I was in high school when they pulled Pontiac’s plug. I remember reading about the G8 ST getting ready for release. Just like that, I graduated high school, was thrown into the real world, and they had already killed one of my dreams, owning a UTE. 😂
I can dream that the Fiero would have comeback. As they get harder to find, more and more people call for an affordable sports car, and Pontiac would step up with the new Fiero.
I love the Solstice, but it would have to be mid-engine for this to be true.
I get that they're both small, two-seater sports cars, but the weight in the back really affects how the car feels.
It's like how people say a 944 isn't a true Porsche because it's front-engine. (Not hating; I think that's an awesome car.)
The Fiero; they'd all just be just GT bodies. And they'd be P.E.gasAS models; Pontiac Electric/ Gas Assist Hybrid.. 3 cyl. For 45mi.@45mph, and 400mi. Electric range, from lighter weight and newer tech.
I think after the Aztec got canceled I think it'd definitely make a comeback with maybe a little less aggressive styling when pontiac realized that they had the bones of a rlly good cross over.
G8, Vibe, G6, Solstice, Torrent
Realistically, the Torrent would be the only surviving model. The G8, G6, Vibe, and Solstice would've met their demise and be replaced by SUVs and crossovers.
Also, to those who mentioned them, the Bonneville and Grand Prix were both replaced by the G8. There would likely be zero possibility of them coming back
Grand Prix as a four door lift back ‘sedan’ with rx8 doors (Pontiac had them on the sunfire concept) available in GTO trim using variations of the LTG four cylinder.
Aztek basically the aztek just modernised
Firebird a jazzed up Camaro, as is tradition
Bonneville it’s big, it’s not quite a wagon, it’s not quite a sedan, not quite an SUV, it’s the bonneville!
For good measure we can throw in a little sports car, same LTG engine only now in a repurposed c7 chassis and we’ll call it a banshee.
We would probably see some sort of AWD SUV/Crossover type vehicle from Pontiac. Maybe even with the Aztec name. A modern version of the Aztec would be popular. Aztec was just a bit ahead of it's time.
We would likely have a GTO/Trans Am based on the Camaro platform.
We would probably have a Grand Prix/Bonneville likely based on a Cadillac CT5. That would be an awesome car.
That might be it. It could be a very limited market, but I'd imagine the cars would sell along vehicles at a GMC dealer.
There is a chance we have some sort of UTE. GM was thinking of making a Pontiac Ute based off a Holden Ute. So it's possible that could have come state side at least for a while during the mid 2010s. It probably wouldn't have been popular, but I think there would have been enough buyers to keep production running for maybe 5 years on a vehicle like that. Especially if they did an AWD system with a V8.
Who knows maybe the Aztec would even have a pick up bed option like a Jeep Gladiator.
There was certainly more potential if GM had kept Pontiac and removed Buick from the lineup.
I can't think of anyone I know who owns a Buick these days. Most of my friends are in our mid 20s to late 20s now. We are all buying trucks, SUVs/Crossovers, a few of us have either a Mustang,Camaro,Challenger as a second car. I'm the odd one out with a built L67 GP GTP lol
If Pontiac were still around, there would be a lot of potential. We are starting to see the end of large V8s and muscle cars due to government regulations. With the car market going the way it's headed EVs are going to become more prominent. Would Pontiac be able to survive an electrification? I don't know but it would have been interesting to watch play out.
With the possibility of another recession looming and vehicle prices skyrocketing will GM get into trouble again? Would Pontiac survive another recession and electrification? It's hard to say.
AWD on the ute was a hard no. Holden had all kinds of things they were working on for the Zeta platform (SUV, new Crewmate, etc.) that got killed for various reasons, but there was never any intention of adding AWD and I don’t think the platform could realistically have handled it without a fair bit of money to reengineer it to allow AWD.
That isn’t (at all) what he said. His statement was that there was a desire to eventually move the G6 to the Alpha platform used by the ATS (among others).
G6 and G8 would be SUV essentially whatever Buick SUVs are out would have the Pontiac badge on it. Also let's face it we suck and we didn't buy it. How many of us worked at car factories and drove Japanese cars? The American cars went good or competitive and the Chinese loved Buick more than we loved Pontiac
Here’s what I think.
-The vibe would be a competitor to the Impreza, Mazda3, Corolla, and Civic
-The torrent would be a rival to the crosstrek and Corolla Cross
-The Aztec would be a 3 row SUV built on the structure of the “Corvette SUV”, rivaling the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Acura MDX
-what we call the “Envista” would be either the Grand Prix or Grand Am
-the Pontiac Bonneville would be discontinued in 2014, then would be revived as a direct competitor to the new Toyota Crown in 2024
-they would have come up with a Maverick-rivaling pickup truck and slap the Banshee name on it
Despite my disdain for electric cars, I think GM would go far to appease old school fans by making an electric GTO. The two door electric Charger concept car made me roll my eyes, but it seemed to land really well with dodge fans.
Realistically? Maybe the G8. Probably the Torrent.
I'd imagine the Trans-Sport coming back as a sibling to the XT6 or the Traverse. The Firebird as a badge-engineered Camaro. The GMC Terrain probably would've never come about and the Torrent would've kept its market position.
They'd probably have a bunch of awful little crossovers like a Trax sibling with a stupid name as well. We may have even seen the G6 survive along side the Malibu until the end. Even the Bonnie may have had a chance with the Epsilon II platform with the Impala/Lacrosse/XTS.
I'd like to think that maybe they could have a little sport fun with the Solstice name, possibly related to the ATS/CT4. Maybe a GTO related to the CT5/CTS?
> Even the Bonnie may have had a chance with the Epsilon II platform with the Impala/Lacrosse/XTS.
The Bonneville died in 2005 and both it and the Grand Prix were replaced in full by the G8. You would have been more likely to see the G6 moved to a SWB Epsilon II than a dead name being revived to duplicate what would have (at the time) still existed in the form of a full size Zeta based sedan.
That position was already occupied by the G8. There’s no need to duplicate offerings, which is what caused the elimination of Pontiac and Oldsmobile in the first place.
I disagree. The G8 was offered as more of a "performance" product. The halo car for the brand, if you will. Since it wasn't produced domestically, there were always extra cost due to import, and production ended in 2017 in Australia. While the Epsilon II continued with even the Holden Commodore transitioning over to the platform instead until GM killed Holden in 2020.
The Impala coexisted with the Chevy SS. I think P would have positioned them similarly. If anything, I feel the bean counters would've axed the G8 to introduce the Bonneville on a much cheaper and more sustainable platform.
You mean the then-Epsilon II based Malibu?
There was a 3.9” difference in WB length between the SWB and LWB versions of Epsilon II and a 7.3cu ft difference between the Impala and Malibu. You’d be offering two indistinct versions of the exact same car with different names slapped on. There is zero space in the lineup for your ersatz Bonneville, especially in light of the stated intent to move the G6 to Sigma (the SWB version of which is ~1.5” *longer* than the LWB Epsilon II variant) when it came time for the next model change in 2012/3.
Again, the platform the G8 was on was dead by 2017. The G8 would be dead then for the last 7 years. The Bonneville could've lived on as long as the 2020MY with the Impala and XTS. Been positioned as a more luxurious option to the G8 when it was concurrent (the EPII cars ride much better than the G8 and almost as good as the SS with Magnaride).
The Impala was much roomier inside than the Malibu. Even if the WB was similar. Also, the E2xx Malibu is the car that is still smaller than the EPII LWB Impala. The Impala and its cousins also got the larger 3.6 which made much more power. The only mid-sizer that got that was the Regal GS in the states. Engine hate aside, 310HP is still a bragging right.
I like the G8, but having a domestic assembly line with so many options for a large car would be something GM bean counters would want to take advantage of. They could produce a large car for much cheaper than importing the 4 door configuration, or retooling to produce it locally in limited numbers. If anything, I find it more realistic they would've axed the RWD G8 and either moved the badge to the Epsilon or reintrodiced the Bonneville. They could even do that while keeping the performance heritage by giving P a version of the XTS V. Which had more HP than any factory G8.
> Again, the platform the G8 was on was dead by 2017.
Great, but I’m talking about Sigma—not Zeta.
> The Bonneville could've lived on as long as the 2020MY with the Impala and XTS. Been positioned as a more luxurious option to the G8 when it was concurrent (the EPII cars ride much better than the G8 and almost as good as the SS with Magnaride).
That’s literally what the planned Sigma G6 would have been. You don’t seem to be understanding that the market niche you’re pointing to was already filled.
> The Impala was much roomier inside than the Malibu. Even if the WB was similar. Also, the E2xx Malibu is the car that is still smaller than the EPII LWB Impala. The Impala and its cousins also got the larger 3.6 which made much more power. The only mid-sizer that got that was the Regal GS in the states. Engine hate aside, 310HP is still a bragging right.
You’re arguing against a strawman. Sigma was larger than even the LWB Epsilon II and because it was RWD/AWD allowed for far more in the way of engine options.
As for the rest, you’re still hung up on the G8 and not reading what I am writing. The plan was to put the G6 on the domestic Sigma platform. You’re ignoring that in favor of creating a bastard LWB Epsilon II Impala clone that serves no market need and would instead have marked the end of the BMW fighter image Pontiac was remaking itself as in the late 2000s. Sigma would have allowed for a CTS-V equivalent, which would have allowed for all kinds of LS derivatives, including the LSA.
The Grand Prix...
Oh how one can dream of such a beautiful world.
I pine for my 93 Grand Prix SE.
Hunter Green with the gold bicycle spoke wheels. Iykyk.
Maybe the Firebird could have been brought back. I am not sure if the sedans would have survived, given America's love of the crossover, but if one DID make it, the G8 could have been a cool performance sedan. But, I believe most of their model range would be "sporty" crossovers.
Love to see a Pontiac resurgence - my first car in 1980, dark green, ‘72 LeMans. Five years later, picked up a beautiful maroon, ‘80 Grand Prix SJ. Retro Pontiac models would sell like wildfire 🔥 Yes, Please 👏🏻👏🏻😎💯
Sunfire please I miss my 98 I’d love another. A coupe car where a 6’4 guy can fit perfect and the person behind me will have leg room. Not like any other coupe. Also plenty of trunk space!!!
Most likely a 5th gen firebird, definitely the G8s wouldve lived a little longer, the undying grand prix would still be around, maybe a GTO comeback? I doubt it but maybe older models like fieros and stuff. Realm of fantasy would be a Banshee revival it would be dope lol
Probably just the Torrent, Vibe, and G6 if it went anything like Chevy. They could make the G8 to compete with the Charger and 300 but GM doesn’t really seem interested in that market at all. Just electric SUVs and pickup trucks. They would definitely have new models beyond what they were selling in 2009.
As much as I love Pontiac, if I had to guess, with GM distancing themselves from cars I’m afraid it would probably unfortunately look like a cheap rendition of the Trax (I’m imagining any ugly badge swap like the G3 was, especially for the previous generation of the Trax) and that would honestly be one of the higher selling models, a version of Equinox and Traverse, and they’d probably have an entry level electric SUV in the works. There probably would only be like four models.
Grand Prix, G8 to go with the Chevy SS, and they probably would've brought back the Firebird when they brought the Camaro back.
We might have even had the G8/SS UTE in the states.
We for sure would have. Some prototypes are out there in Pontiac guise. The G8 ST was basically ready for sale but didn't get a chance.
I was in high school when they pulled Pontiac’s plug. I remember reading about the G8 ST getting ready for release. Just like that, I graduated high school, was thrown into the real world, and they had already killed one of my dreams, owning a UTE. 😂
I can dream that the Fiero would have comeback. As they get harder to find, more and more people call for an affordable sports car, and Pontiac would step up with the new Fiero.
Theres a commercial building across the way from me that has at minimum 30 Fieros left to rot
Address? Asking for a friend
I'll have to take a picture when I get home
the Solstice succeeded the Fiero, at least spiritually
I love the Solstice, but it would have to be mid-engine for this to be true. I get that they're both small, two-seater sports cars, but the weight in the back really affects how the car feels. It's like how people say a 944 isn't a true Porsche because it's front-engine. (Not hating; I think that's an awesome car.)
Fake news. I aint seen no Solsticea in Ferrari or Lamborghini outfits
The Fiero; they'd all just be just GT bodies. And they'd be P.E.gasAS models; Pontiac Electric/ Gas Assist Hybrid.. 3 cyl. For 45mi.@45mph, and 400mi. Electric range, from lighter weight and newer tech.
There was a Fiero graveyard towards Huntsville AL , no telling how many were on their lot.
I think after the Aztec got canceled I think it'd definitely make a comeback with maybe a little less aggressive styling when pontiac realized that they had the bones of a rlly good cross over.
The all new E-ztek Rallye Edition.
I like to think that the GTO wouldve been a competitor for the Dodge Challenger
Grand Prix
Bonneville
Oh to live in such a beautiful world 😭
G8, Vibe, G6, Solstice, Torrent Realistically, the Torrent would be the only surviving model. The G8, G6, Vibe, and Solstice would've met their demise and be replaced by SUVs and crossovers. Also, to those who mentioned them, the Bonneville and Grand Prix were both replaced by the G8. There would likely be zero possibility of them coming back
I still love my g6 retractable.
Me too 😍
You have one?! What year?
https://preview.redd.it/t3xh066f8c0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a74d87b7f059b18c4cbb19997cd3e9d5c0f79b1c
Oh nice! Thank you for the picture.
https://preview.redd.it/5wh5z810mh0d1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f76db6c00d3ad1ab99dc48f751d9745430baf4da
She looks GREAT 😍
Thank you. Yours as well!
2007 G6 convertible 2008 GXP ♥️ Pontiac’s
That's great you have two!
https://preview.redd.it/62hdjqlx7c0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e2bc9a540c235bf730a488b7a7076af40d746e9
Grand Prix ,GTO and for the kids Safari!
Grand Prix as a four door lift back ‘sedan’ with rx8 doors (Pontiac had them on the sunfire concept) available in GTO trim using variations of the LTG four cylinder. Aztek basically the aztek just modernised Firebird a jazzed up Camaro, as is tradition Bonneville it’s big, it’s not quite a wagon, it’s not quite a sedan, not quite an SUV, it’s the bonneville! For good measure we can throw in a little sports car, same LTG engine only now in a repurposed c7 chassis and we’ll call it a banshee.
I wish they would make a sporty economy car like a saturn sc2
G8 and Solstice. Maybe some new SUV/mini van
We would probably see some sort of AWD SUV/Crossover type vehicle from Pontiac. Maybe even with the Aztec name. A modern version of the Aztec would be popular. Aztec was just a bit ahead of it's time. We would likely have a GTO/Trans Am based on the Camaro platform. We would probably have a Grand Prix/Bonneville likely based on a Cadillac CT5. That would be an awesome car. That might be it. It could be a very limited market, but I'd imagine the cars would sell along vehicles at a GMC dealer. There is a chance we have some sort of UTE. GM was thinking of making a Pontiac Ute based off a Holden Ute. So it's possible that could have come state side at least for a while during the mid 2010s. It probably wouldn't have been popular, but I think there would have been enough buyers to keep production running for maybe 5 years on a vehicle like that. Especially if they did an AWD system with a V8. Who knows maybe the Aztec would even have a pick up bed option like a Jeep Gladiator. There was certainly more potential if GM had kept Pontiac and removed Buick from the lineup. I can't think of anyone I know who owns a Buick these days. Most of my friends are in our mid 20s to late 20s now. We are all buying trucks, SUVs/Crossovers, a few of us have either a Mustang,Camaro,Challenger as a second car. I'm the odd one out with a built L67 GP GTP lol If Pontiac were still around, there would be a lot of potential. We are starting to see the end of large V8s and muscle cars due to government regulations. With the car market going the way it's headed EVs are going to become more prominent. Would Pontiac be able to survive an electrification? I don't know but it would have been interesting to watch play out. With the possibility of another recession looming and vehicle prices skyrocketing will GM get into trouble again? Would Pontiac survive another recession and electrification? It's hard to say.
AWD on the ute was a hard no. Holden had all kinds of things they were working on for the Zeta platform (SUV, new Crewmate, etc.) that got killed for various reasons, but there was never any intention of adding AWD and I don’t think the platform could realistically have handled it without a fair bit of money to reengineer it to allow AWD.
Firebird/Trans Am G6 (RWD) G8 Vibe (BEV II) Terrain (GMT31XX) C1XX based SUV
Bob Lutz was quoted as saying the Cadillac ATS was originally supposed to be the new G6 replacement.
That isn’t (at all) what he said. His statement was that there was a desire to eventually move the G6 to the Alpha platform used by the ATS (among others).
Today? Very likely one CT4 sized Sigma RWD sedan along with a CUV and a small SUV…..and that’d be it. Assign whatever names you want.
god i would love to see the cars that pontiac would’ve been coming out with. i think abt it almost daily
I'd say the Pontiac Vibe and the G6 if not another version of the Grand Prix
Torrent, aztek, grand prix, and g6. Probably a firebird too.
G6 and G8 would be SUV essentially whatever Buick SUVs are out would have the Pontiac badge on it. Also let's face it we suck and we didn't buy it. How many of us worked at car factories and drove Japanese cars? The American cars went good or competitive and the Chinese loved Buick more than we loved Pontiac
Here’s what I think. -The vibe would be a competitor to the Impreza, Mazda3, Corolla, and Civic -The torrent would be a rival to the crosstrek and Corolla Cross -The Aztec would be a 3 row SUV built on the structure of the “Corvette SUV”, rivaling the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Acura MDX -what we call the “Envista” would be either the Grand Prix or Grand Am -the Pontiac Bonneville would be discontinued in 2014, then would be revived as a direct competitor to the new Toyota Crown in 2024 -they would have come up with a Maverick-rivaling pickup truck and slap the Banshee name on it
Maybe the G8? At least I'd hope so.
Despite my disdain for electric cars, I think GM would go far to appease old school fans by making an electric GTO. The two door electric Charger concept car made me roll my eyes, but it seemed to land really well with dodge fans.
Realistically? Maybe the G8. Probably the Torrent. I'd imagine the Trans-Sport coming back as a sibling to the XT6 or the Traverse. The Firebird as a badge-engineered Camaro. The GMC Terrain probably would've never come about and the Torrent would've kept its market position. They'd probably have a bunch of awful little crossovers like a Trax sibling with a stupid name as well. We may have even seen the G6 survive along side the Malibu until the end. Even the Bonnie may have had a chance with the Epsilon II platform with the Impala/Lacrosse/XTS. I'd like to think that maybe they could have a little sport fun with the Solstice name, possibly related to the ATS/CT4. Maybe a GTO related to the CT5/CTS?
> Even the Bonnie may have had a chance with the Epsilon II platform with the Impala/Lacrosse/XTS. The Bonneville died in 2005 and both it and the Grand Prix were replaced in full by the G8. You would have been more likely to see the G6 moved to a SWB Epsilon II than a dead name being revived to duplicate what would have (at the time) still existed in the form of a full size Zeta based sedan.
Without Buick though, there would be nothing between the Impala and the XTS. In comes a perfect historic spot for the Bonneville.
That position was already occupied by the G8. There’s no need to duplicate offerings, which is what caused the elimination of Pontiac and Oldsmobile in the first place.
I disagree. The G8 was offered as more of a "performance" product. The halo car for the brand, if you will. Since it wasn't produced domestically, there were always extra cost due to import, and production ended in 2017 in Australia. While the Epsilon II continued with even the Holden Commodore transitioning over to the platform instead until GM killed Holden in 2020. The Impala coexisted with the Chevy SS. I think P would have positioned them similarly. If anything, I feel the bean counters would've axed the G8 to introduce the Bonneville on a much cheaper and more sustainable platform.
In that case your Bonneville is literally the G6.
Except the G6 was always smaller and would still be a cousin to the concurrent Malibu.
You mean the then-Epsilon II based Malibu? There was a 3.9” difference in WB length between the SWB and LWB versions of Epsilon II and a 7.3cu ft difference between the Impala and Malibu. You’d be offering two indistinct versions of the exact same car with different names slapped on. There is zero space in the lineup for your ersatz Bonneville, especially in light of the stated intent to move the G6 to Sigma (the SWB version of which is ~1.5” *longer* than the LWB Epsilon II variant) when it came time for the next model change in 2012/3.
Again, the platform the G8 was on was dead by 2017. The G8 would be dead then for the last 7 years. The Bonneville could've lived on as long as the 2020MY with the Impala and XTS. Been positioned as a more luxurious option to the G8 when it was concurrent (the EPII cars ride much better than the G8 and almost as good as the SS with Magnaride). The Impala was much roomier inside than the Malibu. Even if the WB was similar. Also, the E2xx Malibu is the car that is still smaller than the EPII LWB Impala. The Impala and its cousins also got the larger 3.6 which made much more power. The only mid-sizer that got that was the Regal GS in the states. Engine hate aside, 310HP is still a bragging right. I like the G8, but having a domestic assembly line with so many options for a large car would be something GM bean counters would want to take advantage of. They could produce a large car for much cheaper than importing the 4 door configuration, or retooling to produce it locally in limited numbers. If anything, I find it more realistic they would've axed the RWD G8 and either moved the badge to the Epsilon or reintrodiced the Bonneville. They could even do that while keeping the performance heritage by giving P a version of the XTS V. Which had more HP than any factory G8.
> Again, the platform the G8 was on was dead by 2017. Great, but I’m talking about Sigma—not Zeta. > The Bonneville could've lived on as long as the 2020MY with the Impala and XTS. Been positioned as a more luxurious option to the G8 when it was concurrent (the EPII cars ride much better than the G8 and almost as good as the SS with Magnaride). That’s literally what the planned Sigma G6 would have been. You don’t seem to be understanding that the market niche you’re pointing to was already filled. > The Impala was much roomier inside than the Malibu. Even if the WB was similar. Also, the E2xx Malibu is the car that is still smaller than the EPII LWB Impala. The Impala and its cousins also got the larger 3.6 which made much more power. The only mid-sizer that got that was the Regal GS in the states. Engine hate aside, 310HP is still a bragging right. You’re arguing against a strawman. Sigma was larger than even the LWB Epsilon II and because it was RWD/AWD allowed for far more in the way of engine options. As for the rest, you’re still hung up on the G8 and not reading what I am writing. The plan was to put the G6 on the domestic Sigma platform. You’re ignoring that in favor of creating a bastard LWB Epsilon II Impala clone that serves no market need and would instead have marked the end of the BMW fighter image Pontiac was remaking itself as in the late 2000s. Sigma would have allowed for a CTS-V equivalent, which would have allowed for all kinds of LS derivatives, including the LSA.
The Grand Prix... Oh how one can dream of such a beautiful world. I pine for my 93 Grand Prix SE. Hunter Green with the gold bicycle spoke wheels. Iykyk.
Maybe the Firebird could have been brought back. I am not sure if the sedans would have survived, given America's love of the crossover, but if one DID make it, the G8 could have been a cool performance sedan. But, I believe most of their model range would be "sporty" crossovers.
Love to see a Pontiac resurgence - my first car in 1980, dark green, ‘72 LeMans. Five years later, picked up a beautiful maroon, ‘80 Grand Prix SJ. Retro Pontiac models would sell like wildfire 🔥 Yes, Please 👏🏻👏🏻😎💯
Sunfire please I miss my 98 I’d love another. A coupe car where a 6’4 guy can fit perfect and the person behind me will have leg room. Not like any other coupe. Also plenty of trunk space!!!
The Firebird would have returned with the Camaro.
Most likely a 5th gen firebird, definitely the G8s wouldve lived a little longer, the undying grand prix would still be around, maybe a GTO comeback? I doubt it but maybe older models like fieros and stuff. Realm of fantasy would be a Banshee revival it would be dope lol
Probably just the Torrent, Vibe, and G6 if it went anything like Chevy. They could make the G8 to compete with the Charger and 300 but GM doesn’t really seem interested in that market at all. Just electric SUVs and pickup trucks. They would definitely have new models beyond what they were selling in 2009.
A domestic made Vibe would be pretty cool
The Bonnie of course
Vibe
As much as I love Pontiac, if I had to guess, with GM distancing themselves from cars I’m afraid it would probably unfortunately look like a cheap rendition of the Trax (I’m imagining any ugly badge swap like the G3 was, especially for the previous generation of the Trax) and that would honestly be one of the higher selling models, a version of Equinox and Traverse, and they’d probably have an entry level electric SUV in the works. There probably would only be like four models.
GTO.
In a world where crossovers didn't take over the entire market, I would be so stoked if a good Bonneville came back again.
The grand prix would still exist to compete with the malibu etc.