The Pontiac Grand Prix is an automobile produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors Corporation. First introduced as part of Pontiac's full-size model offering for the 1962 model year, the Grand Prix name has also been applied to cars in the personal luxury car market segment and the mid-size offering, slotting below the large Bonneville in the company's lineup. As of mid-model year 2006, the Grand Prix is Pontiac's largest automotive offering in production, superceeding the recently cancelled Pontiac Bonneville program.
1997
In 1997, the W-bodies underwent a significant redesign. The initial 1997 Grand Prix was manufactured on August 12, 1996. It was widely promoted for its "wide track" look and the second generation W-body Grand Prix had strong sales. The available trims in 1997 were the SE, GT, and GTP. From 1997 onwards, a supercharger could be found on the GTP, enhancing its power to 240 hp. Up until 2003, the Grand Prix was produced in the Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kansas. The factory was then retooled to build the current Chevrolet Malibu. Production of the Grand Prix coupe came to a close on July 19, 2002, with the coupe being subsequently replaced by the Pontiac GTO for 2004.
2004
2004 saw a redesign of the GM W platform for the Grand Prix. The following year, the high-end GXP trim became the successor for the Bonneville. The first 2004 Grand Prix was produced on May 5, 2003. A new feature of the 2005 line was the GXP's small-block 5.3 L V8, the Grand Prix's first V8 since 1987. The Oshawa plant that produces the Grand Prix will close in 2008, and for 2009 the car may be replaced by the Zeta-based G8.
2005
The Grand Prix remains mostly unchanged from 2004. It had a Base coupe, the GT, GTP, and the GXP. This was also the last year of the GTP. In 2006, the GT was equipped with a Supercharged 3800 Series III engine. The GT was fitted with the 3800 Series III engine, which saw a 20 bhp increase from intake and head redesigns, as well as an electronic throttle body. The GXP's engine was the LS4 V8, a 5.3 litre Displacement On Demand engine based off the well-known LS1 block. It had a reduced crankshaft and several other alterations to make it suitable for a FWD vehicle. It generated 303 bhp and 323 ft·lbf of torque.
2006
2006 only had a few changes from the previous year for the Grand Prix. The options included the Grand Prix with the 3800 Series III V6, the GT with the 3800 Series III Supercharged V6, and the GXP with the LS4 V8. 2007 is expected to be the last year of the Grand Prix's lengthy production run, which has caused sadness from car enthusiasts. Nevertheless, optimism is high with the potential for Pontiac to make a major turning point with the Grand Prix's replacement.
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