<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by slice:
Strong performance from the '04-'05 GTO is very respectable - but is not enough to excite the public at large. Why? Because strong performance is commonplace today. Most new cars - even the mundane ones - can outperform many of the classic cars we so admire. Even if the new GTO is near the top of its class, it doesn't have the heritage styling cues that most people expect when the legendary GTO name is placed on the car.
Comparing the new GTO performance to that of the classic GTO is pointless. The classic GTO was a performance package with styling mods that was enough to distiguish the brand from the rest of the 1960s automotive landscape. You also can't ignore the marketing that took advantage of the youth oriented trends happening at the time. [note the parallel to the current tuner phenomenon for today's youth market].
Marketing a new muscle car today is a totally different animal. Strong performance is important, but it's also expected. Now, more is needed to ignite excitement around the brand. Styling is an important feature. The new GTOs are not un-attractive. They have clean shape, and carry-on the current Pontiac familial look. They don't however envoke any styling reminecient of the classic GTOs. There is a total disconnect from a styling perspective. Reaction from the automotive pundits and contributors to this forum lament this missed opportunity to leverage the GTO styling heritage to help make the new GTOs an unqualified success. Ford seems to have tapped into this formula with their new interpretation of the Mustang. There is no mistaking what it is.
Of course the new Mustangs, Corvettes [even Firebirds and Camaros until the end] have had the benefit of an un-interupted lineage to help with the evolution and brand identification. Even more reason that Pontiac needed to make more of an effort to help the buying public connect the dots when introducing a brand name with historic cache. Again Ford did this when they introduced the new T-Bird, which created tremendous excitement when it was released.
Now some will argue that Chrysler didn't really connect the styling dots with the new 300C compared to the vintage 300s. Its success seems to blow my arguement out of the water. While I agree they share little from a styling perspective, The vintage 300s are not nearly as well known to the public so there is much less expectation. Also the new 300C is daring in its own right - breaking new ground from a styling perspective, and sets its own trend. Also, Chrysler is cashing in on its "HEMI" heritage in a big way.
In that respect, I'd rather the GTO moniker be associated with a Pontiac that breaks new styling ground if it's not going to harken back to its heritage. How about a two-door G6 or Solstice with GTO performance... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well stated ! Excellent and well supported points.
I'm not happy with the styling of the new GTO, but I do enjoy driving mine.
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