Pontiac upgrades its Vibe, inside and out

The new model year brings the second-generation Vibe hatchback, with sleeker styling and an upgraded interior.

The five-passenger, five-door Vibe comes with a choice of engines: a 158-horsepower, 2.4-liter four cylinder producing 162 foot-pounds of torque, and a base, 1.8-liter four cylinder with 132 horses and 128 foot-pounds of torque.

Both the GT and all-wheel-drive models of Vibe return to the lineup, and electronic stability control is standard on all Vibes for the first time.

For 2009, the Solstice roadster adds a coupe version that’s more amenable to year-round weather. There is a removable roof panel, so open-air driving is available when weather permits.

The coupe has the same choice of engines that’s offered for the roadster: a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four cylinder with 167 foot-pounds of torque, and a 260-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged four cylinder.

Other news at Pontiac: a hot-rod G8 sedan with 400-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 and sport suspension.

The Grand Prix is dropped for 2009.

Midsize pickup truck joins Suzuki lineup

Japanese carmaker Suzuki has added a midsize pickup truck. The Suzuki Equator is based on and built alongside the Nissan Frontier, but the hood, front fenders, grille, bumpers, front fascia and tailgate are unique to Suzuki.

Available with an extended or crew cab, a choice of two bed lengths, and rear- or four-wheel drive, the Equator is powered by one of two engine choices: a 152-horsepower, 2.5-liter four cylinder or a 261-horsepower, 4-liter V-6.

Also this year, the Grand Vitara SUV gets two new, more powerful engines: a 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter four and a 230-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6.

The SX4 is offered with front-wheel-drive, and the Reno and Forenza have disappeared from the lineup.