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.November 05, 2003
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This Week:

• Ford Racing's New 5.0-Liter "Cammer" V-8 Crate Engine Offers High Horsepower And Easy Installation

• Hybrid Vehicles are One of Many DaimlerChrysler Solutions For Future Environmental and Fuel-Consumption Needs

• New potentials developed with lightweight construction

• BMW Group Sets October Sales Record With 15% Sales Increase

• Nissan Displays An Array of Performance Vehicles at 2003 SEMA Show

• GM Chairman & CEO Rick Wagoner Named Chairman Of IBLAC

• New GTO Leads Pontiac's Performance Renaissance

• smart Morphs From Single Car To Range Of Models

• Saab Cars USA on track for best year ever

• Land Rover Showcases Its Brand's DNA - The Defender 110

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New GTO Leads Pontiac's Performance Renaissance

 

DETROIT - With 350 horsepower, fully independent front and rear suspensions, and an exhaust note reminiscent of Pontiac's classic performance vehicles, the GTO is back - and Pontiac is reintroducing the legend to a whole new generation of performance enthusiasts. Reborn as a premium high-performance sports coupe with a balanced package of awesome power, nimble handling and passenger comfort, the 2004 GTO is the flagship of Pontiac's performance renaissance. It will be available in Pontiac dealers in December 2003. "The GTO exemplifies the renewed spirit of performance at Pontiac," said Lynn Myers, Pontiac-GMC general manager. "Its bold character and detailed execution are the stuff dreams are made of. We expect there will be plenty of new GTO posters adorning the walls of enthusiasts of all ages."

Photos: Pontiac

In keeping with Pontiac's contemporary styling direction, the GTO's exterior is smooth and sensuous. Sporting a standard rear spoiler, the vehicle has an aggressive stance accented by large wheels and tires. The prominent five-spoke wheel design evokes performance wheels of the past, while projector-beam headlamps, flanking a dual-port grille and large outboard fog lamps, place the GTO firmly in the Pontiac family.

Under the skin, the GTO boasts a comprehensive list of standard features:

• LS1 V-8 engine producing 350 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 365 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm

• Choice of Hydra-Matic 4L60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission or M12 close-ratio six-speed manual transmission

• Independent front and rear suspensions with limited slip differential

• Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS

• Three-channel traction control system

• Seventeen-inch aluminum wheels and P245/45ZR17 W-rated tires

• Premium interior with 2+2 configuration and color-coordinated leather seating

• Blaupunkt 200-watt audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and 10 speakers

Seven exterior colors are available: Quicksilver Metallic, Phantom Black Metallic, Torrid Red, Impulse Blue Metallic, Barbados Blue Metallic, Cosmos Purple Metallic and Yellow Jacket.

Powerful powertrain

An award-winning engine design, the LS1 provides a broad power band and plenty of low-rpm torque. The exhaust was tuned to give the GTO a distinctive sound and the available transmissions were geared to enhance the car's launch feel.

Pontiac estimates the 0-60 times of approximately 5.3 seconds and a quarter-mile run in about 13.8 seconds with the six-speed manual transmission.

Backing up that impressive power is a handling system tuned to deliver crisp performance. The fully independent suspension features MacPherson struts in front and a semi-trailing arm design in the rear, with specially tuned strut valving and spring rates. Direct-acting stabilizer bars and a variable ratio power steering system also are tuned to provide a sporty feel and increased driver feedback.

The drivetrain rides on a 109.8-inch (2788-mm) wheelbase, with a low stance that enhances the wide track feel behind the wheel. The front track measures 61.4 inches (1559 mm) and the rear track is 62.1 inches (1577 mm) wide.

"We deliberately positioned the GTO to look like it's hugging the ground," said Dave Himmelberg, program engineering manager. "The vehicle is subtly raked forward to hint at the performance attributes of the car."

Global development

The GTO is based on the Holden Monaro and is built in Australia. By leveraging GM's global resources, approximately 100 engineers and support personnel in Australia and the United States developed the GTO in less than two years.

"With engineers working on two continents and opposite hemispheres, development and testing occurred virtually 24 hours a day," said Himmelberg. "It was a smooth process that highlighted the integration of GM's global facilities."

Transforming the Monaro platform into the GTO required the conversion to federal and state requirements for items such as the headlamps, bumpers and fuel tank. To account for the United States' more varied climates, additional corrosion protection was added to more than 140 components. In all, the GTO has more than 450 unique components.

Engineers also had the task of making the car a true GTO. To that end, the LS1's horsepower was raised by almost 50 horsepower, the transmissions were revamped to provide quicker acceleration and a more aggressive launch feel, and new tires were selected specifically for all-season traction and superior handling dynamics.

"There's a mystique to the GTO that we had to make sure we captured," said Myers. "We've maintained a reverence for the heritage, but built a thoroughly modern, premium performance vehicle worthy to lead Pontiac into the 21st century."

The GTO's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $32,495, which includes destination and freight charges of $700. The only available option is a six-speed Tremec manual transmission for $695.

(November 3, 2003)