Below is the official press release from Pontiac for the 2009 Pontiac G3.
2009 PONTIAC G3 WAVE DELIVERS MORE IN THE COMPACT SEGMENT
Canadian consumers can now afford to put a lot more car in their driveway with the 2009 G3 Wave. With many enhancements including an all new, very efficient powertrain, tighter, quieter and more agile ride and handling, plus new styling inside and out for the five-door hatchback, this small car is packed with features at a price offering value never seen before in the compact segment.
The G3 Wave lineup includes the sedan and a sport-five-door hatchback that both offer roomy interiors and offer generous features usually seen in more expensive cars, challenging the expectations of what a compact car can deliver.
Available in base and SE trim, the G3 Wave offers a wide range of features. Dual stage front air bags with frontal passenger sensing system, AM/FM stereo with single CD and MP3 playback capability, auxiliary input for iPods, MP3 players and other devices, and 4-speakers, driver seat with lumbar support and armrest, a fully-reclining front passenger seat, 60/40-split folding rear seat and tilt steering are all standard.
In addition to the more powerful and refined standard Ecotec engine and the re-styled 5-door, the '09 G3 Wave lineup includes the following features:
* OnStar standard on SE models
* XM Satellite radio available
* New 15-inch aluminum alloy five-spoke wheels
* Three new exterior colours: Midnight Black Metallic, Blue Moon and Tahiti Green
* Available leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift know
* Auxiliary input jack included on all radios
* GM Oil Life monitoring system
* More powerful 95-amp alternator
* Variable intermittent windshield wipers
* Enhanced ergonomic controls and features
G3 Wave lineup and features
The G3 Wave sedan features sculpted lines and a wide, confident stance. The design skilfully creates the illusion of a larger car through such attributes as contoured side feature lines that rise from front to rear, pronounced "shoulders" over the wheel openings and body-colour door sills. The sedan's look is highlighted by premium cues, including three-dimensional, richly detailed headlamps that extend into the hood, available front fog lamps and bold, round taillamps.
The G3 Wave 5-door boasts smooth lines and short front and rear overhangs that give it a bold personality. It was conceived for maximum versatility and practicality, such as the convenience of easy access for both front and rear passengers, and the versatility of a hatchback configuration with ample cargo space that can reach all the way to the front of the cabin.
New exterior styling for the 2009 5-door includes a new front-end design a lower fascia insert in the rear and roof-mounted spoiler complete the sporty look.
The SE trim adds an impressive list of features not typical in the segment. It includes air conditioning with cabin filtration and rear-seat air vents, power operated/heated side mirrors, keyless entry with content theft-deterrent, power windows and locks, fog lamps and cruise control and, as a surprising bonus, a `no charge' sunroof is also included.
For a sportier look, a Podium Edition package is available on both models and adds even more content including 15-inch aluminum wheels, trunk mounted spoiler, 6-speaker premium sound system, steering wheel mounted audio controls and XM Satellite Radio. The Podium Edition package is available on both models.
Refined modern interior
The G3 Wave has a "big car" personality, providing excellent space and flexibility for such a small package. Its "tall car" design provides easy entry/exit for all and a surprising 2,574 L (91 cubic feet) of interior passenger room, and G3 Wave also has the best shoulder room in its class, while elevated rear seats offer surprising legroom. The generous dimensions offer ample interior room - capable of accommodating passengers more than six-feet tall in all of the five seating positions.
Theatre-style rear seating in the sedan provides a commanding view for all passengers. As well, fully reclining front passenger seats and a 60/40 split folding rear seat expand the 4-door's interior cargo capacity, enabling long items such as skis to be carried between the spacious trunk and passenger compartment. The trunk offers 351 litres (12.4 cubic feet) of storage space, which is more than the previous model.
The interior of the G3 Wave is all about sleek styling and a youthful interpretation of refinement. The instrument panel is combined with smooth metallic-look steering wheel inserts and matching metallic-look rings around the cluster dials. Plus, red dial needles provide the Pontiac look.
Quality is a key attribute in the new interior design, coupled with maximum comfort and convenience evidenced by standard tilting front-seat headrests and a folding driver's armrest. Additional conveniences include dual visor vanity mirrors, door and seatback storage pockets and clever hooks, located on headrests posts, which can hold items such as shopping bags. Additional appearance features include a new, rich instrumentation, silver paint style accents and trim. Precision in fit and finish details caps G3 Wave sedan's high-quality appearance.
Both models receive a sound system derived from GM's new family of premium sound systems, which are distinguished by upscale appearance, simplicity of operation and range of features and capabilities. An auxiliary input jack for iPods and other audio players is standard on all radios. The base radio is a single CD with MP3 playback stereo with four speakers. A six-speaker sound system is available, as is a six-disc in-dash CD changer radio.
Responsive driving experience
The G3 Wave is powered by an all-new 1.6L Ecotec four-cylinder engine designed in Germany. Designed with enhanced refinement and durability, it also features variable valve timing which contributes to a fuel economy improvement of up to 10%, while also providing better acceleration, a more responsive, yet refined driving experience and reduced emissions.
With highway fuel consumption of just 5.7 L/100km and 7.9 L/100km in the city, the 2009 G3 Wave further improves upon GM of Canada's leading fleet of fuel efficient vehicles that get better than 7.0 L/100km (40 mpg) highway driving.
It is paired with a standard 5-speed manual transmission revised to ensure easier, shorter and more precise shift changes together with a light clutch feel for agile responsiveness. To help optimize fuel efficiency, drivers can use the shift indicator light in the cluster to time upshifts to achieve the best possible results.
The available four-speed automatic transmission features a new shift schedule for crisper shifts and earlier downshifts for a more confident ride plus a segment-exclusive Hold Control Mode, giving the driver control over gear selection to enable engine braking and to reduced wheel spin from a standing start on snow or ice.
To ensure a smooth, comfortable and more refined ride quality, the suspension was specifically tuned and combines with the hydraulic rack-and-pinion power steering to deliver precise control, nimble responsiveness and a very tight turning radius. Electronic Throttle Control further improves drivability and fuel economy while reducing emissions.
A stronger and quieter front disc/rear drum brake system results in more effective braking that is more responsive to pedal force, thanks to a larger booster, and a 4-channel antilock brake system is also available to help optimize overall braking performance.
Safety features
The G3 Wave offers additional features and options for safety-minded consumers. Safety in the G3 Wave starts with a high-strength steel structure that creates a safety cage around the passenger compartment. Added to this is a long list of standard safety features including advanced dual-stage frontal air bags with GM Passenger Sensing System and optional seat-mounted side-impact air bags that provide added head and thorax protection. The dual-stage frontal air bags deploy at different levels, depending on the severity of the crash.
Comprehensive safety and security features include standard OnStar with a one-year Safe & Sound Plan, which includes many features like OnStar's renowned Advanced Crash Notification system and a number of other features including remote door unlock (when equipped with power locks), vehicle diagnostics via monthly e-mail reports, hands-free calling, remote horn and lights, and stolen vehicle location assistance which can help authorities recover your car.
Exceptional braking is provided by ventilated front discs and self-adjusting rear drums. A four-channel ABS system is available. The four-sensor (one at each wheel) system also incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on factors including road conditions and weight of passengers and/or cargo. Additional G3 Wave sedan safety and security features include:
* Front safety belt pretensioners with load limiters
* Height-adjustable shoulder belt anchors
* Lower Anchors and Top Tether for Children (LATCH) child seat attachment system in the rear seats
* Rear child safety door locks
* Emergency hatch release inside the trunk
* Fuel door lock with remote release feature