Pontiac Vibe to debut at 2002 Los Angeles Auto Show

Dec 28, 2001 - First shown at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show as a concept vehicle, the Pontiac Vibe offers a spacious, versatile interior in the guise of a compact car, and the features of a sports car, sport wagon and SUV. For Pontiac, Vibe represents an opportunity to reach younger buyers who lead increasingly active and varied lifestyles.

A key visual element is the fast-shaped roofline. The uniquely integrated roof rack lends a sporty appearance. Overall, Vibe's exterior is lean, trim, muscular and youthful.

"It's unmistakably Pontiac," said chief designer John Mack of the Vibe. "Right down to the cat-eye headlamps, recessed fog lamps and rear cornering lamps. We also gave it the traditional Pontiac wide stance, with short front overhangs and large wheels pushed out to the corners and tires to project an aggressive, ground-hugging stance that optimizes vehicle stability."

Particular attention was paid to providing the Vibe driver with a high, commanding seating position behind the wheel. "We wanted Vibe to be a little bit higher than the average vehicle in this segment," said Mack. "It's a lifestyle issue. The Vibe features the cargo space and high seating position of an SUV, with performance and handling characteristics of a sports car and the security of all-wheel drive.

Mack said the design began with the specific goal in mind of creating a lifestyle vehicle that appealed to young car buyers with a sculpted, unique, rugged yet sporty appearance. "We wanted to go after a sporty look. In doing so we created a design that has a coupe like appearance, which conveys a sporty nature," Mack said. "We did that by laying back the upper glass line instead of shooting it straight back-the roof rack really helps define the profile of the car."

In the end, the GM team got the coupe-like look along with some of the sportier SUV cues they were looking for. "An active lifestyle vehicle was the main goal," Mack said. "You can tell by the trim-and other similar cues that really emphasize a more rugged aspect outside of what your typical small car would do-along with a higher, more upright position."

Mack said the short overhangs also contribute to Vibe's sporty exterior shape. "That's a cue we wanted, a tight wheel-to-body look, with the wheels and tires as wide as possible for an aggressive wide stance."

The one-piece rear liftgate with separate liftglass offers a convenient, easy-to-use rear loading system which is unique to its competitive set.

"Overall, it's a successful crossover design combining the best elements of all several segments," Mack said. "You have a command view of the road. You're not sitting real low in traffic - there are bigger vehicles out there and this seating position provides a nice view of the road. At the same time, when you want it to perform like a sports car, it does. The key to that aspect of its exterior design is that, not only does it perform, it looks like it performs."

The interior of the Vibe is designed with the needs of young, active buyers in mind. "Vibe's interior is thoughtfully done and accommodating," said Craig Bierley, Pontiac Vibe brand manager. "It delivers an unprecedented level of convenience, a surprising amount of storage space, and versatile configurations."

The rear floor features a unique, innovative cargo system that includes two parallel tracks running the length of the rear compartment. Eight adjustable sliding anchors help secure unwieldy cargo with ease.

"We wanted to create a cockpit that is distinctly Pontiac," said John Mack, "the amber/orange lighting on the rounded gauges, and the chroming around the gauge cluster, for example. There was an emphasis on using high-end, upscale materials on the inside with lots of nice, tactile surfaces that are smooth to the touch, to lend an uplevel air to what is essentially an entry-level vehicle."

The Vibe design team placed a lot of emphasis from the outset of development on creating a comfortable, flexible interior furnished with upscale materials that are smooth to the touch. The instrument panel has a matte black finish with metallic finish on the gauge cluster, center console and door trim.

	Pontiac Vibe to debut at 2002 Los Angeles Auto Show
	Click for larger images	Dec 28, 2001 - First shown at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show as a concept vehicle, the Pontiac Vibe offers a spacious, versatile interior in the guise of a compact car, and the features of a sports car, sport wagon and SUV. For Pontiac, Vibe represents an opportunity to reach younger buyers who lead increasingly active and varied lifestyles. A key visual element is the fast-shaped roofline. The uniquely integrated roof rack lends a sporty appearance. Overall, Vibe's exterior is lean, trim, muscular and youthful. "It's unmistakably Pontiac," said chief designer John Mack of the Vibe. "Right down to the cat-eye headlamps, recessed fog lamps and rear cornering lamps. We also gave it the traditional Pontiac wide stance, with short front overhangs and large wheels pushed out to the corners and tires to project an aggressive, ground-hugging stance that optimizes vehicle stability." Particular attention was paid to providing the Vibe driver with a high, commanding seating position behind the wheel. "We wanted Vibe to be a little bit higher than the average vehicle in this segment," said Mack. "It's a lifestyle issue. The Vibe features the cargo space and high seating position of an SUV, with performance and handling characteristics of a sports car and the security of all-wheel drive. Mack said the design began with the specific goal in mind of creating a lifestyle vehicle that appealed to young car buyers with a sculpted, unique, rugged yet sporty appearance. "We wanted to go after a sporty look. In doing so we created a design that has a coupe like appearance, which conveys a sporty nature," Mack said. "We did that by laying back the upper glass line instead of shooting it straight back-the roof rack really helps define the profile of the car." In the end, the GM team got the coupe-like look along with some of the sportier SUV cues they were looking for. "An active lifestyle vehicle was the main goal," Mack said. "You can tell by the trim-and other similar cues that really emphasize a more rugged aspect outside of what your typical small car would do-along with a higher, more upright position." Mack said the short overhangs also contribute to Vibe's sporty exterior shape. "That's a cue we wanted, a tight wheel-to-body look, with the wheels and tires as wide as possible for an aggressive wide stance." The one-piece rear liftgate with separate liftglass offers a convenient, easy-to-use rear loading system which is unique to its competitive set. "Overall, it's a successful crossover design combining the best elements of all several segments," Mack said. "You have a command view of the road. You're not sitting real low in traffic - there are bigger vehicles out there and this seating position provides a nice view of the road. At the same time, when you want it to perform like a sports car, it does. The key to that aspect of its exterior design is that, not only does it perform, it looks like it performs." The interior of the Vibe is designed with the needs of young, active buyers in mind. "Vibe's interior is thoughtfully done and accommodating," said Craig Bierley, Pontiac Vibe brand manager. "It delivers an unprecedented level of convenience, a surprising amount of storage space, and versatile configurations." The rear floor features a unique, innovative cargo system that includes two parallel tracks running the length of the rear compartment. Eight adjustable sliding anchors help secure unwieldy cargo with ease. "We wanted to create a cockpit that is distinctly Pontiac," said John Mack, "the amber/orange lighting on the rounded gauges, and the chroming around the gauge cluster, for example. There was an emphasis on using high-end, upscale materials on the inside with lots of nice, tactile surfaces that are smooth to the touch, to lend an uplevel air to what is essentially an entry-level vehicle." The Vibe design team placed a lot of emphasis from the outset of development on creating a comfortable, flexible interior furnished with upscale materials that are smooth to the touch. The instrument panel has a matte black finish with metallic finish on the gauge cluster, center console and door trim.