2006 Pontiac Gto 6.0
It was in January 2010, the last time in history that a Pontiac car would roll off the assembly line.
The legendary division of General Motors left us several iconic cars with an enviable lineage in motorsport and that we will never forget such as the Firebird, the Grand Prix, the Catalina, the Trans Am, and of course the GTO. The latter considered the forerunner of the American muscle car and therefore a seminal name from the golden age of powerful eight-valve V8 engines.
The GTO 6.0 is hands down, one of the best V8s ever made, not only by Pontiac but in history. Offering a much-needed dose of modern American muscle, it was powerful but comfortable enough as a daily driver with a generously appointed trim level and decent quality materials.
Although the GTO's clean design and Euro-inspired tail lights, didn't entice buyers into Pontiac showrooms, it still made an impact on the saturated market of revived muscle cars.
Perhaps the fact the Pontiac bumped the power up to 400 horses and 400 pound-feet of torque, which many claimed was more than the suspension could handle, was a deal-breaker for some enthusiasts and didn't justify the price tag on this beast.
Unfortunately, the last incarnation of the original old-school American muscle car quietly disappeared from Pontiac dealerships in 2006 after only three model years, and without the possibility of having a successor.
The History Of The GTO
The launch of the first Pontiac GTO in 1964 marked the beginning of a real arms race between the different design departments of the American car manufacturers. The result was a market full of tremendously powerful models with affordable prices.
1966 Pontiac GTO Is One Of The Most Popular Muscle Cars in History
The power escalation was such that once the first major oil crisis hit in 1973, it took decades for the American carmakers to reach the power levels that were common in the muscle car segment in the late sixties and early seventies.
1968 Pontiac GTO
When we summarize the history of the Pontiac GTO and its name, this was not only the official precursor of the original muscle car, but it was also the first model to reach the market of the second golden era for this type of vehicle when the retro fever took over the market and the new versions of the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger arrived inheriting the lines of their predecessors.
Australian Muscle to the rescue
It was in 2004 when Pontiac once again became GM's performance wing by bringing back the GTO in collaboration with GM's Holden division in Australia. And just like the original version of the GTO, the 6.0 which was released in 2005 was ahead of its competitors, although this last generation did not enjoy the success of yesteryear.
2005 Holden Monaro CV8-Z, Manufactured In Elizabeth, South Australia
For many reasons, the new GTO failed to catch on with American customers, despite its attractive aesthetics and mechanical package. Honestly, the only real problem of this last iteration of the GTO that hadn't been renewed since 1974, was that since it was based on the Holden Monaro, it was manufactured with little change and exported to the U.S. This caused it to be priced considerably higher than its rivals on the market (a 300 hp Mustang was $ 5,000 cheaper).
Still, the 6.0 Pontiac GTO made zero to 60 in less than 5.5 seconds and the quarter-mile in under 14 seconds. This meant it would simply embarrass nearly any other car from its era.
A Pontiac Treatment Was Given To The Monaro To Sell It As The New GTO In The U.S.
The Holden Monaro CV8, which was what GM relied on to bring back the Pontiac GTO, was a 2+2 rear-wheel-drive coupe, that with slight styling revisions and a rear-end treatment, GM managed to make it look like a Pontiac even to the untrained eye.
What Is So Special About The Pontiac GTO 6.0L?
In terms of interior quality and functionality, the leather-trimmed front seats of the GTO are comfortable with an attractive and sporty overall design. The only downsides are typical of a coupe car: tight access to the rear seats, heavy doors, and a small trunk.
Under the hood, the GTO came standard with the successful LS1 Gen III V8 (1997-2006) gasoline engine from GM, also used in the Corvette from 97 to 04. The lightweight all-aluminum alloy construction contributes to the GTO's outstanding ride and handling characteristics. The LS1 was also widely used in pickup trucks for simplicity and durability.
The engine was coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission for effortlessly enjoyable motoring or for the true sportscar purist the 6-speed 256 manual transmission was a natural choice.
The Driving Experience
With cruise control standard on both automatic and manual, the driving experience of the 6.0 GTO is even more enjoyable on longer trips. All this get up and go certainly guarantees straight-line performance thanks to what was done by Holden in terms of handling.
Suspension
The GTO 6.0 featured a new control link independent rear suspension, which improved both straight line and turning precision and reduces oversteering. Other features included revised springs, new stabilizer bar diameters, and new shock absorber and strut damping configurations. And to ensure that the engine power and suspension capabilities were further maximized, the GTO was equipped standard with a limited-slip differential.
To add to the fun of the fully independent performance-tuned suspension, the GTO came with 18-inch wheels shod with low-profile tires.
Handling
This combination of improvements provides better dynamic vehicle balance and motion control, improved cornering, and improved inherited stability, which promotes a feeling of safety and as a result, it makes a more enjoyable driving experience.
To complement the suspension, the steering for the GTO was extensively revised. A unique steering gear was developed, which features a 30% slower rack ratio with a new control valve and calibration for improved steering precision, a more linear response, and improved directional stability.
Safety
The 6.0 GTO featured vented front disc brakes. This system is supported by the Bosch 5.3 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock braking system coupled with traction control. The traction control ensures smooth acceleration in slippery conditions and is especially beneficial on split surfaces.
Other safety features included multistage front airbags and an emergency mode that shuts down the vehicle's systems, unlocking the doors in the event of an airbag deployment.
The Last We'll See From The Original Muscle Car Heroes
With a striking yet kind of dated appearance and outstanding performance, the GTO 6.0 was the ultimate expression of Pontiac's leadership in the muscle car segment that we waited for since 1974. Sadly, it was the last celebration we will ever witness of this iconic brand's heritage.
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Eduardo Zepeda (38 Articles Published)
Eduardo Zepeda is a car aficionado, writer, gasoline mechanic, and motorhome enthusiast based in León, México. He has lived in different parts of México, the United States, and Canada, and loves to travel in his house on wheels with his wife and dogs. He's been working as a copywriter and content strategist for the last 7 years, publishing content about manufacturing industries like automotive, aerospace, and general industrial.
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Source: https://www.hotcars.com/heres-what-made-the-pontiac-gto-6-0l-special/
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