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2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP Road Test

Northstar V8 Ups Pontiac Ante, But is it Enough?

Will upping the power ante by dropping GMs exceptionally smooth and refined 275-horsepower, DOHC, aluminum 4.6-liter (278 cu-in) Northstar V8 into the Bonneville be enough for the big sedan to claim domestic 4-door dominance? Pontiac certainly hoped so while it was in development, but now that powerful new Chryslers 300C has taken the country by storm hoping may not be enough. After all, "That got a Northstar?" has hardly become a pop-culture catchphrase.

HEMI or not, before I start analyzing this modern day Pontiac flagship a short history lesson is needed. The Bonneville emerged in 1957 as a loaded, performance oriented convertible powered by a Strato-Streak 300+horsepower V8. Only 630 units were produced before a hardtop coupe was added to the redesigned, heavily chromed 1958 Bonneville lineup, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Interestingly enough,

While Pontiac may have had high hopes for the Northstar V8 equipped Bonneville, the Chrysler 300C has seriously taken the wind out of its sails. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

a small sample of that history sits upon my bookshelf. As if performing some sort of automotive journalism oversight role, my 1:18 scale die-cast 1958 Bonneville convertible bears witness to every key I strike. Write something out of line and Im feeling like its replica V8 will fire up and set me straight - hold on, Christine was a 1958 Plymouth Fury wasnt it?

Something thats been set straight on the Bonneville GXP is Pontiacs over-the-top usage of sculpted side cladding. I was pleased to see a much more restrained, essentially

Pontiacs over-the-top usage of sculpted side cladding has thankfully been toned down for the Bonneville GXP. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

flat side cladding adorning my test GXP. But this improvement doesnt entirely overcome the aging lines of its refreshed exterior. Pontiac continues to adhere to the wedge shape that was immensely popular throughout the 1990s, but is now losing its grip to the likes the new Chrysler 300 and impending Ford 500. Visually, the GXP shows its age in the same way that special effects do in a decade old movie.

Given the GXPs out-lived design, it is still eye-catching and very sleek looking, especially when finished in the brilliant, Crimson Tintcoat red of my tester. Its monochromatic color scheme was highlighted

Given the GXPs out-lived design, it is still eye-catching and very sleek looking. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

by huge, 18-inch, 5-spoke aluminum wheels; the large openings of which expose, in a nice way, the Bonnevilles prominent red-painted brake caliper assemblies - a la Porsche C4S. Other external improvements include the flush-mounted twin honeycomb grille openings, spicing up the wind-cheating nose of the big sedan.

And just how big is this 4-door family hauler? Well lets do a little comparison-shopping. The GXP consumes 202.6 inches of tarmac lengthwise; thats more real estate than required by the new Chrysler 300 at 196.8 inches, the 2004 Lexus LS 430 at 197.4 inches and just slightly less moorage than an S-Class Mercedes-Benz at 203.1 inches. Although appearing aerodynamic, any way you slice

On the inside, the GXP model receives faux carbon fiber trim pieces plus stainless steel surfaced gas and brake pedals. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

it the Bonneville is substantive in size, translating of course into fairly spacious seating for five adults and plenty of cargo capacity.

A number of technology and decorative touches are added to the interior when the GXP insignia is affixed to the Bonnevilles front fenders, including a heads-up information display projected onto the lower portion of the windshield - something that was first introduced to the GM fold in this model even in its pre-2000 (current-generation) guise, and is showing up quite regularly on the automakers high-end vehicles. Also take note of the faux carbon fiber trim pieces scattered throughout the cockpit, plus the stainless steel surfaced gas and brake pedals.

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