Automotive News - April 14, 2008 - (Page 33)

APRIL 14, 2008 • 33 Pontiac Vibe: A sporty hauler with Toyota touches Jamie LaReau jlareau@crain.com ATLANTA — Pontiac hopes its redesigned 2009 Vibe will attract buyers who want the spaciousness of a small SUV or mid-sized sedan with the fuel economy of a compact car. The Vibe shares a platform with the Toyota Matrix but starts at $15,895, compared with $16,850 for the Matrix. Both prices include shipping. The front-wheel-drive Vibe comes with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. An optional all-wheel-drive version has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder. “We give you the choice — for instance, do you want fuel economy, do you want all-wheel drive or do you want the highly stylized GT,” Jennifer Nardicchio, marketing manager of the Torrent and Vibe, said at a press event here last month. The Vibe offers buyers a number of different looks: five wheel types are offered, plus other content options. Pontiac brags that the small, fivedoor car will fit three child seats in the back seat. The Vibe has a wider mouth to the rear cargo area with a lower lip than most hatchbacks in its segment, making the cargo area easier to load. It has cargo hooks and divided compartments for loading versatility, Nardicchio says. The basics: The sporty small wagon is fun to drive. It’s bigger than a typical hatchback and much more sporty in its handling than an SUV or The redesigned Pontiac Vibe GT starts at $15,895, including shipping. A Vibe GT is shown. Vibe vs. Caliber How the 2009 Vibe stacks up against the 2008 Dodge Caliber 2009 PONTIAC VIBE 2008 DODGE CALIBER Wheelbase Length Width Height Curb weight Base engine Horsepower Torque, in lbs.-ft. Base price* *Includes shipping 102.4 in. 171.1 in. 69.5 in. 61.0 in. 2,856 lbs. 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 132 @ 6,000 rpm 128 @ 4,400 rpm $15,895 103.7 in. 173.8 in. 68.8 in. 60.4 in. 2,966 lbs. 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 148 @ 6,500 rpm 125 @ 5,200 rpm $14,560 Pontiac says a wide opening and low lip provide easy access to the Vibe’s cargo compartment. The Vibe offers a 1.8-liter with 132 hp and 128 pounds-feet of torque that gets an estimated 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg highway with a manual transmission. A consumer also a typical sedan. The manual transmission shifts nicely, and the car has good acceleration for a four-cylinder engine. can choose the awd 2.4-liter with 158 hp and 162 pounds-feet of torque. The fuel economy of the 2.4-liter is estimated at 21 mpg city and 28 highway for a manual transmission. The Vibe has a four-speed automatic transmission and a five-speed manual. “We think there is a wide breadth of opportunity out there with this vehicle,” Nardicchio says. “With fuel prices as they are, we think we will tap into the sedan market and those ready to move up to the small SUV market but just can’t afford it either from a price point or fuel costs.” Notable features: The gear shifter comes out of the instrument panel rather than sitting on the floor, creating floor storage room. It takes a few minutes to get used to but makes shifting easier on the driver’s wrist. The instrument panel is easy to read. Visibility is good from all angles. Compromises and shortcomings: The engine is adequate, but no more. If the Vibe is loaded down with cargo or people, it might struggle. Nuts and bolts: This vehicle is designed by Toyota and built in a jointventure Toyota-GM plant — and it feels it. The fit and finish of the interior components and panels are outstanding. The skinny: For buyers on a budget looking for a versatile, fuel-efficient small hauler, the Vibe is a credible entry. c http://www.Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://www.Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://www.Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://www.Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://www.Pick-N-ClickAds.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - April 14, 2008

Dealership jobs hit 8-year low GM is the wild card in axle war Service contracts: Hard-sell tactics plague dealers, customers TV auto ads shift to online, mobile venues At seminar, marketing execs to discuss new ways to reach customers Better get to know the Nano — it's set to change the world Veteran Detroit 3 dealer: 'The future is quite bleak' Poll: Dealers scrounge for cuts Locals closer to GM strike Scion xB price rises $100 Valeo CEO: No breakup Tata Nano changes low-cost development Hyundai tailors TV, Web ads for Hispanics Study: Ads focused on vehicle qualities won on Oscar night Post-Celine, Chrysler ad guru seeks right note Chrysler's quest for quality lured Nissan exec Betts Search starts for in-vehicle alcohol detectors After S. Calif. success, Honda may fund ad groups Computer images gain ground in TV ads Web TV offers automakers new ad, sales options BMW: X6 will bring brand new buyers Diana T. Kurylko Chrysler fields 'dream' ads Nissan seeks dealerships for trucks Honda will export Alabama-built Pilots to Russia Toyota, Subaru work on 'affordable' sports car Cadillac's ad agency savors the sweet life Some stores may not sell Chrysler hybrids GM hybrids get off to a slow start in first quarter Lexus adds a personal touch to pamper owners, prospects What they're buying — and what they're not The age of fuel innovation is here Approaches to r&d vary Nano brings credibility to Indian engineering Honda must revisit online dealer sales of service pacts Chrysler got it right Mandates, markets and buyer demand For Detroit, some things never change Buick: As Chicago goes, so goes the nation Auto industry has lost a good man Accentuate the positive Ex-Porsche CEO: Cayenne spiced up sales Green programs shape battle for engineering grads Tata rewards suppliers with ties to India Bill aims to set minimum sound levels for vehicles Industry lobbyists step up emissions fight Seeking wider market, Nissan equips sports car for snow New chief of SAE has D.C. skills China and GM's answer to Nano — sort of $2,500 car is Ratan Tata's personal quest NADA offers training in risky credit Donna Harris Deal's goal: Widen appeal of dent-repair coverage Title committee created Vehicle loan delinquencies rise from 2007 Suppliers to the 2009 Tata Nano Odd China combo: Fuel sippers, SUVs Pontiac Vibe: A sporty hauler with Toyota touches Dealers J.D. Power III named tracking company partner Toyota will buy back rusted Tacomas 100,000 Flex sales a year? Farley: 'Absolutely' Ford wants word-of-mouth campaign Small suppliers feel the pain of axle strike Plastech tries to sell 2 units TRW plant will build Ford gears Toyota plans 2nd India plant Dodge launch goes digital Toyota, GM recall 660,000 vehicles for window flaws Lear announces white-collar layoffs March output drops 23.6% New Ford ads tout quality improvements Tata dealers must be handy with a wrench Can the Greens slow down the autobahn? Racy scandal for race exec Echoes from the grave: Olds still has cachet The Final Say

Automotive News - April 14, 2008

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