2006 Pontiac GTO

GTO's biggest change last year is still the most notable this year. Twist the key and the Corvette-based V-8 burbles to life. 2005's swap of the LS1 motor for the beefier LS2 brought with it 50 more horsepower and miles of street cred. With 400 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, GTO hustles from 0-60 in 5 seconds flat, turning the quarter mile in 13.3 seconds. Impressive stuff, this, worthy of old school GTOs, but with two additional skill sets unheard of in the '60s: strong brakes and good handling.


GTO has an athletic feel. The four-wheel independent suspension is nicely damped; cornering is solid and stable. Ride quality is refined and the power steering is well weighted. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard issue, traded on our test car for the optional ($695) six-speed manual. The six/stick combo pulls beautifully through the engine's broad powerband. The shifter has a positive feel, but a long throw.

Performance

Inside, the GTO's cabin is handsome and comfortable with a pair of well-padded bucket seats, a clean and functional dash display and controls and switchgear that fall easily to hand. New for 2006, the redundant sound system controls on the steering wheel are now illuminated, eliminating nighttime guesswork. While it takes some wiggling to get in and out of the back seat, there's room for two adults once you get there. The trunk measures 7.0 cubic feet: small for a midsize, but big enough for a pair of golf bags or a weekend getaway's worth of luggage.


In the Golden Era of musclecars, straight-line speed was a given. So, too, in many cases was humdrum styling. That changed as the '60s progressed; colors got brighter and graphics bolder as the decade rolled on. But, when it came to design, many musclecars were more appliance than artwork. There were exceptions, though, and GTO was one of them. Particularly from 1965-1970, the models that Pontiac fielded had plenty of curb appeal to go along with their muscle. That's the legacy that the new GTO inherits; a weight made heavier by stiff, styling competition from the retro-fresh Mustang. The twin snorkel scoops and dual exhaust added in 2005 are a step toward spicing up GTO's sedate styling, but it's still short of the visual crackle that the best musclecars have (and had). For now, the only bridge over that gap is the aftermarket.


It's fast, smooth and athletic. The 2006 GTO does everything you could ask of a modern day musclecar. Now, if GM would just add a little more sizzle to go with the steak. (www.pontiac.com)