General Motors is recalling 10,119 units of the Pontiac Vibe due to cold weather-related brake problems. The vehicles subject to the recall are all fitted with the 1.8-liter four-cylinder powerplant, and were sold or are currently registered in one of about two dozen snow belt states.

According to the recall campaign, very low ambient temperatures may cause brake vacuum components to freeze. The vehicles will still brake, but stopping distances will be increased, possibly leading to a crash. Dealers have been instructed to modify the brake vacuum line free of charge to correct the problem. While the recall specifically names vehicles originally sold or registered in certain states, the repair campaign will also be applied to vehicles sold in all other states.

For more information, Vibe owners may contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, visit GM’s Owner Center, or call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236. Full press release after the jump.
[Source: NHTSA]

Make: PONTIAC
Model: VIBE
Model Year: 2009

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Mfr’s Report Date: AUG 27, 2009

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V392000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 10119

Summary:

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L ENGINE AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WHEN DRIVING UNDER CERTAIN UNIQUE CONDITIONS IN EXTREMELY LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SUCTION PORT FOR THE BRAKE VACUUM CAN BECOME LOCKED DUE TO THE FREEZING OF CONDENSATION RESULTING FROM POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION.

Consequence:

THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE BRAKE VACUUM LINE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Notes:

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

[Source:Autoblog]

General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand’s recent passing isn’t stopping a posthumous recall campaign by the automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The action, which covers some 35,038 Pontiac G8 sedans from the 2008 and 2009 model years, stems from two potential issues:

1) The brake pedal position switch may be incorrectly programmed, which NHTSA says could lead to the brake lamps operating in a constant state of illumination, leaving trailing motorists unable to tell whether the G8 driver ahead of them is stepping on the binders or not. The defective taillamps could therefore contribute to an accident.

2) In another programming issue, certain G8s make have tire pressure monitoring systems loaded with incorrect values, which could result in the system failing to identify under-inflated tires, potentially leading to reduced handling abilities and/or tire failure.

According to NHTSA, Pontiac dealers will reprogram the brake position sensor and the remote control door lock receiver to remedy both issues. G8 drivers can expect the recall to begin by June 5, and anxious owners can call GM at 1-800-620-7668 to learn more. Thanks for the tip, Peter!

Live photos copyright ©2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: NHTSA]

PRESS RELEASE:

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
PONTIAC / G8 2008-2009

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Mfr’s Report Date: MAY 20, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V172000 N/A

NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

Potential Number of Units Affected: 35038

Summary:

GM IS RECALLING 35,038 MY 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, “LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT” AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, “TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS”. THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY BE CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED AND FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING. ALSO CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE INCORRECT VALUES PROGRAMMED INTO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE TELLTALE UNTIL TIRE PRESSURE FALLS BELOW VALUES REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence:

INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE BRAKE POSITION SENSOR AND THE REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK RECEIVER WITH THE CORRECT VALUES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JUNE 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Notes:

GM RECALL NO. 09101 & 09046. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

[Source:Autoblog]

Pluto, the Roman god of Hades, is currently on a tour of the General Motors product garage and he’s taking a few cars with him from the land of the living. After sending the Impala SS and the Cobalt SS to the underworld, he has just added to his collection the Cadillac STS-V and Pontiac G6 GXP – neither car will live to see next year. Truth be told, these cancellations are coming straight from the automaker’s 2010 Online Order / Reference Guide for dealers, and we’re only finding out about them as people dig deeper and deeper into the document.

GM banishing the STS-V makes sense, since it was underpowered and overpriced compared to the CTS-V, and your typical STS owner probably wasn’t looking to get to his doctor’s appointment faster than the speed of light. The G6 GXP, meanwhile, is not only hideously ugly in both two- and four-door versions, but a 252-hp coupe costing $26,595 is not a great value proposition these days. Heck, that’s $3,500 more than the new V6 Camaro! While we mourn their loss of life and horsepower, we doubt many will miss the cars themselves, and we wish them well on their appointments with the boatman at the river Styx.

[Source:Autoblog]

It seems that no amount of controversy will prevent SLP (Street Legal Performance) from launching its latest Firehawk, this time based on the Pontiac G8 GT. Prior to this model, all previous Firehawk packages were fitted to the Firebird, a fact that has a number of SLP purists rather upset. Before we get to the specifications, perhaps we should remind Firebird fans that it could be worse: At least they didn’t choose to revive the Firehawk name on a version of the new Camaro, right?

As for the car, it sounds like a pretty nice package. To the stock V8 engine, SLP adds a supercharger that’s similar to the one featured on the jaw-dropping Corvette ZR1, a stainless exhaust system and a cold air induction system. All that’s good for an impressive 500 horsepower. Other mods include new 19-inch alloys painted up in gun metal gray and a sport suspension package. The car’s most striking design element will surely be the flat black-painted hood, grille surrounds and rear spoiler – an obvious nod to the factory gaudiness of muscle cars from the late ’60s and early ’70s.

Aside from the Firehawk name, the biggest issue that’s likely to inhibit future SLP G8 ownership is surely the price. To the stocker’s $32,440 base price, the SLP package adds a substantial $18,995, plus an extra $4,995 for an upgraded brake kit. For that kind of money, buyers could very nearly opt for a Cadillac CTS-V and be rewarded with its amazing supercharged 6.2L V8 engine and 556 horsepower. Still want one? Check back with your favorite local Pontiac dealer on April 1st. No foolin’.

PRESS RELEASE:

Toms River, NJ - Firehawk, arguably one of the most legendary names in the history of Pontiac Muscle Cars is again united with a vehicle worthy of that unique badge: the 2009 G8-GT based Firehawk. Produced and available at SLP Performance Parts, Inc. (SLP), and select Pontiac dealerships nationwide, Firehawk offers the all-around powertrain performance, superior handling and braking, with headturning styling and value, true to its distinctive nameplate.

Following in the footsteps of SLP’s famed Firebird Firehawk is a daunting challenge. But one test drive will convince skeptics that the 2009 Supercharged Firehawk has recaptured and refined the special magic of the first generation Firehawk.

Available only on the 2009 G8 GT in any factory color, the Supercharged Firehawk’s performance and curb appeal are enhanced by a positive displacement supercharger, using the same technology as the supercharger GM supplies on the new ZR-1 Corvette, and highlighted by an aggressively styled flat-black painted hood treatment, reminiscent of early Muscle Cars.

To compliment Firehawk’s front-end appearance, the rear deck lid spoiler benefits from subtle but effective styling revisions, including a flat black paint finish. Helping transfer Firehawk’s power-to-thepavement are Bridestone’s P245/40R19 Potenza RE050A Pole Position tires* and the lightweight Firehawk 19″x8″ 5-spoke alloy wheels.

*Note: These tires are required for the Firehawk alteration and are included with Pontiac’s RPO Code PDX – Sport Package.

Throughout Firehawk’s development process, our objective was to engineer the very highest quality performance, handling and braking improvements that would provide the performance enthusiast with a well-balanced package. Not only will Firehawk outperform its competition, it’s built to ensure long-term customer satisfaction.

Depending on the driver, road surface conditions and outside air temperature, the Supercharged Firehawk will generate 0-60 mph times of 4.3 seconds and 1/4 mile times of 12.6 seconds @ 115 mph, based on preliminary testing.

Every Firehawk begins life as a Pontiac G8 GT. When Firehawk production begins on April 1, 2009, G8 GTs are shipped to SLP’s Toms River, NJ facility where they will be converted into Supercharged Firehawks, dyno-tested, and available for pick up or delivery.

Firehawk Standard Content Includes:

• SLP TVS 1900 500 HP Series Supercharger Package
• SLP PowerFlo® Stainless Steel Exhaust System
• SLP Blackwing® Cold Air Induction System
• SLP Sport Suspension Package
• Flat Black Painted Hood and Grille Surrounds
• Painted Lower Fascia Grille Inserts (Body Color)
• SLP Rear Spoiler Painted Flat Black
• Firehawk 19″ 5-spoke, Gun Metal Painted Alloy Wheels w/Machined Spoke Face and Firehawk Logo Center Caps
• Firehawk Badges
• Firehawk Car Cover
• Firehawk Leather (faux) Portfolio
• Firehawk Birth Certificate
• Firehawk Numbered Dash Plaque and Key Fobs (2)
• Firehawk Floor Mats
• Firehawk Embroidered Headrests

Optional Firehawk Content:

• Competition Brake Package

For more information on how to order a Firehawk, contact SLP at (810) 724-8703 or email info@slp-firehawk.com

[Source:Autoblog]

The Pontiac G8 has received mainly positive reviews since it first hit roads here in the U.S. last year. Unfortunately, what it hasn’t gotten a lot of is actual sales. The usual combination of high gas prices in the first half of 2008 and the financial crisis in the second half has hit the G8 particularly hard. It looks like Pontiac will give the G8 almost the same treatment as it gave the Saturn Astra. While Saturn chose to skip the entire 2009 model year because of the high number of left-over ‘08 Astras they still had on hand, the 2009 G8 is at least being built, but barely.

According to an insider at the GM Source, it now appears that Feb-June 2009 production volumes of the G8 are being cut from a planned 10,000 units to under 1,000. That’s a 97% reduction versus projection, and July-October volumes are evidently also being cut by 79% from earlier production schedules. As much as the hardcore among us may have cheered Maximum Bob Lutz’s plan to transform Pontiac into a rear-drive performance brand, it looks like the marketplace just isn’t interested. Perhaps if GM had the spare cash to market the brand properly, it could be viable. In all likelihood, the G8’s days are numbered just like the GTO before it, and possibly the Pontiac brand as well. Thanks for the tip, Josh!

[Source:Autoblog]

Anyone that’s ever driven a Ford Crown Victoria in four inches of snow will tell you that the generations-old police interceptor doesn’t exactly grip when sitting atop the white stuff. That can leave police just as stranded as the motorists they’re out to need help. Coast Pontiac GMC in Portsmouth, New Hampshire provides the solution to the local fuzz’s problem by loaning out SUVs during big storms. The generous dealer has been providing this public service for over 18 years, and we’re not talking used junkers with 4WD. Everything from an AWD Buick Enclave to a Cadillac Escalade have been loaned during snow storms. The officer driving the loaded ‘Sclade reportedly didn’t want to give the plush ride back. We get that feeling all the time.

What does Coast Pontiac GMC get for its generosity? A public relations victory for sure, but every storm also works as a rolling advertisement for Coast Pontiac GMC’s SUVs and crossovers. Who knows, dealership management may get out of a ticket or two as well.

[Source:Autoblog]

Remember when the Pontiac G8 ST had just been announced for production and General Motors had not yet chosen a name for its new not-a-camino? A contest was held, a winner was chosen and the Poncho sport truck got the ST suffix officially added to its base G8-derived name. Joseph Warren, the winner of the naming contest, was granted a G8 ST as his prize for picking the right (and seemingly rather obvious) name, but since that particular piece of sport-truckery has now officially been scrapped, he had to pick something else. His choice? A fresh new Pontiac Torrent GXP. Really, we’re not making that up. His only direction was that it had to be priced equal to or less than what the ST would have sold for. He could be parking a desirable G8 GT in his driveway, but perhaps the Torrent’s CUV bodystyle is a better fit for Mr. Warren’s life. Your mileage may vary.

[Source:Autoblog]

Hold on to your Budweiser coozies: Details are scarce at the moment, but Pickuptruck.com is reporting that Pontiac has quietly euthanized plans to introduce the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST. The muscular G8-based trucklet was to signal the re-emergence of the unibody pickup in North America, a genre once populated with vehicles like the Chevrolet El Camino and Ford Ranchero, along with smaller front-drive moppets like the Volkswagen Rabbit pickup and Dodge Rampage.

The Austrailian-built rear-drive G8 ST was to arrive with V8 power, a 74-inch cargo hold, and a 3500-pound towing capacity, making it less capable than full-size body-on-frame pickups like General Motors’ own Silverado/GMC Sierra twins, with the predicted trade-off of markedly better handling and fuel economy.

The ST was to launch as a 2010 model later this year, and prices were rumored to start in the low $30k range. Although we are unsurprised to learn of the truck’s cancellation (as GM is actively slimming down its portfolio and the baby muscle pickup was expected to serve as a small-volume niche model), we can’t help but get a little misty-eyed at the loss of what promised to be a truly epic donut-making machine. G8 ST, we hardly knew ye…

[Source:Autoblog]

It’s been a bad month for Pontiac fans. While begging for money from Congress, GM mentioned its intentions to sacrifice the brand to aid the General’s recovery and get a few billion from the feds in the process. Now comes word that GM may keep the brand around, but cut its lineup in half… or more.

Automotive News spoke with Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, who said that Pontiac’s Aveo-based 2010 G3 will sticker for $15,000, but says it’s a short-term product for the brand. Unfortunately, Docherty also hints the G8 Sport Truck’s lifespan could be even shorter. “We would be foolish if we didn’t take a second look at whether or not that is the right thing to do.”

In a separate AN article, Docherty goes even further and suggests Pontiac’s lineup could be pared down from six vehicles to a single nameplate. According to Docherty, “We are not going to spend tons of money on product development” for Pontiac and that the Pontiac Torrent will be dropped for 2009.

So what will Pontiac be selling? According to Docherty, the G8 is the most likely candidate for GM’s performance brand, and that the ideal future for Pontiac would be “very focused, very specialty or niche.”

[Source:Autoblog]

The Pontiac Trans Am has always been a bit over-styled, to put it mildly. As the ultimate expression of the Firebird, the TA was always adorned with all manner of scoops, wings and bulges, setting it off from more mundane versions of Pontiac’s pony-fighter. In the late ’90s, the last-gen F Body got its final restyling before heading to the great automotive graveyard in the sky, and its overwrought design left very little room for external customization. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, though, and Automotive Services in Sterling Heights, Michigan managed to add some extra pizazz to the car’s swoopy shape with a Kammback rear hatch. A Trans Am Wagon? Sign us up! All it’s missing is a huge Screaming Chicken on the hood.

The one-off machine, known as the Hurst Hauler, has made it to auction on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $35K. Originally introduced for the Y2K SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the car went on to star in the 2001 Hot Rod Power Tour driven by the guys at Year One. Based on a 2000 WS6-equipped TA, the ram air-fed 5.7L LS1 small block has seen some extra tuning in the form of a Corsa exhaust, custom-ground Erson camshaft, Accel fuel injectors and custom ECU tuning from TTS Power Systems. The result is about 370 horses according to The General’s official press release from back in the day, which we’ve gone ahead and pasted after the break. Be sure to check out our gallery of pics, including the car posing with Miss Hurst herself, Linda Vaughn. Thanks for the tip, Ron!

PRESS RELEASE:

THE HURST HAULER FIREBIRD (HAVE SPACE, WILL TRAVEL - QUICKLY!)

DETROIT - Hatchbacks have always been a boon to those persons who want the looks of a sport coupe but choose not to forgo cargo capability. In its past two generations, the Firebird body was modified and sculpted into a station wagon platform for concept vehicles. Now, with the Hurst Hauler, that Kammback roofline makes an appearance on the fourth generation Firebird.

Automotive Services, Inc., in Sterling Heights, Michigan, was the progenitor of the idea and performed the initial design tasks. Working with Custom Design Ltd., in Trevor, Wisconsin, the Kammback rear hatch and halo band were constructed. The attention grabbing Standox candy apple red hue, with orange tinting, was a custom mix.

Of course, the chassis components received their share of attention as well. Mr. Gasket/Eibach springs hunker the Hurst Hauler lower to the ground. Lakewood rear control arms and panhard bar keep things on the straight and level. The Hurst shifter is specially prepared with an integrated Line-Loc switch. Baer Racing brakes stand aft of 18″ x 10″ American Racing Torque Thrust II rims wrapped with B.F. Goodrich g-Force P295/35ZR18 rubber.

When Westech Automotive, Silver Lake, Wisconsin, toiled with extracting more oomph from the LS1 engine, they began with a balancing and blueprinting of the entire assembly. Valve springs and a custom-grind camshaft from Erson Cams work around the CNC’d cylinder heads. Accel fuel injectors, air filter, spark plugs and wires bring up the externals. Expelling the spent gasses is a Corsa Performance exhaust. When all this was completed, TTS Power Systems burned a special calibration module to make sure all the modifications worked together in a friendly fashion. And they certainly did, with the results being 370 horsepower.

The Hurst Hauler will also be a support vehicle for the 2001 Hot Rod Power Tour and piloted by the folks from Year One - The Next Generation. If enough interest is garnered from its exposure, the conversion components may become available through aftermarket venues for the 1993-2001 Firebirds.

Firebird Hurst Hauler

POWERTRAIN

* 5.7L LS1 V8 producing 370 horsepower
* 4-speed automatic transmission with Hurst shifter and integrated Line-Loc
* Corsa Performance exhaust
* Valve springs and a custom-grind camshaft from Erson Cam
* Accel fuel injectors, air filter, spark plugs and wires
* TTS Power Systems calibration module

CHASSIS

* Baer Racing Brakes
* Mr. Gasket/Eibach springs
* Lakewood rear control arms and panhard bar
* 18″ x 10″ American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels
* B.F. Goodrich g-Force 295/35ZR18 tires

EXTERIOR

* Specially built rear Kammback hatch and halo bar
* Custom -mixed Standox candy apple red paint

[Source:Autoblog]