Is this one of the best modern American muscle cars?

Two Nostrils The typical American muscle car that often looks dashing with the iconic firebird badge on its hood is indeed very popular among automotive enthusiasts in the world. However, among the many Firebird models made by Pontiac from 1967 to 2002, it turns out that there is a model that we think is very special while viewed from its appearance. Take a look the picture below!

The Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 (in pictured the final model 2002) gives a fierce impression by attaching a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils. (Picture from: HotCars)

So, have you ever seen the Firebird model like above before? That is Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 described as a special package called the Trans Am to the Firebird models made in 1978. So it's natural if we didn't know of the existence of this model before, considering the model was produced in limited numbers by Pontiac  plus only a few privileged person had chance to own it.

The Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 (in pictured the final model 2002) gives a fierce impression by attaching a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils. (Picture from: HotCars)

It started when Pontiac made the sporty Firebird as the answer to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. The car combined an available big V-8 with aggressive, attention-grabbing styling and delivered it in a relatively practical four-passenger package. Like its pony-car competitors, the rear-wheel-drive Firebird offered tire-smoking power and impressive acceleration.

The Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 (in pictured the final model 2002 Convertible) gives a fierce impression by attaching a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils. (Picture from: HotCars)

The F-body platform on which it and the Camaro were based, however, was arguably well past its prime by the early 2000s. 2002 was the final year of production for Pontiac's iconic but dated speed machine. The Firebird Trans Am was powered by GM's 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 engine. It was available as a hatchback coupe or a convertible. The WS6 package added additional enhancements to the engine and chassis. 

The Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 (in pictured the final model 2002) gives a fierce impression by attaching a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils. (Picture from: HotCars)

The coupe measured 193.8 inches in length, 74.5 inches in width and 52.0 inches in height, with a 101.1-inch wheelbase. Except for being about half an inch taller with its top up, the convertible had matching exterior dimensions. The coupe's base curb weight was 3,499 lbs, while the convertible weighted-in at a slightly beefier 3,623 lbs. The coupe and the convertible were equal in terms of interior space. 

The Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 (in pictured the final model 2002) gives a fierce impression by attaching a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils. (Picture from: HotCars)

The front seats offered 37.2 inches of headroom, 57.4 inches of shoulder room, 52.8 inches of hip room and 42.9 inches of legroom. Backseat passengers got a somewhat-cramped 35.3 inches of headroom, 55.8 inches of shoulder room, 44.4 inches of hip room and 28.9 inches of legroom. The coupe had space for 12.9 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats up and a maximum of 33.7 cubic feet with them folded down. The convertible's trunk provided 7.6 cubic feet of storage space.

The Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 (in pictured the final model 2002) gives a fierce impression by attaching a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils. (Picture from: HotCars)

As quoted of Hotcars, the typical Pontiac' muscle car featured with WS6 package has unique appearance was initially introduced by GM to the market in 1987 as a standard feature on the Trans Am GTA and Firebird Formula, but took the WS6 package off the market in 1992 because not having an impact on its sales.

The Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 (in pictured the final model 2002) gives a fierce impression by attaching a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils. (Picture from: HotCars)

Surprisingly, in 1996 it was re-entered the market by giving a slight tweak to its uniquely made hood which had a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils thought increasing in the engine power output from 285 horsepower to massive 305 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 345 ft-lbs of torque at 4,400 rpm. Besides that it helped direct air for cooling its engine, along with a freer-flowing exhaust system. The package also added shocks, bushings, firmer springs, front and rear sway bars, and a firmer transmission mount.

The Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 (in pictured the final model 2002) gives a fierce impression by attaching a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils. (Picture from: HotCars)

The Firebird Trans Am WS6's performance capabilities were quite strong for its time. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds flat. A quarter-mile run took just 13.5 seconds at 107.4 mph. While straight-line speed was the main attraction, the Pontiac also put out very decent braking and handling numbers. It could decelerate from 60 to 0 mph in 121 feet, which was about 10 feet better than the Camaro Z28, its platform-mate equivalent from Chevrolet. On a 200-foot skid pad, it could achieve a solid 0.84G of lateral acceleration. Finally, the Trans Am WS6 could race its way through a 600-foot slalom course at 64.6 mph.

The Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 (in pictured the final model 2002) gives a fierce impression by attaching a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils. (Picture from: HotCars)

While some people liked the interior's sweeping, curvaceous dashboard and red instrument lighting, others found it a bit cheap-looking. Either way, though, the premium WS6 model came with a strong selection of standard equipment. This included fog lamps, leather seating surfaces, a six-way power driver seat, a tilt-adjustable steering column, full power accessories, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, air conditioning and a six-speaker CD stereo. Options included a premium 10-speaker Monsoon audio system, and T-tops for coupes.

The Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 (in pictured the final model 2002) gives a fierce impression by attaching a Ram Air intake featuring two nostrils. (Picture from: HotCars)

As mentioned before, the early Firebird WS6s are extremely rare cars as Pontiac didn’t record great sales run during those times. However, it has been estimated that about 2,500 of the 31,000 Firebirds sold in 1996 were equipped with the WS6 package. 

The sales of the WS6 improved in the next year to about 3,900 units. Notably, the final production year was one of the best in terms of sales with close to 15,000 units of the WS6 Trans Ams sold after selling just 7,000 the previous year.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HOTCARS | ITSTILLRUNS ]

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