PICTURE GALLERY

2005 GTO Sneak Peek

At the 2004 GTO International Convention Pontiac sneaked a good bit of information about the 2005 GTO. There are three major changes for 2005; hood scoops, split dual exhuasts, and 50 more horsepower from a 6.0 Litre LS2. There are seven colors available on the 2005 GTO. Two of the 2004 colors were dropped, Barbados Blue and Cosmos Purple. The two new colors are Cyclone Gray and Midnight Blue.

GM Early Pre-production GTO

This car was on display at the Convention. During most of the week Pontiac was very elusive about this car -- what it was and who built it. However, during a last day discussion it was revealed that this car was in fact a pre-production 2005 Autocross option that the engineers at Pontiac had been tinkering with. You can see for yourself some of the ideas on this car made it to the "Official" Pre-production 2005 GTO, and some things didn't. Most notably absent from this car is the hood scoops. At that time, reps from Pontiac had said that the final design for the scoops was being debated, alluding that a hood more reminiscent of a 1969 was getting high marks. This car is also the now defunct Barbados Blue color.

GM "Official" Pre-Production GTO

For the sake of comparison, these are photos of the "Official" (nothing is really official until you see it in dealerships)2005 GTO pre-production car. From this close-up shot, you can see webbing in the scoops similar to the front grille. also note the different nose-piece and rear fascia. If you look closely the nose piece looks like a slightly different paint tint and it definetly looks like a hand-laid engineering part -- the crease down the side of the car doesn't quite flow into the nosepiece right. Its a wonder why the engineers haven't fixed the huge gap between the nosepiece and the front lip of hood. There is a Hood Delete option for 2005, in case one wants the plain hood of the 2004 GTO. For 2004 paint, seat color, and transmission type were the only options -- 2005 is to bring more. Note split dual exhausts coming out of a newly designed rear valance. How did they get the second exhaust out the back? They modifed the gas tank and reduced the trunk size to 7 cubic feet (down 2 cubic feet). There will be a dealer Autocross option available on black, silver, and red 2005 GTOs. The option has new front fascia extensions, side rocker moldings, rear fascia extensions with custom dual/dual exhaust tips, and a unique spoiler and front grille insert. Look at shots of the blue car above for examples. Displacement will be 6.0 liters for the added 50 horsepower via the new LS2 6.0L (364ci) engine. It has 400hp at 5200rpm and 395ft-lb of torque at 4000rpm. The engine redline is increased from 6000rpm to 6500 rpm over the LS1. Other changes to the LS2 engine include: larger intake, stronger floating wrist pins on flat-top pistons, less-restrictive exhaust, improved heat shields, more efficient combustion chamber design, higher compression ratio, new E40 ECM with integral electronic throttle, higher lift camshaft, lighter water pump, lighter smaller oil pan, lower tension piston rings, and a crankcase vent redesign.