The Demise of the Pontiac GTO?

With its aggressive design, the Pontiac GTO is considered by many to be the best muscle car of all time. Its innovative design made it a favorite for racing enthusiasts between the 1960s and 1970s, where it sold in huge numbers at that time. The Pontiac GTO would be the source of the popularity of muscle cars during its era.

Full size cars were dominant in the early 1960s whereas muscle cars were just starting to become available in the market. General Motors at that time implemented a ban of factory-sponsored racing. With the GTO in the hands of young and visionary management, they turned their attention to improve street performance in a budget price by including a big engine into an intermediate car frame. Before it was made available in the market, Frank Bridge (sales manager) was not confident that the new Pontiac GTO would find a market. So the production was limited to only 5,000 cars only to find out if the GTO would be a success.

Pontiac Lemans became the first model to come with a new optional performance package that is the Pontiac GTO. This option became available at only $300, which included a 389 cid v8 engine, dual exhaust, quick steering and premium tires. For $300 it sure was a bargain at that time. GM sold more than 32,000 cars than the initial 5,000 cars estimate.

In 1965 following the success of the Pontiac GTO, GM decided to improve its performance. GM improved the styling of the car in both the front and the rear parts. Stacked quad headlights were added like the ones in their full size car models. They also revised the 389 cid v8 engine, which improved the engine's breathing. The improvements worked as GM sold more than 70,000 units.

In mid-1970s sales of the GTO began to decline and GM management decided to discontinue the production of the GTO and instead switch to Buick V8 engines. In 2004, the revival of the Pontiac GTO was attempted. Management had high expectations of selling the revived model, but it was not warmly received by GTO enthusiasts. The 18,000 initial forecasts of sales by the company were overly optimistic as it only sold approximately 14,000 units at discounted prices.

2010 Pontiac Vibe Specification

The 2010 Pontiac Vibe is the carryover from 2009 Pontiac Vibe, 4 door 5passenger wagon and has 4 kind of trim the 2010 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L, 2010 Pontiac Vibe 2.4L, 2010 Pontiac Vibe AWD and 2010 Pontiac Vibe GT.

2010 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L is 1.8 liter and 132 horsepower engine, 5 speed manual transmission and 4 speed automatic transmission with both standard overdrive.

2010 Pontiac Vibe GT has 2.4 liter, 158 horsepower engine, 5 speed manual transmission and 5 speed automatic transmission in optional standard overdrive.

General Safety Features:
- Passenger Airbag Cutoff Switch/Sensor
- Second Row Side Airbag with Head Protection
- Driver, Passenger, second row, front side airbags
- Locking Pickup Truck Tailgate
- Child Safety Door Locks
- Side Guard Door Beams
- Panic Button or Alarm
- Vehicle Theft Tracking / Notification
- Locking Fuel Filler Door or Gap
- Selective Locking / Unlocking
- Vehicle Anti-Lockout Device

Interior & Exterior:
- Automatic Headlights With Dusk Sensor
- Daytime Running Lights
- Halogen Headlights
- Delayed Courtesy Light
- Interior Load Area Light
- Front and Rear Bumpers
- Front Air Dam
- Color-Keyed Rear & Front Carpeted Floor Mats
- Carpet Located In Passenger Cabin
- Front Dual Reclining Bucket Seats With Driver Adjustable Seat Height and Adjustable Headrests
- Rear 60/40 Split Folding Bench Seat With Adjustable Headrests

Entertainment & Communication:
- OnStar(R) Hands-Free Calling With Telephone
- AM/FM Radio With Seek, Scan and 4 Speakers Total; CD Player; XM(R) Satellite Radio
- Auxiliary Audio Input Jack
- Radio Antenna
- OnStar(R) Telematics System With 12 Months Safe and Sound Plan. Includes Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Remote Door Unlock, Roadside Assistance, Remote Horn and Lights, Hands-Free Calling and Low Mileage Discount
- Front Power Outlet, 115-Volt Inverter
- Rear Heating Ducts
- Power Rack and Pinion Steering
- Telescopic Steering Column
- All-Season Tires

The Exciting 2010 Pontiac G6 3.6 Liter V6 Engine

Most car enthusiasts normally appreciate a couple different motor choices, but there are actually four 2010 Pontiac G6 engine options available which virtually ensures that there will be something suitable for all drivers. The most exciting, however, is the 2010 Pontiac G6 3.6 Liter V6 engine that puts out a powerful 252 horse power and claims 251 pound feet of torque. While it may not seem like a powerful engine, it can thrust the low weight vehicle forward with a zero to sixty time of just over 6 seconds. The fuel economy is still fairly impressive as well for such a powerful engine and is an estimated 26 miles per gallon on the highway and 17 miles per gallon in city settings.

The economy engine that is available is the 2010 Pontiac 2.4 Liter motor that has 164 horse power and 158 pound feet of torque. Even though most people are happy with the performance that it offers, the fuel economy is perhaps the most advantageous benefit of the 2.4 Liter engine. The estimated gas mileage is 33 miles per gallon on the highway and about 22 miles per gallon in busy city settings.

The smaller six cylinder motor is the 2010 Pontiac 3.5 Liter V6 engine that boasts a strong 219 horse power and 219 pound feet of torque. The estimated gas mileage is about 22 miles per gallon on the highway and 15 miles per gallon in the city.

The fourth engine choice is not one that many people select simply because it offers a very small boost in power. The 2010 Pontiac 3.9 Liter V6 engine only offers 222 horse power, but the fuel economy is much worse than the smaller 3.5 Liter V6 and the performance difference is virtually impossible to detect.

There are plenty of 2010 Pontiac G6 engine options, so most drivers should be able to find the one that makes them happy.

The Powerful and Frugal 2010 Pontiac Solstice

Pontiac's Solstice roadster and coupe ended production on July 29, 2009. Leftover models have no power-train changes for 2010.

The Solstice offers a choice of two ECOTEC four-cylinder engines: a normally aspirated 2.4-liter version for base models, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged version for GXP models. Both engines are all-aluminum, with 16 valves, chain-driven dual overhead camshafts, twin balance shafts, and variable valve timing.

The base Solstice's 2.4-liter LE5 engine has 173 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque. On paper, it compares well with other big fours, offering more horsepower than Toyota or Mitsubishi's 2.4-liter engines. Subjectively, critics complain that it is gruff, noisy, and slow to rev -- out of character for the sporty Solstice. Its fuel economy is also unimpressive; EPA ratings are 19/26 with manual transmission, 19/24 with automatic.

The Solstice GXP's 2.0-liter LNF engine shares the LE5's basic architecture, but it has a narrower bore and a shorter stroke, with thicker cylinder walls, deeper water jackets, and forged steel connecting rods and crankshaft for better durability. It is GM's first North American engine with Spark Ignition Direct Injection, which injects fuel directly into the combustion chambers for greater power, lower emissions, and better fuel economy. With up to 18 pounds of boost from its inter cooled turbocharger, the LNF engine is rated at 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, giving it an excellent specific output of 130 horsepower per liter. Remarkably, many testers find it smoother and more eager to rev than the 2.4-liter engine. It returns better fuel economy, too; EPA estimates are 19/29 with manual transmission, 19/27 with automatic. GM recommends premium fuel for both engines.

Although Solstice production has ended, GM Performance Parts still offers a variety of heavy-duty equipment for its ECOTEC engines, including race-ready engine blocks, cylinder heads, intake manifolds, and camshafts.

2010 Pontiac Vibe Gets a Fuel Rating of 25 to 26 Miles Per Gallon

Pontiac is giving their customers the option to choose the 2.4 liter engine with 4 inline cylinders when purchasing the all new 2010 Pontiac Vibe base edition model. The 2.4 liter engine will be the standard option on all-wheel drive and GT models of the 2010 Vibe. This engine model is built for performance and efficiency.

The all new 2010 automobile 2.4 liter engine features 4 inline cylinders. This engine model produces 158 horsepower with a 162 pound per feet of torque. This gives customers all the power necessary to handle smooth on the road. The 2.4 liter engine has a compression rating of 9.8 to 1. This model features a double overhead cam that has 4 valves per cylinder.

The EPA give the vehicle a fuel rating of 25 to 26 miles per gallon of gasoline during city driving conditions and 31 miles per gallon of gasoline when driving during highway driving conditions. When driven in combined conditions, the 2010 automobile gets 28 miles per gallon of gasoline. Some of the key features that Pontiac put into this vehicle are the result for the fuel efficiency ratings. These features include a variable valve timing system in the camshaft. This is the technology that Pontiac uses to help slow down the amount of fuel that is used when the engine operates at slower miles per hour. This engine model also comes equipped with a multi-point fuel injection system. The 2.4 liter inline 4 engine operates on unleaded fuel with an 87 octane rating and petrol.

Overall customers will enjoy the dependability and performance of the 2.4 liter I-4 engine option for the 2010 Pontiac Vibe.