G6 SEDAN ADDS 33-MPG 2.4L/SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC COMBINATION FOR '09
06/09/2008
Pontiac
The Pontiac G6 portfolio provides an exhilarating family of distinctive, midsize cars that offers something for every driver looking for a powerful and responsive vehicle. The lineup includes the base G6 sedan, with its zippy, fuel-efficient Ecotec 2.4L engine; the GT sedan, coupe and convertible; and the performance-oriented GXP sedan and coupe, with their aggressive design and sharp reflexes.
New for 2009, the 2.4L engine is offered with a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. This powertrain combination is offered with the Sport Package 1 on base sedans.
"The G6 continues to offer one of the widest, most diverse lineups in the segment, including the high-performance GXP and unique hardtop convertible," said Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. "The new four-cylinder/six-speed automatic powertrain combination broadens the choices for customers, giving them a well-equipped sedan that offers great fuel efficiency."
In addition to the new powertrain combination, lineup changes for 2009 reflect alignment with consumer popularity, providing customers easier ways to find a G6 equipped just the way they want it. The changes include:
XM Satellite Radio standard on all models (previously optional on base models)
Remote vehicle starting system is standard on GT and GXP models; optional on base models
Rear spoiler now standard on GT (previously optional)
Sport Package 1 (see details below under "Equipment packages")
Sport Package 2 (see details below under "Equipment packages")
Sun and Sound Plus package (see details below under "Equipment packages")
There are also four new exterior colors for '09: Quicksilver Metallic, Summit White, Gold Mist Metallic and Silver Green Metallic.
G6 lineup at a glance
The G6 is more than a stylish vehicle, offering additional standard features with customizable comfort across the board, including highly bolstered body-hugging seats; tilt/telescopic steering wheel; racing-style gauges with true-red LED instrument backlighting; air conditioning; power windows; power door locks; power mirrors; AM/FM/CD player with auxiliary audio jacks for iPod/MP3 players ; variable intermittent wipers; tachometer; and a theft-deterrent system.
Standard safety items include seat-mounted, side-impact thorax air bags for additional driver and passenger safety, four-wheel anti-lock brakes with traction control and OnStar.
All G6 models feature athletic, driver-focused interiors with easy-to-use controls and instrument layouts. Interior materials were selected to convey a specific texture and appearance, and the steering wheel is thick and comfortable, with a sporty three-spoke design.
Chassis and suspension
The chassis of all G6 models are tuned to complement their respective powertrains with responsive handling, and are installed on the same strong chassis that includes a class-leading 112.3-inch (2,852 mm) wheelbase. All models use a MacPherson strut front suspension, with aluminum lower control arms and a direct-acting stabilizer bar. Suspension components mount to a U-shaped hydroformed chassis cradle. Rubber mounts isolate the body from the chassis cradle to minimize noise, vibration and harshness.
Designed to minimize cornering body roll, a four-link independent suspension uses twin-tube shock absorbers and a direct-acting stabilizer bar to provide fine-tune handling. Four-channel ABS and traction control are standard. Large, heavy-duty four-wheel disc brakes provide excellent stopping power and fade resistance.
Seventeen-inch custom five-spoke wheels are standard on base models, with a 17-inch five-spoke painted aluminum wheel available on models with the Sport 2 package. GT coupe and sedan models have 17-inch five-spoke painted aluminum wheels as standard, with 17-inch ChromeTech wheels available; 18-inch five-spoke machine-face aluminum wheels are available with the GT Street Edition. The GT convertible receives standard 18-inch five-spoke, machine-face flangeless wheels with ChromeTech versions available. GXP models come standard with 18-inch five-spoke flangeless ChromeTech wheels, with a black chrome version optional.
Powertrain lineup
The starting point for the G6 engine ensemble begins with the fuel-efficient DOHC Ecotec 2.4L with variable valve timing. This powerful four-cylinder engine produces 164 hp (122 kW) and 156 lb.-ft. (212 Nm) of torque and is paired with a Hydra-Matic 4T45 four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.
Also matched with the 2.4L engine on models with Sport Package1 is the Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed transmission. It delivers greater fuel economy through the lower operating speed of the 2.4L engine. This reduces fuel consumption and contributes to quieter, more isolated operation. The feeling of performance is heightened with the four-cylinder/six-speed automatic combination, too, as the engine can always operate close to the optimum speed.
For a little more power, GT models feature a standard 3.5L V-6 rated at 219 horsepower (163 kW) or 221 horsepower (165 kW); it is also available as an option on the base-model sedan. The 3.5L engine is matched with a standard four-speed automatic with driver shift control. The GT convertible has an optional 3.9L V-6 rated at 222 horsepower (166 kW) and 238 lb.-ft. of torque (323 Nm) that is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with electronically controlled overdrive and driver shift control for individual driving preferences.
The G6 GXP coupe and sedan are powered by GM Powertrain's 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing, providing 252 horsepower (188 kW) at 6,300 rpm and 251 lb.-ft. of torque (340 Nm) at 3,200 rpm. The engine is a state-of-the-art, DOHC powerplant that uses full four-cam phasing to optimize power, economy and emissions performance.
Partnered with the 3.6L VVT engine is a Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission. Like the GT's four-speed automatic, the 6T70 features driver shift control.
Safety features
The G6 features safety cage construction with reinforced rocker sections, front body hinge pillar and roof pillars designed to improve impact protection. A magnesium cross-car beam unites the lower sections of the A-pillars and helps protect passengers in side-impact crashes and also serves as the foundation of the instrument panel.
All G6 seating positions have three-point safety belts. Front outboard retractors have built-in load limiters to reduce peak chest loads by allowing a controlled amount of belt give during "ride down" crash conditions.
The G6 family provides six standard air bags for supplemental protection in frontal and side-impact crashes, including dual-stage frontal air bags; side-impact thorax (seat-mounted) air bags and standard head curtain side-impact air bags (except on the G6 convertible).
GM's passenger sensing system is standard on all models. This system works with the front passenger seat and differentiates between adults - 5th percentile females and larger - and small children or child seats to adjust air bag deployment. This smart system helps reduce the risk of air bag-induced injuries. Front safety belt pretensioners deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing. Pretensioners minimize occupant movement during a crash.
G6 interiors also are equipped with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child safety seat attachment system. Two lower anchors and a top tether anchor secure the child seat to the vehicle seat structure for proper installation of compatible child safety seats.
Standard OnStar
New OnStar 8.0 is standard on all models. Its digital equipment features enhanced hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.
The OnStar service includes the GM Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to the participating 911 centers to help dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster. OnStar's uplevel Directions & Connections Plan with Turn-by-Turn Navigation also is available on G6 models. The new service allows OnStar customers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their OnStar system.
Equipment packages
With a wide range of models and equipment, it is easy to build a G6 to one's exact preferences. Several option packages are available to tailor each model to a customer's needs:
Sport Package 1 (G6 base) - Content includes six-speed automatic with electronically controlled overdrive; 2.89 axle ratio; rear spoiler; StabiliTrak; Dynamic Control System
Sport Package 2 (G6 base) - Content includes 3.5L VVT V-6 engine; 17-inch painted cast aluminum wheels with P225/50R17 touring blackwall tires; 3.05 axle ratio; hydraulic power steering; front fog lamps and rear spoiler
Sport Package 1 (GT convertible) - Content includes 3.9L V-6 with four-speed automatic; 3.69 axle ratio; dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips; automatic air conditioning; 18-inch ChromeTech wheels and six-way power driver seat
Preferred Package(G6 base) - Content includes cruise control; extended-range remote keyless entry; remote vehicle starting system; leather-wrapped steering wheel, brake handle and shift knob; and steering wheel audio controls
Premium Package (G6 base/GT) - Content includes heated leather-appointed front bucket seats and a six-way driver seat adjuster
Sun and Sound Package- Content includes AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer, power sunroof, lighted visor mirrors and electrochromic inside rearview mirror with compass
Sun and Sound Plus Package (GT / GXP sedan and coupe models)- Content includes AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer; power sunroof and either 17-inch ChromeTech cast aluminum wheels on GT models or 18-inch five-spoke, flangeless Black ChromeTech wheels on GXP models
Sunroofs and a hardtop convertible
The GT convertible and the GT and GXP coupes feature large doors that allow easy and comfortable access to the rear seats. G6 sedan and coupe models offer a power sunroof option. Drivers who really like open-air motoring can choose the G6 GT hardtop convertible.
In about 30 seconds, the hardtop convertible's all-weather retractable steel top disappears with the push of a button. When compared to most midsize convertibles, the G6 offers cargo room at a premium, with 12.6 cubic feet (357 liters) of trunk space when the retractable hardtop is up and 5.8 cubic feet (164 liters) of cargo space when the top is stowed.
The G6 convertible undergoes stringent water tests at the factory to ensure a dry, hardtop-quality interior, and a double-hinged trunk lid facilitates stowing. It opens like a conventional trunk for cargo storage, but is reverse-hinged to accept the folding hardtop. A hard tonneau cover automatically appears as part of the hardtop retraction process, and there is no visible "stack" when the top is down - it simply disappears into the storage compartment. A specially insulated headliner provides acoustic and thermal protection.
GXP details
The GXP performance coupe and sedan represent the pinnacle of the G6 lineup's performance-oriented positioning. They are equipped with a 3.6L DOHC V-6 VVT engine creating 252 horsepower (188 kW) at 6,300 rpm and 251 lb.-ft. of torque (341 Nm) at 3,200 rpm.A Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission complements the performance-tuned suspension with standard four-channel ABS, 18-inch aluminum ChromeTech, flangeless, five-spoke wheels and specific exterior and interior appointments.
The Hydra-Matic 6T70 electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission features state-of-the-art clutch-to-clutch shift operation, designed for high-performance front-wheel-drive applications. The six-speed automatic improves vehicle performance up to 7 percent and increases fuel economy up to 4 percent compared to current front-wheel-drive, four-speed automatics. Clutch-to-clutch operation allows for reduced complexity and compact packaging.
The G6 GXP sedan and coupe deliver the responsive ride and handling expected from Pontiac's performance series, and they are equipped with GM's StabiliTrak electronic stability control system for confident and sure-footed travel.
Body side rocker moldings and unique front and rear fascias with dual exhaust openings make the G6 GXP easily recognizable. Other features include fog lamps and braided polished stainless steel upper and outboard lower grille inserts with chrome surrounds on the upper grille sections.
A special "Street Edition" package is available for those seeking a more striking appearance, adding dual hood scoops and a unique rear spoiler.