Pontiac kicks off 1999 with the all-new 2000-model-year Bonneville luxury sport sedan. Part of that redesign includes substantial improvements to structural rigidity, Pontiac says, resulting in better ride quality, handling, sound isolation and safety.

The Bonneville's standard engine, a 3800 Series II V-6 rated at 205 hp and 230 lb-ft of torque, is matched with a four-speed electronic automatic transmission. An optional supercharged engine is rated at 240 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The Bonneville SSEi model gets a version of Cadillac's Integrated Chassis Control System (ICCS), which is a skid-control system. Other safety features include front seats with self-aligning head restraints to help reduce whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions, side-impact airbags, and rear child-seat tethers. The Bonneville also will offer owners a comprehensive package of functions that can be customized to the individual driver.

The standard engine in the newly redesigned 1999 Grand Am SE models is the 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which is rated at 150 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. The 3.4-liter V-6 engine is available on the SE models and gets 170 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine has more horsepower, more torque and nearly the same fuel economy as the engine it replaces, Pontiac says. For those who want even more driving excitement, there is the Grand Am GT with the same V-6 engine. But this engine is rated at 175 hp and 205 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come with four-speed automatic transmissions.

The Trans Sport minivan nameplate is replaced by Montana for 1999, taken from the popular Montana trim package. A passenger-side power sliding door is now an available option on extended-wheelbase models. An overhead video system is available as an option. The "Montana Vision" video system includes a video cassette player and a drop-down color monitor. Self-sealing tires are standard. A Special Sport performance and handling package is available as an option, with features such as all-weather traction control.

The Grand Prix's normally aspirated 3.8-liter V-6 engine gets a boost in horsepower from 195 to 200. GTP models are equipped with a standard 240-hp supercharged 3.8-liter V-6 engine that produces 280 lb-ft of torque. The GT sedans and coupes will come standard with a rear decklid spoiler.

The Sunfire GT convertible gets a sportier, more aggressive look, with the GT trim package instead of the base SE trim. That includes a rear decklid spoiler. Coupes get a standard rear spoiler and sedans have it available as an option. The 2.4-liter twin-cam engine gets new components.

Full-speed traction control is now available on the entire Firebird line. To augment traction control, all V-8s and the V-6 with the 3.8-liter Performance Package get the Torsen II rear differential system, which is a torque-sensitive system that reduces the number of times traction control is activated.

OnStar is available as a dealer-installed option in the Grand Prix, Bonneville and Montana. OnStar integrates satellite technology with a cellular phone to link drivers with the OnStar Center for emergency help and travel assistance.