2006 Pontiac G6 Review

The last affordable American car with a retractable metal hardtop was the 1957-59 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner, which caused amazement when its big top was being operated.

Ford was to be congratulated for having the courage to produce the four-seat Skyliner, but its top was troublesome because technology didn't exist to make it reliable.
So here we are, nearly half a century later, and Pontiac is offering a far more proficient retractable metal hardtop, developed with Europe's convertible engineering specialist Karmann Technical Development.

The front-drive G6 is the first under-$30,000 modern domestic car with a retractable hardtop. (The fairly new Cadillac XLR retractable hardtop two-seater starts at $76,480). The G6 retractable also is the lowest-cost "retractable'' from any automaker. Except for the XLR, retractable hardtops have been found only on a few upscale foreign cars.

A retractable makes more sense now than it did in the 1950s, with today's greater emphasis on all-weather comfort and security -- not to mention rollover protection.

At the push of a button, the retractable version of Pontiac's popular G6 is transformed from a snazzy coupe into an inviting convertible with a concealed hard top in about 30 seconds -- and changed back to a coupe in the same amount of time.

A double-hinged trunk lid facilitates stowing the top. Opening like a conventional trunk to store cargo, the lid is reverse-hinged to accept the folding hardtop. A hard tonneau cover automatically appears as part of the hardtop retraction process, so there's no visible top portion when the top is down -- it just disappears in the storage compartment.

How reliable is the top? Pontiac says the hardtop system was tested for 12,000 cycles without failure, about twice the average lifetime cycle of the typical convertible.

The G6 retractable must be in its automatic transmission's Park mode with a cargo net in place before the top can be lowered. Trunk room is a reasonable (for this type of car) 12.6 cubic feet with the top up, but nearly vanishes at 2.2 cubic feet when it's lowered.

Most convertibles -- with hard or soft tops -- have little back-seat room for adults. But the mid-size G6 retractable offers comfortable space for two 6-footers in its twin rear bucket seats, although there's little headroom to spare because of a rakish roofline. Having the longest wheelbase in its class at 112.3 inches allows the entire G6 interior to be roomy for four tall adults.

The Lexus SC 430 retractable looks somewhat awkward because of its long rear end, needed to store its lowered top, but the G6 retractable could pass for a conventional sleek G6 coupe.

Pontiac says no interior or exterior styling sacrifices were made to use the hydraulically driven retractable hardtop system, which incorporates a clamshell design that works harmoniously with the car's styling. For one thing, the rear window was designed to "flow" into the rear deck.

The G6 retractable is up to $10,845 less expensive than the new Volvo C70 retractable hardtop (June 19 AutoTimes) and far less costly than "retractables" from Cadillac, Lexus, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz.

However, Volkswagen's new Eos hardtop convertible -- due this fall -- is expected to cost about the same as the G6 retractable.

This new, nicely equipped Pontiac comes as the $27,865 GT, while the higher performance GTP version lists at $29,365. The highest priced regular G6 is the $23,065 GTP sedan.

Options include a Premium package with leather upholstery, heated front seats, sound system with in-dash 6-disc CD changer and polished alloy wheels. Also optional are front side air bags and a remote starter.

The GT version of the retractable has a 3.5-liter, 201-horsepower V-6, while the GTP gets a 3.9-liter V-6 with 227 horsepower and more torque. The conventional 3.9 V-6 GTP coupe has 240 horsepower, but Pontiac said modifications to allow the G6 retractable's special top caused the G6 retractable to lose some horsepower.

The best G6 retractable acceleration (0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds) is with the 3.9 V-6 because the GT weighs a hefty 438 pounds more than a regular G6 coupe, and the GTP is nearly 500 pounds heavier than that coupe. The added weight comes from the roof mechanism and extra bracing to stiffen the chassis.

The G6 retractable feels heavy, but drives smoothly. It's pretty rigid with a quiet interior with the top up, partly because of a special acoustic insulation package. But there are some minor shakes and squeaks when it's lowered and the G6 is driven on coarse roads.

Generally, though, most drivers should be impressed with the car's solidity. There's little wind buffeting in the front seats at 65 mph, when the engine loafs at 1,900 rpm.

Despite its weight, my test GT retractable provided swift merges into fast expressway traffic and quick 65-75 mph passing.

Both V-6s work with a responsive four-speed automatic transmission (no manual gearbox is offered) and use regular grade gasoline. The GT delivers an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 on highways, while the 3.9 isn't far behind at 18 and 26.

Steering is quick, but should be smoother. The rather firm suspension with rear monotube shock absorbers helps provide good handling, along with large 18-inch wheels, although the G6 retractable is more of a relaxed cruiser than a car for winding roads. A traction control system is standard for the GT, while the GTP gets a stability control system.

Large, heavy-duty all-disc brakes provide strong stopping power and have a linear pedal action for smooth stops.

Big outside door handles are easily grasped, but the long, heavy doors are a hassle in tight parking spots. On the flip side, those doors help allow easier entry to the rear-seat area if there's sufficient room to open them widely.

Arrow-shaped rearview mirrors provide decent side vision, although thick windshield posts occasionally obstruct visibility. Gauges can be read quickly, and major controls are large and easy to use. The ignition switch is on the dashboard so a driver need not grope for it on the steering column. Dual front console cupholders are positioned to avoid spills, but the fold-down one-piece plastic cupholder for rear occupants feels marginal.

Pontiac says the G6 retractable hardtop is temporarily sold out, but its long-term success will depend on consumer acceptance of its versatility, safety and security. 

2006 PONTIAC G6 RETRACTABLE HARDTOP 

PRICE: $27,865-$29,365

LIKES: Affordable retractable hardtop. Sleek. Roomy back seat.

DISLIKES: Long, heavy doors. Some top-down rattles. Little trunk room with top lowered.