gavriil

Soure: Autoweek





"The rugged look of an SUV and the utility of a mid-van - Pontiac's all-new SV6 crossover sport van delivers on both counts with a package of sporty styling, responsive performance, superior quality and segment-leading in-vehicle entertainment choices. Pontiac introduces the 2005 Montana SV6 at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 4.

The Montana SV6 is Pontiac's second crossover vehicle and is the latest in an expanding portfolio of new products, including the 2004 Grand Prix, Bonneville GXP and GTO, the refreshed 2005 Vibe, 2005 G6 sedan and 2006 Solstice roadster. All of these vehicles exemplify the division's renewed spirit of performance. Pontiac's performance renaissance incorporates exhilarating driving dynamics, a bold and distinctive design language, and refined interior and exterior appointments.

Expressive design - one of the keys to Pontiac's product renaissance - is seen in the Pontiac-signature dual-port grille front-end styling. Similar attention to detail is found throughout the interior, including the performance appearance of the instruments and superior seating material, as well as chrome appointments on the door handles and instrument ring, and brushed chrome on the center stack and steering wheel.

The Montana SV6's 'best of both worlds' features include:

- Expressive SUV styling cues.
- Body structure and chassis reinforced to improve crash protection.
- Low step-in height and dual power-sliding rear doors.
- Seven-passenger seating.
- Responsive high-value 3500 V-6, producing 200 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque.
- Available remote start.
- Four-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS.
- Standard 17-inch wheels and tires.
- Foldable and removable second- and third-row seat; 50/50-split stowable third-row with fold-flat seat.
- Available, leading edge audio/video system, with optional DVD player and flip-down screen.
- Segment-exclusive Mobile Digital Media Powered by PhatNoise entertainment system available, with 40-gig, removable and downloadable hard drive cartridge - enough memory to hold 10,000 songs in MP3 or WAV formats - plays music, movies, video games and much more.
- Standard front overhead console and overhead rail system.
- Spacious and flexible rear convenience center/cargo system available.
- Dual-stage front air bags.
- Available side impact air bags (in seat).
- Available StabiliTrak vehicle stability enhancement system.
- Available Versatrak all-wheel drive.
- Available XM Satellite Radio.
- Standard OnStar (with one-year Safe & Sound package).

The Montana SV6's range of available in-vehicle entertainment choices is unprecedented. From XM Satellite Radio to a DVD player with flip-down screen and integrated controls, long drives pass more enjoyably. And then there's PhatNoise.

A segment exclusive, the Mobile Digital Media Powered by PhatNoise system is a wallet-size 40-gigabyte hard drive mounted in the overhead rail system, providing a staggering amount of versatility. The system's capabilities include:

- Storing and playing back up to 10,000 songs in MP3, WMA or WAV formats.
- Storing and playing up to 40 movies in MPEG format (standard format for movies).
- Storing and playing a combination of songs and movies.
- The ability to provide the software for playing a video game.
- The ability to provide a voice-browsing interface - if the driver wants to listen to music, the system tells him or her over the radio speakers the song's name, allowing the driver to run through a list of stored music using steering wheel buttons.
- Listening to books, magazine or newspaper articles recorded on a PC.
- Allowing simultaneous listening to two entertainment sources.
- Downloading digital camera pictures through a USB port in the PhatNoise cartridge and playing them back on the DVD screen.

The PhatNoise system's hard drive is easily removable, so it can be connected to a home PC or laptop to download computer files for playback in the SV6, giving passengers an unprecedented level of entertainment customization.

Production of the SV6 will begin in the fourth quarter of 2004 at the GM Doraville Assembly Plant near Atlanta, Georgia - a plant recognized for building the best-quality mid-vans in America. For two years in a row, GM Doraville ranked as the No. 1 plant in its segment in terms of productivity, according to The Harbour Report North America 2003 and The Harbour Report North America 2002."

Source: GM Inside News

fahoumh

it looks like all they did was graft on the front of a Grand Prix or a Grand Am

Collective27

THat thing is hidious...what the hell is it...

heyitsme

I like the interior and fold down seats but the front end doesn't look all that hot on any of the versions.

chungkopi

i can design better than that. what were they thinking?

chef chris

THis cross-over crap has to go...

They crossed-over the wrong damn parts on this van...

ruski_RENAMED

funny, the front also reminds me of an X5

cusdaddy

Outside: Looks pretty crappy
Inside: Very very nice. Finally a great interior from GM!!

soopa

bland

danny25

already looks 5 years old.

d00g

uh minivan/suv? uglyness

gavriil

Pontiac will get entry-level coupe - - Jamie LaReau - - SOurce: AUtonews.com

charliemike

Uhh, their "performance-brand" image has been that way for at least 15 years now. That minivan NEVER fit ...

M TYPE X

I played with the numbers earlier today. The Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Saturn versions of the van all together sell approximately 85K units per year for GM. The Chevrolet Uplander sells the most. If I had to make a decision today, I'm dump the Pontiac and Buick vans and let Chevrolet and Saturn continue to try to sell them. Chevy = volume and Saturn = niche anti-Chevy van that's still a rebadged Chevy van.

GM gave Buick the minivan after the Oldsmobile Silhouette died, but they still aren't really competing with the Chrysler Town & Country. The Mercury Monterey is also a loser.

But who cares, GM is closing the minivan plant that builds the 'CSVs' and Ford might be dumping the Freestar and Mercury Monterey as well.

Teh Jatt

Moog-Type-S

First the Aztek, now the Montana.......why not kill these things during development?!?!?
Everyone in the world (except the "geniuses" at GM) knew these things were DOA.

titan

Again, the BPG group doesn't even need a minivan. GM may have finally gotten it through it's thick culture... that every divisiond doesn't need an entry in ever segment. If it doesn't fit the brand, just don't do it. Chevy should have volume van, and Saturn (which will be moving to premium status very quickly) should have a version too. That's it. Just make the damn thing a world class fuckin' van... that's the big thing. Lets see you pull that off GM!

M TYPE X

Being judgmental, are we?

mrdeeno

yeah...that's like saying if you're wife is pregnant, and they find out that the baby's gonna be "special", you abort!

THAT'S JUST WRONG!

M TYPE X

If you're given lemons in life, make lemonade. Empress Granholm thinks that even Flint one day can become a 'cool city.' Just like Scranton.

phile

Honestly I haven't seen 1, not even 1, of these things on the road.

M TYPE X

I wouldn't be surprised if > 50% of them sell in metro Detroit to GM employees and family.