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2007 Pontiac G5 Preview

Pontiac borrows from Chevy to woo entry-level buyers

AS
by Autobytel Staff
June 9, 2006
3 min. Reading Time
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Readers of the Sunday newspaper classifieds know how it works. There are those ads from local car dealers, more than you ever imagined existed in your entire state let alone your town, and they’re advertising unbelievable deals on all types of cars. The idea is to get you in the door, though the salespeople will invariably tell you that while the particular model in the ad has been sold, a similar deal can be brokered on countless other models. You’ve been baited – now it’s just a matter of hooking you by switching you to a more expensive model. Often, a young first-time buyer’s relationship with a brand starts out with just such a price leader, a bare-bones base model with none of the extra trimmings, the kind of car advertised in the paper for a low price – . But if things work out the way the auto manufacturer plans, that buyer will be back time and time again as she ages and requires a bigger family car or a more expensive premium model that corresponds with her new Vice President title. These are the reasons that Pontiac is debuting the new G5 coupe this fall, a slightly reworked and rebadged version of the Chevrolet Cobalt that’s sold as the Pursuit in Canada. This is not a new method of reaching downmarket – remember the Sunfire, essentially a fancier Cavalier? With a base price of $14,995, the 2007 G5 will be the least expensive Pontiac sold in the U.S., putting it almost $2,000 below a stripped G6 sedan or a base Vibe wagon. A G5 GT, offering more power and standard content, will start at $17,795. With its coupe styling and price tag well below $20,000, hopes are that this sort-of-new ride will put Pontiac on entry-level shoppers’ lists.

What it is

Billed as a new entry-level car for Pontiac, the 2007 G5 coupe is essentially a rebadged Chevrolet Cobalt, albeit one with a few visual tweaks and content adjustments. Currently, there are two models that tie for the title of least expensive model in the Pontiac lineup – the base four-cylinder G6 sedan and the base Vibe, which each sell for $16,990.

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Why it matters

Pontiac is one side of a new triangular channel system developed by General Motors, complementing Buick and GMC, and GM is pushing to increase the number of dealers that sell all three brands under one roof. Under this structure, most segments are covered between GMC’s trucks and large suvs to Buick’s premium vehicles and Pontiac’s so-called performance cars, but there’s a big void where entry-level buyers are looking. Company executives believe the Pontiac Vibe, while priced competitively, is too unique to do the job. Therefore, the Pontiac G5 coupe, known as the Pursuit in Canada, will sell for $14,995 including a $615 destination charge when it goes on sale here this fall. The sedan version won’t be tagging along for the border crossing.

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What’s under the hood

Two versions of the 2007 Pontiac G5 coupe will be sold starting this fall. The base coupe will be powered by a 16-valve, dual overhead cam, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine offering 148 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 152 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. For a bit of excitement, buyers can opt for a GT model and its 16-valve, dual overhead cam, 2.4-liter four-banger good for 173 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 163 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. With both engines, a five-speed manual transmission is standard while a four-speed automatic is an $850 option. Oddly, given that Pontiac is supposed to be GM performance-oriented division, a supercharged 2.0-liter like that in the Cobalt SS Supercharged and Saturn Ion Red Line will not be available.

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What’s inside

Base 2007 Pontiac G5 models, starting at $14,995 including a $615 destination charge, come equipped with air conditioning, an MP3 player, keyless entry, a tilt steering wheel, a body-color rear spoiler, 15-inch steel wheels, power windows and door locks, and a tachometer. Options include a Pioneer audio system, traction control, XM satellite radio, 16-inch alloy wheels, antilock brakes, heated leather seats, and a sunroof. Moving up to the GT model requires an outlay of $17,795 and adds cruise control, a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel with radio controls, fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, antilock brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. Buyers can add side-curtain airbags for $395 and OnStar telematics for $695.

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What we think

Unless the 2007 Pontiac G5 GT model’s retuned suspension is better than we’ve experienced in the GT or even GTP versions of the G6, the G5 looks to be another puzzling move by a company that is touting itself as GM’s performance brand. Maybe buyers of the base G5, seeing that “sporty” front fascia, will be fooled into thinking the G5 is a little pocket rocket, but we’re guessing not. And when asked about a possible GXP model, Pontiac reps told us there are no plans for such a model at this time. How about dropping in the Chevy Cobalt SS’s supercharged four? A good idea, but it’s not on the radar. Maybe instead of driving characteristics, Pontiac will be judging performance on how many of these shiny ducks its dealers can move off the lots.

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When you can buy it

Pontiac will start selling the 2007 G5 coupe later this fall, with an estimated annual sales volume of 25,000 – 30,000 units. Unlike the G6, which debuted as a coupe and followed up with a sedan and then a hardtop convertible, the U.S. version of the G5 will only be sold as a coupe.

Photos courtesy of Pontiac of Canada

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