Pontiac Firebird Reviews

Rapper 50 Cent calls it his 'pimped out' Pontiac G8. But Australians will recognise the locally-built car that stole the limelight at a Las Vegas car show this week as a cousin to the Holden Commodore

A tighter economy and tougher emissions standards in the United States will not affect the hard-won export deal for the Holden Commodore.The Pontiac G8 version of Australia's favourite car is still locked in for later this year and General Motors expects at least 40,000 sales a year, even as the green debate takes on a new edge in the United States.There had been worries about the G8 in recent weeks after General Motors' global product chief Bob Lutz suggested the company had hit the “pause button” on some of its future large rear-wheel-drive projects as petrol prices again soar in the US and various governments look to tighten standards for CO2 emissions and carmakers' corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) numbers.But Steve Harris, GM's head of global communications, moved quickly to erase any worries during a brief visit to Melbourne for an Asia-Pacific planning summit.He says Pontiac cannot wait to get the G8 and predicts a solid future for the left-hand drive Commodore.“There is a lot of anticipation around that vehicle. People feel that it will do well,” Harris says.He is a member of the top management group at General Motors and was brought back from retirement when the company was close to bankruptcy last year.Harris believes GM is pointing in the right direction with breakthrough cars, including the G8, to win back ground lost to Japanese carmakers with their “transplant” factories in the US. But he concedes there have been mistakes.“We definitely disappointed a lot of people in the '80s and '90s. But most people think we've touched bottom,” Harris says.On the environmental front, he says there are still too many questions to give definitive answers to. But he says Lutz's comments were taken too literally and there was never any doubt about the G8.“We have not stopped and never did stop any work on any rear-wheel-drive activity. There is no slowdown and no putting any investment on hold,” he says.Harris's words are good news for the engineering and design teams at Fishermans Bend who are preparing the Chevrolet Camaro concept car for showrooms, over the top of the VE Commodore mechanical package.But Harris still warns that change is coming and GM will have to be prepared, as the federal and state governments, led by California, look at tighter regulations for motor vehicles.“It is a concern to us, what is going on from a CAFE and CO2 discussion in the US, and some of the proposals look unbelievably difficult to achieve,” he says.“It's a complex issue and it is yet to be determined how it will play out . . . We're very much at discussion and negotiation stages.”

AUDIThe much-anticipated second generation of the Audi TT Coupe made its public debut at this week's New York International Auto show. Audi Australia spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf says the new TT will be in showrooms here before the end of the year.The new TT features Audi's new magnetic ride-damper system, which uses metal particles suspended in the damper oil and electric current to provide variable damping. The car is also longer and wider than its predecessor while retaining the sleek lines pioneered in the original TT Coupe.DAIMLER CHRYSLERChrysler will unveil the stretched version of its popular 300C sedan. The extended wheelbase adds 150mm to the length while the rear seat environment has been enhanced with illuminated writing tables, more power outlets, footrests and custom-paint colours. Chrysler expects the 300C long wheelbase to attract interest from the limousine industry, as well as retail customers. Its arrival date in Australia is still uncertain.DaimlerChrysler has also showcased the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, claimed by Jeep to be the most spacious ever offered. Also on the stand is the compact Jeep Patriot.The Dodge Caliber will bring the Dodge badge back to Australia and will provide a second passenger stream for Chrysler. It will arrive in Australia for sale mid year. Dodge plans to release a new vehicle in Australia approximately every six months for the next three years.MERCEDESThe mildly face-lifted E-Class with engine revamps will make its way to Australia in September or October. Other vehicles on display include the R-Class, which had its Sydney launch this week and G-Class, due in Australia in November.HONDAThe next generation of the Honda MDX large four-wheel-drive, sold as Acura in the US, is on show as a concept car. It is expected to be a pointer to the production model that will go on sale in the US later this year.Honda is not giving away much about the second-generation MDX model, which it says is designed, developed and will be built in North America. The current MDX started as a left-hand-drive-only model, but after sufficient lobbying, Honda agreed to build right-hand-drive models for Japan and Australia. Honda Australia says it doesn't know if the second-generation MDX will be made in right-hand-drive but hopes it will be.It is keen to keep the prestige MDX in its line-up because the big crossover wagon, which is about the same size as a Ford Territory, added 829 sales to its tally last year.SUZUKIThe Suzuki SX-4 – a joint Suzuki-Fiat enterprise – is set to be released to markets outside Europe in the coming months. Suzuki Australia will not officially commit the car to Australia but privately is understood to be anxious to add it to the marque's limited garage.The latest generation of the large XL-7 will not make it to Australia with a decision having been taken last year to phase the model out of local sales.FERRARILaunched at the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari's 599 GTB has embarked on its world tour. Described as the company's most powerful V12 production car, the innovative and technologically advanced performance star is expected to make its first appearance in Australia at the Sydney motor show in October.MAZDAMazda has unveiled the CX-9, a seven-seat crossover sport-utility vehicle. Its arrival in Australia is still uncertain, with Mazda assessing the possibility of making the vehicle available in right-hand drive and getting it to market at a competitive price. Also on the stand – and confirmed for Australia – are the mid-sized crossover CX-7 and MazdaSpeed3 (badged as the Mazda3 MPS for Australia).LEXUSThe LS600h, which Lexus claims will be the world's first vehicle to feature a full hybrid V8 engine, has been unveiled in New York.This new version of its flagship will be available in Australia only in long wheelbase, and is due to be launched in the first half of 2007. Lexus claims the car will be economical for such a large body, averaging 14 litres/100km.PONTIACOne highlight of the New York showcars not destined for Australia is the G6 GXP concept car. It features Pontiac's distinctive nose also seen on the US-version of the now-defunct Holden Monaro. This concept car has 19-inch wheels and boasts a 200kW, 3.9-litre V6 engine.Which of these cars excites you?