World's Largest Retractable Hardtop Starts Below $35KPontiac's G6 sedan has been available for quite some time, and garnering positive reviews, while the new coupe came on the scene late last year. So now, to complete the
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| The Pontiac G6 moves the domestic nameplate up a notch or two with regards to refinement, style and innovation. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
family, only the previously announced
convertible, introduced last year at the 2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show alongside the coupe, is left to hit the streets. The model moves the domestic nameplate up a notch or two with regards to refinement, style and innovation, when compared to the previous Sunfire convertible, and, of course, its base price, announced earlier this week to be $34,995, is quite a bit higher too. Still, less than $35K seems quite reasonable for a large, sporty, four-seat retractable hardtop, doesn't it?
Yes, the convertible's retractable hardtop, a first for the G6's entry-level midsize segment, not only will provide all-weather protection for those living in
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| The new convertible will have a retractable hardtop, a first for the G6's entry-level midsize segment. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
colder climates who prefer top-down driving in the summer, but when the roof is raised exterior ambient and wind noise is reduced while rollover crash protection is increased. The top, made by Germany's Karmann, which also builds for many other automakers, opens or closes automatically in less than 30 seconds by pressing a single button. Incidentally, it has the distinction of being the world's largest retractable hardtop.
The retractable configuration also allows for greater rear seat room, making the two-door G6 capable of accommodating two adults in back, in either coupe or convertible guise. Of course, the G6's class-leading 2,852 mm (112.3 inch) wheelbase is also responsible for the extra legroom needed to accomplish such a feat.
"The G6
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| In GTP trim an all-new 3.9L OHV V6 with 240-horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 245 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm should provide plenty of pep off the line. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
family continues its growth in 2006 with the addition of the new convertible, adding real excitement to the Pontiac vehicle roster," said Janice Dickey, GM of Canada's Marketing Manager for the G6. "The G6 convertible takes the Pontiac winning formula and adds the all-season versatility and security of a retractable hardtop, a feature never before available in this price range in Canada."
In GTP trim, which incidentally starts at $36,885, an all-new 3.9L OHV V6 with 240-horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 245 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm should provide plenty of pep off the line. But while a 6-speed manual is offered in the G6 coupe and sedan, the convertible will have to make due with a Hydra-Matic 4T65-E 4-speed automatic with manual shift mode, also available on the coupe and sedan.
GT models
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| The new convertible gets an agile 4-wheel independent suspension system with MacPherson struts and aluminum L-shaped control arms. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
get GM's 3.5L V6, pumping out 201-horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It comes mated to GM's Hydra-Matic 4T45-E 4-speed automatic with manual shift mode too, the only transmission choice. Like the G6 sedan, the new convertible gets an agile 4-wheel independent suspension system with MacPherson struts and aluminum L-shaped control arms plus a direct-acting stabilizer bar up front, and a 4-link independent setup with mono-tube shocks together with dual-rate mini-block coil springs in the rear. While GT models are configured for sporty driving already, stepping up to the GTP will make sure the suspension has been tuned for optimal performance driving. The GTP also adds a hydraulic power steering system, more sport-oriented than the electric one that comes standard.
