2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe Road Test
5 novembre 2005
par
Rob Rothwell
, Canadian Auto Press
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If not with unnecessary glitz, the effort to impress has clearly been put into operational refinement and performance. If there is | The GTP either meets or out muscles the competition's best with a new 240-hp 3.9-litre OHV V6 featuring only 2-valves per cylinder, yet variable intake valve timing and a variable intake manifold. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
a singular drawback in the GTP's performance department, it's undoubtedly the vehicle's front-wheel drive (FWD) configuration. Sure FWD is fine for the G6 sedan, but when it comes to performance-oriented driving enjoyment, FWD doesn't measure up - at least not by my dipstick. Of course, adapting rear-wheel drive (RWD), or even AWD to a FWD architecture is more than simply plugging in a driveshaft, and wouldn't likely have been cost effective for a one-off application. Once resigned to being pulled through hairpins rather than pushed, the strengths of the G6 GTP coupe emerge. The GTP designation informs those in-the-know that this coupe is not your average | When equipped with its six-speed manual transmission, Pontiac claims a 0 to 100 km/h time of only 6.7 seconds. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
mid-size 2+2-seater, and it boasts 240-horsepower and six gears to back-up the claim. Pontiac was astute enough to put some serious brawn behind its top performing G6. The GTP either meets or out muscles the competition's best with a new, 3.9-litre (231 cu in) V6 featuring variable intake valve timing and a variable intake manifold. Backing up the ponies is 241 persuasive foot-pounds of torque, online at only 2,800 rpm. Running that kind of torque through six gears (when equipped with a manual transmission) easily propels the GTP coupe's 1,575 kg (3,472 lbs) of mass. Power is plentiful sub 3,000 rpm, which isn't always the case with V6 mills. Thanks to a torque rating consistent with many V8 engines, keeping the front wheels of the GTP from spinning frantically when the traction control system is deactivated can be a challenge. Pontiac claims a 0 to 100 km/h GTP time of only 6.7 seconds.
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