For Immediate Release

Pontiac Aztek:
Quite Possibly the Most Versatile Vehicle on the Planet!

DETROIT - Like all worthy pursuits, this one began with out-of-the-box brainstorming:

  • What if you could pick and choose the finest attributes from various vehicle categories and combine them without compromise?
  • What if you could fuse the driving enjoyment of a sport sedan, the rugged tractability of a sport utility vehicle, and the practicality of a van in one fresh package?
  • What if you could stretch Pontiac excitement beyond present boundaries into an entirely new realm?
The result of this creative thinking is the Pontiac Aztek - a sport recreation vehicle (SRV) uniquely capable of exploring a new dimension of driving excitement. "General Motors has created a whole new, truly different vehicle," explains Aztek Brand Manager Don Butler, "Pontiac Aztek combines outstanding handling, surprising power and innovative interior options which provide the best of several worlds - on a level no other vehicle is currently offering."

Pontiac unveiled the Aztek concept at last year's North American International Auto Show. Propelled by overwhelming customer demand, Aztek advances to full production status for the 2001 model year. This summer, the breakthrough product will arrive in GM showrooms steeped in the character traits Pontiac enthusiasts admire - riveting design, exciting performance, and athletic handling. The Aztek SRV ventures far beyond first-generation SUV products by mustering its strength from three diverse areas of the vehicle-engineering map:

  • From the Grand Prix sport sedan, Aztek draws instantly recognizable Pontiac design cues, a wide-track stance for sporty ride and handling, a roomy and comfortable interior, a low entry height, and an appreciation of advanced technology.
  • Traditional SUV character traits melded into Aztek's constitution are an aggressively rugged exterior appearance, a commanding view of the road, and combination liftgate and tailgate access to the cargo hold. Aztek is powered by a potent V6 engine with an appetite for towing assignments. Available all-wheel-drive gives Pontiac's new SRV the sure-footed traction to handle wet or snowy roads.
  • From the Montana mini-van, Aztek taps the flexibility to carry various combinations of people and cargo, a flat load floor that's ideal for toting bulky gear, and lightweight flip/fold/remove modular seating.
Highly Versatile Interior Design
Aztek is an innovative, flexible and accommodating life-style support vehicle. Two seating configurations are offered - bucket seats in front with a choice of a three passenger flip/fold 50/50-split seat or dual captain chairs in back. The rear 50/50-split bench seats are lightweight modular designs that can be folded, flipped forward or removed to create extra space on demand. The rear seat captain chairs have fold down seat backs that also recline and are easily removable.

A portable console/cooler standard on Aztek GT models latches into the console between the front seats by means of its dual-action handle. This fully insulated container holds up to twelve 12-ounce beverage cans. The Aztek GT also features removable utility packs nested in its front door trim for handy portable storage of cameras, CD players, cell phones, and other gear. Aztek's rugged center console also includes dual cupholders and power outlets along with a mat that features a molded-in coin holder.

Unlike the typical vehicles, Aztek has a wide, low, and flat load floor. Removing the back seats opens up 93.5 cubic feet of cargo space: that's more than Dodge Durango. Drop the tailgate and Aztek accommodates four full sheets of 3/4-inch building materials. A dozen securely attached cargo anchors, a rear convenience net, and storage areas built into the side trim and tailgate sill help keep track of loose ends. The fold-down tailgate has two molded-in seating surfaces and a couple of cup-holders that are perfect for pregame parties.

Two optional cargo storage systems offer Aztek owners additional versatility.

An innovative sliding rear cargo tray system supports up to 400 pounds of sports gear or home improvement materials. A dual-door pop-up unit on the right side of the tray can be subdivided into three segments which are great for holding loose gear; on the left side there's access to a hidden storage area beneath the tray. Three modes of use are possible with the tray system. The rear cargo tray can be securely latched in place inside the vehicle, rolled-out over the tailgate for convenient loading and unloading, or completely removed and stowed in the garage by using the convenient grab handle and built-in roller wheels.

The second option is a reconfigurable rear cargo net system. Two side-panel nets carry up to 35 pounds each. Two larger cross-vehicle nets restrain up to 200 pounds of cargo (100 pounds per net). In conjunction with Aztek's floor-mounted anchor hooks, the convenience net system can be reconfigured in 22 different ways.

Bold, Fresh and Aggressive Interior/ Exterior Design
Aztek cuts a broad swath through the look-alike, humdrum SUVs on the road with a boldly aggressive exterior that could have only come from Pontiac. A confident wide-track stance and prominent proportions set the mood for visual excitement. Pontiac's trademark appearance includes cats-eye headlamps, oversize fog lamps, a twin-port grille with ram-air slots in the hood, and protective side cladding. An exposed fuel cap and permanent side-marker/turn-signal lamps give this SRV a true road-ready confidence.

Aztek's cockpit interior theme brings a functional look and active life-style to the road. A passenger grab handle built into the highly contoured instrument panel and matching door pulls offer hang-tight reassurance when the going gets tough. Analog gauge cluster graphics provide instant legibility. Large, round top-of-dash ventilation outlets are equipped with twist-type shutoff controls and are standard on every Aztek. Exposed attachment screws look perfectly at home in this tech-adventure environment. Seats are trimmed in either bold-graphic cloth or leather, each available in a choice of dark gray or dark taupe hues.

Sporty Ride and Handling
Aztek's wide-track chassis is engineered for responsiveness and agility that will, make conventional SUVs feel dated. Unlike most truck-based SUVs, power rack-and-pinion steering is standard in all Azteks for precise directional control. A 62.7-inch front track and a 63.8-inch rear track beats the stance of a host of similar vehicles. In fact, Aztek has a wider track than the Jeep Grand Cherokee. A wider stance means better control and stability. Aztek's MacPherson strut front suspension is fitted with four-stage shock absorbers valving for optimum ride and handling. A hydroformed engine cradle provides maximum strength and stiffness at the front of the chassis while providing a very mass efficient package.

The twist beam rear axle fitted to front-wheel-drive Azteks is a proven design with an integral anti-roll bar and excellent lateral location. An all-new short-and-long-arm independent rear suspension has been engineered specifically for all-wheel-drive models.

To minimize unsprung weight, Aztek's rear-drive module features aluminum materials for the axle housing, crossmember, control arms, and knuckles. Monotube gas-pressure shock absorbers have a larger piston diameter and greater oil volume to provide superior wheel control and road isolation in comparison to conventional twin-tube dampers. Aztek's innovative independent rear suspension gives it a significant handling edge over live-axle systems, particularly on irregular pavement.

Automatic Level-Control System
An optional automatic level-control system adds a bladder around each rear shock absorber; air pressure inside this bladder is supplied by an on-board compressor to maintain a flat vehicle attitude when heavy loads are carried or a trailer is attached. Included with the auto-level system is an auxiliary accessory outlet located behind the rear interior trim, an air hose, and a pressure gauge that is handy for inflating sports gear and bicycle tires.

Outstanding Performance
Four-channel ABS with electronic braking force distribution is a standard Aztek feature. In conjunction with large front vented disc brakes and rear drums (with front-wheel drive) or discs (w/AWD), Aztek has substantial stopping power. The use of larger-than-normal brake components helps deliver a solid pedal feel, diminished brake noise, 100,000-mile lining life, and excellent all-around braking performance.

Front-wheel-drive Azteks ride on aggressive looking P215/70SR-15 Firestone all-season radials, while the Aztek GT and the all-wheel-drive model Aztek have P215/65SR-16 tires. Uniroyal P215/70-R16 touring tires with white-outlined sidewall letters and an internal adhesive gel capable of sealing small punctures (up to 3/16 of an inch) are available on Aztek GTs. Aztek tread designs deliver a quiet, car-like ride, optimum wet and dry traction, and low rolling resistance while the sidewalls have a bold, aggressive appearance in keeping with Aztek's SRV image.

All Aztek vehicles are powered by a smooth, strong 3.4-liter OHV V6 engine packing 185 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 210 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. That's more standard horsepower than the Ford Explorer and more than what's available on the Nissan XTERRA. Notable features are aluminum cylinder heads, oil sump, and intake manifold for weight savings; sequential fuel injection; forged-steel connecting rods; roller-type hydraulic lifters and rocker arms; and platinum-tipped spark plugs with a 100,000-mile service life.

The four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission has adaptive calibration logic to provide consistently smooth, precise, and firm shifts throughout its life. Aztek's DEXRON-III transmission fluid lasts 150,000 miles in normal service.

In fuel economy, Aztek is expected to top practically every six-cylinder SUV on the market. With 26 miles per gallon highway fuel economy, Aztek actually equals the 4-cylinder Chrylser PT Cruiser.

All-Speed Traction Control System
Customers who expect superior traction will definitely be impressed by Aztek. All-speed traction control employing both powertrain and brake-system interaction to curtail wheel spin is standard in the GT and optional on Aztek vehicles.

VERSATRAK® All-Wheel-Drive System
An innovative VERSATRAK® AWD system has been engineered specifically for Aztek. With absolutely no pulling of levers, punching of buttons, or other driver action, VERSATRAK® directs torque to those wheels with the best traction on demand when you need it. Twin gerotor pumps inside a compact rear drive module automatically sense the difference between the rotational speeds of front and rear tires in low-traction conditions. Before any significant slippage occurs, the pumps engage multi-plate clutches that provide drive to one or both rear wheels. After slippage ceases, the clutches disengage and Aztek reverts to front-wheel-drive.

Performance on split-traction surfaces (one wheel track on dry pavement, the other on ice or snow) is notably superior than all-wheel-drive systems offered by Aztek's competition. The VERSATRAK® system is so compact it fits under Aztek's flat rear load floor, it adds no noise or vibration, and it's smart enough to accommodate temporary use of a compact space-saver spare tire. Electronic and mechanical safeguards protect VERSATRAK® from inadvertent damage from abusive overload situations.

A 3500-pound trailer-tow option is offered for all Azteks. Heavy-duty engine cooling equipment, a high-output alternator, and the auto load-leveling rear suspension are all included with this package.

Engaging Personal Entertainment and Information Options
All Azteks are equipped with an instrument cluster filled with highly legible analog gauges. In addition to a 7000-rpm tachometer, 120-mph speedometer, fuel-level gauge, and coolant-temperature gauge, the high tech cluster features an LCD trip odometer and a reconfigurable telltale module.

The trip odometer uses one switchable display to report both total mileage and trip mileage. In the event the driver forgets to reset the odometer when the fuel tank is filled, pressing and holding the reset button more than three seconds will reset the trip register to the last key-on mileage. An odo-meter reading is also available with the engine off by two means - opening the driver's door or pressing the trip reset button.

The telltale module displays 23 distinct ISO pictograph warnings (such as battery low) and nine English-language advisories (such as door ajar). The Canadian cluster displays advisories in French.

Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Aztek GT includes a standard two-line dot-matrix Driver Information Center (DIC) which is centrally located below the speedometer and delivers a wealth of operational data on command: outside temperature, compass readings, average and instantaneous fuel economy, fuel consumed, trip range, average speed, and oil-life remaining. Two buttons are positioned adjacent to the instru-ment cluster to enable you to page through the menu of driver information and select or reset various measurements. The driver may also switch between English and metric display. The DIC is also an integral part of setting seven different categories of personalization features (such as lighting and automatic door lock functions).

Head Up Display (HUD)
Aztek GT is the first GM product to showcase the latest new-generation Head Up Display (HUD). Small pixels create virtual images of data which are presented in the driver's line of vision which eliminates the need to take his/her eyes off the road while driving. Compared to current HUDs, there's added flexibility in the information that can be displayed. The HUD display includes vehicle speed, turn-signal operation, high-beam indication, a low-fuel warning, a check gauges advisory, radio station frequency, and both CD number and track. Image brightness and height are both driver-adjustable to provide optimum visibility.

Awesome Audio Systems
Aztek offers no less than four different audio entertainment systems and some notable upgrades to keep its passengers enthralled. Radio receivers are available with AM/FM stereo plus cassette, CD, or dual CD and cassette play capability. Every unit has electronic graphic equalization and Radio Data System (RDS) functions (traffic alerts, station call letters, etc.). Aztek's premium six CD radio system changer introduces other notable innovations - the ability to load six CDs through a single in-dash slot, random access to all disc tracks, and automatic increase in play volume as vehicle speed and noise rises.

Premium Speaker System
Six speakers are standard Aztek equipment. A premium Pioneer speaker system packaged with Aztek's top two sound systems adds a 190-watt amplifier, two six-inch-diameter subwoofers, and a pair of four-inch extended-range speakers aimed rearward toward the liftgate for excellent broadcast capability during tailgate parties. A four-button control panel positioned in the rear cargo area provides control over radio station frequency, AM or FM reception, station preset selection, play volume, and the mute function without having to interrupt your activities to walk around to the front radio controls.

GT customers may also opt for a rear-seat audio system that allows the second row passengers to listen to a different media format than the front seat passengers. The system includes two sets of headphones, plug-in jacks, separate volume controls, and system mode controls. The rear seat audio system is packaged in the rear of the extended overhead console and is easily accessible to passengers seated in the rear seats.

"Aztek offers a totally new level of functionality that adapts to active lifestyles. This new standard of versatility will dramatically change what people expect from their vehicles," said Butler. It's quite possibly the most versatile vehicle on the planet! As the first Sport Recreation Vehicle on the market, Aztek is bound to shake up the status quo. That makes it the perfect addition to Pontiac's lineup of bold, purposeful, athletic, and highly personal products.

Contact: Pontiac-GMC Communications
(313) 667-4000
FAX (313) 667-4001