Just a small mention in Sundays Chicago Tribune's Auto section, page 3.
(snip ) This SEMA show in Vegas,..yadda yadda yadda, Pontiac provided a peek at the 2005 GTO coming out in December with a 6 Litre 400 HP V-8 replacing the 5.7 Litre 350 HP V-8. While the GTO will offer optional hood scoops for a sportier look, the SEMA car also added front & rear facia extensions, spoiler and rocker panel extensions from GM Parts and Service Division to show how buyers can dress it up even more.
Pontiac then showed a GTO with a new 6.4 Litre, 575 HP V-8 with Ram Air induction, which suggests that the rumors are true that Pontiac is developing an even higher output GTO. Its supposed to be dubbed the Judge, a name used on the highest output GTO in the 60's & 70's.
But, insiders insist, don't expect a Judge for a couple of years until Pontiac increases GTO sales volume. For 04, its first year on the market, GTO sold about 9000 units, or roughly half the target. For 05, Pontiac says the 400 HP V-8 should boost sales to 12,000 to 18,000 GTO's.
End of article.
HF