I still say the GTO would have sold if:
A: The exchange rate didn’t kill them. It was supposed to sticker at a little under 30k, not 33k+.
B: They called it something other than the GTO.
That second one is what really did it in. There was an instant backlash from the old school muscle car crowd and the car had bad publicity when it launched.
Take a step back and look at the car subjectively as the Pontiac Monaro.
- 400 HP/400 TQ, stock, with a 6 speed.
- 0-60 < 5 seconds, 1/4 in the low 13’s.
- Style, less boy racer, more sleek coupe.
So maybe a 4 door version, using an name plate that is currently around, would work out better for them.
And the fact that they’re using the LS2… who cares? The Corvette will always be the performance king at GM, for the simple fact that it’s a light two seat coupe. Same engine + a much heavier car will never = the same performance.