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Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:20 am
by ragingfish
Quote, originally posted by Autoblog via The Car Connection »Looks like Pontiac might be losing their Vibe for 2008. And we don't mean the two versions of the Vibe they already killed off. What will be showing up in its place is likely to be a similar vehicle, but the name will change. In place of "Vibe" we are likely to get a "G" something or other, to fit with the current naming formula being employed within Pontiac. Maybe we will get the VVT-i versions back if they release a GT down the road.There's also a spy photo of the new vehicle courtesy of KGP Photography, and although it is heavily cloaked at the front and rear, you can see a revised side that somehow manages to be different and the same all at once. Think evolution instead of revolution. Rumor has it Toyota will again get its own version of this vehicle, but we aren't sure whether or not it will retain the "Matrix" moniker. "Vibe" might be available, if they're interested.(click to enlarge)Source: http://thecarblogger.blogspot.....htmlQuote, originally posted by TCC »Judging from this spy shot captured a few miles from the entrance to the General Motors Proving Ground, it appears that the Pontiac Vibe will live beyond its first generation.Similar Vibe-ish prototypes had been spotted testing in the desert Southwest last Fall, but the Japanese test crew and decidedly un-GM-like camouflage pointed to Toyota's work on the follow-up on its Matrix five-door. Up until now there had been no signs that GM would again get a version of the car, to be built once again atCalifornia's NUMMI manufacturing site. The appearance of this prototype on GM's doorstep tells us a second-gen Vibe is a go -- and sources hint that an unveiling at the New York Auto Show is a distinct possibility. A report in Automotive News, discussing the future of Toyota 's reworked Matrix, stated that the new model has been designed with the Mazda3 in mind, meaning a slightly sportier, less upright stance, and more youthful detailing. Such a direction would also fit in nicely with Pontiac 's brand image. Whether the Vibe name will continue is currently unknown. Toyota is said to be considering the name "Blade" for their Matrix replacement, so the next Vibe may add to Pontiac 's burgeoning list of alphanumerically named cars.Source: http://www.thecarconnection.co....html

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007 (ragingfish)

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:28 am
by VforVIBE
IF I got the newest version of the Vibe, and if Pontiac changes the name, I'd switch out the G# badges with Vibe badges.

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007 (ragingfish)

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:31 am
by BlueCrush
Saw this on MO last week. I say the G3 (gotta keep up with the Mazda naming scheme). It should be the G4 or G5 but they are both already taken. G5-here and in Canada and G4 in Mexico.

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:44 am
by AKLGT
Ya, G3 would be closer to like a Metro or something. should be something different.

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:14 am
by Kari
I wonder if it *has* to be a number...maybe it could be a GX or something for "crossover"?

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:22 am
by AKLGT
or GV for Genvibe?? LOL

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007 (BlueCrush)

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:28 am
by NascarXprt
if you think about it, what mazda did with thier 626 and 323 aka Protege is just used the first numbers The Mazda 6 (was 626) and the mazda 3 (was 323/Protege) and 3 5door (was the 323 5/Protege 5). so Pontiac may use the G3 and it may sound fitting but it would be better if they used the GX instead of a G#. i think i made sense here.

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007 (NascarXprt)

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:45 am
by BlueCrush
Other possible names:G-R8G-ROFLG-LOLG-WillickersGolly-GG1G-ODetc...

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007 (BlueCrush)

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:08 am
by ragingfish
Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »G5-here and in Canada and G4 in Mexico.G5 here will eventually be replaced by an all-new pontiac compact, likely to be named G4 as well.

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007 (ragingfish)

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:55 am
by JohnC
Wow! Where can I get grill inserts and light covers like the 08? Niiice!

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007 (JohnC)

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:10 am
by jake75
They have apparently given up on the 07's already - at the Columbus, OH Auto Show last week there was one Vibe and one Matrix on the floor. The 2007 blue Matrix XR msrp $18,828 was nearly identical in features/options to the 2003 Neptune blue Vibe I bought in Jan. 2003 msrp $18,690.As for me - I crave the Honda CRV at about $22,000. The AT FIT at about $16,000 looked o.k. too. I must not be the only one as I understand there is a long wait for both the CRV and the FIT.

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007 (BlueCrush)

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:57 pm
by NascarXprt
Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »Other possible names:G-R8G-ROFLG-LOLG-WillickersGolly-GG1G-ODetc...(removed)

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007 (BlueCrush)

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:34 pm
by ZubenElGenubi
Funny stuff, BC!!!G DI'm willing to wager that, if it changes at all, G3 will be the designation. Seriously, though, why would they bother rebadging it? It's not like they spent a lot on marketing in the first place...GM could save a few bucks by keeping the Vibe badge...IMO.

Re: Next Pontiac Vibe to be renamed G_ and debut at NYAS 2007 (NascarXprt)

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:46 pm
by kostby
The most obvious one, first:G0 (GO!)G-ZUS (The GT - hitting lift)GRO-UP (What your mother always told you!)G-RN'T Wii GR8 (Gamer's special edition, with apologies to Nintendo)

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:17 pm
by ragingfish
G-spot?

Re: (ragingfish)

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:13 pm
by drunkenmaxx
G ride.GD

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:13 pm
by pacerman
Methinks ............g-spot

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:13 am
by northvibe
if i dont debadge the whole car and this new "vibe" has a cool name id switch my vibe badges for it

Re: (northvibe)

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 5:44 am
by JoeKat
Gwiz why are GM names so transient? It irks me. It's like they try to hide from their past by changing names. What names have come and gone in the last 25 years?S-10, Firebird, Nova, Grand Am, Camaro, Park Ave, Jimmy, Skylark, C-10, S-15, Century, Lumina, Cavalier, Sunfire, Corsica, Baretta, GTO, Aztec, Metro, Prism, SSR, Oldsmobile-RIP, Regal...I know a lot of car manufacturers change model names and introduce new models, but GM is America's big boy and they seem to me they are unclear about what the hell is going on! Now certainly one could say that I don't either, but I don't own or run a car co. so it's not important.Think about these names: Camry, Corolla, Civic and Accord. Great cars that have been around for decades. GM has the Corvette great.Thanks for getting me worked up I'm sure I'll have more later, but that is all for now.

Re: (JoeKat)

Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 1:11 am
by BlueCrush
The new Vibe will be unveiled on April 4th or 5th during GMs unveiling of 7 world intros: http://www.thegmsource.com/for...c=687Could it be?This is someone's idea of what the next vibe could be called: http://www.thegmsource.com/for...c=667

Re: (northvibe)

Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 1:40 am
by BlueCrush
Quote, originally posted by northvibe »if i dont debadge the whole car and this new "vibe" has a cool name id switch my vibe badges for it Poser! lol.

Re: (BlueCrush)

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:21 am
by BlueCrush
Well the new Vibe was not unveiled at the NYAS. Wonder when we will get to see it? Here are the cars that were unveiled: http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...19988

Re: (BlueCrush)

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:52 am
by ColonelPanic
Heh, notice Chevy once again is the one who gets the new stuff unveiled... THREE cars to Pontiac's, uhh, zero.

Re: (ColonelPanic)

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:25 am
by VforVIBE
Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Heh, notice Chevy once again is the one who gets the new stuff unveiled... THREE cars to Pontiac's, uhh, zero. yeah, but they are all fugly

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:49 am
by SeattleJeremy
I got a Dollar that says it's gonna be "G4". CP, they're going to show more stuff at the show.

Re: (All)

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:50 pm
by NascarXprt
this was found over at GMInside news.this person supposedly works with GM and knows how the new 08/09 Vibe looks:Quote, originally posted by r8r_charles from GMInsidenews.com »I've seen what the new Vibe/G4 looks like for 2008/2009. Believe me it's a good looking car. Gone is the bulging cladding over the doors and fender wells. Those ugly headlights look even better. You can see more similarity to the G6 in the front bumper. The roof line is shorter, and car has gotten wider for better handling. Look for the return of the GT. Might have automatic option for the GT. As for Toyota, this is a way for both companies to save money. Biz is biz. Money is money. But under the hood beats the heart of a Toyota, but the soul of rice rocket stopper!

Re: (NascarXprt)

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:10 pm
by BlueCrush
Quote, originally posted by NascarXprt »this was found over at GMInside news.this person supposedly works with GM and knows how the new 08/09 Vibe looks:So when he says, "rice rocket stopper!", Does that means it's going to be fast or slow? Sounds contradictory.

Re: (BlueCrush)

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:12 pm
by Vibr8tr
I think he is saying that you can smoke a "rice rocket" with this car, and without conforming to them. I am assuming it means it's fast enough to "hold it's own". I can't wait until it's out. I 2008-2009 I will be back in the market for a new car.

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:44 pm
by joatmon
it really won't matter what powerplant is in the car, what options it offers, what it looks like, even what MPG ratings it gets if GM doesn't start to actually market the car. I think word of mouth has sold more Vibes than any official GM advertising

Re: (joatmon)

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:16 am
by silvrhawk7
Quote, originally posted by joatmon »it really won't matter what powerplant is in the car, what options it offers, what it looks like, even what MPG ratings it gets if GM doesn't start to actually market the car. I think word of mouth has sold more Vibes than any official GM advertisingWord of mouth and flyers down here have made a difference here in south Florida....As for the new "Vibe" I cant say i would want to buy one right away, one reason is because mine is only 6 months old, and first year production issues...

Re: (NascarXprt)

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:04 am
by ragingfish
Quote, originally posted by NascarXprt »this was found over at GMInside news.this person supposedly works with GM and knows how the new 08/09 Vibe looks:GMI has made themselves well known lately for being purveyors of highly highly unreliable information.i don't take that post with any shred of accuracy.it's been known for a long time the "G4" model, whatever it became, would be a replacement compact for the current G5. I doubt the new Vibe is G4. but i'll see for myself next week.

Re: (ragingfish)

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:48 pm
by NSimkins
Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »GMI has made themselves well known lately for being purveyors of highly highly unreliable information.i don't take that post with any shred of accuracy.Yeah, too bad... I was hoping to use some of the 2008 Vibe content and incorporate it within the website refresh. Looks like I'm going to have to work a little harder until GM decides to let us in on the secret.

Re: (ragingfish)

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:00 pm
by joatmon
Quote, originally posted by ragingfish » I doubt the new Vibe is G4. but i'll see for myself next week.maybe you will, maybe nota blurb on motor trend saysQuote »UPDATE: Pontiac has told us that the new Vibe will be appearing at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the fall instead of the New York show.

Re: (NascarXprt)

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 4:10 pm
by NascarXprt
Quote, originally posted by r8r_charles from GMInsidenews.com »I haven't really been able to look over the entire car, unfortunately, there isn't going to be a gm powerplant. However, look for an auto gt in the future.and:Quote, originally posted by r8r_charles from GMInsidenews.com »I think we may see it LA. This new Vibe is going to be cool. Everything from the ground up is pretty much new. I've seen the new 17" wheels. Looks alot better than what is available. The roof line is shorter, and the body is wider. Hopefully they will improve all of the plastics that covered the cargo area. There isn't much of a cargo area either. It looks more like a Mazda3. Hopefully they can give the new VIBE some roids to kick others off the road. I like the new front end. Looks more aggressive. The dash is much cleaner too......better looking speedo. I hope you guys will like it as much as I enjoy building it.

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:47 pm
by Mathias
How can it be all-new and in showrooms in September if it's going to appear at the LA show???Are they fixing to roll out an '09 in early '08, like they did with the first generation?And if it's Mazda3-like, with less cargo space and more engine, I'll make sure I get one of the old ones before they disappear.I don't need 170 horsepower in a small car; the present engine is fine with the 5speed. I'd like to goet 35 mpg. I need it to haul stuff, and was hoping for half a foot more cargo area. Not less.BTW, the only real problem I had with the original Vibe was the lousy, notchy 5speed shifter on my '04. Did that ever get better? -Mathias

Re: (NascarXprt)

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:48 pm
by JoeKat
If it looks like a Mazda 3 and is sized like it too, then why not buy a Mazda? I guess I'll reserve judgement until I see and drive one.

Re: (Jeremy96gase)

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:27 am
by TJinPgh
Yeah, I was thinking the G4 myself. Thought the G7, but the name would suggest a bigger car than the Vibe.

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:14 am
by VforVIBE
ya know, seeing as how the G8 and GTO are Holdens... ...what's stopping teh G4(?) from being a Holden?I give the the Holden Astra...http://www.holden.com.au/www-h...26010

Re: (VforVIBE)

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:18 am
by Kari
It's also the Saturn Astra, which was at the auto show, so I wouldn't think it would be doubling as the Vibe or else they probably would have had both. I think the Astra is a bit smaller too.

Re: (Kari)

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:20 am
by VforVIBE
hmm...I thought it sounded familiar.

Re: (VforVIBE)

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:12 am
by ColonelPanic
If I had a dollar for every time someone's said that damn Astra is going to be the next Vibe. I didn't know Holden had its own version of that thing. That makes THREE rebrandings of this car, which originally was an Opel. And bummer that GM really isn't changing anything on those cars except for the emblems, that doesn't look good for those who argue that they are goiing overboard on badge engineering! Pontiac already has one half-a**ed attempt at building a small car with the G5, do they really need another one? The Astra is a pretty snazzy little car though. As seen in Saturn form at this year's NY auto show:

Re: (ColonelPanic)

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:10 am
by scherry2
Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »If I had a dollar for every time someone's said that damn Astra is going to be the next Vibe. I'd have given you your 1st dollar.

Re: (ColonelPanic)

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:13 am
by VforVIBE
Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »If I had a dollar for every time someone's said that damn Astra is going to be the next Vibe. Do you take an I owe you?

Re: (ColonelPanic)

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:59 am
by BlueCrush
Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »ME LIKEY!!!

Re: (BlueCrush)

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:47 am
by Mrizzle05
can you say mazda 3 wagon??? Not really diggin it... but thats me

Re: (ColonelPanic)

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:32 am
by NascarXprt
i betcha if GM does rebage this Opel/Saturn Astra as the Vibe/G? that the 3 door is the GT and the 4 door is the AWD and Base models. then if thats the case ill gladly take the 3door and stick "Vibe" badges on it Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »

Re: (NascarXprt)

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:01 am
by Kari
Given that the Astra doesn't have the Toyota innards, I'd say it's not likely that the Astra will be doubling as the new Vibe...whenever we see a new Corolla or Matrix is when we'll be seeing the new Vibe.

Re: (Mathias)

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:55 am
by TRDman
Quote, originally posted by Mathias »I don't need 170 horsepower in a small car; the present engine is fine with the 5speed. I'd like to get 35 mpg. I need it to haul stuff, and was hoping for half a foot more cargo area. Not less.You are not the only one. My impression was that the Vibe/Matrix was originally intended to be a shoulda-woulda-coulda-been "sporty" vehicle that was appealing based primarily on its roominess and mileage; in short, that it was intended to be a small, fuel-efficient, wagon. Why, especially in lieu of the cancellation of the only really sporty model (the admittedly flawed GT)-because of poor sales-would GM/Toyota try to market the new model as a...Pontiac3? Is it possible that a sexier, more powerful Vibe will take sales away from the 3? Absolutely; but why risk alienating the large portion of the buying public that has no interest whatsoever in a disguised sports car and just wants a little econohauler? Can Pontiac the brand (the brand with a performance bent anyway), and Toyota, for that matter, not serve the performance market with other models? Why drive away the individuals that made the originals the qualified successes they are? What's wrong with serving the people who may want a Pontiac because of, say, styling, but who cannot find the practicality or mileage they want in any other car in its increasingly sporty lineup?