The Trans Am was sold for 35 years. The GTO was sold for 12, two of which was a hilarious failure that everyone should have seen coming. The Firebird has far recognition now than the GTO ever had.
While I do not completely disagree with these points, the point still stands that the GTO holds a greater level of importance (I assume) to some folks at GM, not to mention many high-performance Pontiac fans as well. Don't get me wrong, I love the Firebird with all my heart, but I am just as likely to be able to realize that the Firebird was nevermore than a dressed-up Camaro with very few perks over the Chevrolet. While you can certainly argue the same with the GTO versus that of the Chevelle, it was in fact the GTO that had come first, and I assume, part of the reason why GM wants the GTO back.
Which is why they don't try to sell the GTO again. It didn't work last time, which was only a year ago. And rumours are saying that it will fill the exact same niche at the exact same price point this time. So what is the point?
While GM keeps saying they "aren't sure" about the next GTO, I'd say you've got a pretty good chance on making money if you bet on it. My estimation is that it will sit right at $30K with an LS3 and a stick and later offer an LS7 version probably in the $40K range. Yes, it will fill the same niche, but the difference here is that GM has in fact learned from their mistakes, will under-import it, and when demand increases, meet those needs accordingly.
And all the while continuing to ignore that people, as stupid as it may seem, do not want a restrained, good handling and civilized GTO. They want a showy, excess mobile like the Mustang. They want to be seen in the cars. The way GM wants to do the GTO will most likely not allow that. That is why the last GTO bombed, and that is why this one probably will to, completely ignoring the fact that this one will probably be a heavier, poorer handling car that will most likely cost as much as the much more practical yet not worse handling Pontiac G8.
Here is the key, they do realize that they need to make the car exciting. The deal is, it will
look the part, and it will certainly
act the part, but it won't like be as "spunky" as what a Camaro/Firebird would be. The GTO has always been a "different" kind of muscle car, but at the same time, with Pontiac now towing the Holden line, my guess is that they will pack as much performance into the car all while making it as easy to drive as a Cobalt.
While it will likely weigh a few pounds more, the extra power and better chassis tuning may lend itself to creating a better handling GTO. I am begining to assume that Pontiac may just send over the HSV GTS/GTO to the United States as our GTO, however placing it under Pontiac trim, and selling it to the masses. This would indeed keep the sport available, pushing it above the G8 in performance, validating (for the most part) the increase in price and performance. This of course would likely put a greater strain on production facilities in Australia, so that may in fact change.
...GM isn't talking, so it is difficult to say for absolute certain...
Which will hilariously also infringe on GTO turf in the upper levels, most likely.
Quite right, but that is largely dependent on what engines that they place in the top-level G5 and G6. My assumption is that most of these cars will roll out with the LY7 or its DIG variant, good for power outputs between 250-300 BHP. If a V8 option is made, likely in GXP form, my guess is that at its maximum, it would be an L76, good for 360 BHP, which should keep it a fair bit behind the GTO and G8, largely depending on weight of course... Then again, if GM goes "Bat-S" crazy, I wouldn't be shocked to see a DIG LS3 or a regular-grade LS7 just to stick the middle-finger up at BMW...
And I understand and can agree with that. What I don't understand is why Lutz seems so dead set on revitalizing a car that no one has cared about 1972, while throwing away 35 years of history for a different car. I don't feel Pontiac needs a RWD sports coupe at all, because it will either cannibalize Camaro sales (not likely), or simply fall into obscurity behind the Pontiac G8. Pontiac has the Solstice. If they want a coupe, they should sell a coupe Solstice. A GTO will neither sell, nor will anyone care about them but a dedicated few. If he really wants a midsize RWD coupe, he should sell the one with a longer history.
On the basic idea I don't think you are too far out there, there are quite a few people who use the same reasons to complain about choosing the GTO over the Firebird. But when so many people bitch about GM just changing a few simple panels and throwing a different badge on the front, why the hell is it any different between the Camaro and the Firebird? Is it just because they existed so long together, and furthermore, never actually killed each other in the process?
Given that Pontiac is aligning themselves with Holden, unofficially, there will be RWD coupes offered in the brand. The difference here is that they will be different compared to what the others offer, starting off with the Solstice coupe at the bottom, the G5 sitting in the middle as a 3-series competitor, and the GTO sitting on top as a semi-sorta 6-series competitor. Given that Pontiac is already planning on low-volume sales for every one of these cars, my guess is that they won't have much of a problem selling them or their sedan variants.
...I just don't see the Firebird as something that "fits" with the current lineup...
My problem is that now Lutz simply seems to be doing things as he wants them rather than what should be done for the company. His hell or highwater insistence over the second return of the GTO, refusing to allow a Holden 'Ute to be called an El Camino and instead throwing it at a company that won't take it, and his thoroughly moronic meddling with the future of Cadillac all attest to that.
Well, yes, Lutz has been a bit pig-headed as of late. It is hard to say if he actually has a firm grip on what the hell is going on, as he was a bit wrong with whats currently under development for Zeta across the board. On the very basis of it all, I'm just happy that a car guy wants to bring the good cars to the United States... But as you point out, his methods just aren't quite right.
The GTO move is the right one, trust me on this one. Low-volume and GTO-esque looks should make it a winner this time, as GM refuses to make the same mistake again. They do need a premium RWD 2+2 coupe, and therefore, the GTO will be it.
The El Camino issue is still up in the air, but its looking more and more as though it will go to Pontiac, again, in outstandingly low numbers. Rumors have said fewer than 10,000 would be sent to the United States, maybe even as low as 5,000 just to see if the market likes them or not. Lutz's reasoning behind not offering it as a Chevy is pretty simple; The Chevrolet portfolio is full, there are already two pickups offered, and wouldn't help things. Yes, making it a Pontiac just doesn't seem "right," but if they are to be aligned with Holden, then it must be done.
...As for Cadillac, I'm uncertain of what you are talking about. I assume its the removal and replacement of the STS and DTS by 2010? The problem here is that the CTS is pretty much a 5-series competitor now, where the STS should be, and with the Alpha-chassis BLS coming down the pipe for 2011, that will take care of the 3-series fighting. So, therefore, two larger Zeta-chassis Cadillacs have been called for, although names have yet to be decided upon. My guess is that no matter what, STS will return again. The name still has legs to it, as it has been one of Cadillac's better cars since the '90s.
As for DTS? Well, thats uncertain. They need an S-class competitor, and I don't think that the DTS name lends well to that idea. The ULS name seems to work fine, but then again, you never know with GM...
