PONTIAC TO REVEAL NEXT GENERATION VIBE COMPACT CROSSOVER VIA LIVE WEBCAST

[BlueCrush]

GT comes with either manual or auto tranny. Good move. AWD is only auto tranny. Bad move.

[GrayFox]

At least it has an auto-manual or is that just the 5-speed auto?

[engineertwin2]

GT and AWD come with the same engine...there may not be much incentive to go with just the GT unless you like the looks it comes with.

[ZubenElGenubi]

Where are the "Internet questions" coming from? No link on the Pontiac Underground...I can't help but think that Pontiac might have taken a cue from FEMA; the live questions are harder-hitting.

[ZubenElGenubi]

Looks like they decided to trade EPA ratings for HP...wonder if will be worth it.

[ZubenElGenubi]

Quote, originally posted by joholste »so it looks like we need to get this jennifer Nardicchio lady to the genvibe site. and then also get her to sign on with the epic north american vibe rally 08I don't know...my favorite phrase from her was "athletic footprint". I guess that means it looks like a tennis shoe. Seriously, we need to figure out how to get GenVibe on Pontiac Marketing's radar...they might learn a thing or two.

[AKLGT]

disappointing about the GT model. no 6MT!

[b train]

is it just me or does it look like the glass no longer opens separate from the hatch??I can't get 12' 2x4 in there with the glass down

[ZubenElGenubi]

Quote, originally posted by b train »is it just me or does it look like the glass no longer opens separate from the hatch??I can't get 12' 2x4 in there with the glass downI think you're right...the rear glass looks fused to the hatch....and the show's over.

[engineertwin2]

Well, someone will probably beat me to it, but here's the recap:Base Model: 1.8L 132HP, 128 ft-lb with 5-sp manual or 4-sp autoAWD Model: 2.4L 158HP, 162 ft-lb with 4-sp autoGT Model: 2.4L 158 HP, 162 ft-lb with 5-sp manual or 5-sp tiptronic style transmissionAll models include stabilitrak.GT and AWD get independent suspension.Hydraulic engine mounts for all (these were a problem for my Volvo).XM is standard on all modelsAuxiliary audio input for mp3 players, etc. on all models3-prong 115V outlet...interesting to see they allow a grounded plug now8 cup holders including door pockets to hold 20-oz bottlesNew divider system in the trunk (not sure if standard)The first question was great and was a dead give away that they aren't quite ready for the marketing of this yet. The Pontiac people acknowledged the Vibe was whooped by the Matrix in total sales volume, but they failed to indicate what their strategy is to outsell the Matrix. One would think they don't have one...I laughed that one Pontiac engineer was comparing the new AWD system with the currently offered AWD - he stated that the current AWD is much more of a front wheel drive bias (hilarious given they cancelled the AWD). The new AWD allows up to 60% torque bias to the rear...pretty interesting, although I didn't see anything that suggested if this was automatic or driver controlled like the WRX STi...

[Sputnik]

Odd, I really liked the original pics posted a while back... after watching that video, I'm just not sure anymore!

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »Where are the "Internet questions" coming from? No link on the Pontiac Underground...I can't help but think that Pontiac might have taken a cue from FEMA; the live questions are harder-hitting.I couldn't find it either

[josholiver1]

Likes..Chrome rims from factory, manual shiftmode, lots of standard features (XM, OnStar, ect), rear cargo area, bigger subwoofer, AUX input.Dislikes...No nav, no rear glass hatch, no supercharger (yet?)That one guy made a fool of himself!, and i loved the question about the stabili-trac being Toyota's and GM just putting there name on it!

[waveresponder]

ok..so i can only see the pontiac.com preview video like the above pictures.....is the live broadcast video the same thing...cuz its not loading for me for some reason..lol

[engineertwin2]

Quote, originally posted by VforVIBE »I couldn't find it either They had posted an email link a day or two ago. I couldn't find it either, but I know I had seen it. I wanted to ask where they thought it would offer out price wise...

[engineertwin2]

With the 2.4L being common with the tC, there is already strong aftermarket support. That will be good for both the GT and the AWD...that AWD may indeed be someone's pet rally car. Not suggesting it's a WRX killer, but certainly, it makes it a much more palatable alternative to what was originally offered.

[ZubenElGenubi]

Good points: three prong AC inverter outlet, 8 cupholders, enhanced cargo area, hydraulic engine mounts (hope that's a good thing), XM standard, auxillary audio inputBad points: dropped EPA numbers for little power improvement; styling is less-distinctive from the Matrix than beforeThe most telling aspect of GM's position may have been Craig Byerly's (Dir. of Marketing) response to the first live question. Don't remember the writer's name, but he asked what was Pontiac going to do compete against the Matrix which outsold the Vibe.Craig first answered that, during the first couple of years, the Vibe actually outsold the Matrix and then didn't really answer. The questioner then followed up and said that since Toyota had some momentum that carried recent sales past the Vibe, they must have a better position in the market. Craig answered that they "got to get the message out."It was a weak answer and completely deflated any hopes I had of seeing GM actively promoting this vehicle across all demographics. In my opinion, the new vehicle doesn't offer anything distinctive that sets it apart from a number of other "small crossover utility vehicle(s)" (Craig Byerly's words). The only thing they might have to offer is deep discounting and rebates.

[kostby]

The '09 Vibe has definitely returned some Pontiac Excitement to the styling, especially compared with the 2005-08 'minivan' front end. The overall treatment is MUCH nicer than the 09 Matrix which rates a double WWTS (What Were They Smoking???) from me.I caught about 15 of the 45 minutes of live presentation, including the brief question & answer session.Same wheelbase, but the new one is 1" (25.4mm) shorter than the old ones.There was an uncomfortable moment in the Q&A where a member of the design team was answering a question about why they didn't consider GM Ecotec powertrain choices, and he said, in so many words, "GM defined the CRITERIA for the car, but Toyota builds it using their parts catalog."The first uncomfortable moment was the first question from the audience: The Matrix is outselling the Vibe by a wide margin. What are you doing to address that situation. The answer began with, "Well, actually the Vibe outsold the Matrix in the beginning..." but basically they're not going to do a thing! There's nothing to indicate that this 'development team' has ANY clout to get GM/Pontiac to actually MARKET the car to ANY demographic, once it's in production.In other words, IMHO it'll be another NUMMI red-headed stepchild (e.g. no national advertising dollars spent) for Pontiac dealers within 12 months, and only talked-up and truly appreciated here on GenVibe.While I'm glad to see the 3 models (Base, AWD, & GT) return, and the signature dual-port 'nostril-shapes' return to the front end, I do kinda miss the cladding (sniff!) and the standard roof rails/rack.And finally, it seems that they changed the Vibe logo font from lowercase IMPACT to uppercase 'something else'.Guess, I'll definitely have to consider another Vibe when the time comes for a new car!

[ramenboy...]

aside from the kinda vanilla back end, and dash which i'm still out oni like it. definitely blows the matrix out of the water. the roof rack looks like an after thought. but other than that, its a slick cari can definitely see a nice evolution from the 1st gen to this.

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 »With the 2.4L being common with the tC, there is already strong aftermarket support. That will be good for both the GT and the AWD...that AWD may indeed be someone's pet rally car. Not suggesting it's a WRX killer, but certainly, it makes it a much more palatable alternative to what was originally offered.ya, it's a little way off from 230 hp awd system, however it is getting a much needed power/tq increase from previous years.

[Petrucci914]

I was in a meeting and missed the video. Technically the new generation has less power than the first generation. The old GT had a 6spd Manual with more horsepower (but less torque). The 2.4l should have been standard. Period.

[GrayFox]

If they axed the 1.8 completely they wouldn't be able to put the "over 30mpg" on anything

[engineertwin2]

Quote, originally posted by Petrucci914 » The old GT had a 6spd Manual with more horsepower (but less torque). The 2.4l should have been standard. Period.I think if they did that, then they would further alienate their selling base. The Vibe sold to those who wanted an econo-hauler - something with some cargo room. I think those that bought Pontiac over Toyota were older or they were more enticed by the bigger bang for the buck (more standard features for less $ for comparably equipped toyo). Or maybe they were looking for lower pressure sales (definitely the case for me).Problem is current perception. So many people think that Toyota is the best or Honda is the best, that they are unwilling to look elsewhere. Pontiac's target buyer is the same people Toyota has captured because of the value of the used Toyota...Economy has to be a staple of this car because so many people are ok with less power. A 2.4L just doesn't get you that staple.

[kunkstyle]

More ponies in the AWD Interior stylyng Standard / added options. Exterior. Miss the roof rails, looks too much like the current Matrix, and blaaargh to the rear end.

[Petrucci914]

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 »I think if they did that, then they would further alienate their selling base. The Vibe sold to those who wanted an econo-hauler - something with some cargo room. I think those that bought Pontiac over Toyota were older or they were more enticed by the bigger bang for the buck (more standard features for less $ for comparably equipped toyo). Or maybe they were looking for lower pressure sales (definitely the case for me).Problem is current perception. So many people think that Toyota is the best or Honda is the best, that they are unwilling to look elsewhere. Pontiac's target buyer is the same people Toyota has captured because of the value of the used Toyota...Economy has to be a staple of this car because so many people are ok with less power. A 2.4L just doesn't get you that staple.With their true target demographic, I don't think they would care about more mpg versus more hp. With the 2.4l you get about 25 more horsepower and only lose a couple mpg's. Seems worth it to me.

[GrayFox]

pics on autobloghttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/1...ealed/btw... the hood looks bland... kinda anyway. The sides flare up a bit but the middle is just flat. It Needs a scoop or something haha

[ColonelPanic]

- All the safety stuff - stability control, six air bags, active headrests, ABS/4-wheel discs standard.- Looks like they have some strips of perhaps rubbery stuff on the cargo floor.- Tilt/telescopic wheel.- Aux in and they retained the AC outlet.- 6 way driver's seat.- That damn rounded rectangle, and I thought the current gauges were difficult to view from some angles. GM/Toyota/NHTSA received a lot of complaints about the old cluster, especially in the 2003 models, so you'd think they would take a bit more of a conservative approach but it looks like they've made it worse this time. At least there's now a gear indicator in the LCD within that stupid rounded rectangle. - Interior looks depressing. Way too much dark gray or black pieces. Everything is a dull, flat piece of plastic everywhere you look. A new color scheme would do some good. But Pontiac likes to say "low gloss materials."- The fricken window controls still aren't going to light up (what's your problem, Toyota? I even have 'em lit on all four doors on my $14K Hyundai! lol)- The outside styling isn't my favorite, it goes from acceptible up front to ricetastic in the back with those goofy tail lights. Too many curves and creases down the sides, way too busy - not clean.- Questionable FE. I'm assuming that Autoblog's MPG estimates are of the 2008 calculations. I hope so at least. The 2.4's seem really thirsty. The base engine isn't going to be as frugal as it once was.- It's still a Toyota. I won't be beating down the dealer's door to buy one anytime soon. All in all, I guess it's an alright car, just not my cup of tea though. Although the Vibe still retains its title as "better looking than the Matrix!"

[Puckman27]

this car is one ugly step in the wrong direction. the good looks of the current vibe are gone. its very misproportioned (interior and especially the exterior). and whoever designed the head- and tail-lights needs to be fired. they look ok from a distance, but the closeups are fugly. its also not too good when the original GT has more horsepower (170-180 depending on the year) and a 6spd compared to the new one's 5 spd and 158. so the 2.4L may have more torque, but the younger crowd that GM/Toyota wants to buy this car only looks at the horsepower numbers (see any cheap rice rocket... no torque anywhere). plus its not even a different engine from the AWD or a base with the 2.4 option. why even get the GT? bigger fog lights? are they serious?if this car sells anywhere close to what the original vibe did, i'd be very surprised. sorry everybody, i love the current vibe, i like that they kept a lot of the great features of the original in the new, but great features in an ugly package usually doesn't sell (aztek?... tho i still have no idea how the element is still around)

[AKLGT]

CP and Puckman, +1111ty billion!

[NascarXprt]

now see the pics im liking the rear a bit more than before but those tail lights are growing on me more and more, but i do agree with most of the dislikes especially the non lift glass.

[NascarXprt]

and for those who could watch it live here is the video:http://gmtv.feedroom.com/

[joatmon]

looks like they gave the vibe a lot of things people here wanted, AWD, GT, wheel gap, more power, etc, , and one that really bothers me is more power for less mpg. The Vibe was GM's best MPG car, but no more, unfortunately not because they came out with a new model that gets great gas mileage, but instead they went for power over efficiency. It was no union assembly plant worker who made the decision to make the new Vibe something I won't buy. They are trying to come up with cars that meet what they see as the demand. Maybe they read genvibe too much

[02csnow]

It is nice that they upgraded the engine and all. The intereior is not too bad. I like the MP3, the doors, center console, and seats. But that outside is horrible.Personally I would rather drive a Yaris than that. Yes, I did say that Kev.I will just stick with my 06.

[Petrucci914]

Quote, originally posted by 02csnow »Personally I would rather drive a Yaris than that. I will just stick with my 06.Watch your damn mouth!

[ragingfish]

i liked it...until i saw the back end. that is HORRID!!!

[kevera]

Quote, originally posted by 02csnow » Personally I would rather drive a Yaris than that. Yes, I did say that Kev..ahahaha,I knew that you would come around I have mixed feelings on the new Vibe.That webcast was sort of ghey,with that "the Vibe,the pontiac Vibe" singing.The should have made minor outside changes to differentiate between the models.The interior minus the dash is cool.I also don't like as someone mentioned the lack of door guards.You know some idiot will swing their door open and leave a nice dent on that clean sheet-metal.