Pontiac Grand AM SC/T

There's the letter of the law. And then, there's the spirit of the law. Pontiac law states that the letters GTO mean a light, affordable, rear-drive coupe with the biggest V-8 engine that fits under the hood. And then, there's the law that ultimately reflects the spirit of performance driving. To Pontiac's speed czars, that interpretation says, provide outstanding fun at the right price using your lightest platform and a powertrain that offers V-8-style go, even if it's a pumped-up V-6 in a front-drive platform.

Let's face facts, GM isn't likely to build you a "goat" with tri-power, 389 cubes, and a posi rear axle for $20,000. As a possible alternative, however, Pontiac is trying to figure out if it's okay to use the GTO label on a quick, affordable, front-drive coupe with a supercharged V-6.

The Grand Am SC/T's interior is essentially stock except for fancy dual buckets front and rear. It's highly styled, comfortable, and looks the part of a nasty GTO.

The current Grand Am lends itself easily to the GTO idea with some hot paint, cool wheels, wider rubber, and add-on bodywork. However, the concept car in question is called SC/T and not GTO. Why? Pontiac wants to gauge reaction to the car at auto shows to see if you think it's a real GTO.

The MT staff needed to hear some honking exhaust and smell some frying rubber to decide if a front-drive GTO had legs. Fortunately for us, as part of this investigation, Jace Stokes, assistant brand manager for the Grand Am, agreed. He felt we should spend two weeks blasting around Detroit in two versions of the SC/T concept: a supercharged 3.4-liter Grand Am with a four-speed automatic and a supercharged 3.4-liter Grand Am with a five-speed manual.

These were virtually stock Grand Am GTs except for 17-inch light-alloy wheels from the Bonneville SSEi and low-profile Comp TA rubber. Interestingly, these "plain Janes" drew a lot of interest when we stopped for fuel or parked. At present, Pontiac is pondering the amount of exterior ornamentation, should this idea see production. We say "less is more."