Is This the Import Fighter GM Needs?

The Pontiac G6, the latest car to debut on General Motor's worldwide Epsilon architecture, is also the long-due successor to the aged Grand Am. With that said, it features its own unique engineering elements to set it apart from the Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn L-series and Saab 9-3 that share major structural components.

The successor to the aged Grand Am, the Pontiac G6, is the latest car to debut on General Motor's worldwide Epsilon architecture. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

Unlike these three models, the G6 takes advantage of the stretched chassis featured under the Malibu Maxx. It features a 2,852 mm (112.3 inch) wheelbase compared to the standard Epsilon's 2,700 mm (106.3 inches). High-grade steel has been utilized throughout the monocoque frame to ensure chassis rigidity, while a magnesium crossbar, located between the A-pillars, will provide extra strength in the occurrence of a side collision.

Surprisingly, the biggest modification to the G6 comes in the form of its suspension. While it uses struts up front, mounted on a hydroformed subframe, Pontiac will utilize a multi-link independent suspension with four links in back.

The biggest modification to the G6 comes in the form of its suspension. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

Other areas of interest are the new Pontiac's steering, braking and traction capabilities. Rather than using an old-fashioned hydraulic-assist unit, the G6 gets state-of-the-art electric power steering with variable assist. It's a "typical" electric system, reducing power consumption and weight, but its varying ability allows fingertip light turning at low speeds while remaining firm and accurate at higher speeds. But as advanced as the system seems on paper, I wonder if the G6's electric power steering will be able to overcome a technology that many have reported to be artificial in feel.