03/15/2007, 6:19 PM

Pontiac News

Redesigned Pontiac Vibe in the works

Judging from this spy shot captured a few miles from the entrance to the General Motor Proving Ground, it appears that the Pontiac Vibe will live beyond its first generation.

Similar Vibe-like prototypes had been spotted testing in the desert Southwest last Fall, but the Japanese test crew and decidedly un-GM camouflage pointed to Toyota’s work on the follow-up on its Matrix five-door.

Up until now there were no signs that GM would build a new version of the car at California’s NUMMI manufacturing site. The appearance of this prototype on GM’s doorstep tells us a second-gen Vibe is a go — and sources hint that an unveiling at the New York Auto Show is a distinct possibility.

A report in Automotive News, discussing the future of Toyota’s reworked Matrix, stated that the new model has been designed with the Mazda3 in mind, meaning a slightly sportier, less upright stance, and more youthful detailing.

Such a direction would also fit in nicely with Pontiac’s brand image. Whether the Vibe name will continue is currently unknown. Toyota is said to be considering the name “Blade” for their Matrix replacement, so the next Vibe may add to Pontiac’s burgeoning list of alpha-numericly-named cars.

 
 

03/15, 6:44 PM

posted by:

Madcapp

I want to see the redesigned Aztek.

03/15, 7:27 PM

posted by:

LamborghiniZ

Pontiac stole the last Vibe from Toyota, cause you know if they had made it themselves it would have been a letdown, and that’s an understatement

03/15, 8:03 PM

posted by:

Chris C.

One can only hope GM gives this Vibe a little more kick. It’s definately a different type of car and should be fun and inviting to drive. I’m somewhat anxious to see some interior pictures, given GM’s current renewed interest in such.

03/15, 8:09 PM

posted by:

murphy1

as a former vibe owner, they had better improve the ride substantially. if you put 50 miles a week on the car it is adequate, anything over is a very bumpy ordeal that gets old fast. if pontiac was smart they would offer a 15 inch wheel option to soften the ride. the sporty 16 inchers are part of the problem…

03/15, 8:17 PM

posted by:

Fromes

The vibe has always pretty a pretty nice car, but having driven nearly every model and year I can say that the model range is in dire need of more power. I always found the engines in the base model very underpowered, especially when going up hills. The GT model with the Celica GT-S engine was an improvment but I always found it to be a little high strung, lacking any low end grunt. I think a Vibe with the 205 hp supercharged engine from the Cobalt SS or an improved toyota sourced 4cyl would be a vast improvement. It would also be great if they offered AWD on the most powerful models has well, the current vibe only offered AWD on the least powerful model.

03/15, 8:18 PM

posted by:

PrimeGTP

LOL, how is a collaboration by both companies “stealing”? I think your “Me hate GM, me love Toyota” mindset is starting to become rather unhealthy, Lambo.

03/15, 10:29 PM

posted by:

Hyperion

Please kill this model, GM. Start doing some compact vans with standard AWD and good low end torque. AKA a good work van that isn’t powered by a V-8.

Your competition is the Mazda5 which is perfect: it’s a huge Ford Focus with lots of cargo room and a four cylinder engine.

Please don’t forget the standard all wheel drive.

03/15, 11:53 PM

posted by:

autonutt

Toyota’s next Matrix will likely be based on the new Corolla breaking cover all over the world.. so why is this Vibe wearing the same doors and greenhouse of the current model? If this is truly a New York debut, then it is nothing more than a heavy facelift of the current model, which seems odd considering they will eventually build it on the same production line as an all-new Matrix.

03/15, 11:59 PM

posted by:

autonutt

Wait a minute.. looking at the rear-view mirror area of the front doors.. it IS a different set of windows and doors! So maybe the Vibe will be on the new Corolla chassis.. sweet! Now if only they’d bring back the hotter trim level and engine..

03/16, 12:39 AM

posted by:

Blakkarr

Okay there’s a Pontiac I want gone. I think it sold marginally more than the Toyota Matrix it was based on and that is like saying they sold a dozen and we sold thirteen.

Build one off the Saturn Vue. The new Redline is killer Pontiac would be even hotter.

But if not, no big loss. Just kill the Vibe.

03/16, 12:42 AM

posted by:

0GSharK6

I’ve gotten to drive a few Vibes/Matrix myself. If anything needs to be done, maybe add a little more support to the ride. Thing’s 300 pounds lighter than my shark but a good deal larger. It would be inaccurate for me to say it feels like driving an Express work van, but it’s somewhat the same deal going over bumps.. lots of noise with that.

And please, soften the gas pedal. I hate trying to drive a 6 speed Vibe GT or Matrix XRS when the slightest depression of the throttle jumps the car to 4000RPM!

03/16, 12:19 PM

posted by:

Mitch Bangowitz

I wonder if it will still have the non-telescoping steering wheel that’s too far away for drivers with long legs?

03/16, 1:36 PM

posted by:

drivingisfun

Hey GM, how about making Pontiac what it used to be…an enthusiasts brand. Cars like the vibe bring the wrong people (read: twentysomething women) into showrooms. The solstice was a great start, but they need to keep them coming…the next GTO will further this process. Then maybe we’ll see chevy just doing cars, gmc just trucks and suvs…maybe, just maybe, GM will realize that they’re retarded and none of their brands have a single marketing platform

03/16, 4:18 PM

posted by:

V-series

There’s not much to say when there’s that much camo.

03/18, 2:24 AM

posted by:

angelo

The Matrix/Vibe is one of the most practical cars on the market today. Affordable, spacious, LIGHTWEIGHT, and fuel efficient… all of this while offering a 1.8-liter 180-hp 6-speed manual combination for under $20k! Find me another vehicle that offers all of this in such a comfortable package. Sure, the Mazda3 is sportier, but it lacks the spaciousness aspects of the Matrix.

By the wey, in 98.5k miles, zero repairs have been needed for my Matrix. In weekend, I still have the Bimmer for top-down driving. However, you can’t beat the Matrix’s commuting capabilities.

03/19, 11:14 AM

posted by:

RLX02

deantj

apparently you forgot when the vette pumped out a massive 230hp from its 5.7 liter v8 back in the 80s. did you use a term of endearment for it back then? rofl. Let the man call his car what he wants to call it and take your flaming ignorance elsewhere.

 
 
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