Production 2005–2009 Class Mid-size crossover SUV | Model years 2006–2009 | |
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Manufacturer CAMI Automotive (General Motors Canada) Assembly Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive | ||
The Pontiac Torrent is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) that was offered by Pontiac, being the successor of the Pontiac Aztek. It was manufactured at CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada by General Motors Canada, and it replaced the U-body Aztek as the company's crossover SUV for 2006. The Torrent was essentially a Chevrolet Equinox on the Theta platform. The Torrent was introduced at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show and went on sale in late summer 2005 as a 2006 model.
Contents
The Torrent shared its basic body structure and mechanicals with the Equinox; however, the Torrent had a different front and rear end which makes it appear like a Pontiac rather than a Chevrolet. The suspension was also modified to be firmer and sportier and was dubbed FE2. Finally, the electronic power steering was also recalibrated to deliver a firmer, less artificial feel. The Torrent shared the Equinox's 185 hp (138 kW; 188 PS) 3.4 L V6 with the 5-Speed Aisin AF33 automatic transmission.
The Pontiac Torrent was featured as one of the prizes in the reality television series Survivor in 2005 as well as Criss Angel Mindfreak in the same year.
GXP
The GXP trim came with a new 6 speed automatic Transmission (with Manual Tap Up/Down shifting capability) paired to a 3.6 L DOHC SFI V6 with 264 hp (197 kW; 268 PS) engine, (with a reported 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds). Other features include: 18 inch 5-spoke chrome wheels, twin hood scoops, and a unique front and rear body kit. The GXP edition Torrent is 188.80 inches (4,796 mm) long overall, 71.40 inches (1,814 mm) wide, and 68.30 inches (1,735 mm) tall. The GXP Torrent sits 1 inch (25 mm) lower to the ground and has 6.6 inches (170 mm) of ground clearance. The lower stance is accented by the 18 inch wheels and the absent roof rack, giving the Torrent a smoother design flow compared to the standard Torrent. The GXP model also features a performance-tuned suspension, hydraulic power-assisted steering (as opposed to the electric power-assisted standard Torrent), improved interior trim (featuring piano black and chrome trim on the console and dash gauges), dual chrome-tipped exhaust, and GXP specific gauges and console trim. A navigation system is an option along with heated sport leather seats, DVD entertainment system, and Sunroof. The GXP became available for sale in the fall of 2007.
GM prominently promoted the Torrent GXP in television advertisements by touting its horsepower advantage over the BMW X3, in an effort to brand Pontiac more as a direct, low-cost rival to BMW.
Podium Edition
For the 2008 model year, the Torrent gets the Podium Edition trim for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. This trim was sold only in Canada.
Discontinuation
The Torrent was discontinued after the 2009 model year as part of General Motors having dropped the Pontiac brand. A Buick Theta crossover SUV was supposed to be made, effectively taking place of the Pontiac Torrent. But instead, GM gave up the Torrent to the GMC brand, and renamed it the GMC Terrain, which also replaces the body-on-frame GMC Envoy and Isuzu Ascender (a rebadged GMC Envoy) because of Isuzu leaving the United States market after 2008. Like the Torrent, the GMC Terrain shares the same Theta platform.
The last one rolled off the assembly line in 2009.