2009 Pontiac Vibe GT

Pontiac has given the Vibe wagon a makeover for the 2009 model year. The '09 Vibe was unveiled Tuesday and goes on sale early next year. The Vibe's makeover coincides with a redesign for its mechanical twin, the Toyota Matrix. Toyota introduced the new Matrix last week during the SEMA show in Las Vegas.

The '09 Vibe comes in three trim levels--base, AWD and GT. The redesign marks the return of all-wheel drive and the GT trim level to the Vibe lineup. The first-generation Vibe was launched in 2002 as a 2003 model.

Base engine for the Vibe is a 1.8-liter, inline four with variable valve timing. The engine is rated at 132 hp and 128 ft-lb of torque. It is mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.A 2.4-liter inline four is the standard engine for the AWD and GT trim levels, and optional on the base Vibe. It is rated at 158 hp and 162 ft-lb of torque. With the AWD model, the engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Buyers of the GT or a base model equipped with the larger engine get a choice between the five-speed manual and an optional five-speed automatic.

Standard hardware on all models includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and stability control. All Vibes come with electric power steering. The front suspension uses MacPherson struts. In the back, the base Vibe gets a torsion beam rear suspension. AWD and GT models use a multi-link rear suspension.

© Source: autoweek
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