The Pontiac G6 is fun to drive and quite pleasant for cruising around. We found the sedan and coupe reasonably quiet around town. A few powertrain and road noises slipped in here and there, and there was some wind noise from the sharp-cornered mirror bodies. The ride is comfortable and smooth and the car tracks well. The electric power steering is nicely weighted in terms effort at the steering wheel rim, but a little vague in fast transitions.The 3.5-liter V6 is quiet and smooth, with a 0-60 mph time that's just enough to keep you out of trouble, but not enough to make your heart beat faster. The more powerful GTP delivers more sprightly performance. The GM EcoTec 2.4-liter is from the same double overhead-cam engine family used in the Saab 9-3, Opel Vectra, and Chevrolet Malibu. The four-cylinder engine is restricted to the base model, and the big HO V6 is available only on the GTP models. The 3.5-liter V6 produces 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The 3.9-liter engine that comes in the GTP is rated at 240 horsepower, 240 pound-feet of torque (227 hp and 235 lb-ft in the convertible). The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is rated 167 horsepower, 162 pound-feet of torque. While the G6's V6 engines are updated significantly, they are overhead-valve engines (GM calls them cam in block), low-tech to be sure, but GM has refined this design and they are relatively smooth and quiet and get decent fuel economy, with an EPA City/Highway rating of 21/29 miles per gallon for the 3.5-liter. The 3.9-liter features variable valve timing, which alters when the intake and exhaust valves open and close as the engine revs for more power and efficiency. Some torque steer was evident, a mild tug on the steering wheel on full-throttle starts and low-speed kickdowns. The automatic transmission worked flawlessly. The four-speed automatic is matched well to the engine's power and torque bands, though it's one gear short of many of the G6's competitors, and performance and fuel economy are consequently affected. Most of the time, we simply put it in Drive and drove. However, it features a neat, simple manual-control mechanism that allows the driver to shift manually. When the manual mode is selected, it will not automatically upshift for you at redline, it goes right up against the rev limiter, a strategy that enthusiasts prefer. An indicator light in the instrument panel helps remind you to shift. We did a number of 90-0 mph ABS panic stops with the car on a deserted country road, and it stopped straight and true every time with no fade. The brakes have a nice, progressive power application through the pedal.
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