Pontiac GTO (2005)

Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO nameplate was revived for the 2004 model year, now as an American-market version of the Australian-built Holden Monaro. This version sold poorly due to bland styling and was cancelled after 2006.

2004

The Pontiac GTO was relaunched in the United States in late 2003, based on the Holden Monaro's V platform. The fact that the new GTO is based on an entirely different vehicle (the "Old Goat" being a muscle car and the Holden Monaro being an Australian sports car) has provoked much criticism from muscle car enthusiasts, stating that redesigning the GTO from the ground up would be more nostalgic and would possibly bring better sales for the car. The revival was prompted by former GM chairman Bob Lutz, who drove a Holden Monaro while on a business trip in Australia. The GTO is produced in Australia, and is equipped with the Chevrolet Corvette's LS1 V8 engine with a choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. The same model is sold in the United Kingdom as a Vauxhall and as a Chevrolet in the Middle East.

Sales of the 2004 GTO were below expectations, forcing the brand to cut production to just 12,000 per year. The optional hood scoops slated for the 2005 model year were rushed into production in an effort to increase the sportiness of the car's image. There was a Pulse Red package, available only in 2004. It gave the buyer Pulse Red paint and exclusive red embroidery on the seats. Only 800 of these were made.

2005

For 2005, the legendary Pontiac GTO receives performance and appearance enhancements that move GTO into an exclusive ultra high performance cataegory. These enhancements include:

• A new 6.0L LS2 V8 engine that produces 400hp and a massive 395 lb.-ft. of torque
• Bigger brakes with re-painted calipers and a GTO badge
• Hood scoops for a performance styling and enhanced engine cooling.
• A split dual exhaust system and redesigned rear fascia to accommodate the new dual outlets.
• Optional 18" wheels and tires.
• A new interior "dead" pedal.
• Revised instrument panel features new fonts and a higher redline tachnometer.
• Regular Production Acessories available in fall of 2004.
• Two new exterior colors - Cyclone Gray Metallic, Mid-Night Blue Metalic.
• Two deleted exterior colors - Barbados Blue Metallic, Cosmos Purple Metallic.
• One deleted interior color - Dark Purple

A special version of this vehicle is used for drifting.

2006

For 2006 Pontiac made a few cosmetic improvments to the last in this generation of the GTO.

• Center console has an unlock button.
• New "darkened" tail lamps.
• Power outlet under stereo (Not Confirmed Yet).
• Optional 18" wheels and tires.
• Illuminated steering wheel radio controls.
• Revised instrument panel features new fonts and a higher redline tachnometer.
• Two new exterior colors - Brazen Orange, Spice Red.
• Orange instrument cluster background and orange stitching on seats, shift knob, steering wheel cover, door armrests to match Brazen Orange exterior color.
• Two deleted exterior colors - Yellow Jacket, Midnight Blue.

On February 21, 2006, General Motors reportedly told dealers that it would halt imports of the GTO in September, making 2006 the last model year for the current GTO revival. The final 2006 GTO was produced on June 14, 2006. Though falsely reported as a failure, the current GTO was always a 3 model year program in the United States.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.