its large surrounding population of car crazy Southern Californians attracted the biggest automaker in the business to debut two new models and announce another, late last year.Top of the introductions was the upcoming 2006 Hummer H3, a model that is now making its presence known in better neighborhoods everywhere, followed by Pontiac's V8-powered Grand Prix GXP, giggle-inducing fun at an entry-level premium price point. As important as the H3 was to Hummer, the announcement of a new crossover SUV for Pontiac, the 2006 Torrent, was critical. Pontiac has been under fire recently, from automotive scribes and GM insiders alike, for failure to meet sales projections with some of its larger, more expensive sedan models, not to mention its poorly received Aztek crossover.
