The Pontiac G5 was the Pontiac-badged version of the Chevrolet Cobalt, sold in the United States and Mexico for 2007–2009 and in Canada for the model’s whole run. It replaced the Sunfire and was one of the last new Pontiacs before the brand closed.
Pontiac G5 at a glance
| Maker | Pontiac, General Motors |
|---|---|
| Model years | 2007–2009 (US and Mexico) |
| Based on | Chevrolet Cobalt, GM Delta platform |
| Class | compact car |
| Body styles | coupé in the US; coupé and sedan in Canada and Mexico |
| Engines | 2.2 L Ecotec, 148–155 hp; 2.4 L Ecotec |
| Suspension | MacPherson struts front, torsion beam rear |
| Wheelbase | 103.3 in (2,624 mm) |
| Width | 68.4 in (1,737 mm) |
| Weight | 2,681 lb coupé, 2,747 lb sedan |
| Built at | Ramos Arizpe, Mexico and Lordstown, Ohio |
| Replaced | Pontiac Sunfire |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Chevrolet Cobalt, which covers the G5 as its Pontiac version. The record’s original picture is kept.
History of the Pontiac G5
Naming across North America
The same Pontiac version of the Cobalt carried three names. In Mexico it was the G4 for 2005–2006 and the G5 afterwards. In Canada it was sold as the G5 from the start, briefly called the Pursuit and later the G5 Pursuit. In the United States it arrived as the G5 for 2007 and stayed until 2009, when Pontiac was wound down. The American G5 was a coupé only, while Canada and Mexico also received the sedan.
What was under the skin
The G5 used the GM Delta platform with independent MacPherson-strut front suspension and a semi-independent torsion beam at the rear. The wheelbase was 103.3 inches and the width 68.4 inches; the coupé weighed 2,681 lb and the sedan 2,747 lb. The 2.2 litre Ecotec four was retuned for 2007 to 148 hp with the same fuel economy, and for 2009 a new 2.2 litre engine with dual variable valve timing raised output to 155 hp while improving economy. The 2.4 litre Ecotec was offered in the sportier versions. For 2009 the EPA rated the automatic at 24 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway, and the manual at 26 and 37.
The end of the line
The G5 disappeared with the Pontiac brand in 2010. Its role at the bottom of the range was never filled, because Pontiac itself was closed.
Design and features
- Coupé only in the US: American buyers could not have the four-door.
- Ecotec fours: 2.2 litre engines of 148 and then 155 hp, plus a 2.4 litre option.
- Delta platform: shared with the Cobalt, HHR and Saturn Ion.
- Frugal: up to 37 mpg on the highway with the manual gearbox in 2009.
- Canadian names: sold as the Pursuit and G5 Pursuit before settling on G5.
Pontiac G5 versions
- G5 coupé: the only body sold in the United States.
- G5 sedan: sold in Canada and Mexico.
- Pursuit and G5 Pursuit: the early Canadian names.
- 2.4 litre cars: the more powerful engine option.
The G5 replaced the Sunfire, was the Mexican G4’s twin and sat below the G6. More Pontiacs are in the Pontiac collection.
Sources
- Chevrolet Cobalt, English Wikipedia: platform, engines, Pontiac versions
