Pontiac’s rear-wheel-drive future put on hold, more small-cars to join lineup

Like everything else coming up from GM, Pontiac’s future product line will consist of small front-wheel-drive cars that will have to meet the average fuel-economy requirements set by GM. That means possibilities of Pontiac’s rear-wheel-drive brand have been put on hold – maybe permanently.

We’ve already heard that GM is considering importing the G3 for the 2009 model year. The entry-level car based on the Chevrolet Aveo will be built on GM’s global Gamma architecture. Also under consideration is a new sedan that will fit between the Aveo and Pontiac G5.

Pontiac may also get its own version of the Chevrolet Cruze as early as 2010 that will likely replace the G5. The future for the G6 at this point is a bit vague. Engineers had initially planned to offer the next-generation G6 on GM’s next-generation Epsilon rear-wheel-drive architecture and was scheduled to debut in 2012. With the brand’s rear-wheel-drive future on the rocks, executives are confused as to what to do with the G6.

The G8 will remain as it is and the 2010 G8 Sport Truck will join the lineup next year. The Solstice will get a coupe variant in early 2009. V6 options for the Solstice have been cancelled. That means we’ll have the 2.4L Ecotec 4-cylinder engine producing 173hp and a GXP version powered by a 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec that produces 260hp. A 1.4 liter turbo 4-cylinder engine is also rumored to join the Solstice lineup in the near future.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)