The widely anticipated variants of the popular Pontiac G6 are arriving in a showroom near you. As Pontiac announced about a year ago, the G6 will have a coupe, 4-cylinder and convertible- along with GTP versions of all the body styles, all of which will be available in 2006. As of this week, 3 of the upcoming variants are in shipping to dealerships around the country.

One of those three is the GTP sedan. The performance version of the normal G6 sedan uses General Motors’ 3.9L V6. The new powertrain is good for 240 horsepower and 241 lb.-ft. of torque. Along with the higher-output engine, the GTP sports; automatic climate control, XM Satellite radio, Monsoon radio system, StabiliTrak and a hydraulic steering system as standard equipment. There is an optional 6-speed manual transmission. The base price for the GTP sedan is $24,835 including destination.

The new 4-cylinder G6 sedan is also arriving right now. It’s powered by GM’s ECOTEC 2.4L 4-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. torque. If the 4-cylinder versions of the G6 competitors are any indication of how popular the 4-cylinder G6 will be, this could be a big hit.

Last but certainly not least, the very sporty G6 coupe is currently being shipped to dealerships alongside the GTP and 4-cylinder models. Hard-top convertible versions of the G6 are scheduled to arrive in the first quarter of 2006- a detailed timeframe has not been set.

Going along with GM’s efforts to reduce rebates, Pontiac has lowered the sticker price of all G6 sedan models by $900. The reductions were effective as of June 13, 2005 and include all 2006 G6 sedan models. The 2006 G6 models that arrived on dealer lots prior June 13th had their prices adjusted. The coupe pricing was not affected in the reductions.

Although Pontiac declined to comment on a possible G6 GXP, it is expected that a GXP version of the G6 will arrive in the 2007 model year. GM has several options for possible powertrains for the G6 GXP, but the 3.6L V6 is likely. At the 2004 SEMA auto show in Las Vegas Pontiac revealed a G6 GXP show car. The bright-orange show car was powered by GM’s 3.6L high-output premium V6 with 275 horsepower mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Along with the performance upgrades, the GXP sported revised front and rear fascias.
Source: GMI

*SQUEE!*

Finally. Oh, I am so very happy. Whoever reads this thread, post a message if you see any on your dealer's lots and take some pictures, if you can, I can't wait to see these beauties!

Man that 4 cylinder is gonna be a dog. I can't wait to test drive a GTP, hopefully it will be the shot of adrenaline that our cars need.

Might be a dog, but, with gas hovering over $2 a gallon, this thing ought to get awesome fuel milage. We are averaging over 27 mpg with the V6.

I've been averaging about 29 on my 100 mile commute each day, pretty good IMO. I don't think the 4 cyl will be that much better, its a big car for that engine.

4 cyl = rental car

saw a g6 coupe yesterday looked really good it was a gt coupe. Couldnt take a picture though the battery was dead on the digital camera. It hasnt been charging right for some reason.

4 cyl = rental car
Exactly, I don't know why it needs to be offered, there is a lot of marketing power in the phrase "only lower midsize model with standard V6 power". A base 4 cyl car will probably have no power windows, 15" hubcaps and tires, weaker stereo, and a few other things the base V6 doesn't. Just cheapen up the base V6 up a little more and leave the 4 cyl rentals to Chevy with Malibus and Cobalts.

Exactly, I don't know why it needs to be offered, there is a lot of marketing power in the phrase "only lower midsize model with standard V6 power". A base 4 cyl car will probably have no power windows, 15" hubcaps and tires, weaker stereo, and a few other things the base V6 doesn't. Just cheapen up the base V6 up a little more and leave the 4 cyl rentals to Chevy with Malibus and Cobalts.

It has to be offered becase there are still people that want a larger car but want a 4 cylinder sometimes because of prefference sometimes because they are on a tight budget. A lot of grand am's that I see everyday are either 4 cyl se's or gt's.

^ The GA was not only a smaller car than the G6, it was also known as a "rental grade" car because of the avalibility to rent at most rental agencies. GM needs to get away from the negative stigma that comes from a car that is frequently seen on rental lots. The Malibu and Cobalt can fill that void, the G6 should be competitive with Honda and Toyota. When was the last time you saw an Accord on a rental lot? Not nearly as much as you would have seen the old GA.

^ The GA was not only a smaller car than the G6, it was also known as a "rental grade" car because of the avalibility to rent at most rental agencies. GM needs to get away from the negative stigma that comes from a car that is frequently seen on rental lots. The Malibu and Cobalt can fill that void, the G6 should be competitive with Honda and Toyota. When was the last time you saw an Accord on a rental lot? Not nearly as much as you would have seen the old GA.
The Grand Am being smaller is irrelevant to anything that I said. The only reason I mentioned the Grand Am is because the G6 is it's replacement. Since its the replacment, there are going to be the same people that bought a Grand Am that will/might want to upgrade to the G6. But if the vehicle they want isnt available then they might just go with an Accord 4 cyl or Toyota instead of getting a G6. Just because a vehicle has a 4 cyl doesnt mean it has to be rental grade. When I bought my former 2002 Grand Am SE1 4 cyl I was only 19 and didnt want a V6 because of insurance but now at 22 I can easily afford it. But if GM didnt offer the 4 Cyl Grand Am I probably would have gone with one of the imports.

A large number of GM vehicles are in rental fleets. People dont just want small crappy cars who rent. I know when I rent I want a car thats just like mine. Not some junky standard vehicle or small compact sedan/coupe. The Cadillac CTS, Silverado,Impala,Monte Carlo,and many other models are in rental fleets. But,just because a vehicle is at a rental place doesnt make it bad. (However rental fleet sales does lower residual car values for those people that own them.)

Also The G6 is already in fleet sales just not that many rental fleets. I didnt say the G6 needs to be a rental car. But I also dont think that because something is a 4 cyl that it has to be a rental car or automatically gets that status.

I do hear what your saying though. I'm not really sure why GM ever has 2 vehicles of nearly the same class as rental cars. Such as the malibu classic and the grand am se. Hopefully the G6 wont be added since the new malibu is already in rental fleets. But to them its all about selling cars. If thats a way for them to sell them thats what they will do unfortunently....

To me, it almost seems these days a lot of the market is devoted to having "rental car fleet status" on at least one trim.

It is decent marketing, if you think about it. Have many of you seen the coupes or GTP's yet, I haven't seen any, and I want to buy one :(.

Drove a GT coupe yesterday. I posted it in another section.

I saw a bunch today - I was at the plant that makes them in Lake Orion, MI :)

Can you post any pictures e2Helper? Would taht be against your company policy?

I'm just tired of seeing the same old regurgitated photos :(.

Ive only seen one coupe didnt feel like test driving it at the time. I was on my way to do something and just stoped by the pontiac dealership and there it was.

Can you post any pictures e2Helper?

Sorry I can't but since vehicles have now shipped to dealers I am sure our less restricted members with digital cameras will help out :cool:

The 4 banger is rated at the same mpg as the 6 from all the sources I have read.

I will post some pics later today...

The 4 banger is rated at the same mpg as the 6 from all the sources I have read.

its pretty close 23/34 for the 4 cyl 22/32 for the 6 cyl

Does the 3500 have DOD (Displacement on Demand) like the 3900? Suprised that they could get great mileage out of it.

No, the 3500 does not have the DOD technology

I don't know where you get your information, but the 3.9 in the GTP doesn't have it either yet.

Early speculation had that the GTP models would have DOD, but it didn't go through clearly. They won't have that for another few years as I'm told.

Yeah but I bet other more interesting things are coming ;)

Here's (http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=3&docid=1935) where I read that it did...

Nice article.

Note that is specifically say that G6 starts off with 3.9L that doesn't have DoD but never really says what vehicles will get the engine with that feature.

Guess we will have to wait and see since I don't see that posted yet on GM sites - but maybe someone else has seen?

And another quote stolen from G6Board.com (from BlackG6):

"The largest of GM's expanding family of 60° V-6 engines, the 3900 achieves larger displacement via an increase in bore size to 99 mm from the 3500 V-6’s 94 mm — requiring the bore centers to be ofset by 1.5 mm. Michalski said the 3900’s increased displacement fits glove-in-hand with Displacement on Demand: "A bigger engine is better when you want to maximize the amount of time the engine spends in three-cylinder operation," he explained.

The LZ8 3900 will be the first GM overhead valve engine to use variable valve timing, and it will be GM’s first V-6 to use DOD. The 3900's variable valve timing is coupled with another important new feature: a dual-path, active intake manifold.

"The variable intake manifold is a significant low-speed torque 'enhancer' for the 3900. It gives the 3900 a broader torque curve that retains higher specific torque output across the engine speed range."

Dick Michalski, chief engineer for 60-degree OHV V-6 engines.
The new 3900 V-6 (LZ8) is a 3.9 liter, two-valves-per-cylinder OHV V-6 that is most closely related to the 3500 V-6 (LX9) launched for the 2004 model year Chevrolet Malibu. Its first application without DOD will be on the 2005 Pontiac G6 in late 2004. A version of the 3900 V6 featuring the DOD system will debut in 2005.

The 3900 is estimated to develop 240 hp at 5900 rpm and 245 lb-ft of torque at just 2800 rpm. Moreover, thanks to the 3900's torque-enhancing technologies, 90% of peak torque is available from 1800 rpm to 5800 rpm, enhancing the engine's driveability and performance "feel." According to Alan Hayman, manager-advanced concept group in GM Powertrain's Advanced Powertrain unit, a new 3-valve cylinder-head developed for GM's OHV engines could boost output to 270

Another update regarding the 3900:

The new LZ8 3900 features the Displacement on Demand system which can turn off a bank of cylinders under a light load. It also offers Variable Valve Timing, an oddity on a pushrod engine, and has a Variable Length Intake Manifold. It is expected to produce 240 hp (179 kW) and 245 ft·lbf (332 N·m) with a wide torque curve. A 3-valve version will be introduced later.

This engine is used in the following vehicles:

* 2005 Pontiac G6

http://fact-archive.com/encyclopedia/GM_High_Value_engine#LX9

Yeah, It's 12:00am and I'm bored. I was searching around and found that BigBen and Subtle were right, DOD won't be available until 2007 at the earliest, and may not be offered on the G6 version of the 3900, but will be offered on the Malibu/Maxx and Monte.

I, for one, will be more than happy to be in a G6 powered by the 2.4 ecotec.

sadly, when compared to the 3500, the 1.1 liter displacement advantage only nets it 30hp/torque, which, while noticable, is negligable.

not downplaying the v6 by any means, but looking down on a car because it's an i4 makes little sense, especially when the i4 has a greater power density than the bigger 6...

i have read people averaging 28+ mpg with plenty city driving with the 2.4, and that's not too shabby in a car that big. the other argument is that the i4 doesn't get much better gas mileage. while true, insurance costs are likely to be cheaper (if only by a small margin), and the fact that it achieves this mileage with less power to move it only serves to show that it's got enough oomph to do its job.

i hope this community get's more involved as we start to see GTPs on the street, as well as when the 2.4 gains more popularity over the broad range of vehicles it's being used in. i have no idea what power adders are in the works for the 3500, but you'll be hard pressed to find an engine more worthy of them than the ecotec. i've also heard that the 5spd. version may show up in '07 MY, which will further it's popularity in the G6, and thus the G6 in general.

personally, my G6 i4 will be for commuting purposes/family duty, but i'd love to see some wild power come out of them. i'm also VERY excited to see what's in store for the GTP versions as time passes. my guess is that within the next year or two, we'll have some big players putting forth effort in getting some real power out of that beast!

i just hope this community isn't into the whole car bashing so many online forums are now succumbing to. i'm a car enthusiast, and i don't care what nameplate's on it, if it's a nice ride, i'm all about it!

essay or not, my feelings on the matter....

i just hope this community isn't into the whole car bashing so many online forums are now succumbing to. i'm a car enthusiast, and i don't care what nameplate's on it, if it's a nice ride, i'm all about it!

essay or not, my feelings on the matter....

Define car bashing? I am sure everyone here holds stought opinions on certain brands or vehicles. Though for the most part I see dead acurate info floating around here... so if there is any 'bashing' its probably worth checking the accuracy out because its probably warranted. :)

Define car bashing? I am sure everyone here holds stought opinions on certain brands or vehicles. Though for the most part I see dead acurate info floating around here... so if there is any 'bashing' its probably worth checking the accuracy out because its probably warranted. :)

bashing - assumptions/presumptions about a car based on nameplate/options, without any real knowledge of it (e.g., most honda forums, etc.)

it's an unnecessary part of ANY online community.

i was more referring to the assumptions being made about the i4 G6. i understand that they were made before release, but actually sitting in one will help one understand that they actually come with a lot of standard options, and are hardly "rental" class. the G6 NEEDS the i4 version to compete with honda, regardless of if that's what it's aimed at, the accord is going to be its real competition. Pontiac/GM made a wise choice to release it, and i wouldn't be purchasing one if they didn't.

different product, different market. doesn't matter if gas is not soo much better, it's all in the perception of the buyer, and some people see a 4 as a 4, and a 6 as a 6, regardless, not to mention the price difference will bring in many more buyers.

Gotcha. :) Actually i am a huge fan of the Ecotech ...after seeing the Cobalts potential... I am all for it.

Gotcha. :) Actually i am a huge fan of the Ecotech ...after seeing the Cobalts potential... I am all for it.

yeah, i've fallen in love with this engine, and to throw it into a G6 makes me a happy man. as of now i think SAAB and Pontiac are the only divisions with it in (a) car(s) with 4 wheel independent suspension.

i can't wait to see what comes to be of the 2.4 though, as the ecotec has essentially unlimited potential. i'm not sure if you've known about the performance build book, but that's an awesome start for anyone wanting to make serious power.

this is my daily driver though, so it's staying stock aside from a couple cosmetic changes and new wheels, i'm waiting on a Kappa coupe with the ecotec powerplant. THAT should be interesting, especially if they use the turbo variant rumors have going into the solstice/sky!

it's a very exciting time to be a GM guy!

I was tempted to pick up a Cobalt SS .. but alas I have been finally decided I need some serious large cube power. (a la LS1/LS2) so I wont be playing around with the ecotech anytime soon.

I was tempted to pick up a Cobalt SS .. but alas I have been finally decided I need some serious large cube power. (a la LS1/LS2) so I wont be playing around with the ecotech anytime soon.

i've been in the same boat for performance. i decided to off the RL for the G6 as a DD. still not sure what direction i want to go, but the Saturn SKY RL with the turbo engine is looking VERY tempting, though i'd prefer some kappa based coupe, preferably 2 seater.

for now, patience is a virtue, but i do know that i want something different, or i'd be beasting around in a trans am/camaro.

one interesting car will be the mallet conversions of the solstice/sky. 50/50 weight distribution, and optional supercharged/turbocharged powerplant...

Yeah.. I saw a LS1 WS6 at the lot a few days ago.. If I wasn't up for some change I would love to jump back into an fbody again. Plus I get tired of hearing rattles everytime I go over bumps. (of course my G6 is worse than the camaro at this point..so anything will work. ha ha)

Yeah.. I saw a LS1 WS6 at the lot a few days ago.. If I wasn't up for some change I would love to jump back into an fbody again. Plus I get tired of hearing rattles everytime I go over bumps. (of course my G6 is worse than the camaro at this point..so anything will work. ha ha)

that bad huh?

i'm pretty used to it with the saturn though, and the suspension HAS to be softer than i'm currently dealing with, so anything has to be an improvement. how do you like the G6 otherwise?

Underpowered and doesn't handle... (You can insert 'Compared to...' in that if you want). :) Its ok but definately not for me... if would need SERIOUS modification all around to make me happy.. a GTP might have been close enough to make me content..but it didnt exist back then.

Underpowered and doesn't handle... (You can insert 'Compared to...' in that if you want). :) Its ok but definately not for me... if would need SERIOUS modification all around to make me happy.. a GTP might have been close enough to make me content..but it didnt exist back then.

sounds like you're looking for some serious power. i think she'll treat me right as a daily driver though.

The Cobalt weighs what, 500lbs less than the G6? The G6 is way too heavy for the ecotech, unless you supercharge it.

Mike

i test drove the 4 cyl G6 and have to say I was quite impressed. Despite the 1.1L deficit, the engine still moved the car pretty well! If it hadn't been for the lack of options available on the 4 cyl, I would very seriously have been considering the 4 cyl.

The Cobalt weighs what, 500lbs less than the G6? The G6 is way too heavy for the ecotech, unless you supercharge it.

Mike

if you're looking for performance. but if so, why go base model when the GTP is available?

for economy, it does it's job just fine. it'll be a while before anyone puts out any type of kit for the i4 in the G6, if ever. the quickest solution will disable the VVT (if possible), and you can look to the cobalt/ion/solstice for developments, as they're sure to hit those cars well ahead of the G6.

given the final drive of the i4 and the relatively low horsepower/torque difference, i'd have to say the i4 isn't too far off the base v6, even if it's at a sacrifice to gas mileage i'm not complaining. not to mention insurance will likely be cheaper as well.