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Pontiac Vibe

Manufacturer	NUMMI
Also called	Toyota Voltz
Production	2002–August 2009
Model years	2003–2010
Assembly	Fremont, California, United States
Predecessor	Geo Prizm
Successor	Buick Verano (United States) Chevrolet Orlando (Canada)
Class	Compact car
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Wheelbase	102.4 in (2,601 mm)
Related	Toyota Corolla Toyota Matrix Toyota Sprinter Toyota Celica Toyota Auris

The Pontiac Vibe is a compact hatchback automobile sold under the Pontiac marque from 2002 to 2009. It was jointly developed by General Motors along with Toyota, who manufactures the mechanically identical Toyota Matrix. Manufactured by the Toyota-GM joint venture NUMMI in Fremont, California, the Vibe succeeded the Geo Prizm in production at NUMMI, and like the Prizm, the Vibe was derived from the Toyota Corolla.

From 2002 to 2004, a rebadged right-hand drive variant of the Vibe was exported as the Toyota Voltz to the Japanese domestic market. The Voltz was not popular in Japan and discontinued after two model years.

Production of the Vibe ended in 2009 with the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand and the closing of NUMMI under the General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization. Its twin, the Toyota Matrix is still in production, manufactured by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, Ontario.

First generation (2003–2008)[edit]

First generation

Also called	Toyota Voltz
Model years	2003–2008
Body style	4-door hatchback
Engine	1.8 L 1ZZ-FE I4 132 hp 1.8 L 2ZZ-GE I4 164 hp
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Length	171.3 in (4,351 mm)
Width	69.9 in (1,775 mm)
Height	61 in (1,549 mm)
Designer(s)	John Mack

The 2003-2006 Vibe was available in an economical base trim, an all-wheel drive mid-trim, or a "sporty" GT with more power.

Powertrains available for this car are a Toyota-built 1.8 L straight-4 16-valve engine producing 126 hp (94 kW) on the base model (manual or automatic transmission), 118 hp on the all-wheel drive model (automatic only), or a version with VVTL-i producing 164 hp (122 kW) for the GT (manual 6-speed only). The Vibe was at one time the most fuel efficient vehicle sold by GM in North America, but ceased to be the case with the revised United States Environmental Protection Agency testing procedures in 2008.

There have been some minor changes between model years. The Vibe was first produced in 2002 and went on sale as a 2003 model. Power ratings for the first three model years were slightly higher, with the GT up to 180 hp (134 kW), the base model rated at 130 hp (97 kW), and the all-wheel drive model rated at 123 hp (92 kW). Engine power claims were decreased for 2006 as a result of Toyota's re-testing of its engines for the new Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) ratings standard. The 2007 model year no longer offered a GT or all-wheel-drive option due to poor sales and new federal emissions standards.

2007 Pontiac Vibe

The front fascia was freshened in the 2005 model year. In an attempt to 'converge' the Pontiac look, the front grille was restyled to resemble the look of the Pontiac Solstice, also adopted by other vehicles in the Pontiac line. The 2003-2004 Vibes had a front grille more closely resembling the discontinued Pontiac Aztek.

Toyota Voltz[edit]

The Vibe was made right-hand drive and exported to the Japanese market as the Toyota Voltz from 2002 to 2004.

Second generation (2009–2010)[edit]

Second generation

Production	2008–August 2009
Model years	2009–2010
Body style	5-door hatchback
Engine	1.8L 2ZR-FE 132 hp I4 2.4L 2AZ-FE 158 hp I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Length	172.1 in (4,371 mm) AWD: 171.9 in (4,366 mm)
Width	69.4 in (1,763 mm)
Height	Base: 60.9 in (1,547 mm) AWD: 62.7 in (1,593 mm) GT: 61.3 in (1,557 mm)
Designer(s)	Ron Aselton

The Vibe was redesigned, along with the Matrix, for the 2009 model year, and debuted at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show. "The new Vibe's design is sporty yet completely functional," according to Ron Aselton, chief designer. "Clean lines, minimal overhangs and wheels pushed to the corners give the vehicle a muscular stance." The GT trim and AWD options return, and two new straight-4 engines (Toyota's 2.4L 2AZ-FE used on the Camry for the AWD and GT trims as well as optional on the base trim, and a new 1.8L 2ZR-FE standard on the base trim) are offered.^[1]

Second Generation FWD Vibes also offer computerized traction-control and anti-lock brakes. Rear disc brakes are standard on all models. Luggage racks are no longer standard order.

The Vibe offers 91.4 cubic feet (2.59 m³) of passenger volume (all seats up) and 20.1 cubic feet (0.57 m³) of cargo volume, for a total of 111.5 cubic feet (3.16 m³) with rear seats that fold completely flat. The cargo area is 30 inches (760 mm) high and 40 inches (1,000 mm) wide, which is large enough to accommodate a standard-sized, American washing machine or clothes dryer with enough extra room for an appliance dolly.

First deliveries to dealerships were posted on GM's Website in April 2008, with comments that initial sales were brisk. The first units were delivered to buyers in early March.^[2]

Cahokia, IL police have added the Pontiac Vibe to their fleet.^[3]

Discontinuation[edit]

On April 27, 2009, GM announced the discontinuation of Vibe production, as well as all other Pontiac models, by the end of 2010.^[4] It was later announced that Vibe production would end in August 2009, and the last Vibe left the assembly line on August 17, 2009, according to a source at genvibe.com.^[5] This left Toyota with a major problem as they had to scramble to relocate some of the tooling that was jointly used to produce the Matrix in another factory.

As a result of GM discontinuing Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer following the 2010 model year, GM decided to bring a new entry-level Buick to the lineup called the Verano slotting below the Regal, while in Canada, GM replaced it with the larger Chevrolet Orlando compact MPV.

Recalls[edit]

In January 2010, Autoblog.com reported that the 2009 and 2010 model year Pontiac Vibes are also included in the 2009–2010 Toyota vehicle recalls related to unintended acceleration due to shared components with the Toyota Matrix.^[6] Another recall for the Vibe was issued in the Fall of 2009 due to floormat interference with the accelerator pedals. This is also part of the Toyota recall.^[7][8]

On August 26, 2010, another recall has been issued for 2005 to 2008 model year Vibes, equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive. The recall notices states that an improperly manufactured Engine Control Module (ECM) can develop a crack in its circuitry, potentially causing the "Check Engine" light to illuminate, harsh shifting, and stalling and/or failure of the engine to start.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pontiac Vibe

• Official website
• Pontiac Vibe at The Crittenden Automotive Library