Epoch Times attended the Pontiac "Catch the Vibe" Challenge on April 3, where participants drive Pontiac's new 2009 Vibe and demonstrate their knowledge, experience, and judgement. Speed is a small element in this race.
In this race, the drivers were to complete a series of seemingly unreasonable tasks in a given time frame. The tasks included driving the 2009 Vibe to various tourist spots and 4 Pontiac dealerships in the city, taking photos and two videos of the trip, and answering some fairly difficult questions. Each team is given a Blackberry Pearl 8130, which can be used for address searches on the Internet, answering questions, and sending photos and videos back to the HQ. The route passed through 200 km of busy streets in Toronto.
Pontiac first introduced the 5-door Vibe, a twin sibling of the Toyota Matrix, back in 2002. In the 2007 LA Auto Show, Pontiac unveiled the second-generation model.
The 2009 Vibe is a compact, multi-function, cross-over utility vehicle. While preserving the dynamic form of the former designs, lines have been further streamlined. The nimble, well-rounded design matches the rising consumer demand for multi-function vehicles. The Vibe we drove was a bright red colour that stood out and demanded people's attentions.
After using the Blackberry to send a "Ready to take off" snapshot, we drove off in the special red Vibe.
The cabin was spacious, and the interior design greeted the passengers with a friendly feeling. The steering wheel and the dash had striking similarities to those in the Toyota Matrix. The silver trim around the gauges added a sporty accent. The satellite radio receiver was sitting on top of the audio system, which made it easy to access. As expected, volume controls could be found on the steering wheel as well.
The hatchback design gives the Vibe plenty of cargo space, while the folding rear seats provide even more carrying capacity and maximizes its value as a multi-function vehicle. This is ideal for those who frequently need to carry sport equipments.
Driving Performance
Toronto has been graced with some exceptionally fine weather this Spring. Basked in warm sunshine, we drove along the westbound QEW and arrived at the Humber Bridge. After taking a snapshot there, we continued north on the 400 to an amusement park and took another photo there. After that, we drove to the four designated dealerships and took the "we were here" photos at each place.
As everyone was busy with taking photos, we suddenly realized it was already 2 o'clock. Looking at the odometer, we had only driven 100 km. The rules said we needed to have driven the car for at least 200 km by 5 PM, so we chose to take a long cruise along Highway 401 and then come back. On the highway, the ride was comfortable and assuring.
The new Vibe has two engine options: a 1.8-L 4 cylinder capable of producing 132 bhp and 128 ft-lb torque at peak, or a 2.4-L unit with the maximum output of 158 bhp and 162 lb-ft torque. The AWD and GT models are only available with the 2.4-L engine.
For suspension, it's MacPherson struts at the front, and either torsion beam or independent wishbone for the rear. This setup gives fine handling to the car. ABS and electronic stability control are standard on all models.
Conclusion
While driving the car for a full day, it felt agile and responsive. The handling shines on busy city streets. The car is built on the same platform as the Toyota Matrix at the California plant jointly owned by GM and Toyota. There is no need to worry about its build quality and reliability.
The base model with 1.8-L 4-cylinder engine, manual transmission, front wheel drive, and basic options carries an MSRP of $15,895.
The model we drove for the race came with AWD, 2.4L 158 bhp engine, automatic transmission, and carried a price tag of $23,230.
For those who are interested in reading more about this race, see the official web site at www.catchthevibe.ca.
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