New 2017 Firebird Concept Car Revealed

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Pontiac describes the new 2017 Pontiac Firebird concept car that has made its debut at the Detroit motor show as "the brand’s most aggressive 2017 Firebird concept car ever".

The rear-wheel drive 2+2 Firebird sports car was created at the American company's design studio. At 4,310mm long the new 2017 Firebird is the same length as a 2017 Trans Am, but it's substantially lower and wider, and has a shorter wheelbase.

At the front there's the latest interpretation of Firebird's "tiger nose" grille, which has a surround that glows white. It is flanked by vertical LED headlamps, while there's a clamshell bonnet that has chrome accents as well as bulges to accommodate the car's 20 inch alloy wheels.

Black front pillars - a nod to the new firebird - give the windscreen a wraparound look; they also incorporate transparent sections designed to improve visibility. The body widens at the rear, and there are LED rear lights that illuminate from behind a black panel that stretches across the width of the car.

Power comes from a front-mounted, tuned version of Pontiac's 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine that develops 311bhp. Drive is to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

The amazing New 2017 Firebird revealed in Detroit

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As it happens, Pontiac has been on a bit of a roll with exciting cars. The all new 2017 Firebird Turbo, and the brand-new 2017 Trans Am all suggest that the Pontiac brass want to take the company in a more exciting, more aggressive direction. To be honest, I haven’t been completely convinced. That is, until now.

The new 2017 Firebird is a true sports car front engine, rear drive and near perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Under that menacing hood, it packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injected four-cylinder that is good for 315 horsepower. This, in a Firebird car that weighs just 2,874 pounds. It should also stop pretty briskly because it’s fitted with 15-inch Brembo Gran Turismo brakes. My face hurts at the prospect of stopping this thing.

Still, my favorite part of this 2017 Firebird – hands down – is the looks. The combination of the Pontiac’s signature grille and those vertical LED lights make the front end look downright sinister. Add in the flaring rear wheel arches and the classic 2+2 sports car silhouette, and you get one damn fine looking 2017 Firebird sports car.

 There are some very cool touches, too. You get things like a carbon fiber front splitter and A-pillars that are transparent with layered slots cut in to reduce weight and add to visibility. The result is that the drive gets an unbeatable 270-degree field of vision. That should be handy when you are trying to find the apex of a corner.

Some people are going to say that this new 2017 Firebird is bad just because of the badge, and that is just wrong. Sure, Pontiac is not the most storied name in automotive circles, but cars like this are how companies make their names.  

The only big worry is that Pontiac won’t make this car. It is, after all, still just a new 2017 Firebird concept. But as the popularity of the Firebird has shown, there is room in the market for simple affordable Firebird sports cars. And, on paper at least.

The chief designer of the new 2017 Firebird, says, “It’s a totally selfish design. The design team over at Pontiac is full of gearheads and enthusiasts, and the new 2017 Pontiac Firebird is the perfect car for that kind of crowd.” If this car is selfish, then give me more where that came from.

Looking for more Detroit news? Check out the rest of our coverage from the 2017 North American International Auto Show.