January 5, 2005

Pontiac displays new G6 coupe and hardtop convertible

Los Angeles, California - Pontiac unveiled its new G6 Coupe and G6 hardtop convertible models today. Compared with the four-door, five-passenger G6 sedan, the G6 coupe and convertible models are two-door, four-passenger vehicles with all-new body panels rearward of the A-pillars and large, wraparound tail lamps on both models.

2006 Pontiac G6 hardtop convertible. Click image to enlarge More Photos

The 2006 Pontiac G6 hardtop convertible is built on the same platform as the coupe, but was strengthened in key areas to bolster vehicle rigidity. It features a unique two-piece clamshell-style retractable hardtop engineered with input from renowned German coachbuilder Karmann. It is the world's largest retractable hardtop. A long top was necessary to enclose the spacious interior. A double-hinged trunk lid 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.

The convertible hardtop operates with the touch of a single button, and takes less than 30 seconds. When the top is stowed, the trunk size is very small: 1.8 cubic feet (61 litres) of cargo space. With the top up, trunk capacity increases to 5.8 cubic feet (164 litres). That compares to 14 cubic feet (396 litres) in the coupe.

"The G6 coupe delivers outstanding performance and generous interior room, and the G6 is the only hardtop convertible that has room for four adults," said Jim Bunnell, Pontiac-GMC general manager. "They're great because they fit so many of us. Families living in the north can justify even the convertible - there's room and the top will keep out the elements."

2005 Pontiac G6 GTP coupe. Click image to enlarge More Photos

The G6's extra-long 112.3-inch wheelbase provides optimum interior space and improved ride and handling characteristics. Both the coupe and convertible have longer doors than the sedan: they're 6 inches (152.4 mm) longer than the G6 sedan's front doors and are about 2 or 3 inches longer than doors on most competitors' coupes. Also aiding rear seat access is the front passenger seat, which slides forward when the seatback is released. Both the coupe and convertible offer approximately 35 inches (889 mm) of rear legroom. Headroom, too, is comparable to the G6 sedan.

G6 coupe and convertibles will be available in GT and GTP models. The GT models feature a 200 horsepower 3.5 litre OHV V6 and four-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, while the GTPs feature a 240 horsepower 3.9 litre OHV V6 coupled to a 4-speed automatic with manual shift mode, or a 6-speed manual in the coupe model - a package that targets driving enthusiasts.

17-inch wheels are standard on G6 GT and GTP coupe and 18-inch wheels standard on G6 GT and GTP convertibles. All G6 models feature independent sport-tuned suspensions, four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS, standard enhanced traction system and optional Vehicle Dynamic Control System. Inside are leather-wrapped steering wheel and highly-bolstered sports seats, optional leather and heated seating, premium audio system with in-dash six-CD changer, available side and head curtain air bags (coupe only), optional remote start and sunroof (coupe only), and OnStar.

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