GM Slashes Prices of Remaining Pontiacs and Saturns by up to 46%

If you ever wanted to buy a Pontiac or a Saturn and you don't mind that both brands will soon pass into the books of history, now's the time as General Motors is offering dealers huge incentives to move a few thousand leftover vehicles from the two discontinued marques, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

According to the paper, the Detroit automaker sent a letter to dealers on December 23 stating that it would pay them around $7,000 for every new Pontiac or Saturn on their lot that is moved to their rental-vehicle or service-vehicle fleets.

With this move, the leftover vehicles will be classified as used (even though they're new, the dealers will technically be the vehicles' first owner) thus allowing dealers to sell them at a huge discount which is said to be as much as 46% off the sticker price.

The daily newspaper said that the offer will expire on January 4 which is the last day of the December car-sales month with GM booking the sales to dealers as fleet deliveries.

Saturn's leftover portfolio includes the Vue compact crossover, Sky Roadster, Aura Sedan, Astra compact hatch and Outlook crossover, while Pontiac's range comprises of the Solstice Roadster and Coupe, G6 Sedan, Coupe and Convertible, and the G8 sports sedan.

However, you'll have to check with your local dealer to see which models are available. And if you do, don't hesitate to leave us a comment here telling us what kind of an offer they made you.

Via: WSJ (Sub. Required)

Pontiac Gallery

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Saturn Gallery

Video: Electric-Powered Saturn Sky Roadster

An Ohio-based company called Advanced Mechanical Products or AMP for short is developing an all-electric version of Saturn’s Sky roadster equipped with twin brushless DC motors (one for each back wheel) that are powered by lithium phosphate batteries. According to AMP, the Sky EV should be able to go from 0 to 60mph (96 km/h) in about 5.7 seconds and on a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h).

The company has already started accepting pre-orders for the first 300 vehicles but before you head over to AMP, learn that the conversion costs $25,000, and that of course, does not include the price of the Sky. See the video of the prototype model running up and down a street after the jump. -Continued

Via: Autoblogreen , Link: AMP

Konigseder Opel GT 300 PS

On the other side of the Atlantic, the Saturn Sky goes by the name Opel GT. Same car, different badges. So now that we’ve got that clear, let’s see what the tuning firm Konigseder has readied for the GT starting of with the engine. The Austrian tuner announces that the 2.0-liter turbocharged unit has been enhanced to deliver 300 PS (standard car: 264 PS), and no they didn’t say how they did it in the press release. A KW coilover suspension along with custom made Brembo brake system, complete the mechanical upgrades. -Continued

Konigseder has dressed the GT with a front spoiler, a rear wing, chrome detailing and fire stripes on the side of the car –we could have done without that. The GT sits on the shiny, 20-inch “Las Vegas” alloy wheels combined with Yokohama tires. Finally, Konigseder has added a set of… hand made wooden floor mats.

Opel GT by Steinmetz To Debut In Essen

Just a couple of days before the ESSEN Motor Show in Germany opens its doors to the media (Friday, Nov. 30), Opel specialist, Steinmetz announced that it will reveal a new sports pack for the European version of the Saturn Sky, the GT. Steinmetz’s subtle bodykit consists of a new honeycomb style grille and a two-piece front spoiler with outlined air intakes next to the foglamps. -Continued

In the rear, the only change is the new quad exhaust pipes with the round outlets. The revised GT sits on new 20’’ alloy wheels finished in matte anthracite but buyers can also opt for 18 or 19-inch rims. Finally, the German tuner also offers a lowering kit which brings the GT 20 mm closer to the ground.

Seoul Show: Daewoo G2X aka Saturn Sky or Opel GT

Along with the Holden Statesman derived LX4, GM Daewoo also made the public debut of the road-going version of the G2X roadster which is the third interpretation (or fourth if you include the Pontiac Solstice) of the Saturn Sky rear-wheel drive roadster. Like its European counterpart the G2X gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivering 260Hp that shoots it up to 100 km/h (62mph) from standstill in 5,5 sec and to a top speed of about 227 km/h (141mph). Full press release and a high-res image gallery after the jump (Click “Read More…” below)

Press Release: Daewoo G2X - An Exhilarating Roadster for Korea

The premiere of the unique G2X roadster a few months ahead of its domestic sales, which start in late summer, is a true highlight of this year’s Seoul Motor Show.

Its longitudinally front-installed 2.0-liter 260-hp engine with turbocharger and gasoline direct injection accelerates the roadster to 100 km/h from a standing start in just 5.5 seconds, and to a top speed of about 227 km/h.

“The G2X is a classic roadster with abundant power and breathtaking acceleration. Hence, it will offer true sports car performance and an exhilarating driving experience,” said Grimaldi. “To further strengthen the GM Daewoo brand, we will offer Korean consumers something no other Korean manufacturer has in its showroom.”

The G2X brings with it a lot of personality thanks to its exciting shape, which contrasts sharp edges with curved surfaces to create a dynamic look. With a wide stance, sleek silhouette, long front-hinged hood and short overhangs, the proportions are typical of its class.

High-tech features such as gasoline direct injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger with intercooler, double camshaft phasing and twin counter-rotating balance shafts provide the basis for the 1,998-cm 3 four-cylinder engine’s impressive performance data. Maximum output of 194 kW/260 hp at 5,300 rpm and high torque plateau of 353 Nm (35.9 kh.m) between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm ensure plenty of power in all situations.

For the G2X, engineers designed a classic sporty configuration based on a rigid chassis, wide track (front/rear: 1,543/1,561 mm) and long wheelbase of 2,415 mm. All four wheels are suspended from twin A-arms made from forged aluminum, the center of gravity is low, and the weight distribution of 51:49 percent (front/rear) is well balanced.

An automatic five-speed transmission with limited slip differential efficiently provides propulsion power to the rear wheels. A torque beam between the transmission and rear axle suppresses reactions to acceleration/deceleration effects. All wheels are fitted with large disk brakes, while ABS and ESP (which, like Traction Control, can be switched off) monitor safety.

G2X Specifications

Specification

Length (mm) 4,091

Width (mm) 1,813

Height (mm) 1,273

Wheelbase (mm) 2,415

Track (mm) Front 1,543

Rear 1,560

Engine Type Four-cylinder High-tech Turbo Direct Injection

Displacement (cc) 1,998

Max. Power (hp) 260

Max. Torque (kg.m) 35.9

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