Here is some info on the 2009 GTO from Autosource if any one interested:
2009 MY - Zeta-Based GTO Replacement Revived For North America
In a reversal of thought, General Motors has decided that the GTO will return to the North American market based upon the new Zeta RWD platform. Previously, it looked as if the GTO was to be canceled along with a series of new rear-drive products for North America that were to be derived from the new, low-cost global RWD platform dubbed Zeta. However, it now appears that the cancellation of Zeta was complete for North America with the exception of the next-gen GTO, which has been revived in GM's cycle plan for a 2009 MY launch. While earlier plans called for the new Zeta-based GTO to be produced in North America (alongside new rear-drive models for Buick, Chevy and Pontiac), it will continue to be imported from Holden in Australia.
Part of GM’s decision to cancel Zeta for North America was to shift resources from the Zeta program to its upcoming GMT900 full-size pickup and SUV programs which were pulled ahead by six months to combat increasing competition, and GM’s need to improve financial results. The decision was also made due to concerns that the cars could not be competitive from a quality and price level with new rear-drive products, such as the Ford Mustang and DCX LX platform vehicles. North American Zeta production was expected to emanate from GM's Hamtramck, MI assembly plant.
The reason for developing the GTO as the only North American Zeta-based vehicle instead of canceling it altogether stems from GM’s newly formulated brand strategy for Buick, Pontiac and GMC. GM’s new overall strategy for the Buick, Pontiac, and GMC brand’s requires the three to work together through a single retail sales channel and to work together as a unified product portfolio. In that portfolio each of the three brands must maintain a strong focus around only 5 or 6 products, with Pontiac’s product line-up focus being on sport oriented driving enthusiasts. By canceling the GTO, Pontiac would have been left with the Solstice as its only RWD sports car. Pontiac needs the GTO to help bring the brand back toward the sport oriented direction that it must move toward in the future. The GTO is also the only vehicle that Pontiac could see as a viable competitor to the Mustang and DCX’s upcoming Dodge Challenger.
The Zeta platform, which Holden, GM's Australian subsidiary, has been assigned the lead role in the engineering/development for, utilizes a mix of Holden (VT through VY) and Sigma platform components, and is considerably lower in cost than the premium Sigma platform. In Australia, the Zeta platform is expected to form the basis for three locally-produced models - Commodore, Monaro, and Statesman. Zeta will also provide the basis for Europe's Opel/Vauxhall Signum flagship sedan, and next-gen Saab 9-5.
Zeta (also referred to as "Sigma Mass") volumes were originally planned at 400,000 units annually, half of which was intended for North America. NA volumes were expected to increase later in the decade as the 2009 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 2011 Chevrolet Impala, and other new models joined the mix. Zeta can be formatted in rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, with V6 and V8 drivetrains, and in a variety of wheelbases.
The GTO, which currently rides on the Holden V-class chassis, was originally scheduled to be replaced on the new Zeta platform for the 2008 MY under a program designated GMX282. However, it now appears that with Holden stopping production of the Monaro for their domestic markets early in 2006 to focus on the next Commodore, there will eventually be a gap in the life of the GTO. Holden will continue to produce the current GTO for North America with little, to no, change through the 2007 MY, but the new GTO is not expected until late 2nd quarter 2008 as a 2009 model.
The new Zeta-based GTO is expected to have more expressive styling and be more of a stand-out vehicle than the current model. Both Holden in Australia, and Pontiac in North America, are looking for a vehicle that is much more of a performance coupe, so expect the next version to be lower, wider and more aggressive than the current V-Series car. The GTO is expected to take some styling cues from the Solstice as it attempts to further develop the new face of Pontiac and tries to distance itself somewhat from the bland styling reputation of the current GTO. Power for the next GTO is expected to be provided by a new 400HP 6.2L GEN IV DoD V8 (L92), but in an effort to help meet fuel economy requirements, and in an effort to help lower the entry price point, a 6-cylinder version is also expected to be offered. The 3.9 Liter “High Value” V6 that will enter Pontiac’s G6 GXP in the 2007 MY, and was planned to be offered in the Zeta-based Grand Prix replacement (G8), is being strongly considered for the GTO and likely will be added a year after launch. The 3.9 Liter will offer 275HP, 3-valve cylinder heads and Displacement on Demand. Both engines are to be backed by a 6-speed manual transmission, and a six-speed semi-automatic transmission.
2009 MY - Zeta-Based GTO Replacement Revived For North America
In a reversal of thought, General Motors has decided that the GTO will return to the North American market based upon the new Zeta RWD platform. Previously, it looked as if the GTO was to be canceled along with a series of new rear-drive products for North America that were to be derived from the new, low-cost global RWD platform dubbed Zeta. However, it now appears that the cancellation of Zeta was complete for North America with the exception of the next-gen GTO, which has been revived in GM's cycle plan for a 2009 MY launch. While earlier plans called for the new Zeta-based GTO to be produced in North America (alongside new rear-drive models for Buick, Chevy and Pontiac), it will continue to be imported from Holden in Australia.
Part of GM’s decision to cancel Zeta for North America was to shift resources from the Zeta program to its upcoming GMT900 full-size pickup and SUV programs which were pulled ahead by six months to combat increasing competition, and GM’s need to improve financial results. The decision was also made due to concerns that the cars could not be competitive from a quality and price level with new rear-drive products, such as the Ford Mustang and DCX LX platform vehicles. North American Zeta production was expected to emanate from GM's Hamtramck, MI assembly plant.
The reason for developing the GTO as the only North American Zeta-based vehicle instead of canceling it altogether stems from GM’s newly formulated brand strategy for Buick, Pontiac and GMC. GM’s new overall strategy for the Buick, Pontiac, and GMC brand’s requires the three to work together through a single retail sales channel and to work together as a unified product portfolio. In that portfolio each of the three brands must maintain a strong focus around only 5 or 6 products, with Pontiac’s product line-up focus being on sport oriented driving enthusiasts. By canceling the GTO, Pontiac would have been left with the Solstice as its only RWD sports car. Pontiac needs the GTO to help bring the brand back toward the sport oriented direction that it must move toward in the future. The GTO is also the only vehicle that Pontiac could see as a viable competitor to the Mustang and DCX’s upcoming Dodge Challenger.
The Zeta platform, which Holden, GM's Australian subsidiary, has been assigned the lead role in the engineering/development for, utilizes a mix of Holden (VT through VY) and Sigma platform components, and is considerably lower in cost than the premium Sigma platform. In Australia, the Zeta platform is expected to form the basis for three locally-produced models - Commodore, Monaro, and Statesman. Zeta will also provide the basis for Europe's Opel/Vauxhall Signum flagship sedan, and next-gen Saab 9-5.
Zeta (also referred to as "Sigma Mass") volumes were originally planned at 400,000 units annually, half of which was intended for North America. NA volumes were expected to increase later in the decade as the 2009 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 2011 Chevrolet Impala, and other new models joined the mix. Zeta can be formatted in rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, with V6 and V8 drivetrains, and in a variety of wheelbases.
The GTO, which currently rides on the Holden V-class chassis, was originally scheduled to be replaced on the new Zeta platform for the 2008 MY under a program designated GMX282. However, it now appears that with Holden stopping production of the Monaro for their domestic markets early in 2006 to focus on the next Commodore, there will eventually be a gap in the life of the GTO. Holden will continue to produce the current GTO for North America with little, to no, change through the 2007 MY, but the new GTO is not expected until late 2nd quarter 2008 as a 2009 model.
The new Zeta-based GTO is expected to have more expressive styling and be more of a stand-out vehicle than the current model. Both Holden in Australia, and Pontiac in North America, are looking for a vehicle that is much more of a performance coupe, so expect the next version to be lower, wider and more aggressive than the current V-Series car. The GTO is expected to take some styling cues from the Solstice as it attempts to further develop the new face of Pontiac and tries to distance itself somewhat from the bland styling reputation of the current GTO. Power for the next GTO is expected to be provided by a new 400HP 6.2L GEN IV DoD V8 (L92), but in an effort to help meet fuel economy requirements, and in an effort to help lower the entry price point, a 6-cylinder version is also expected to be offered. The 3.9 Liter “High Value” V6 that will enter Pontiac’s G6 GXP in the 2007 MY, and was planned to be offered in the Zeta-based Grand Prix replacement (G8), is being strongly considered for the GTO and likely will be added a year after launch. The 3.9 Liter will offer 275HP, 3-valve cylinder heads and Displacement on Demand. Both engines are to be backed by a 6-speed manual transmission, and a six-speed semi-automatic transmission.
