Prepare for Take-off: The 6-speed 3900 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe Delivers My Kind of "Excitement"
Editorial by Ming
4/15/05
www.gminsidenews.com

Vital Specs:


Engine: 3.9L 3900 V6 SFI: 240 HP @6000 rpm, Torque 241 lb.-ft @ 2800 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed Manual
Wheels: 18", Flangeless
Axle 3.55 ratio
Wheelbase: 122.3"
Steering: Hydraulic power
Brakes: Front Power 296-mm Vented Disc and Rear Power 270-mm Solid Disc Brakes
Stability Control: StabiliTrak




A true break-through product is coming to the Pontiac lineup for the 2006 model year.

The hype from GM regarding the coupe is muted - the commercials are there, but they fail to reveal the real importance behind this new G6 model. The Solstice is hogging much of the attention, and rightly so by its killer looks and purpose-built performance platform. In fact, you could say that the G6 is coming in "under the radar". So let me hype it here, for you. Why? Because the G6 is the first strong FWD, manual transmission, V6 performance coupe effort for a traditional GM division in probably a decade. The last car like it that immediately comes to mind was the 200 horsepower 1991-93 Twin-Cam 3.4-liter engine powered Z34 Chevrolet Lumina coupe with the Getrag 5-speed manual (although some here will debate that). Regardless, if the specs deliver as promised, the 3900 powered G6 manual should rock the FWD performance crowd (too long dominated by Imports), or at least get GM into the game - and all that's without a "GXP" badge.

Up until now, the G6 has had some good and bad press. It's been a mixed bag, in my opinion, largely due to the lack of this model of GTP coupe at launch. Not all of the people in the media who have had their say on the G6 and the Oprah stunt have been as informed as us as to what is coming to the G6 lineup, which also includes a 2.4L VVT enhanced 4-cylinder model. No, all of the attention has been on the 3500 V6, which has, like the car itself, had a wide range of reactions from the press from glowingly positive to unduly harsh. So too, has the 4-speed automatic been the focus of negative comments that usually read "while smooth, the 4-speed transmission is dated compared to the competition,". If only the G6's original reviews had been shaped by the 2006 GTP Coupe, opinions from the press on the G6 as a whole might have been much more positive. But let bygones be bygones. On to the future and the 3900 engine.

The Feel of the Launch

The 3900 will actually enjoy quite a large base of applications in 2006 models other than the G6. It will be in Malibu SS, Malibu MAXX SS, and as a mid-level engine in the Monte Carlo and Impala, slotting below the V8 powered "SS" models. I've also heard that it will be optional in the CSVs (although I haven't seen that confirmed yet). But the G6 is the only model that will offer a 6-speed manual mated to the 3900 (at least for near future), and the solid Epsilon platform and long wheelbase should make it a joy to drive. Think of the driving dynamics of a Saab 9-3 with the low-end grunt of a recently designed OHV V6, and 6-speed manual at your disposal.

GM has this to say about the 3900:



Quote:



The large displacement of the 3900 V-6 – achieved with 99-mm offset bores and an 84-mm stroke – combines with torque-enhancing technologies such as active air intake to produce a broad, flat torque curve that translates into exceptional all-around performance and terrific off-the-line launch feel. With active air intake, air entering the engine is continuously tuned through a valve in the intake manifold to deliver optimized low-, mid-range and high-rpm torque. In fact, 90 percent of peak torque is available from 1800 to 5800 rpm.

Variable valve timing is used to bolster performance, enhance economy and reduce emissions. An electronically controlled cam phaser provides for infinitely variable adjustment of camshaft timing in relation to the crankshaft. By electronically controlling the camshaft, the optimum location can be selected for various engine operating conditions, maximizing torque and horsepower outputs. The 3.9L V-6 is the first production cam-in-block engine to incorporate cam phasing.

Yeah, that's right. Variable-valve-timing. Cam Phasing. In an OHV 6-cylinder engine. A rare engine indeed. And given GM's push for hydrogen powered cars, who knows - this just might be (to coin a heavily modified phrase from The Road Warrior) "The Last of the Great Pushrod V6's". But all hydrogen speculation aside, it really is a neat and unique piece of technology. It straddles the line between GM's "Value" 3500 V6, and "High Feature" 3.6L DOHC engines, and it brings a little of both worlds to the table. Cost efficiency, fuel economy, and good performance. In fact, its horsepower rating goes toe to toe with the legendary Series II Supercharged 3800 V6 - which is still being used in the 2005 Monte Carlo SS Supercharged.

Some in the media will no doubt try to trash the engine based on its "ancient pushrod design". But they'll have a hard time convincing people when it has the same sort of technological advancements (like VVT) as the LS2. The 3900 isn't merely a bored out 3500. It's tuned for performance, and it should show. Sure, you could probably find an Import coupe with a V6 that gets better "horsepower per liter" (which doesn't necessarily mean the overall package/size of the competitors engine is "smaller"), but look at it from a total package perspective when it comes out, including price, and see if it still falls short. After all, Pontiac is supposed to be about Performance on a Budget.

2-doors for me, thank you

Many here at GMInsidenews have complained that GM dropped the Grand Prix coupe. Well, now we have one, but on a tighter platform and with a new engine. What's not to like about that? And a 6-speed manual transmission to boot! Do I hear anyone complaining still that GM doesn't have any exciting FWD V6 offerings? And if you are going to complain about the lack of an affordable RWD coupe, then dont, because if the GTO with rebates out the wazoo is still too rich for your blood, the Solstice is on the way.

As far as coupes go, for those of you worried about getting in and out - large doors on the coupe measure six-inches longer than on the G6 sedan, and if you just have to have 4-doors, the G6 Sedan will also be offered with the 3900 and 6-speed. But the coupe has a nice exclusivity factor. No 4-cylinder coupes, at least in the 2006 literature I've read so far.

If you don't care if your next car is FWD or RWD, if the GTO is a little too pricey for you and the Solstice won't meet your passenger needs - consider the G6 GTP Coupe as "The Other Pontiac Performance Coupe" like I do.

I am counting the days until my first test drive of the GTP coupe. It should deliver what Pontiac has been promising for a long time from its entire lineup - but was only delivering with fire-breathing Trans Ams and Firebirds and the new GTO - Excitement - Performance - and yeah, even "Fuel for the Soul". Look for it when it hits your Pontiac dealer's lot, and if you think like me, and you like it a lot, let GM know how much you appreciate them finally bringing a car like this to us.


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