The Pontiac GTO lives! It will be replaced in late 2008 by an all-new model underpinned by General Motors’ latest rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform, with a strong likelihood of it being built on the same production line as the Chevrolet Camaro in North America.

That’s the message from General Motors vice president for global product development, Bob Lutz, at this week’s Geneva motor show.

The replacement for today’s slowish-selling GTO was canceled last year when General Motors announced it was reorganizing its North American operations and was set to focus its efforts on creating a new line of sport/utility vehicles, pickups and crossovers.

But Lutz reports of the rear-wheel-drive coupe’s death were premature and the next-generation GTO’s development program was only really placed on hold, and after some internal reorganization to ensure profitability targets can be met it is now back on.

Lutz confirmed that the GTO was only ever off for two months, but that break has enabled us to get a more feasible program up. The program he points to is General Motors’ Zeta rear-wheel-drive platform, which is being developed by Holden in Australia and set to underpin the new-generation Commodore due to be launched in August.

Besides Camaro and GTO, other models set to be based on the Zeta platform are upcoming replacements for the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, and a new car called the Buick Statesman, according to Lutz.

Contrary to rumors, however, Lutz said General Motors is not planning to revive the Pontiac Firebird. “No, that’s not something we are planning. We are not going to do that car,” he said.

When pushed on whether GM was thinking about bringing back the El Camino off the Zeta platform, Lutz beamed with enthusiasm. “The kids in the company, myself included, would love to do another El Camino, but the grown-ups amongst us don’t share that way of thinking,” he said. “It would be fairly simple. We’d only have to put a Chevrolet face on the Holden Ute [a car-like pickup sold in Australia]. The building blocks are there.”

Less sophisticated than the existing rear-wheel-drive Sigma platform found beneath the Cadillac STS and other high-end GM models, the Zeta architecture is said to be considerably cheaper to produce, owing to a simplified rear-suspension arrangement and other features.

Lutz suggests the individual character of GM models would not be compromised by basing them around one platform. “We have developed different dash-to-front-axle lengths for various models,” he said. “It is a really flexible platform.”

Along with Australia and North America, Zeta-based rear-wheel-drive models are also being developed for sale in the Middle East and China. Details remain scarce, though GM’s business case for the new GTO is rumored to be based around sales of between 15,000 and 20,000 per year in North America. After a promising start, today’s model has failed to live up to initial estimates recording 13,569 sales in 2004 and just 11,590 in 2005.

Lutz confirmed that GM’s Australian subsidiary, Holden, would play a leading role in the engineering of the GTO and its sister car, the Camaro. Holden is responsible for the large rear-drive architecture that these cars are based on. If it happens, Holden will do the development on the Camaro as well as the GTO.

Despite being developed in Australia, however, there are strong indications the next GTO will be built in North America. “Whether the GTO will be built in Australia will largely depend on the [U.S. vs. Australian dollar] exchange rate at the time,” said Lutz. He added, “With the current strength of the Australian dollar and the recent Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the U.S., it would be more feasible to build the GTO in North America. This raises the possibility of both the new-generation GTO and Camaro being imported to Australia in right-hand-drive guise.

Production of today’s Pontiac GTO is planned to end in September, leaving GM with two years before the new Zeta-based model arrives in North American showrooms. As with the recently unveiled Chevrolet Camaro, it is expected to carry a more retro-inspired design with cues from earlier GTO models. Today’s model started life as the Holden Monaro and was never envisaged to carry the GTO badge, leading to complaints from North American buyers that it lacks any visual connection with the original.





>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

yay!


7 months without a date and counting
<img src="http://www.j-body.org/registry/agrosk8r5/personal_pic.jpg">

good

Oh we'll keep it, No we're gonna kill it, Oh changed our minds we're keeping it. Nope the sales blow its getting axed. No its not !! Yes it is !! NO! YES! NO! YES! NO! YES! NO! YES! NO! YES! YES! NO! YES! NO! NO! YES!

Futher proof that GM has abso-freaking-lutely NO ever loveing idea what in thee hell they are doing !!

Mr.GW This isn't your fault your only reporting what you come accross. This is the EXACT reason I said what I did about the Camaro.

And as for the GTO, I'm not holding my breath for it either.






Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

they need a JUDGE version hehe

A local news station reported that the new 6speed auto transmission line that Toledo Powertrain will be building for the 2008 model year will be offered on GM's new rwd car platform. Like jackalope though I'm not holding my breath, GM has promised many things in the past and never made good on them so we'll just have to see but I'd love to see the Monte Carlo name back on a rwd vehicle.

Deal.......or no Deal?

^ ^ ^ ^ Car or no car ? Thats is the question !




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

This is good news..











~2014 New Z under the knife, same heart different body~
______________________
WHITECAVY no more
2012 numbers - 4SPD AUTOMATIC!!
328 HP
306 TQ

I just hope they dont @!#$ it up like they did with the "new camaro"

dan

cool, i'm glad they are making it (again)

spikej wrote:A local news station reported that the new 6speed auto transmission line that Toledo Powertrain will be building for the 2008 model year will be offered on GM's new rwd car platform.

Like this.

GM's Hydra-Matic 6L80 Six Speed Automatic Delivers Balanced Performance, Economy For Full-Size SUV's

Manufactured at GM's Toledo, Ohio and Ypsilanti, Mich. manufacturing plants
One of the most sophisticated transmissions in the industry with clutch-to-clutch operation
Wide 6.04:1 ratio spread delivers excellent balance of performance and fuel economy
Approximately 9-percent reduction in engine rpm at 60 mph (compared to the 4L60 four-speed transmission) for enhanced fuel economy and NVH characteristics
Tow/haul mode and auto grade braking for optimal towing performance
Manual range selection for driver-selectable performance
TOLEDO, Ohio - A new GM Hydra-Matic 6L80 rear-wheel drive six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission designed for the performance requirements of trucks debuts in GM's 2007 full-size SUVs. It is one of the most technologically advanced transmissions in the industry, featuring clutch-to-clutch operation, manual range selection and an integrated 32-bit electro-hydraulic controller.

The 6L80 is available on vehicles equipped with the Vortec 6.2L V-8 engine. A wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio - including two overdrive gears - helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy. It is similar to the six-speed "paddle shift" automatic transmission introduced on the 2006 Corvette, but has been tailored for the heavy-duty requirements of SUVs and trucks.

"There are no compromises with the Hydra-Matic 6L80 transmission - it delivers great performance and enables improved fuel economy on the highway, all with smooth, almost imperceptible operation," said Jeff Baran, chief engineer for six-speed rear-wheel drive transmissions. "Complementing its sophisticated performance characteristics is the tough capability necessary for the demanding duty cycle of trucks and the tasks their drivers ask of them."

The Hydra-Matic 6L80's six forward gears have smaller "steps" between them, compared to a conventional four-speed automatic, which bolsters both performance and the feeling of smoothness. Shorter steps between the gears help the transmission quickly find the best gear for the vehicle speed and road conditions, with less back-and-forth hunting on grades - a trait that is particularly helpful when towing.

The smaller steps also enable a steep, 4.02:1 first gear, which provides an improved-performance launch feel. The two overdrive gears include a 0.85:1 ratio in fifth gear and a 0.67:1 ratio in sixth. With two overdrive gears, engine rpm is reduced by approximately 9 percent at 60 mph - a reduction to about 1,500 rpm. Lower engine rpm can bolster fuel economy because less fuel is used. A lower-rpm cruising speed also enhances smoothness and reduces noise heard in the vehicle's cabin.

Clutch-to-clutch operation

The 6L80's sophistication is exemplified by clutch-to-clutch operation that reduces complexity and packaging. It also enhances the performance feel of the transmission, as shifts feel more immediate and precise.

Clutch-to-clutch operation is achieved with three planetary gears, two stationary clutches and three rotating clutches. It is a simple, less complex design that enables the six-speed transmission to be packaged in a size not much larger than a four-speed automatic. Only the first-to-second upshift is a freewheeling action, where the second gear clutch engages while the first gear one-way clutch spins freely. This allows a greater degree of smoothness at lower vehicle speeds.

Internal controller and driver-selectable features

A new, 32-bit electro-hydraulic control module optimizes transmission performance according to a variety of vehicle inputs, while also enabling features including tow/haul mode, auto grade braking and manual range selection. The controller is located entirely within the transmission and operates while immersed in transmission fluid. Locating the controller internally shields the controller from outside elements.

Tow/haul mode is a driver-selectable feature that provides optimal shift characteristics specific for towing or hauling a heavy load. The feature is complemented by manual range selection, which allows the driver to block out upper gears and select desired gears for unique driving conditions, such as towing on a steep grade. The manual range selection feature increases the feeling of control by holding the gear pre-selected by the driver. Electronic safeguards prevent the transmission from being shifted in a manner that could cause engine damage or loss of vehicle control. Auto grade braking is available when the tow/haul mode is selected and the transmission is not in the range selection mode.

GM's first Hydra-Matic six-speed RWD 6L80 was initially introduced in the 2006 Chevy Corvette and Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V. For 2007, GM is offering the 6L80 in the 2007 Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon Denali SUVs. GM will produce more than one million six-speed automatic transmissions annually by 2008, and more than three million annually by 2010.

SPECIFICATIONS

Hydra-Matic 6L80 (MYC) six-speed automatic
Type:
six-speed electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transmission
Engine range
4.4L SC - 6.2L
Maximum engine torque lb-ft / Nm:
430 / 583
Maximum gearbox torque lb-ft / Nm:
664 / 900

Gear ratios:
First:
4.02
Second:
2.36
Third:
1.53
Fourth:
1.15
Fifth:
0.85
Sixth:
0.67
Reverse:
3.06

-Maximum shift speed: 6500 rpm
-5-position quadrant: P, R, N, D, M
-Case material: die-cast aluminum
-Shift pattern: (2) three-way on/off solenoids
-Shift quality: five variable bleed solenoids
-Converter size: 300 mm, 258 mm
-Transmission weight (kg / lb):101 / 222 (2WD) (wet)-- 103 / 227 (4WD) (wet)
-Fluid type: DEXRON® VI
-Fluid capacity (L / qt):11.6 / 12.3
-Assembly site: Ypsilanti, Mich. and Toledo, Ohio
-Additional features:clutch-to-clutch operation, integrated transmission controller with manual range selection, tow/haul mode and auto grade braking

GM press 2-27-2006

spikej wrote:Like jackalope though I'm not holding my breath, GM has promised many things in the past and never made good on them so we'll just have to see but I'd love to see the Monte Carlo name back on a rwd vehicle.

I have had a slew of words with jackalope on the that "GM has promised many things in the past and never made good on them."
To make a long story short, GM is under Bob Lutz's watch and I don't question on what is going to come out or not with him, normally with he says---stays.
And there were many cars that were concepts that made it into reality, now those concepts did come "watered-down" for production, but that is a different story all together.





>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

Don't tell me you took that the wrong way !! Good Grief !! You just reported LAST WEEK it was dead !! Thats why I said what I did. Its not you dude, Its GM !! Lutz doesn't call ALL the shots. True he has his hands in a lot of things and maybe just maybe GM can get its sh-t together. But in reading the info that YOU yourself have posted as to the GTO being a go and then axed and now on and then off again but now its here to stay, Can you at least understand where I'm comeing from and why I say what I do ?

Dude it aint you, its GM.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

^^Not going there anymore. Lets all be happy RWD is in GM's future and not turn it into something ugly.




>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

Jackalope wrote:Don't tell me you took that the wrong way !! Good Grief !! You just reported LAST WEEK it was dead !! Thats why I said what I did. Its not you dude, Its GM !! Lutz doesn't call ALL the shots. True he has his hands in a lot of things and maybe just maybe GM can get its sh-t together. But in reading the info that YOU yourself have posted as to the GTO being a go and then axed and now on and then off again but now its here to stay, Can you at least understand where I'm comeing from and why I say what I do ?

Dude it aint you, its GM.

Well if you look back at the post that GW posted that said that the GTO that is made in Australia is dead.

And that same thread they said that they were rumors that the GTO was only going to be dead for 1 year.

This is all new GTO built on the same platform as the Camaro. Good News

And yes GM always changed their minds in the past. But this is Bob Lutz era just look at the Solstice.

love the GTO and all but would love it more if the Trans Am was built on that platform over the GOAT....

The GTO will (hopefully) be styled differently. That could make for the lack of the Trans Am. Im very glad they are moving most of their cars to RWD. Now if the Cobalt had an option for AWD id be all over that


-


My Sig sucks, someone donate one to me haha

Guys I'm not starting with anyone I hope they build it but Geez they need to get the story straight before they go to press.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

sounds good to me, making another trans am just w/ another name!

Love the GTO.

Very good news.

This will make buying a used one cheaper and possibly a possibility for me.

Yay for GTOs





................Which car will hit 400 whp first???................

GTO and Camaro as sister cars? WTF!!! Camaro is a pony car competitor for the mustang, a girls car if you will. A GTO is known as the first Muscle car, how can they call it a sister to the camaro, don't these people have any knowledge of history? Camaro's were cute and came with 4 and 6 cylinder engines. GTO's were photographed burning rubber and coming at you in magazines. 389's with 360hp, a car with big enough seats to for a 6'3" guy to bang a girl, I ought to know. LOL.

A solid, well built, well powered, midsize RWD car could be just the ticket to turn GM's fortune around...

I'm looking forward to it...

When did a Camaro ever come with a 4 cyl power plant?

Anyhow...

My only question is this: Will this mean that GM will finally bring a GTO to Canada, or do we lose all the performance RWD cars because GM can't make them safe enough to import?





If Teaching Evolution is Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Evolve.

^^ inport ... GM imports more they do from Canada then any other country.

dan