2001 PONTIAC MONTANA - Vehicle Information

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2001 Pontiac Montana Gives Minivan Buyers More to Love

DETROIT – Over the past few years, Pontiac Montana has firmly established itself as the solution for customers who want flexible utility, comfort, and safety without sacrificing sporty styling or driving fun.

"Montana's rugged sportiness continues to perform well among first-time minivan buyers, even with the increased intensity in the minivan segment," says Jim Murray, Montana brand manager. "We expect this trend to continue with our many 2001 product enhancements, including a fresh new look, increased interior versatility, and additional safety and security features."

Enhanced Interior Functionality and Capability
Montana's hospitable interior offers increased versatility and functionality. A variety of seating configurations accommodates the active demands of any family. For 2001, Montana's "space on demand" capabilities will be further enhanced with an available new third row stowable seat with convenience center. This new feature will enable customers to have "space on demand" to accommodate their ever-changing needs.

In all, the Montana seats seven with four captains chairs and a split-folding bench in the rear seating row. Flip and fold second- and third-row seats are readily removable without tools. Other available seating variations include a new stowable third row seat, eight-passenger seating with modular buckets in the middle row and a split bench seat in the rear row. Six-passenger seating with modular buckets in the middle and rear rows is also available on the 112-inch (2844.8 mm), regular wheelbase version.

Rear Seat Amenities
Montana makes a point of providing equal accommodations for all occupants. Rear-seat audio controls that come with the two uplevel radios can also be added to the standard radio. Middle-row passengers can select their own volume and medium (radio, CD, or cassette) from the rear controls, while front passengers select one of the other two program sources.

While air conditioning is standard, an optional Montana package provides heating and air conditioning ducts for rear-seat passengers, along with auxiliary controls for selecting temperature and fan speed on EWB models. Auxiliary power outlets are provided in both the front passenger compartment and the rear cargo area. Maximum cargo volume is 133 cubic feet (3766.14 liters) with the 112-inch (2844.8 mm) wheelbase and 156 cubic feet (4417.43 liters) with the 120-inch (3048 mm) wheelbase.

New MontanaVision
MontanaVision, available on the 120-inch wheelbase extended-length model, is a fully integrated, factory-installed rear-seat entertainment system. Rear passengers will enjoy improved viewing of movies with MontaVision's fold-down LCD video screen, which grows from 5.6-inches (142.24 mm) to 6.8-inches (172.72 mm) in 2001. Passengers will also benefit from a hi-fi videocassette player; tape storage; a full-function remote control with onscreen display; wireless headsets; enhanced sound quality; six headphone jacks with dedicated volume controls; a video game input for connecting a camcorder or Nintendo-type game; and rear-seat audio controls.

More customer conveniences come in the form of a new available, in-dash six-CD changer and instrument panel-mounted cupholders that offer improved ergonomics for occupants.

Increased Onboard Storage
There's a wealth of onboard storage in Montana. It's found in places like seat-back map pockets, a lockable glovebox, rear cargo sidewalls, and a double-bin center console. A small overhead console contains a storage bin, dual map lights, and an interior lamp override switch, while an optional full overhead console adds an outside temperature gauge, compass, storage slots for a garage door opener and sunglasses, and a driver information center for conveying trip-related information.

Comprehensive Family of Radios
Entertainment is handled with a family of radios with Radio Data System (RDS) capability, automatic TheftLock, automatic speed-sensitive volume control that gets louder at high speeds, and other programmable features. The standard radio provides electronic tuning for AM/FM stereo, a CD-player, an electronic equalizer, and extended- range coaxial speakers. Steering wheel controls and rear audio are optional with the standard CD player. Two optional upgrades are available: the first replaces the CD-player with a dual cassette/CD-player and adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary controls, rear-seat audio controls and clock. The second upgrade provides these features with a six-disc in-dash CD changer. A dealer-installed 12-disc remote CD changer fits in the glove box or rear cargo compartment.

Exterior Improvements
Montana's fresh, new look comes from a redesigned front grille and fascia combined with a new rear fascia, for an exterior that sets Montana drivers even further apart from the rest of the minivan crowd.

A factory-installed luggage rack is now standard, giving Montana even more cargo and luggage carrying capability. One new-for-2001 color, Black, is added to Montana's exterior paint palette.

New Rear Parking Aid
Extended wheelbase Montana models now offer an available Rear Parking Aid, a convenient and effective feature that helps avoid low-speed contact with objects behind the vehicle. It's a significant innovation that can help drivers when parallel parking, or when backing up near pedestrian traffic, playing children or in a driveway.

The system uses an array of four ultrasonic sensors to help alleviate the driver's blind spot immediately behind the rear bumper, from about 10 inches (254 mm) off the pavement to a height of approximately three feet (.91 meters). The four sensors signal an electronic control module the precise range of any fixed object behind the vehicle within this field of view. If an object is detected up to 4.92 feet (1.5 meters) from the rear bumper when the vehicle is in reverse, an alert chime is sounded. As the Montana gets closer, the chime sounds more frequently.

Award-winning Safety Features
Montana takes safety seriously. Occupant protection starts with safety cage construction and continues with a long list of carefully engineered safety features, including Montana's sliding side doors with high-strength guard beams and child safety locks. Next generation air bags and safety belts with pretensioner systems and height adjustment are standard for front-seat passengers. Seat-mounted side air bags are also included as standard equipment. This is a winning safety combination – literally. In government testing of side impact accidents, the Montana was awarded a 5-star rating, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's highest rating for both front and rear occupant safety.

Second row seats now have lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) in two positions, enabling young children to be even more securely restrained. These attachments are located in two second-row positions.

Heated outside mirrors, standard air conditioning and a rear window defogger help maintain visibility during inclement weather, and puncture-sealant tires also add an extra safety measure. In the event of a major loss of engine coolant, Montana has the capability to drive up to 50 miles (80.5 km) to a secure location for service.

Other interior improvements focus on the safety and comfort of occupants. Safety is addressed by improvements to the standard side airbags, which now have added head and thorax protection on the driver's side.

Reliable Performance
The 3.4-liter V6 that powers Montana is one of the most durable and dependable engines offered in any minivan. But because this is a Pontiac, reliability doesn't mean boring. Montana remains one of the most fun-to-drive minivans on the road. The aforementioned V6 produces 185 horsepower at 5200 rpm, and 210 lb.-ft. (285 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm – plenty of power to get a fully loaded Montana moving with ease. A special Sport Performance and Handling package contains sport suspension, 15-inch (381-mm) cast aluminum wheels, touring performance tires, all-weather traction control, automatic load leveling, and special saddlebag storage pockets.

The blending of new enhancements with proven family-pleasing features makes Montana the choice for young families looking for practicality, rugged sportiness and driving fun. For 2001, life is even more exciting in Montana.

Model Lineup
Montana is engineered to be the most functional minivan available on the market. This functionality comes in two different sizes: a 112-inch (2844.8-mm) wheelbase and a long 120-inch (3048-mm) wheelbase, both with two sliding doors. All Montanas offer optional power-operated passenger-side sliding doors.

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2001 Montana Quick Facts


New For 2001

* Next generation OnStar is standard on all models
* Universal garage door opener (HomeLink) available
* Available MontanaVision adds a new, larger video screen, a full-function remote, wireless headsets and enhanced sound quality
* Rear Parking Aid is available on Extended Wheelbase models
* Standard side airbags have added head and thorax protection on the driver’s side
* Second-row seats now have Lower Anchors and Tethens for Children (LATCH)
* New fold-flat Captain's chairs in second row
* A new third-row stowable bench seat with integral convenience center available on Extended Wheelbase models
* An in-dash, six-CD changer is available
* New instrument panel-mounted cupholders
* Redesigned front grille, front and rear fascias
* Standard luggage rack
* One new exterior color: Black
* Eliminated exterior colors: Fernmist Green; International Blue


Model Lineup
Regular-length wheelbase, Extended-length wheelbase

Competition
Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Ford Windstar, Nissan Quest, Mercury Villager, Honda Odyssey, Mazda MPV, Toyota Sienna

Reason for Purchase
Rugged, sporty exterior styling, passenger/cargo capabilities, functionality/versatility, and overall comfort and safety

Body Style
Minivan

Powertrains

* 3.4-liter 3400 SFI V6
* Four-speed automatic transmission

Manufacturing Location
Doraville, Georgia

Model Year Sales
1997 – 41,910 (Trans Sport)
1998 – 58,421 (Trans Sport)
1999 – 64,711 (Trans Sport)