The Pontiac Rageous was a four-door concept car shown at the 1997 North American International Auto Show. It combined a coupé-like profile with two rear-hinged doors and a two-piece rear hatch, and it had a 315 hp V8.
Pontiac Rageous at a glance
| Maker | Pontiac, General Motors |
|---|---|
| Shown | 1997 North American International Auto Show |
| Type | four-door concept car |
| Doors | two front doors and two rear-hinged doors |
| Rear hatch | two-piece, drop-down tailgate plus lift-back |
| Load area | large and rubber-lined |
| Engine | V8, 315 hp (235 kW), 335 lb·ft |
| Weight | about 4,600 lb |
| 0–60 mph | 5.5 seconds |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Rageous, which is short.
History of the Pontiac Rageous
A practical concept
The Rageous was built by Pontiac as a four-door concept and appeared at the 1997 North American International Auto Show. Its door layout followed the idea of an extended-cab pickup: two conventional front doors and two rear-hinged (suicide) doors behind them, which opened up the cabin without a visible B-pillar.
Rear end and load space
The car had a two-piece rear hatch that split into a drop-down tailgate and a lift-back hatch, giving access to a large storage area lined with rubber for easy cleaning. The layout suggested a sporting estate or activity vehicle rather than a pure show car.
Performance figures
The concept’s V8 produced 315 hp and 335 lb·ft. At about 4,600 lb the car was heavy, but it was quoted at 5.5 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. Like most Motorama-style concepts, the Rageous did not reach production.
Design and features
- Rear-hinged rear doors: an extended-cab layout on a passenger car.
- Two-piece tailgate: a drop-down lower section with a lift-back above.
- Rubber-lined load area: designed for easy cleaning.
- 315 hp V8: 335 lb·ft in a 4,600 lb concept.
- 5.5 seconds to 60 mph: quick for a four-door show car of 1997.
Pontiac Rageous versions
- Rageous concept: the single show car of 1997.
The Rageous followed Pontiac’s other show cars such as the Club de Mer and the Strato-Streak. More Pontiacs are in the Pontiac collection.
Sources
- Pontiac Rageous, English Wikipedia: doors, hatch, engine, performance
