2003 Pontiac G6 concept
by Gary S. Vasilash

Although the elevation of Bob Lutz to Car Czar at General Motors was generally lauded by one and all throughout the auto industry, given his alleged understanding of what cars are really all about (apparently his comment about “angry appliances” of a few years back has been forgiven him), there is undoubtedly one group of individuals who bitterly curse his name. These are the folks who are involved in providing automotive trim. Specifically, those who have undoubtedly made a good living by providing Pontiac with all manner of polymer pieces – large ribbed sections, bulbous fascias, etc. – that have become not merely characteristic of the brand, but seemingly self-caricatures.

Lutz said No to the Pontiac cladding. This may actually be his legacy at GM. And it’s not a bad one to have. It’s not that we have anything against plastic bits, mind you. But when a vehicle’s design seems to be predicated on nothing more than add-ons, it brings to mind being a little kid and jazzing up one’s bike with decals. All show (and not a very good one at that) and little or no go.

The new key word at Pontiac with regard to the brand’s design approach is “athletic.” And when you think of a world-class athlete, you probably don’t imagine all kinds of extraneous attributes. Just the essentials. And the 2003 Pontiac G6 Concept is just that: a design that is taut and wide. There’s no bloat. With its 20-inch wheels out at the corner, with wheel flares surrounding the rubber, and a front-end that includes the twin kidney-shapes in an integrated manner, this four-passenger sedan looks like what a contemporary American sedan that’s meant to be driven ought to look like.

Under the hood – which, incidentally, does not harken back David Hasselhoff’s ride on “Knight Rider” – sits a GMX 381, production-intent Eaton supercharged V6 that provides 285 hp (but has Displacement on Demand for those who want power and economy)

The interior, with leather trim and mesh flooring, smacks of the active lifestyle that Pontiac is supposed to represent. And one interesting detail is that whereas there has been the use of brushed aluminum (or actually plastic coated or formulated to look like the metal) for interior details, the G6 is fitted out with titanium bezels, door pulls and the like. According to interior designer Ryan Vaughn, titanium “speaks to precision and power.” Which Pontiac ought to be talking – constantly

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