I think everyone is "stuck" on what the GTO became, not what it originally was. Everyone wants the winged, decaled, hood scoop/tach Judge version. I think it will come in a year or so.

Adam made a great point, Every article and writeup on pontiac cars said Stop with the stupid add on body cladding/wings/flares etc. So Pontiac cleaned it up and people still bitch.

Every letter you ever read to the performance mags, especially after the demise of the F-body is "make a RWD V8, 6 speed car with good performance and some room". So they did, and people still bitch

I think its a nice car, not great but a good start. Remember The original GTO looked like every other Tempest on the road. Couldnt tell it was a GTO till you got your ass handed to you at the stoplight.

The roadrunner started as a belvedere with 3 cartoon decals and a funny horn. No flashy styling, no wings, no flares, just a big motor in a normal car.

I think all that other stuff will show up.
Perhaps they wanted to start conservatively to gauge reaction and see where people wanted them to take the car, but they wont please everyone.

Just my .02 after taxes