---

Pontiac Wants to Know 'Why You're Bold Enough to Drive the Aztek?'

7 January 2000

Pontiac Wants to Know 'Why You're Bold Enough to Drive the Aztek?'

   A-List Adventurer Contest Offers Chance to Drive 2001 Aztek for 45 Days
             And Win a Trip to Los Angeles for a VIP Beach Party

    LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6 -- The bold, innovative styling and
personality of the 2001 Pontiac Aztek, sport recreation vehicle, will be
showcased on the Internet after 20 winners of an unusual online contest hit
the streets in a 45-day test-drive of the all-new vehicle -- before Aztek ever
hits showroom floors.  Winners will be chosen through the vehicle's web site,
http://www.aztek.pontiac.com, and will be flown to Los Angeles to attend an exclusive
A-List Adventurers "Beach Bash" at the end of May.
    The 20 winners, soon-to-be-known as the "A-List Adventurers," will be free
to go anywhere and do anything with their Aztek, experiencing how the creative
functionality of the vehicle blends with their own lifestyles.  Because the
final design of the vehicle was influenced by consumer interaction with
vehicle designers via the Internet, all winners will also be receiving digital
cameras so they can post a diary of their 45-day odyssey on Aztek's web site.
    "The web is the most innovative tool of the 21st century," said Don
Butler, Aztek brand manager.  "And since some of the most created through the needs consumers expressed during
Internet discussions, it only seems appropriate that the first driving
opportunities for this all-new vehicle be given through the web."
    Beginning today and continuing through Friday, March 17, consumers can log
on to Aztek's web site (http://www.aztek.pontiac.com) and enter the A-List
Adventurers contest by explaining, in 75 words or less, why the boldness of
Aztek would be a perfect fit with their active lifestyles.
    Uniquely combining the driving enjoyment of a sports sedan, the rugged
capability of a sport utility vehicle, and the flexibility of a van, Aztek
features a bold, aggressively styled exterior.  Aztek's design is highlighted
by its confident wide-track stance and Pontiac's trademark cats-eye headlamps,
oversize fog lamps, and a twin-port grille with ram-air slots in the hood and
protective side cladding.
    Inside, Aztek is flexible and accommodating wimerous innovations, including an available insulated
console/cooler that latches between the front bucket seats and an available
rear cargo tray system that rolls onto the tailgate to facilitate loading up
to 400 pounds of sports gear or home-improvement materials.  The rear cargo
netting alone has more than 22 separate configurations to make transporting
anything from sporting equipment to groceries a true convenience.
    Providing the power to back up its athletic spirit, Aztek offers a
3.4-liter OHV V6 that delivers 185 horsepower.  A four-speed electronically
controlled automatic transmission that has adaptive calibration logic to
provide consistently smooth, precise, and firm shifts throughout its life
ensures that Aztek meets the needs of all active lifestyles.
    Aztek is the first production vehicle in General Motors' "Go Fast"
program.  Overwhelming consumer demand propelled Aztek to full production
status for the 2001 model year after the concept vehicle debuted at the North
American International Auto Show in January 1999.  The Aztek is moving to
production approximately 12 months after its concept reveal, an unusually
quick turnaround by automotive industry standards.
    The 2001 Aztek makes its world debut at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show
on Thursday, January 6.  Vehicles will arrive in showrooms on the West Coast
beginning in June, followed by a national rollout.

See it Now! http://www.theautochannel.com/cybercast/2000autoshows/index.html?EVENTS