World Auto News & Reviews

Has Pontiac finally found the right Vibes? Yes, that’s plural, as the General Motors division is launching three different versions of its new-for-’09 Vibe crossover.
The first complete remake since Pontiac’s small crossover first went on sale in February 2002 – as an ’03 model – the new design is sleeker, sportier, and in tune with the rapidly evolving crossover market.
Each interpretation targets a distinctly different niche. The base model is affordable – or so we’re told, though final pricing won’t be released for another month. The all-wheel-drive model is targeted for us Midwesterners and other Snowbelt drivers worried about those bleak winter mornings. And the GT is targeted at those who want the flexibility and style of a crossover, but just a bit more fun to drive.
Set for sale in February of 2008, the new cars have gone through some marked visual changes, noted Bryan Nesbitt, General Motors’ Vice President of North American Design. “They’re more relevant and refined,” he suggested. They’re certainly a lot less SUV-like than the original ’03.
The more aggressive stance reflects the fact that the 2009 Vibe sits an inch lower than the model it replaces. Though old and new versions share the same wheelbase, the new car is also an inch shorter, nose-to-tail, and it boasts a modestly wider track.
The look is clean and, yes, refined, and it helps that body gaps are tighter and the overall level of fit-and-finish has been improved.
Inside, the 2009 Vibe is pleasantly well-executed, with deep-seated sport gauges and metallic finishes giving the cockpit a more upscale look and feel than you might have expected. There’s plenty of storage, from the eight cupholders to the two large storage areas in the center console. There’s plenty of room for cargo, especially if you fold down the rear seats, and front passenger seat. In back, you’ll find a fold-up luggage bin with space for milk cartons, grocery bag hooks, and more.
One surprise-and-delight feature held over from the original Vibe: the three-prong, 115-volt AC plug in the center console, perfect for plugging in laptop computers and other electronic toys. Speaking of toys, the standard sound system can be upgraded – as we were told five times during our background briefing – to a 320-watt Monsoon audio package with seven speakers and subwoofer. Both packages provide standard XM Satellite radio, and an audio input jack for your MP3 player. OnStar is standard, and you can now order the turn-by-turn navigation package.
It’s important to note that the Vibe is the product of a long-running joint venture between GM and its sometimes ally, sometimes foe, Toyota, and built at a plant they operate near San Francisco . So, virtually all key components come from the Toyota parts bin. Nonetheless, insisted engineer Bob Reuter, GM “defined (its own) performance requirements,” such as steering feel and handling.
Among the parts shared are the two engine offerings in the Vibe (and Toyota Matrix). The base engine is a 1.8-liter in-line four making 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. It’s available with either a five-speed stick or four-speed automatic. And at a time when fuel prices are again setting records, this engine boasts 26 mpg city, 32 highway, when paired with the manual.
Alternatively, the 2.4-liter powertrain, with its Variable Valve Timing, bumps the numbers up to 158 hp and 162 lb-ft. It’s available with either a five-speed manual or five-speed auto, with manual mode shifting. In the GT, you’ll turn 0–60 times of 8.4 seconds, GM claims.
These offerings are notable for several reasons: first, they offer a good bit more power than before. And they’re available in several new combinations. The GT comes with both stick and automatic, for the first time.
Meanwhile, the 2.4-liter powertrain shows up in the AWD model, for one thing, and that’s something to be thankful for, considering the original version’s desperate shortage of oomph. The all-wheel-drive system, by the way, is a new, electronically-controlled viscous coupling, quicker and smarter at shifting torque where it’s needed. You’ll get a maximum of 60 percent driving the rear wheels, though the package is normally biased to the front tires for better fuel economy.
The all-wheel model, with four-speed auto, gets 20 mpg city, 26 highway. The GT, with five-speed manual, delivers 21/28 mpg.
As for safety, the Vibe has a package we’d like to see on more expensive products, including anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control. There are six airbags, as well, and active headrests, designed to reduce neck injuries.
But if GM builds it, will they come? After an initial burst, the original Vibe saw sales slump behind those of the Matrix. Not surprising, considering Toyota ’s strong reputation for quality, reliability, and dependability – QRD, in industry slang. But with Toyota ’s recent slump in both quality and customer satisfaction numbers, Pontiac may get a bit of an opening – at least GM officials are hoping so.
That’s why pricing is such a critical game. You can be sure Pontiac planners will be sweating over the numbers before they set them in stone, next month.