'05 GTO getting engine/horsepower upgrade and more

[MJN2]

Getting bumped up to 400hp! From the Chicago Tribune:Pontiac to rev up '05 GTOs with a little bling blingPublished August 6, 2004NOVI, Mich. -- Hoping to change jeers to cheers, Pontiac will upgrade the GTO for 2005 by adding a more potent V-8 engine, hood scoops upfront, twin-dual exhausts in the rear and 18-inch wheels underneath.The scoops, exhausts and wheels are in response to critics who insist the car is too bland for a performance model.When word got out that Pontiac would bring back the GTO name that launched muscle cars in the '60s, enthusiasts expected the retro look. Think Ford and Thunderbird.But Pontiac wanted to offer the GTO for many years and insisted the retro look would create strong initial demand that would quickly fade, as evidenced by the soon-to-be-discontinued retro Thunderbird.While Pontiac counted on selling 12,000 to 15,000 GTOs this year, the tally is expected to be just 7,000 to 8,000. So GTO will be outsold by the often-criticized Aztek sport-utility vehicle by at least 3-1.Pontiac will offer hood scoops on the '05 model as a no-cost option. Split-dual exhausts will be standard, while an upgrade to 18-inch wheels from 17 inches will be at extra cost.Jim Bunnell, Pontiac/GMC general manager at a preview of the '05 GM lineup, said the upgrade to the GTO should boost the '05 price by $1,000 to $1,500, plus options, which haven't been priced yet. The '04 starts at $32,495.The '05 GTO goes into production in Australia this fall and arrives in the U.S. "in December or January, in time for the Chicago Auto Show [in February]," said Bunnell.Pontiac isn't done tweaking the GTO."More is in the works. We'll have a customized car at the Woodward Dream Cruise [Aug. 21 in Detroit] to explore other options," Bunnell said.Sources suggest the GTO may be in line for special-edition versions produced in limited numbers like the Ford Mustang.And though enthusiasts complained about the styling, few griped about the 350-horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 in the '04 GTO."The 400-h.p. 6-liter V-8 for '05 is a pleasant surprise for everyone," said Bunnell.This more powerful V-8 wasn't ready when the GTO bowed, and Pontiac added it because they say you can never have too much horsepower in a high-performance car.It should be no surprise, however, that the 6-liter V-8 probably will carry a $1,000 gas-guzzler tax like the 5.7-liter V-8 does for failing to obtain 22 miles per gallon in combined city/highway mileage. Pontiac said there's no final mileage rating.

[Mavrik]

Part of the problem on their sales is they won't sell any in Canada for a while which turned off quite a few people here.Now they just need to do some power increases to the Vibe

[wicked1981]

I think I read somewhere that the engine is getting replaced from an LS1 to the LS2 making the 400hp it will have 2005. Found this 2005 GTOLS2 400HP/395TQDuel snorkel hood for increased engine coolingBigger brakes w/RED GTO engraved calipers18in Wheel optionSplit rear exhaustRevised gauges with higher redline tachDead pedal2 new colors Midnight Blue and Cyclone grey.Dyno

[MJN2]

Well, as much as I like the GTO...I test drove a Dodge Magnum RT this past weekend, and was totally floored by how nice of a car it is. It's almost as fast as the GTO, plus is FAR more useful of a vehicle, and it costs a bit less.

[Raven]

Quote, originally posted by MJN2 »Well, as much as I like the GTO...I test drove a Dodge Magnum RT this past weekend, and was totally floored by how nice of a car it is. It's almost as fast as the GTO, plus is FAR more useful of a vehicle, and it costs a bit less.Yes, but it's still only a Dodge!

[Fialchar]

Dodge Magnum RT is a nice car-truck thingy, but still looks like a Hearse

[Fialchar]

Quote, originally posted by Sunny »Yes, but it's still only a Dodge! My friends say something similar to Dodge Neon SRT-4's. We usually hang out of the car and yell "IT'S STILL JUST A ****ING NEON!!!!"

[Mr. Poopypants]

I love the hood scoop. I don't care what anyone else says, in my opinion, that is such a well designed car.

[redlava]

Quote, originally posted by Mr. Poopypants »I love the hood scoop. I don't care what anyone else says, in my opinion, that is such a well designed car.DittoThe only thing that I don't like about the 05 is the black on the rear end between the exhaust tips. It might look ok on a darker color like the black but it looks strange to me on the lighter colored silver. They should have stuck with the body color in my opinion. The Grand Prix is like that too. It just takes a little away from the classyness of the car by putting a big hunk of grey plastic on the back of an otherwise flawless car. If I am paying $30K+ for a car there had better be no unpainted plastic on it anywhere!

[Vibe]

The scoops make a large improvement. Just what it needs but still needs more aggressive flair to it. IMO. James (Vibe)

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by Vibe »The scoops make a large improvement. Just what it needs but still needs more aggressive flair to it. IMO. James (Vibe)yes, they need to make the lower front fascia a little more agressive. it's too blah to me.

[ragingfish]

400 horses????Dear MOTHER!**********************drooooooooooooool**********************Excuse me, I need a bucket.

[MJN2]

Quote, originally posted by Sunny »Yes, but it's still only a Dodge! Very true, and I never thought I would ever consider buying one until now.And if my dad's side (Ford family) OR my mom's side (GM family) ever heard me say that, I'd be disowned lol.But, with most of the suspension coming from Mercedes, the Hemi V-8 (340hp), and how well the car behaves, I have been seriously thinking about it.And for a station wagon, it looks pretty damn cool, IMO

[Mr. Poopypants]

Quote, originally posted by MJN2 »And for a station wagon, it looks pretty damn cool, IMOHEY!! Our station wagons look pretty damn cool too.

[goodvibe]

My dealer The largest in the Chicago area has about a dozen 04s inhis lot. They've been there for some time. A change was clearly needed. Look for big incentives on 04s.

[MJN2]

Quote, originally posted by Mr. Poopypants »HEY!! Our station wagons look pretty damn cool too.Yep they do Although my dad likes to call it a minivan just to (removed) me off

[Mr. Poopypants]

OOOOH, that pisses me off. J/K

[MJN2]

It's all good. He and I dragraced one day - my GT versus his lightly modded 5.4L V-8 F-150. I know, weird race.He got me off the line (damn V-8 torque), but I dusted him after that.I yelled out the window at the next light "Hey dad, how did you like getting beat by a minivan!?" lollol, a 31 year-old and a 52 year-old dragracing like teenagers. We're insane

[ToolGuy]

What until the Dodge Magnum SRT comes out, 6.1L Hemi. I also like the Magnum now but it is heavy like the 300's, 4000+ Lbs. Just to give you and idea, I raced one (Magnum Hemi) in my PT leaving Chrysler for 2 lights, kept right with him until the thrid light, red.Yes the GTO will get the LS2 engine like the Vette.