GM Decides to Kill Pontiac Vibe After All, Production Ends August 2009

Only a week after General Motors stated that the Vibe would be the only Pontiac model to be offered for retail sale in the brand's 2010MY portfolio, the automaker announced today its decision to discontinue production of the compact crossover by the end of August 2009. The Vibe is produced alongside its sister model, the Toyota Matrix, at the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) facility jointly operated by GM and Toyota in Fremont, California.

"While no replacement for Vibe production has been determined, GM and Toyota remain in active discussions regarding potential future production at NUMMI," General Motors said in a statement.

As we speak, the automaker's original plan is to gradually phase out the Pontiac brand by the end of 2010, though we wouldn't be at all surprised if General Motors decides to pull the plug on the historic marque at an earlier point.

Speed Ticket Survey: Mercedes-Benz SL and Toyota Solara Drivers Top the List

We recently told you about how the angriest drivers in Britain tend to be behind the wheel of a BMW. Now we have some speeding/insurance info from the States, and it's a bit surprising.

According to Quality Planning, a division of Verisk Analytics Inc., American Mercedes SL drivers are at least four times more likely to get ticketed than a run-of-the-mill motorist who presumably drives a Camry Solara or...no, wait, the Camry Solara/Coupe and Scion tC come in at second and third.

Oddly, the Pontiac Grand Prix is still on the list and making waves (scroll down for the full list with stats).

Of the top ten most ticketed cars, Mercedes and Toyota can each lay claim to three: the SL, the CLS63, and the CLK63, and the Camry Solara/Coupe, Scion tC, and xB. In defense of its speedy vehicles, Mercedes' spokesman Robert Moran says, "These are fun-to-drive cars, and sometimes people have a little too much fun enjoying them."

On the other side of the spectrum, people-hauling SUVs were among the least ticketed as long as we exclude the Hummer H2/H3; the lowest was actually the Buick Rainier.

The lesson here, kids, is skip the sex-on-wheels Benzos and just go for an old Buick SUV is you want to avoid tickets. Or, you could just restrain yourself...but where's the fun in that?

By Phil Alex

Source: Verisk Analytics , Via: BusinessWeek

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Walkinshaw Performance Series II Commodore eats Ferraris for Breakfast

For the Australian car buff, Tom Walkinshaw needs no introduction. Here is the man who founded HSV and was responsible for the epic VL Commodore based HSV SS Group A in late '80s. Though no longer working for Holden, 'Walky' continues to turn out some of the most powerful and ballsiest vehicles Australia has ever seen through the performance company named after him.

At the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Walkinshaw Performance took the wraps off its latest model: the WP Series II Supercar. The Holden Commodore Series II SS derived super saloon is fitted with an Edelbrock WP 230 supercharger, boosting power to 617-horsepower (460 kw) and torque to 780 Nm (575 lb ft).

To reign in this beast, six piston brake rotors have been added along with a upgraded and recalibrated suspension package co-developed with Bilstein. The final touch is a unique audio system upgrade by Rockford Fosgate.

Walkinshaw Performance CEO Craig Wilson is extremely satisfied with the Series II Supercar:

"We're celebrating the release of the WP Series II Supercar by producing just 23 examples, finished in Panorama Silver, the same colour which adorned the original 'Walky' when it debuted at the Sydney Motor show 23 years ago". he said.

The whole package, including the AU$47,790 (US$46,930) manual Commodore SS base car, will start from AU$99,990 (US$98,810). This means the Walkinshaw modifications alone cost around AU$52,200 (US$51,880), including parts and labor.

By Tristan Hankins

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Pontiac GTO

The original Pontiac GTO was nicknamed "the goat" as his defiant, stripped-to-the-bases of personality, such as letters of the name. The 2004 incarnation of '06 was so sophisticated and upscale, it's a goat that is almost an insult. Much of the charm of the old car was also lost in the translation, including the affordable price tag. The new coupe was launched in the low $ 30Ks - hardly a realistic amount of young, cash-strapped fans. Bland was a marked another weak point.

1966 Pontiac GTO - Pictures - 1966 Pontiac GTO picture

First came to power a 5.7-liter V8, but the Pontiac swapped the larger 6.0-liter V8 in the next year. The larger the engine was cool like a 400-horsepower GTO, but between the high cost of the 2 +2 coupe and boring style, Pontiac simply could not sell enough for them. As a result, the Pontiac GTO was discontinued after the 2006 model year.

Pontiac GTO, one of the first muscle cars with videos and pictures ...

Yet when it came to the acceleration of the revived GTO not been denied status as a complete muscle car. Equipped LS1 V8 rated 350 hp and 365 pound-feet of torque, 2004 models did not reach the 60 km / h in 5.5 seconds, and Blaze a quarter-mile flat 14 seconds - faster than any of the original GTO. More impressive was the 2005 and '06 models, which are the 6.0-liter V8. Rated at 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, these models have shaved more than half a second off the quarter-mile time.

1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible

Although the Pontiac GTO cruiser was quite well off road, it was not really a soft suspension tuned to handle this much power. His reflexes slow, excessive body roll and brake low, the dynamics of the pair was sharper rivals no treatment in this price range. The car cost $ 5,000 or less, these errors could have been forgiven. The amortization is offset these criticisms, however, as a GTO can be used to find a fraction of the MSRP when new.

Pontiac GTO

Pontiac GTO Wallpapers

Pontiac GTO Wallpapers

Pontiac GTO Wallpapers

Pontiac GTO Wallpapers

Pontiac GTO Wallpapers

2007 Pontiac Solstice Owner’s Manual

The 2007 Pontiac Solstice adds the GXP featuring an Ecotec 2.0-liter Direct Injection Turbo with Variable Valve Timing DOHC 4-cylinder aluminum engine that produces 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Riding on a 4-wheel independent sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels with performance tires, the GXP is styled with front and rear fascia extensions high-polished stainless steel dual exhaust outlets on the outside with embroidered GXP seats and a StabiliTrak vehicle enhancement system on the inside.
A two-way power driver seat height adjuster is standard and a latte-color cloth convertible top is available. The Preferred Package replaces the Power Package, and includes power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry and outside power body-color mirrors. New options include a rear spoiler, sport metallic pedals and “Mean” (yellow) as an exterior color. The 2007 Pontiac Solstice Owner’s Manual contains the information about Seats and Restraint Systems, Features and Controls, Instrument Panel, Driving Your Vehicle, Service and Appearance Care, and much more. TOTAL PAGES : 396.

Pontiac Solstice

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Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

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Pontiac G8 GXP

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2009 Pontiac G6

2009 Pontiac G6

Pontiac G6 2009

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2009 Pontiac G5 Pictures

Pontiac G5 2009

2009 Pontiac Vibe GT

2009 Pontiac Vibe GT

2008 Pontiac G6 GXP

2008 Pontiac G6 GXP

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

2008 Pontiac Solstice

2008 Pontiac Solstice

2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck: It’s Sexy!

So let’s have a chat about the latest and greatest 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck. This truck is by far one of the sexiest tucks in the world. Not only is it a sport truck, but it is a vehicle that blends a sports car feel with the ability to cargo things like a truck. The 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck is based on the Pontiac G8 performance sedan and it is actually the newest member of the G8 family, incase you didn’t know.

The design of this particular truck is all around incredible. It has 18-inch wheels, which gives it a very wide and extremely confident stand. The roofline is going to be coupe-like and it actually looks sort of like a car, until you take a peek into the back.

This sport truck has an incredible V8 engine and puts out 361 HP of power. So if you are looking for a new truck, you should absolutely check out the sexy 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck!

2009 Pontiac G6 Pictures

2009 Pontiac G6 Pictures

Pontiac G6 2009 pics

Pontiac G6 2009 Interior

2009 Pontiac G5 Pictures

2009 Pontiac G5 Pictures

Pontiac G5 2009 Pictures

2009 Pontiac G5 Interior

2009 Pontiac G8 Pictures

2009 Pontiac G8 Pictures

Pontiac G8 2009 pics

Pontiac G8 Interior