Pontiac aztek

What do you get when a multi-national automaker keen to crack the Gen X market in the '90s ask a focus group what kind of car they would like and end up blending a Chevrolet Camaro with an S10 pickup pontiac aztek Something cool you'd assume Well, actually it gives you the Pontiac Aztek crossover vehicle. While it was never sold down under, its controversial styling has left a lasting legacy worldwide, pontiac aztek.

The Pontiac Aztek was a mid-size crossover sold by the Pontiac division of General Motors from to The vehicle was GM's first venture into the crossover market. It also had a twin the Buick Rendezvous. Both were built on the GM's minivan platform. The Aztek was a cross between a minivan and an SUV. With a front engine and four-wheel drive available after January , [1] the Aztek featured a four-speed automatic transmission and a V-6 engine. Other features included a rear center console that doubled as a removable cooler.

Pontiac aztek

Take part in one of our fiendishly tricky three-minute quizzes. Pontiac took a gamble, hoping that buyers wanted something different. They did — but not this. With the Aztek, Pontiac tried to combine the best attributes of a mid-sized saloon, a van and a sport utility vehicle, the latter being the type of car which was becoming increasingly popular in the US at the time. So what a shame that Aztek designer Phil Kucera produced such a hideous looking car that few people could take it seriously. What was even more tragic was that the Aztek then went into production not long after being shown — with barely anything in terms of the exterior design being changed in the meantime. Although the nose of the car had to be recognisably Pontiac, the design language used could have been rather more cohesive without the car losing its corporate look. While marketing departments are very good at coming up with meaningless phrases and hype, this must take the biscuit for being completely unbelievable. The ladder frame underbody construction, as Pontiac called it, meant the Aztek would be less capable when tackling rock-strewn tracks, but at least it would be much more refined when cruising along metalled roads. Although the Aztek looked as though it was fitted with four-wheel drive, only the front wheels were driven. Powering these via a four-speed automatic gearbox there was a bhp 3. Naturally there were disc brakes all round, equipped with anti-lock circuitry and traction control ensured that if things got a bit slippery in the harbour while reversing the boat into the sea, all would not be lost. As the exterior was so ugly, it was something of a relief that the interior was rather more palatable. The silver, black, grey and yellow colour scheme worked very well, with the yellow only really being used to lift things a bit. There was space for four occupants, although the rear seats could be folded up or removed with the minimum of fuss; versatility was the order of the day where the Aztek was concerned.

Right now, 10 bloggers are spitting out stories about the ways in which the Aztek is now cool, pontiac aztek. Farm machinery.

The Pontiac Aztek is one of the ugliest vehicles ever built, but the fundamental ideas behind it are sound and should be resurrected today. Pontiac Aztek: Such versatility, much ugly. Craig brought 15 years of automotive journalism experience to the Cars team. A lifelong resident of Michigan, he's as happy with a wrench or welding gun in hand as he is in front of the camera or behind a keyboard. When not hosting videos or cranking out features and reviews, he's probably out in the garage working on one of his project cars.

Everybody knows the story of the Pontiac Aztek, a vehicle widely considered to be one of the ugliest ever put into production—and a perfect example of an automaker bungling what seemed to be a great idea. Moreover, its eventual checkmate was assured the moment it arrived in mid Think about it: The Aztek played the clown perfectly, but while we were mocking its appearance, it was laying the groundwork for total domination. And like some sort of far-seeing comic book supervillain, many of its plans would only come to fruition after its death. On paper, the Aztek was a slam dunk. Does that sound familiar? Yes, even Mercedes-Benz.

Pontiac aztek

Most searched services. Contact us. In an emergency or crisis situation In an emergency or crisis situation. Here you can find the most important telephone numbers. Do not hesitate to call us.

Steamcommunity

Just 27, were sold in , which was the model's best-selling year. Latest CarAdvice. Its engine was shared with GM's minivan lineup. Corporate advertising. Archived from the original on Both were built on the GM's minivan platform. Wed 13 Mar 0. If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges. Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. Electric cars. Pontiac's Aztek is scheduled for emergency surgery — a facelift, body-colour cladding and larger wheels — as well as a price cut. Well, actually it gives you the Pontiac Aztek crossover vehicle. There was space for four occupants, although the rear seats could be folded up or removed with the minimum of fuss; versatility was the order of the day where the Aztek was concerned.

Face it, America, you're not getting any thinner. Nearly one of four persons in this country is obese, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Tiger Woods may have had something to do with this:. Did this deviation, and the inherent compromises it represented, prevent GM from producing the thing? Drive Journalists. If you saw something that looked like the Aztek scurry out from behind your fridge, you might have difficulty deciding whether to kill it or kill yourself. The Pontiac Aztek is one of the ugliest vehicles ever made. The production edition of the Aztek was launched with the tagline "Quite possibly the most versatile vehicle on the planet" in conjunction with CBS 's hit reality show Survivor in Archived from the original on November 18, Toggle limited content width. Sell My Car. New Car Deals. Latest News. Adventure Cars. With the Aztek, Pontiac tried to combine the best attributes of a mid-sized saloon, a van and a sport utility vehicle, the latter being the type of car which was becoming increasingly popular in the US at the time. Grand Prix. Drive Live Chat.