DETROIT - The all-new 1999 Grand Am highlights the Pontiac Excitement lineup for 1999. Since its introduction at the North American International Auto show, the 1999 Grand Am has been turning heads with classic Pontiac design cues - bold, sporty, athletic. These design elements include a wide stance, cat's-eye headlamps, twin-port grille and round driving lamps.
In addition to the mid-year launch of the new generation Grand Am, Pontiac has also announced a new name for its hot-selling minivan, sported up its Sunfire convertible into a GT model, equipped the entire Firebird line with the Torsen 110 torque-sensing rear differential and boosted power of the Grand Prix line.
Pontiac's minivan is now the Montana after carrying the Trans Sport nameplate for 10 years. The minivan for the last two years had been marketed with a Montana Package which became so popular, the entire carline acquired the name. Montana better captures the new rugged image of the vehicle.
Pontiac's Sunfire convertible for 1999 graduates to the GT level and receives the distinctive GT-specific front and rear fascias and standard 150-horsepower 2.4-liter Twin Cam engine.
Grand Prix, building a reputation as the sportiest car in the midsize segment, makes its case even stronger in 1999 with more power in the normally aspirated 3.8-liter V6. Advancements in engine breathing technology increase the output of the 3.8-liter V8 up to 200 horsepower.
Following are summaries of each 1999 Pontiac vehicle line.
Grand Am
Building on Success Since 1992, the Grand Am,
Pontiac's volume leader, has ranked in thetop 10 of most popular cars in the U.S. with
more than 200,000 units sold
every year. For the past five years, Grand Am has led the compact segment
for most retail registrations.
Bold, Athletic Design Much of the 1999 Grand Am's dramatically expressive styling
lies in its significantly changed proportions that give the Grand Am the appearance
of a sprinter about to dash from the starting blocks.
Athletic Stance The 107-inch wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than the model it replaces, but overall length is slightly reduced. Front tread has increased by 3.3 inches while overall width at the center of the car has increased only 1 .5 inches. As a result, the Grand Am haswheel - at-the-corner proportions which gives it an aggressive, sporty appearance and provides substantial passenger and cargo space. The flush tire-to-body relationship and its lean shape accentuated by well-toned curves add to Grand Am's athletic build.
Exterior Exectition The bold exterior of the 1999 Grand Am features a well-integrated headlamp assembly, an integrated decklid CHMSL and seals around the head and tail lamps. Body color door handles and moldings enhance Grand Am's polished appearance, while gloss black mirrors add style to the overall execution.
Deiver-Focused Inteflor It's obvious the 1999 Grand
Am is a driving enthusiast's car. The circular motif of the instrument panel includes the
gauge cluster, speedometer, tachometer and
air outlets. True to its Pontiac pedigree, the 1999 Grand Am features easy-to-read
gauges with warm red Pontiac red backlights. Center instrument panel controls for the
audio and climate are angled toward the driver for easy access. Additionally, Grand
Am's thin A-pillars and lower cowl, along with a higher seating position, contribute to
enhanced driver visibility.
In addition to standard dual Next Generation air bags,
Grand Am's front
passenger restraint system includes active, body-mounted three-point shoulder/lop
belts. Seat belts also have a height adjustment feature designed to provide
maximum comfort and safety to occupants of many sizes or shapes.
Interior Exectition Like the exterior, the interior was designed to be bold and sporty but also harmonious and occupant-friendly. Materials are soft-touch and low-gloss like those used on expensive luxury sports sedans. The instrument panel skin is a one-piece design of high-quality, well-integrated materials with no exposed seam lines. Storage areas are lined with sound deadening mats. Electronic climate control knobs are round and easy to use.
Model Lineup The Grand Am's lineup for 1999 includes the SE sedan and coupe, and the for the SE model is the 2.4-liter 16-valve Twin Cam four cylinder. The new 3.A-liter 3400 V6 engine is available on the SE and standard on the GT.
Responsive Powertrdins Grand Am's offers an outstanding selection of powertrains. Both the 2.4-liter four-cylinder standard and the available V6 engine offer power unsurpassed by any direct competitor.
3400 V6 Transmission The 3400 ranks as the most powerful optional V6 of Grand Am's direct competitors, producing 170 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 195 ft-lb of torque at 4000 rpm. Its high torque at low engine speeds provides the kind of exhilarating launch feel that Grand Am drivers demand. The 3.4-liter V6 has more horsepower, more torque and nearly the same fuel economy of the 3. 1 -liter V6 it replaces. The new ATA5-E transaxle debuts in the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am and is designed for the exclusive use in cars with the 3400 V6 engine. Based on the AT40-E design, the new electronically controlled, four-speed automatic transmission includes enhanced structural features and a 1 0-percent increase in torque capacity as well as improved input, reaction and final drive gear seats.
Twin Cam The standard 2.A-liter Twin Cam 16-valve engine pumps out 150 horsepower at 5600 rpms and generates 155 lb-ft of torque at AAOO rpms, while delivering superb fuel economy. The high engine power allows Grand Am one of the best base model power- to-weight ratios of any of Grand Am's direct competitors at 20.4 lb/horsepower. The Twin Cam engine is paired with the AT40-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
Rigid Structure The new 1999 Grand Am was designed from a clean sheet to deliver a world class body structure providing outstanding occupant protection, superior ride and handling. For example, overall structural rigidity has improved by 32 percent to 25 Hz on the 1999 Grand Am from 19 Hz on the 1998 Grand Am.
Dynamic New Independent Suspension Grand Am incorporates a new four-wheel independent suspension for aggressive handling and driver control combined with an optimized ride.The tri-link independent rear suspension provides outstanding ride, handling and control while minimizing noise, vibration and harshness. The all-aluminum suspension knuckles help reduce weight and decrease unsprung mass for responsive ride and handling.
New Braking System The 1999 Grand Am
sports a new braking system, with aluminum front brake calipers and larger front rotors
and pads, for exceptional performance, durability,
safety and value. Stopping distance from 60-to-O mph is improved by 1 A percent to 128
feet. Antilock brakes remain standard on all Grand Am models, in contrast to its
competitors which offer them only as optional equipment.