Pontiac gets good vibe from new generation

Tag : Fabric Joint


Pontiac is delivering the second-generation Vibe at a veryopportune time, as small, trendy cars in the affordable andfuel-efficient class seem to hit the sweet spot in the deeplydistressed automotive market.

Despite prices that start around $15,000, compact hatchbacks likethe Vibe are much more than entry-level models. Their styling,comfort, versatility and entertainment options appeal to the mostdiscriminating members of the so-called "creative class."

Picture the competition and you see how stylish affordable can be.The pioneering Chrysler PT Cruiser set the pace, followed by theDodge Caliber. Chevrolet responded with the retro HHR in 2005 asother deceptively small cars, like the Mazda3, evolved.

The Vibe emerged from a joint project between Toyota and GeneralMotors at their New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant inFremont, Calif. Built on the platform of a Corolla, the Toyotaversion of the Vibe was dubbed the Matrix.

Pontiac unveiled the prototype Vibe at Detroit's 2000 NorthAmerican International Auto Show and launched the first generationin 2002 as a 2003 model.

While cars like the Vibe may strike younger drivers as sexy, theyare not necessarily racy. Engine options are limited to inline4-cylinder arrangements with various levels of horsepower.

The 2009 Vibe offers a base, 1.8-liter, 132-horsepower, 4-cylinderengine that gains additional power over the previous generation,while the upper trim comes with a 2.4-liter, 158-horsepowerinline-4.

Ron Aselton, chief designer of the Vibe, describes the overalltheme as "clean lines, minimal overhangs and wheels pushed to thecorners give the vehicle a muscular stance."

As the only hatchback in the Pontiac fleet, the Vibe functionssomewhat like a mini SUV while striking the eye as a sporty,youth-oriented funmobile.

In addition to the front-drive version, base priced at $15,895,Pontiac offers an all-wheel-drive model for $19,495 and aperformance-oriented GT at $19,895.

Beyond freshening the styling and boosting the base power, Pontiacadded some really nice standard features, such as tire-pressuremonitoring system, electronic stability control and six air bags.

To establish their bona fides with the entertainment-orientedyounger crowd, Pontiac made XM Satellite radio standard with threemonths of free service. The base, four-speaker AM/FM/XM/CD audiosystem can be upgraded to a seven-speaker Monsoon Premium SoundSystem as part of the $1,285 Sun and Sound Package that includes apower sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controlsand leather-wrapped shift knob.

Interior designers created a driver-focused cockpit modeled afterthose of sports cars. The controls and gauges are meant to convey aperformance-oriented look and feel but remain blessedly simple tointuit and use. GM, to its credit, has stuck to an ergonomicformula that is consistently sensible.

Cosmetic upgrades come from a combination of low-gloss materials,varied grains on the instrument panel, and satin-metal accents.Knit-fabric seating surfaces are new and attractive, while GTmodels are enhanced with standard leather-trimmed seats,three-spoke steering wheel and shift knob.

All Vibes hold five passengers and come with tilt-telescopingsteering column, three-prong power outlet, six-way adjustabledriver's seat and active front headrests. Alas, air conditioningwith rear outlets is a $950 option.

There was a time when some enthusiasts might have complained abouta lack of power in cars of this class. Not anymore.

Hitting the scales at around 3,000 pounds, the Vibe isappropriately powered by its base engine and quite adequatelypropelled by the 2.4-liter engine that was implanted in the reviewcar.

Many buyers will prefer the five-speed stick to the optionalautomatic, not just for fuel efficiency but because you can nursemore torque out of the engine with a stick. The $1,050 five-speedautomatic does come with a manual mode, but I can never seem tofind a very good reason for shifting an automatic manually. Thestick and clutch keep the driver's entire body engaged, which is agood thing on an open road but a real pain in the neck instop-and-go traffic.

Fuel economy with the base engine and a stick comes to 26 mpg inthe city and 32 mpg on the highway. With the 2.4-liter engine andthe five-speed automatic, fuel economy falls to 21 city and 29highway mpg for an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,751. If you canstill find unleaded for $4 per gallon, filling an empty 13.2-gallontank will cost you $52.80. Who knows? Maybe a year from now, we'llthink that was really cheap.