As the spy shots showed that we first posted last week, and with these official photos from GM, the new GXP Grand Prix looks frankly BAD A$$! Anyone doubting this car would stare down the hearts of Nissan and Acuras alike can now proceed to eat their shoes.

This is debuting at the SEMA show, along with the 275 HP GXP G6.

Pontiac is back with a vengence.

Looks good, but bad a$$ will come when the GP is rear drive :D

It looks good, but isn't it exactly the same as last years?

And ditto the RWD comment, I didn't even think about that. A car is doomed unless it's RWD or AWD these days.

Originally posted by PetersonPeleRx8@Oct 27 2004, 08:49 AM
It looks good, but isn't it exactly the same as last years?

And ditto the RWD comment, I didn't even think about that. A car is doomed unless it's RWD or AWD these days.
I dont know about that. I prefer rear drive obviously, im a muscle car guy. But there are plenty of great fwd cars out there, other than the grand prix, there are the acure TL, altima, maxima etc.

I see some improvements here... The front facia is more aggressive... The real question to ask is why didn't GM stay "true" to the Eaton Supercharger M90? They easily got 275HP out of the SLP edition GTX for 97-03! They could have saved tons of money on this model by installing a smaller pulley on existing parts...beefing up the supercharger and freeing up the exhaust...perhaps even adding a puffy "ram air" setup...all this could have matched the V8's power output. Who would not want a blown 6 that outperforms a V8? especially since the Pontiac Grand Prix has a "true" enthusiast following... All this seems to prove that a "real" sports car must be rear wheel drive. GM has gone all out with 400HP rear Wheel Horsepower for the GTO...but in contrast to the wicked tech STi and EVO, watered down the powerplant here...just my 2 cents....If the price tag is $29,000 or less - it could be "ok" in light of all that...

The Grand Prix doesn't compete with those cars, FYI.

The V8 has better torque, and better standard horespower than the SC 6 does. Granted the 6 is easier to mod to make power, but most people don't do that. Combined with the ability to run on regular and not premium and make good performance also helps, then there is the fact that the V8 is more of a performance engine than the SC 6 is.

The SC6 doesn't outperform the V8, so your argument isn't really valid.

300hp > 285 HP

I will turn around and "agree" with you on that entire post Nocturn...let's say it is a good idea to do this V8 fwd - what is it gonna cost? Is this going to be a limited production deal?

Cost, I don't have numbers on yet, But I expect it to be a bit more than the current Comp G, if it isn't replacing it (which seems logical to me :unsure: )

I believe they are making them mass produced (i.e. Comp G's) and not a limited run like the GTO is.

I will agree RWD would have been better, but since we don't have an option for it just yet, at least the V8 is here for when we do get it,. :woot:

2003 - No V8 in any pontiac car, 2005 V8 in the top 3 Pontiac cars (Bonnie, GP, GTO).

Nice looking, but will this be an overpriced disappointing performer like the Bonneville GXP? I think Pontiac is pricing their products way too high. I wish they would take a base car and add the performance parts and leave all the other stuff as options (ie. HUD, leather seating, sun roof, xm radio, etc). This could help keep the price down (maybe).

The G6 GXP is going to have 275 hp? I thought it was going to have 240?

Well Im glad to correct you, :D These numbers are from GM, as they are dubuting these cars at the SEMA show.

Firstly thanks for the post Nocturn. :)

I can't be dissappointed with another V8 in the fold.

BUT.............

Pontiac really needs to go RWD with the GP. It just comes to a point where it seems pointless to keep jacking up HP and TQ in a front driver. Just my opinion of course.

Owning an earlier model W-body GP (my 99 GTP) and the new GTO the driving experience is totally different. If the GP was rear drive it would be so much more interesting to drive. It's why I had to have a GTO. I was just getting sick of the "feel" of the FWD and the annoying torque steer.

RWD is just so much more of a fun driving dynamic. AWD would even be a welcome in the GP.

I'm glad it will be coming out but Pontiac really needs to wake up and put the performance V8's in RWD vehicles. Zeta can't get here fast enough. :)

Originally posted by Orbit Orange@Oct 27 2004, 10:09 PM
Firstly thanks for the post Nocturn. :)

Pontiac really needs to go RWD with the GP. It just comes to a point where it seems pointless to keep jacking up HP and TQ in a front driver. Just my opinion of course.


I agree Orbit. The sales would be through the roof if it was RWD! :rolleyes:

Just curious...how many other FWD V-8's are out there?

Currently... I think 4-5

Bonneville
Grand Prix
Deville
(possible 05 impala SS)

any others?

Is GM the only ones doing this?

I....think so..... :unsure:

Wow.

That's really ugly.

I like it.

Originally posted by Goat Lover@Oct 28 2004, 07:46 PM
I like it.
I do also.

I really dislike the new grill. I didn;t like the old one....this one repulses me. The grill needs to be wider, not squarer...

I like the way it looks. I would never buy one over the GTO but if i need 4 doors this would definitley be in the running.

I WAS BORN IN PONTIAC
I HAVE OWNED MANY
I OWN A RED GTO 6 SPEED
I HAVE OWNED 4 GTPS
5 T/AS
PUT A L88 IN ONE OF EM
THE GRAND PRIX IS UGLY
PERIOD
THE REAR OF THE CAR IS A ......... I CAN'T DESCRIBE IT
WHAT A SHAME (YA HEAR ME BOB ?)

OH YEAH MY FIRST JOB AT GM WAS AT PONTIAC MOTOR
WHERE JOHN DELOREAN (AND SOME BUDDY'S) CONCEIVED THE GTO (PLANT 8)
PLUS THE BUICK GRAND NATIONAL WAS MADE WELL, REAL WELL THERE
THAT PLANT IS GONE BUT THE LAND IS HOLY GROUND (WELL MAYBE NOT HOLY )

THE GRAND PRIX SUCKS EXTERIORLY

A POST OFFICE IS BEING BUILT WHERE PLANT 6 STOOD (THE FOUNDRY)
THAT PLANT FORGED SOME OF THE BEST IRON, PERFORMANCE WISE AND QUALITY WISE THAT WAS EVER PRODUCED
WE SOLD THE REMNANTS TO CHINA
WHERE THE RPG 7'S THAT KILL OUR TROOPS ARE PROBABLY DERIVED FROM

OH YEAH WE ALSO BUILT GRAND PRIX'S AND MANY OTHER HOT CARS THERE
THE LIGHTS ARE OUT, BUT I HAVE SOME SOIL
SHAME ON THE CITY OF PONTIAC AND THE INCOMPETENT LEADERSHIP THEY HAVE AND DO HAVE THERE
PROBABLY A GOOD PLACE TO BUY SOME DOPE
THEY BUILD ZERO CARS THERE (PONTIAC)
SOME TRUCKS
BUT NO CARS
MANY OF US GOT SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE US (YES WE HAVE BEEN PAID)
FIRE THE DESIGNERS OF THE CURRENT GRAND PRIX EXTERIOR

uhrm okay.

I think some just dont like the Grand prix in general, where in others dont like the GXP. I however like it better than the previous GTP's front end. At least it has some difference about it aside from badging.

The only thing im unsure about is the side vents.

KERRY EDWARDS ? PRAY FOR US

Originally posted by DEICHEVY@Oct 29 2004, 02:54 AM
KERRY EDWARDS ? PRAY FOR US
http://www.grandprix.net/ubb/graemlins/withstupid.gif http://www.grandprix.net/ubb/graemlins/offtopic.gif Ok what the heck does that have to do with the new GP GXP?

Anyway back on subject. The side vents remind me of a 70s TA. Kind of cool looking if you ask me.

Grand Prix V8
http://www.newagegto.com/forum/uploads/post-5-1099286318.jpg

Originally posted by TheJizzer+Oct 29 2004, 07:09 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (TheJizzer @ Oct 29 2004, 07:09 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-DEICHEVY@Oct 29 2004, 02:54 AM
KERRY EDWARDS ? PRAY FOR US
http://www.grandprix.net/ubb/graemlins/withstupid.gif http://www.grandprix.net/ubb/graemlins/offtopic.gif Ok what the heck does that have to do with the new GP GXP?

Anyway back on subject. The side vents remind me of a 70s TA. Kind of cool looking if you ask me. [/b][/quote]
they also remind me of the 72 GTO

Like my avatar :afro:

V8 Grand prix's own.

Just thinking about it 2-3 years ago seemed so outrageous.

swt this new v8 really kicks a$$, id like to see it in more GM cars in the future

I like it, but we have really got to get over the FWD fad when vehicles get to be this powerful. I sense much torque steer...and no launching traction

I find your Grand Prix GXP comments interesting. What you guys are missing is the reason Pontiac did this car.

There are quite a few midsize RWD or AWD V8 performance sedans available today, but most are way expensive (Audi A4/S4, BMW M3 and M5, Mercedes AMG E55, Volvo S60R, to name a few). If you live where it snows, you either fit snow tires for the coming winter season or you park the car until next spring.

What the GXP offers is a new choice for buyers - a performance car you can drive everyday. Some would even say "guilt-free" performance. What do I mean?
1. FWD means weight over the driving wheels. That, together with standard Stabilitrak, full-function traction control and all-season tires allows the driver to confidently go where few RWDs will attempt in bad weather.
2. The wider front tires/wheels (255s frt on 8"/225s rr on 6 1/2") will help get the power to the ground in the dry and yield an improvement in max lateral Gs. RWDs have been doing split tire sizes for years. Why has it taken so long for someone to do this for FWD? Pontiac did and I believe this is a product "first".
3. The GXP is still a sedan, so things like ride quality are important. The 18" wheels for this model are forged for light weight/strength, then Bilstein gas struts were added to "buy back" the ride. Those who take the trouble to test drive the car will find a great ride/handling balance.
4. The V8 (303 HP, 323 lbs-ft torque) will give buyers the "torque" they want/expect at anything above idle and serves as a polar opposite to the Evo/STI approach of more revs=more HP.
5. The fuel economy will likely be as good as the 3.8 S/C with the V8 DoD system and the relatively light weight of the car means that it will operate in the 4-cylinder mode much of the time under actual use. Oh, by the way, the 5.3 V8 weighs about 60# less than the 3.8 S/C.
6. Pricing isn't confirmed, but something under $30k seems likely. Other than the Evo/STI/R32 small cars, what else has so much performance for so little price?

So what the Grand Prix GXP is is a new alternative, especially for those living in the upper 1/3 of the U.S. You can drive this affordable performance car every day!

After reading all the posts on the Grand Prix GXP, it appears to me that there is a misunderstanding as to why Pontiac created this model. It certainly wasn't to compete with GTO.
I think the idea was to offer a new alternative - a FWD performance car that would work in all weather conditions, affordable enough (both initial purchase price and fuel economy) to drive everyday. A practical, fun family sedan, if you will.
Other than the Evo/STI/R32 small car offerings, who else gives buyers these attributes that an average person can afford?

Put the GTO into a controlled fishtail or powerslide and the answer is self-evident. :D

I think many of us are glad the GP is getting a V8 but as the owner of both a GTP and GTO I can say that even if my GTP had the 300 horse LS4 I would still ALWAYS prefer my GTO over it for the driving dynamics it offers.

We really shouldn't compare them though. It's nearly apples and oranges as the saying goes. I'd also be willing to bet that if the GP was offered in both RWD and FWD with the LS4 that 9 out of 10 buyers would opt for the RWD setup over the front driver. ;)

I think you guys should keep an open mind on the GXP Grand Prix, but, then again, this is a GTO forum, isn't it? What isn't being discussed are some of the details that make that entry more than just a "GP with a V8".
Like the wider front wheels/tires than rear (255/225, 8/7"), like the first use of Bilstein gas pressure struts front/rear for a much improved ride quality, like the big brakes with x-drilled rotors, like the DoD motor than delivers great fuel economy even with a V8.
And, as one who got caught last Wednesday night in Michigan as the rain turned to snow and spun his GTO on the freeway, FWD (or at least snow tires) ain't all bad if you live where it snows.
At least Pontiac is offering buyers more choices.

I beleive you might be mistaking closed-mindedness with experience. Many of us have owned/driven powerful FWD cars and know the mixed bag they bring. This became an issue back when 220-240hp was common, but is only exemplified as they get more. If you read reviews of current powerful FWD cars like the Acura TL and Maxima you'll see what I mean. Of course, FWD does have the traction advantage so in certain areas the priorities might be different.
You got nothing but a scare from your spinning, I hope? :o

Just a crunched RF fender from the car in the next lane. I was lucky to get it stopped before anyone else hit me or I hit the center concrete median. I grew up on RWD and love the driving dynamics that configuration offers, but not in winter in Michigan.

I park my motorcycles when it snows. I think I'd park a GTO, too, until spring, at least where I live.