These Are The Fastest Accelerating Pontiac Cars Made

Today we'll be taking a look at the fastest-accelerating Pontiac cars ever made. This list includes everything from the pioneer muscle cars, Pontiac GTO to the iconic Firebird Trans Am.

Throughout its history, Pontiac gained prominence for producing stylish, high-performance vehicles that captured the spirit of American muscle cars. Some of their most famous models include the likes of the GTO and the Firebird Trans Am, cars that helped Pontiac reach new levels of popularity during the 20th century.

In this article, we be listing the 15 fastest-accelerating Pontiac cars ever made, that not only celebrate both its significant contributions to automotive design and performance but also to enduring impact on enthusiasts and collectors.

 15. 2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP

The list of fastest-acceleration Pontiac cars ever made starts with the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP, which has a 0-60 time of 7.8 seconds. It also had a top speed of 155 mph.

The 2004 Bonneville GXP used to come with a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 275 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque. 

In 2004, the Pontiac Bonneville was the flagship sedan of Pontiac, and the GXP model was released as a performance spec model of the Bonneville. A 4.6-liter Northstar V8 under the hood powered the Bonneville, and the GXP got some cool and unique alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. 

As a flagship sedan, the Bonneville GXP did come with some of the most advanced features of its time, such as dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable seats, a premium audio setup, a heads-up display (HUD), and electronic stability control. 

14. 1963 Pontiac Tempest Super Duty

Next up is the 1963 Pontiac Tempest Super Duty, which, thanks to its 5.5-liter V8 engine, could do 0–60 mph in 7.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 115 mph.

The 1963 Tempest Super Duty was one of Pontiac's most appreciated projects. It came with the 421 V8 engine, with aluminum blocks and cylinder heads, which are significantly lighter than the usual cast-iron blocks. Also, to endure the power output, it used to get forged pistons and larger valves.

The 1963 Pontiac Tempest Super Duty used to come with a 5.5L V8 engine producing 405 HP and 425 lb-ft of torque. This car was so fast that it dominated the whole 1963 NHRA season in the super stock class. And for homologation rules, only about 14 units of this beast, were ever made, making it super rare and fetching values of hundreds of thousands of dollars nowadays. 

13. 1999 Pontiac Grand AM GT

Next, we have the Pontiac Grand AM GT, which was regarded as an efficient daily driver and would be able to take you from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 7.7 seconds, which is significantly fast by late 90s standards.

The 1999 Grand AM GT used to come with a 3.4-liter V6 engine producing 175 HP and 205 lb-ft of torque. This also helped it reach a top speed of 133 mph.

It came with a very spacious cabin, ample headroom and legroom, and the rear seats could be folded to accommodate larger goods. Plus, it was filled with safety features, such as dual front airbags, ABS on all four wheels, and traction control. The Grand AM GT, being a GT variant, also got some performance upgrades like a sport-tuned suspension, enhancing the driving dynamics of the car. 

12. 1987 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM GTA

The 12th fastest-accelerating Pontiac car ever made is the 1987 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM GTA. The 1978 Trans AM GTA had a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 210 HP and 315 lb-ft of torque, which helped it achieve a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 142 mph.

When the Pontiac Firebird Trans AM GTA came out in 1987, it was praised by many enthusiasts for its agile handling and swiftness. It was offered with either a four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual, and as it was a Trans AM GTA, it came with a performance-tuned suspension setup, better brakes, and performance-oriented broader tires. Also, it had a limited-slip differential, which helped it become more grippy and confident while driving spiritedly.

11. 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400

The 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 is one of the most iconic Pontiacs of its time. It was one of those cars from the 1960s that would eat exotic European supercars while costing a third of them.

It came with a 6.6-liter V8 engine that produced 330 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, which propelled it from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. It also had a top speed of 120 mph.

The Pontiac Firebird 400 came with quad headlamps, a rear spoiler, and hood scoops that made it look ferocious from the outside. Inside, the Firebird 400 will greet you with bucket seats in vinyl or optionable leather, power windows, air conditioning, and a premium sound system. And it was pretty fast, just as it looked, doing a quarter mile in mid-14 seconds, with almost 100 mph on the odo while crossing. Unfortunately, the midsize coupe was produced only from 1967 to 1978, making it super rare in the used classic scene, and sometimes the 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 models sell for around $85,000.

10. 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge 

Next up is the 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge, which was a high-performance variant of the GTO. The 1969 GTO Judge had a 6.5-liter V8 engine producing 366 HP and 445 lb-ft of torque, which helped it go from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 153 mph.

The 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge was available in two engine setups, RAM Air III and RAM Air IV. RAM Air was a very popular induction system among Pontiacs of old, and it featured functional hood scoops that helped the engine breathe better. Pontiac used a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission, which made the GTO unbelievably quick every time you floored your right foot. Along with that, it also featured heavy-duty suspension components that took care of the handling of this fast-paced muscle car.

9. 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge RAM Air III

The 9th fastest-accelerating Pontiac car ever made is the 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge RAM Air III, which is another legendary Pontiac of the late 1960s. It came with a 6.5-liter V8 engine producing 366 HP and 445 lb-ft of torque and could go from 0-60 in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph.

The 1969 GTO Judge RAM Air III was also equipped with the Ram Air III induction system, functional hood scoops, a special camshaft to help the engine breathe better, and a close-ratio four-speed manual or 3-speed turbo hydra-matic automatic transmission.

Only 6725 models were ever made, and only a few of them were fitted with the RAM Air induction setup, ending up making the car super rare and exclusive. So much so that nowadays it sells for nearly a hundred thousand dollars if the previous owner has kept it in very good shape.

8. 2003 Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8

Next up is the 2003 Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8, which had a 5.7 liter LS1 V8 engine from the Corvette which produced 350 HP and 365 lb-ft of torque. This power helped the car go from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 160 mph.

It used to get a 6-speed manual for enthusiasts or 4-speed automatic transmission for light-footed drivers. Plus, a quad exhaust setup made it feel very sporty from the back.

Driving the Pontiac GTO felt fast, and agile, and it was a lot more accurate and precise than most of its competitors. It was fast—sufficiently fast—but, unfortunately, it couldn’t become one of the most successful products of its era. 

The Pontiac GTO only lasted for three model years, with 40,000 units produced, and if you want one today, then I have curated the best deals on the last generation of Pontiac GTO up for sale today. 

7. 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP

The 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP comes in at 7th in the list of the fastest-accelerating Pontiacs ever made. Thanks to its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that produced 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, the Solstice GXP could do 0–60 mph in 5.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 142 mph.

The 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP was a two-seater coupe that was built on the Kappa platform. This sports car drew attention for its captivating design and spirited performance. At the heart of the Solstice GXP was a turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine, which was paired with a responsive 5-speed manual transmission that allowed it to have a dynamic and engaging ride, making it a standout in the roadster segment.

6. 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM Super Duty 455

Next up is the 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM Super Duty 455, which was one of the few muscle cars to be launched during the 1970s energy crisis. The 1973 Firebird Trans AM Super Duty 455 came with a fuel-thristy 7.5-liter V8 engine producing 310 HP and 390 lb-ft of torque, which helped the car achieve a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 165 mph.

Produced from 1973 to 1974, the Pontiac Firebird Trans AM was one of the most powerful cars of its era. Pontiac gave it a heavy-duty 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic, which made it easy for the owners to choose their desired configuration. It also had upgraded suspension and broader tires for better grip and dynamics. 

Only 943 of these were built in 1973, and 212 in 1974, making it very rare in the current classic car scene. However, it does come cheap in the market compared to its competitors, and the 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM models are on sale for less than $28,000, in decent shape. 

5. 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Next up on this list is the 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am which could go from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds thanks to a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 engine under its hood that produced 305 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant, paired with a choice of a 4-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission, delivered exhilarating acceleration and a distinctive exhaust note.

The exterior design of the 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am featured sleek lines, a prominent front air dam, and the iconic twin hood scoops, creating an unmistakable presence on the road. Inside, the '98 Trans Am offered a driver-centric cockpit with comfortable seating and modern amenities. The interior design reflected a balance between sportiness and comfort, making it suitable for both daily driving and spirited weekend adventures.

4. 2001 Pontiac Firebird WS6 Ram Air III

The 2001 Pontiac Firebird WS6 Ram Air III comes in at 4th in this list, with a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds. It also had a top speed of 155 mph. The 2001 Firebird WS6 was one of the fastest Pontiacs of the 2000s. It came with a 5.7-liter V8 engine with Pontiac’s famous RAM Air III setup. This meant that the engine produced 305 HP and 335 lb-ft of torque.

The 2001 Pontiac Firebird WS6 Ram Air III had upgraded suspension, larger sway bars, stiffer springs, bigger brakes with ventilated discs, etc. The WS6 Firebird also featured decals, badges, and bucket seats that made it feel more performance-oriented than on the road. Produced from 1996 to 2002, the WS6 Firebird is one of the most popular new Pontiacs of the 21st century. Now if you want to get your hands on one, the 2002 WS6 models are up for sale at a price of around $20,000, which is pretty reasonable for a fast V8 motor that can be tuned to some crazy figures.

3. 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

Next up on this list is the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT, a performance-oriented midsize sedan with an MSRP of $29,310 when new. The G8 GT could go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds thanks to its 6.0-liter V8 engine, which produced 361 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque.

Visually, the G8 GT displayed a modern and aggressive design, featuring distinctive Pontiac styling elements. Its athletic stance, bold front grille, and dual exhaust outlets contributed to its commanding presence on the road. Inside, the G8 GT offered a spacious and well-appointed cabin with comfortable seating for five and modern amenities. The sedan excelled not only in performance but also in providing a comfortable and practical daily driving experience.

2. 2005 Pontiac GTO

The 2005 Pontiac GTO has a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds, which is good enough for it to be the 2nd fastest-accelerating Pontiac car ever made. Under its hood roared a 6.0-liter LS2 V8 engine, unleashing an impressive 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.

Visually, the '05 GTO exuded a sleek, understated design, with clean lines and a distinctive hood scoop hinting at its performance capabilities. The reimagined Pontiac arrowhead emblem adorned its grille, emphasizing its connection to the brand's heritage. Inside, the GTO featured a driver-centric cockpit with comfortable leather seats and modern amenities. The interior focused on performance and functionality, reflecting a blend of muscle car heritage and contemporary design.

 1. 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

The fastest-accelerating Pontiac car ever made is the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP. The G8 GXP can go from 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. This is thanks to its 6.2-liter V8 engine, which produces 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission, or an available 6-speed manual for driving enthusiasts, the G8 GXP accelerated with authority, embodying the spirit of a true muscle car.

The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP stands out as the pinnacle of performance and style in the Pontiac lineup. This rear-wheel-drive sedan garnered attention for its dynamic driving experience and powerful performance. Sadly, the 2009 G8 GXP marked one of the final offerings from the brand, as Pontiac faced discontinuation in 2010. Nevertheless, the G8 GXP remains a cherished model among enthusiasts, celebrated for its exceptional performance and contributing to Pontiac's legacy in the realm of high-powered, American-made vehicles.