Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, a name that should really need no introduction to serious American hot rod enthusiasts out there, will be bringing a version of the latest Trans Am to this year’s upcoming SEMA show. It’s got all of the Trans Am goodies you remember:

Duck-tail spoiler, fender vents, twin-port front grille, raised white-letter tires, a 445 cubic inch V8, honeycomb wheels and that hideous screaming chicken hood decal.

Wait a second, the Trans Am was a Pontiac, and Pontiac is now, officially, sadly, dead, you say. Indeed you are right, but that’s didn’t stop Lingenfelter, now did it?

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It seems that the hopes of GM, via Pontiac, to resurrect and modernize the El Camino aren’t going to happen any time soon. Pontiac PR man Jim Hopson confirms that the planned for 2010 Pontiac G8 ST, as the new “El Camino” was to be called, has been killed. The company delivered the news to dealers last week.

GM put the decision squarely at the feet of the recent economic and auto sales downturn in general, along with GM’s less than stellar financial shape, specifically. At the same time, rumors were swirling that any and all programs slated to be released after the middle of 2009 are “under review”. Sure, that seems like a natural outgrowth of the times, but it still has to give gearheads pause.

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Two powerful and fuel-efficient engines
• Stabilitrak standard on all models
• Flexible and Usable
• Options Galore

Dings:

• Poor visibility out rear window
• Rev limiter kicks in right at redline
• Options Galore

Ruling: For those who like options with their small utility vehicle, look no further.

When the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix - sister cars built through a joint venture in Fremont, CA - were released in 2002, they represented a new direction in practical yet fun cars. When people first saw them, some were confused as to what they were supposed to be. It looked part minivan, part hatchback and part sports sedan. Some call it a “small crossover”. Whatever the classification, after six model years of successful sales, the Vibe and Matrix have sold quite well. But like any car that’s gone six years without a redesign, it’s look has become a bit tired. So when GM designers and engineers sat down to create the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, they wanted to make sure the ‘part minivan’ part no longer registered in the minds of potential buyers, so they styled it, contoured it and chopped a little off the roof. They also focused on improving it’s ride quality, powertrain options and interior noise levels. Read the rest of this entry »

By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Raucous 361 HP 6.0 Liter V8 for under $30K
• Rear-Wheel Drive
• Active fuel-management system
• No Navigation

Dings:

• No manual tranny and no paddle shifters
• Oil and volt gauges out of a 1984 6000 STE
• No Navigation

Ruling: Chalk one up for the merits of Globalization. Read the rest of this entry »