Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker die at the end of the 1967 film "Bonnie and Clyde." That's really surprising. You'd think that with two actors as good looking as Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, Hollywood would have taken a bit of artistic license when writing the otherwise true story and allow them to survive the roadblock of death.
Well, maybe that will happen in a remake. And if Hollywood does make "Bonnie and Clyde 2000," we wouldn't be surprised to see Bonnie and Clyde driving a new 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi. Product placement is all the rage these days. A new Bonny for Bonnie and Clyde — brilliant! The Bonneville even solves how to change the ending. With 240 horsepower, the new Bonneville will blast B and C right through the police roadblock!
Now, of course, it's a bit illogical that a bored small-town girl and a small-time bank robber would drive a Bonneville. From what Pontiac tells us, a good number of new Bonneville buyers are comfortable baby boomers with college degrees and plenty of cash in the bank. But if Hollywood producers can be flashed enough greenbacks to make James Bond drive a BMW instead of a Lotus, Bonnie and Clyde can certainly drive a Bonneville.
Being a 2000-year movie, the Hollywood producers will want to use a 2000-year Bonneville. And that's probably a good thing. The previous Bonneville (on sale from 1992 to 1999) was tolerable, but it really started showing its age the last couple years. Most apparent was a general lack of refinement that permeated the handling, the interior ergonomics, and noise found inside the cabin.
The Bonneville is Pontiac's flagship four-door sedan. For 2000, it is completely redesigned from the ground up. There are now three Bonneville models: SE, SLE and SSEi. Visually, the car is more angular now, with hard edges on the nose and flanks. Do you like it? We'll leave that up to you. The SLE and SSEi look virtually identical except for badging. The SE has a different nose and wheels.
The SE is the entry-level model and will most likely compose the bulk of Bonneville sales. It comes with such standard equipment as 16-inch wheels and tires, dual front airbags, a tire pressure monitor, and power windows and mirrors. The midlevel SLE is more performance-oriented. Among other things, it gets a six-way power driver's seat, an upgraded sound system, Pontiac's Driver Information Center (no abbreviations, please), remote keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio system controls, dual-zone climate controls, 17-inch wheels and tires, and a shorter final drive for better acceleration. The top-line SSEi features all of the SLE's equipment plus the StabiliTrak system, a head-up display, variable-effort steering, power driver and passenger leather seats with memory function, a Bose premium sound system, and a trunk accessory kit.
All three new Bonnevilles share the same platform as the new Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile Aurora. With this new platform comes a number of considerable improvements and features. One major improvement is a more rigid body structure. Pontiac says the new architecture results in a 62 percent improvement in torsional stiffness and a 27 percent increase in vertical bending. This increased stiffness helps to improve the three main areas where the previous-generation Bonneville was lacking — ride quality, handling, and sound isolation.
SE models receive 16-inch wheels with 225/60R16 tires. The SLE and the SSEi receive 17-inch wheels with 235/55R17 tires. For the 17-inch wheels, two different designs are available: a sporty-looking mesh-type cast aluminum wheel or a more luxury-oriented multi-spoke chrome-polished wheel. Pontiac also widened the track (62.6 inches in front; 62.1 inches in the rear) and increased the wheelbase. The car feels well damped and stable for a big American sedan. The steering wheel is thick and provides decent input to the driver. Yes, Bonnie and Clyde might actually have a bit of driving excitement here.
Engine choices are pretty much the same as 1999. Power output hasn't changed, but Pontiac has made the engines quieter. The SE and SLE receive a normally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine. It is rated at 205 horsepower and 230 foot-pounds of torque. The SSEi gets a supercharged V6 worth 240 horsepower and 280 foot-pounds of torque. All cars come with a standard four-speed automatic transmission. For normal driving, the SE and SLE have plenty of power. But to really outgun cars like the Chrysler 300M and Nissan Maxima, the SSEi's supercharged engine is required.
For 2000, traction control is optional on SE and SLE models. It is standard on SSEi models, as is the StabiliTrak system. This system monitors cornering stability. When it detects the onset of a potentially dangerous situation (like a skid or a spin), StabiliTrak applies braking pressure to one of the front wheels to help bring the car back under control.
The 2000 Bonneville also features a completely new interior. All Bonnevilles are fitted with bucket seats up front as standard, though the SE can be ordered with a bench front seat to increase maximum passenger capacity to six. The front seats have the seatbelts integrated into the seat design. Pontiac says that this allows the belts to move with the seat, allowing greater comfort no matter where the seat is positioned.
The dash still looks like a Pontiac design, which is to say it has a feel of general busyness. There are now — count 'em — eight separate air vents on the dash. The gauge cluster now displays more information, and the glove box is bigger. One feature carrying over from previous Bonneville is the head-up display (HUD). It is standard on the SSEi model. The HUD informs the driver of vehicle speed, radio frequency while tuning, turn-signal activation, and low fuel. It is especially useful when combined with the audio controls (standard on the SLE and SSEi) placed on the steering wheel. These buttons control volume, seek, radio presets, and radio/CD selection. Both the steering wheel buttons and the HUD allow the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road at nearly all times.
Another useful addition is a personalization feature that comes with the remote keyless-entry system. When so equipped, Pontiac supplies two unique key fobs. Each fob (one for Bonnie and one for Clyde, for instance) controls a variety of programmable preferences. The highlights include programmable climate-control settings, memory seats with entry and exit positions, programmable radio settings, outside mirror positions, perimeter lighting, and power door lock operation.
The Bonneville should provide a good level of safety. Pontiac also says the new body structure offers increased crash protection. Front and side airbags are standard for front passengers. The Bonneville also comes with a three-year/36,000 mile warranty and toll-free 24-hour roadside assistance. GM's OnStar system is said to be available on cars sold after January 2000.
It should be obvious to you at this point that Pontiac has packed a considerable amount of features into the new Bonneville. Pontiac is also keeping the pricing down. When equipped with popular equipment, the SE, SLE, and the SSEi should all cost less than similarly equipped '99 models. The base price for an SE starts at $24,295. The SLE starts at $27,995 and the SSEi at $32,240.
The latest Bonny is considerably better than the one it replaces. It's also much closer to the levels attained by the Nissan Maxima or the Chrysler 300M. During our short drive, it was apparent that Pontiac weeded out much of the unsavory mushiness. The revised suspension and steering gave us a good amount of confidence while piloting the car on curvy roads. Braking abilities also seemed to be in good order. Inside, there is plenty of room for both the driver and passengers. Dash styling aside, the radio and climate controls are easy to find and operate.
Can the Bonneville better the Maxima or the 300M? It's really easy to look at the Bonneville's feature list and say, "Wow, look at all this stuff!" But like one of those giant packs of sampler fireworks one can buy for the Fourth of July, it's important to examine the true contents. Do you really need 24 different types of yellow sparklers? Do you really need programmable perimeter lighting?
Though a comparison test is ultimately required, our initial impressions say that it would be hard to place the Bonneville over the Maxima or 300M. Supercharged or not, the Bonneville's engine does not have the refined feel found with the DOHC engines. We also thought that the transmission could use some fine-tuning, as it hunted too much to find the proper gear while going up hills.
But that doesn't take away from the Bonneville's newfound accomplishments. If you want a big American sedan that can seat five comfortably as well as offer an interesting drive, then a trip to your local Pontiac dealer is in order.
Well, maybe that will happen in a remake. And if Hollywood does make "Bonnie and Clyde 2000," we wouldn't be surprised to see Bonnie and Clyde driving a new 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi. Product placement is all the rage these days. A new Bonny for Bonnie and Clyde — brilliant! The Bonneville even solves how to change the ending. With 240 horsepower, the new Bonneville will blast B and C right through the police roadblock!
Now, of course, it's a bit illogical that a bored small-town girl and a small-time bank robber would drive a Bonneville. From what Pontiac tells us, a good number of new Bonneville buyers are comfortable baby boomers with college degrees and plenty of cash in the bank. But if Hollywood producers can be flashed enough greenbacks to make James Bond drive a BMW instead of a Lotus, Bonnie and Clyde can certainly drive a Bonneville.
Being a 2000-year movie, the Hollywood producers will want to use a 2000-year Bonneville. And that's probably a good thing. The previous Bonneville (on sale from 1992 to 1999) was tolerable, but it really started showing its age the last couple years. Most apparent was a general lack of refinement that permeated the handling, the interior ergonomics, and noise found inside the cabin.
The Bonneville is Pontiac's flagship four-door sedan. For 2000, it is completely redesigned from the ground up. There are now three Bonneville models: SE, SLE and SSEi. Visually, the car is more angular now, with hard edges on the nose and flanks. Do you like it? We'll leave that up to you. The SLE and SSEi look virtually identical except for badging. The SE has a different nose and wheels.
The SE is the entry-level model and will most likely compose the bulk of Bonneville sales. It comes with such standard equipment as 16-inch wheels and tires, dual front airbags, a tire pressure monitor, and power windows and mirrors. The midlevel SLE is more performance-oriented. Among other things, it gets a six-way power driver's seat, an upgraded sound system, Pontiac's Driver Information Center (no abbreviations, please), remote keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio system controls, dual-zone climate controls, 17-inch wheels and tires, and a shorter final drive for better acceleration. The top-line SSEi features all of the SLE's equipment plus the StabiliTrak system, a head-up display, variable-effort steering, power driver and passenger leather seats with memory function, a Bose premium sound system, and a trunk accessory kit.
All three new Bonnevilles share the same platform as the new Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile Aurora. With this new platform comes a number of considerable improvements and features. One major improvement is a more rigid body structure. Pontiac says the new architecture results in a 62 percent improvement in torsional stiffness and a 27 percent increase in vertical bending. This increased stiffness helps to improve the three main areas where the previous-generation Bonneville was lacking — ride quality, handling, and sound isolation.
SE models receive 16-inch wheels with 225/60R16 tires. The SLE and the SSEi receive 17-inch wheels with 235/55R17 tires. For the 17-inch wheels, two different designs are available: a sporty-looking mesh-type cast aluminum wheel or a more luxury-oriented multi-spoke chrome-polished wheel. Pontiac also widened the track (62.6 inches in front; 62.1 inches in the rear) and increased the wheelbase. The car feels well damped and stable for a big American sedan. The steering wheel is thick and provides decent input to the driver. Yes, Bonnie and Clyde might actually have a bit of driving excitement here.
Engine choices are pretty much the same as 1999. Power output hasn't changed, but Pontiac has made the engines quieter. The SE and SLE receive a normally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine. It is rated at 205 horsepower and 230 foot-pounds of torque. The SSEi gets a supercharged V6 worth 240 horsepower and 280 foot-pounds of torque. All cars come with a standard four-speed automatic transmission. For normal driving, the SE and SLE have plenty of power. But to really outgun cars like the Chrysler 300M and Nissan Maxima, the SSEi's supercharged engine is required.
For 2000, traction control is optional on SE and SLE models. It is standard on SSEi models, as is the StabiliTrak system. This system monitors cornering stability. When it detects the onset of a potentially dangerous situation (like a skid or a spin), StabiliTrak applies braking pressure to one of the front wheels to help bring the car back under control.
The 2000 Bonneville also features a completely new interior. All Bonnevilles are fitted with bucket seats up front as standard, though the SE can be ordered with a bench front seat to increase maximum passenger capacity to six. The front seats have the seatbelts integrated into the seat design. Pontiac says that this allows the belts to move with the seat, allowing greater comfort no matter where the seat is positioned.
The dash still looks like a Pontiac design, which is to say it has a feel of general busyness. There are now — count 'em — eight separate air vents on the dash. The gauge cluster now displays more information, and the glove box is bigger. One feature carrying over from previous Bonneville is the head-up display (HUD). It is standard on the SSEi model. The HUD informs the driver of vehicle speed, radio frequency while tuning, turn-signal activation, and low fuel. It is especially useful when combined with the audio controls (standard on the SLE and SSEi) placed on the steering wheel. These buttons control volume, seek, radio presets, and radio/CD selection. Both the steering wheel buttons and the HUD allow the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road at nearly all times.
Another useful addition is a personalization feature that comes with the remote keyless-entry system. When so equipped, Pontiac supplies two unique key fobs. Each fob (one for Bonnie and one for Clyde, for instance) controls a variety of programmable preferences. The highlights include programmable climate-control settings, memory seats with entry and exit positions, programmable radio settings, outside mirror positions, perimeter lighting, and power door lock operation.
The Bonneville should provide a good level of safety. Pontiac also says the new body structure offers increased crash protection. Front and side airbags are standard for front passengers. The Bonneville also comes with a three-year/36,000 mile warranty and toll-free 24-hour roadside assistance. GM's OnStar system is said to be available on cars sold after January 2000.
It should be obvious to you at this point that Pontiac has packed a considerable amount of features into the new Bonneville. Pontiac is also keeping the pricing down. When equipped with popular equipment, the SE, SLE, and the SSEi should all cost less than similarly equipped '99 models. The base price for an SE starts at $24,295. The SLE starts at $27,995 and the SSEi at $32,240.
The latest Bonny is considerably better than the one it replaces. It's also much closer to the levels attained by the Nissan Maxima or the Chrysler 300M. During our short drive, it was apparent that Pontiac weeded out much of the unsavory mushiness. The revised suspension and steering gave us a good amount of confidence while piloting the car on curvy roads. Braking abilities also seemed to be in good order. Inside, there is plenty of room for both the driver and passengers. Dash styling aside, the radio and climate controls are easy to find and operate.
Can the Bonneville better the Maxima or the 300M? It's really easy to look at the Bonneville's feature list and say, "Wow, look at all this stuff!" But like one of those giant packs of sampler fireworks one can buy for the Fourth of July, it's important to examine the true contents. Do you really need 24 different types of yellow sparklers? Do you really need programmable perimeter lighting?
Though a comparison test is ultimately required, our initial impressions say that it would be hard to place the Bonneville over the Maxima or 300M. Supercharged or not, the Bonneville's engine does not have the refined feel found with the DOHC engines. We also thought that the transmission could use some fine-tuning, as it hunted too much to find the proper gear while going up hills.
But that doesn't take away from the Bonneville's newfound accomplishments. If you want a big American sedan that can seat five comfortably as well as offer an interesting drive, then a trip to your local Pontiac dealer is in order.
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