Performance Review: Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac G6 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Pontiac G6 has a 3880cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The G6 shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the G6's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1605 kgs (3538 lbs) this makes the Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac G6 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3880cc 12V V6 engine produces 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 241 lb-ft (326.7 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Pontiac G6 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31 (174.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac G6.

The Pontiac G6 has a Power to weight ratio of 149.5 bhp per ton and 150.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 G6 competing with the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31 (174.5 bhp per ton) or the 1989 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (174.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Pontiac G6 generating around 150.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1999 Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro (175.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon (175.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the G6 and the 2001 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 255

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac G6 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.26 secs @ 89.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 255 (15.19 secs), the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 (15.19 secs), and the 2005 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (15.19 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 G6 equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

2006 G6 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison