Could The Pontiac Brand Return To Challenge Dodge?

The automotive interwebs are abuzz with rumors of a potential return of General Motors’ (GM’s) Pontiac brand. A recent ad in the May/June issue of Car and Driver has reignited speculation about Pontiac’s comeback and its potential to challenge Dodge in the muscle car arena.

The ad, albeit fictional, paints a compelling picture of Pontiac’s return to glory. It boldly claims a supercharged V8 engine with a monstrous 667 horsepower. But what does this mean for Stellantis’ Dodge brand?

Dodge, known for its V8 engines, recently faced criticism for discontinuing its iconic Gen3 HEMI® V8 engines in favor of electrified powertrains and a new twin-turbocharged HURRICANE I6 engine family. This move left many diehard Dodge enthusiasts upset about the absence of future V8s in the brand’s muscle car lineup.

Enter Pontiac. With its own heritage deeply rooted in performance and muscle, Pontiac has the potential to fill the void left by Dodge’s departure from the HEMI lineup. The ad’s direct jab at Dodge’s decision to abandon its V8 engines suggests that Pontiac sees an opportunity to swoop in and capture the hearts—and wallets—of Dodge fans on the fence.

But could Pontiac really make a comeback and challenge Ford and Dodge’s supremacy in the muscle car market? GM’s track record of reviving dormant nameplates, such as the Hummer EV lineup under the GMC brand, suggests that Pontiac’s return may not be as far-fetched as it seems.

With Chevrolet discontinuing models like the Camaro and Malibu, the Corvette is now the brand’s only remaining passenger car. This shift leaves Chevrolet’s NASCAR racing efforts without a new model on which to base their stock car. A Pontiac resurgence could inject some much-needed excitement into GM’s lineup, providing a potential new model for its stock car efforts. Additionally, Pontiac’s upcoming 100th anniversary in 2026 adds even more fuel to the speculation fire, making the timing for a comeback particularly enticing.

Multiple automotive outlets have commented that GM has neither confirmed nor denied its role in the mysterious ad. Even Car and Driver hasn’t released a statement yet. But one thing is clear: a Pontiac comeback could shake up the muscle car landscape in a big way. Whether it’s a fantasy or a glimpse into the future, the prospect of a Pontiac-Dodge showdown would be intriguing. It could force Dodge to refocus some direction on internal combustion if a V8 Pontiac is in the pipeline. Only time will tell.

Video Source: Original Motor Car on YouTube