http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=38230

don't forget to click on pics

if current grand prixs are getting 14.6s in good air and with a sharp driver, this new Grand Prix (provided 280hp makes production) should do 14.2s to 13.9s at 99-101mph.

It seems the sports sedan heat is really picking up. First it was the Acura TL Type S and WRX, then the new Maxima and I35, then the G35, then the 300 hp Mercury Marauder this summer, and next year a new TL and Grand Prix.

 

Looks nice... I just can't see myself in a Pontiac! their interior is so cheap. Anyways, once again the Grand prix is gonna give maximas a challenge.

 

Damn, that's a pretty sweet GTP. I still like the current one too. Simply raise it 2", put some different wheels on there, and I'm certain that's what the new one will look like. If Pontiac has gotten a new interior design group, I'd consider one these cars.


Dave

 

I like the smooth exterior. If they can improve the interior and overall quality, it'll compete well.

 

A Pontiac?, please that car will spend more time back at the dealer for repairs then on the road.

 

Actually the car looks good but for the true enthusiast you want to control the car.




[QUOTE]Originally posted by njmaxseltd
A Pontiac?, please that car will spend more time back at the dealer for repairs then on the road. [/QUOTE

 

Needs a stick, better quality.Always be in the shop.


And if a s/c'ed 3.8L can barely give comp to a N/A 3.5, then that's just pathetic. Even more pathetic when a 3.2(tl-s) gives that 3.8 comp. I still think the TL-S/CL-S is a better competitor for the max in the overall scale.

Pontiac is cheap.

 

no 5spd = no care

 

does look nice though

 

It doesn't matter what we think about that GTP. Sure, it makes pathetic power for a supercharged 3.8 liter, it could use a 5-speed, and quality is questionable, but in the eyes of the American public, it will be a strong competitor in the domestic market. There are some people that only buy domestic, and Pontiac is an attractive make to them.

 

I've heard of these fabled mid 14 second stock GTPs. I've seen hundreds of GTPs at the track and have yet to see a stock one run a mid 14. Even if there are GTPs out there that run 14.6, most of them are running 14.9 or worse (stock), so how do we figure that a 40 hp boost (and no torque increase I might add) is going to chop 0.8-1.0 seconds off the 1/4 mile time?

 

come to my 1/4 track sometime the GTP guys are there every week (normally 4 or more all running in the 13s). most of them run 13.5-13.8 on street tires. If you want proof then just look at the video of my 14.3 run on my cardomain page and you'll see what i'm talking about. These guys are not stock, they all have the pulley and intake but I would believe then can run mid 14s stock.

 

does anyone think it looks like a rabbit on heroin?

 

I think it just looks like another American Car Company's attempt to keep up with the quality from overseas. The pontiac may compete for the new car market, but think about this. I'll put my '91 Maxima GXE against a '91 Pontiac Grand Prix and we'll see how each has held up over time. Time will always distinguish the quality built cars.

 

We just need to keep pushing for aftermarket 'accessories' for our beloved Maximas!!! If the general population wants to boost Pontiac sales by buying them, then that's their problem. We still have the better car

 

Not impressed by the GP, but this...



...I like this. Who knew wheels and trim could make such a difference on a once-ugly car?

 

Get a supercharger on the 3.5VQ and that should make the comparison/match a bit more even. Though the GTP has a stock charger it's still a mod over the base engine in my opinion.

 

More info from Pontiac.

I was looking at the photo's and i have to admit it does look sleek. The interior looks a whole lot better than the current generation GTP.

Heck this thing even comes with 19" standard

 

I'm gonna have to be in the:

no 5-speed = no care

club.


Hmmmm, anyone want to join?

I'm Member #1.

 

Well technically they do have a 5 speed tranny. It just doesn't come with a manual shifter.

And hey! Whattabout the 6spd peeps!

 

They do get the $3000 head start though.

SuDZ

 

I thought about that, and I got it covered. Check the sig.

 

i think it looks a lot better than the current GP, the interior looks a lot better, hope the quality is good, wonder how much it cost? the GTP was like $26k, what will this run, $30k+??

 

Actually I have two friends with GTP's. They are pretty reliable. They are a bit cheap inside, but not that bad of a car. Honestly if I was going to buy american, that is where I would look first.

This new series looks SaaahhhhhWEEEEEET!

280hp w/ front wheel drive though....

They need to go rear wheel, then it will sit in the 13's for the 1/4.

 

It still looks like rodentia.

 

I Agree. an S/C on the 2002, and this Pontiac will not even be a thought for challenge. The only problem is, how do you controll all that HP at the front wheels. Makes getting off the line a whole new challenge. I can't wait to take it on

 

Do what drag racers do. Instal that 5th wheel in the rear to help keep the car stable (e.g. no forward-backward motion when flooring it from a stop)

That way your front wheel stays planted on the ground.

 

Where are you going to put a S/C on the 2002? Have you seen why the Stillen kit won't fit?

 

don't go for a pontiac

 

Thrasher and Hotchkis already sell trailing arms for GM's 3800 SC cars. Same principle as WSP's Radial Arms but a completely different design. Saw 'em in Hot Rod awhile back.

LordRandall I'd like to be the next member to your club. I love my stickshift.
-Justin

 

Hey got rid of the ribs... How will the guys with Pontiacs pleasure their women now?

 

who actually thinks pontiac will create any damaging competition for nissan anyways?

 

If Pontiac would build the Grand Prix G8(which I doubt), it would blow away a 2k2 6-speed Max. 350hp LS1 V-8 + AWD system = Skyline competitor. Check it out:
http://www.motortrend.com/mar01/muscle/muscle_f.html
It talks about the G8 and couple other GM muscle car concepts.

 

those look like mille milgia (sp?) evos..

 

hmmm... level w/ me guys... You have a sweet engine... one w/ DOHC, 24valves, high compression... the problem is.. if you put a SC a high compression engine like that you won't get the same gains as you would out of larger engine w/ lower compression... another thing.. the reason why the GTP engine has little horsepower is because the roller rockers that GM made are sucky, and it's a 12V forced induction. having your extra valves does a wonder for your up top power. Ford took the 4.6L 16V engine that made the 225-230HP rage and made it a 32 valve in the 300's... Also the GTP is not exactly tuned like your cars... look under a GTP and look at the pipe that goes into the cat... it's bent into a U!!!! it's called the u bend... then we have a resonator that is constrictive after the cat... look in the airbox of a GTP sometime... the PCM is mounted vertically in front of the air filter!!! the hole it breathes through is a little bigger than a golf ball.... ON A SC'd ENGINE... That is wh they respond so well to mods... they made the car w/ stupid parts... also the tranny rumor is true... the GTP pumps out 280TQ stock.. the 4T60E transmission is rated at 280TQ!!! when you mod and put it into the 300's... you need tranny maintenance!

 

BTW: MardiGrasMax has a SC and has ran a best of 13.6 w/ all his mods... if you dumped that into a prix... you'd be in the 12's easy... go to www.clubgp.com and look around... I'm not trying to say that your cars aren't cool or fast... just that they don't respond to mods as well as the GTP (which you guys like to bash)

BTW... I went to the Nissan dealer since I'm shopping for another car... I like the Max... FAR better interior, comfort, handling, noise deadning... but it doesn't have the oomph of my tore up ole GTP... I don't know what I'm gonna buy still (GOTTA LOVE A 6 speed tho!!!)

 

just wait till 2004

 

Yeah, I want to see if maybe GM would possibly move up to the 3.5L DOHC found in the Olds Intrigue. It's already a lot like the Maxima engine, just with less power. Since it already makes 215hp n/a, it should do pretty well with a blower. You guys would get better top end, too. Once Oldsmobile finally dies off, GM won't have any cars using the engine. If they put it in the GTP, at least they wouldn't be wasting the R&D they spent on that new engine.

I think if GM experiments a bit more, they can get even better results. I read the article in last month's Turbo magazine about the 2.2L Ecotec 4-banger, and I was really surprised at how good it was. I'm waiting to see a DOHC V8 in the next Vette. The LS1 is already aluminum, so why not go the full monty and add a little variable cam timing too?

 

Yes.

A buddy of mine has a GTX (factory package GTP) and he ran 14.6@95 stock on crappo stock tires. With a simple pulley swap, he ran 13.8@99 mph. Ive driven the car and its quick. It will roast my Max in most rpm ranges. Down low....forget it. That thing makes so much low end its sick. Up top, its a little closer. But, keep in mind we are comparing autos to 5 speeds. If the GTP/GTX came in a manual trans, even the 2002 Max would have a hard time keeping up.