Pontiac drops off the 2008 G8 GT
I am in sooooo much trouble.
General Motors just dropped off a 2008 Pontiac G8 for me to test drive. It's a GT model, bright red, with 6-liter 361 horsepower V8 engine and dual exhaust pipes that go blubba-blubba-blubba-blubba. I've driven less than two miles -- twice around the block, matter of fact -- and already I've peeled out twice, without even trying. This thing is a speeding ticket waiting to happen. I try not to pass judgement on cars until at least a couple of days into the test, but something tells me that this is the beginning of a be-yootiful friendship. I know it shouldn't be -- I'm a big proponnent of small, fuel-efficient and space-efficient cars (which Pontiac also does well), but I guess I'm just a sucker for rear-wheel-drive and a big ol' V8.
I should note that the 6.0 liter GT is not even the fastest G8 -- Pontiac is showing the 2009 G8 GXP at the New York Auto Show this week, which has a 402 horsepower version of the 6.2 liter LS3 V8 from the 2008 Corvette. Be still, my beating heart -- and look out, Dodge Charger SRT8.
Speaking of New York -- what a show! Lots of good stuff, and much of it, I am pleased to say, from General Motors. Brooklyn Bob, our Man in New York, just turned in a stack o' photos, and I'll have a gallery posted a little later on today, along with details and commentary on what we saw. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Comments
It’s like a 4 door Corvette; the kind of car a guy can rationalize to his wife because the kids and the luggage fit. Plus it looks beemerish without having to put out Munich-money to get it. Where do I sign?
Sadly Mike, the world knows all too well that it’s not a Vette or a Beemer and you will too, as soom as you guide it around your first corner at speed or when you trade it in. Maybe she’ll let you go with the CTS. Don’t tell her that you ordered the one with the tighter suspension (FE3)!!!
Don’t be so quick to condemn the domestic Holden-based incarnation as a sloppy handling behemoth with poor resale value, Maui Don… Of course, I haven’t had the pleasure of driving one (and I doubt almost everyone else has either)to be able to voice my own meaningless opinion, but GM worldwide has really tweaked their Zeta platform including considerable amounts of design input from the very same European manufacturers they are targeting. According to several of the more popular automotive rags out there the G8 compared very favorably (or bettered) some of the upper crust cars such as the 5 series Bimmers (which it emulates incredibly) in both performance, design and ergonomics. As far as trying to gauge potential resale value, I’m pretty sure the main factor in that will be what the cost of fuel is in a year or two… I’m thinking this vehicle in the V8 configuration is going to generate the same maniacal frenzy that occurred with the 94-96 Impala SS. At that time I was working at a Chevy dealer and I can assure you that for at least couple of years after GM stopped producing the hot rod B bodies they were still commanding RIDICULOUS prices for clean average mile examples (and yes, they WERE sloppy handling behemoths, but we ugly Amerikaners LOVED ‘em!). I think you’re going to find Aaron’s initial reactions are going to echo the average American buyer’s opinions. I have to admit, I’d have to put it third on my last to buy once I’ve purchased my BMW 2002tii and ‘70 Torino CJ (of course, that’s after I cash tonight’s lottery ticket on Monday! Bwaaahaaahaaa!!!
Ummmmmm… this kind of sounds a lot like Ford renaming the dud “500″ to the well-known “Taurus” name in an attempt to raise sales… except that Pontiac already attempted to peddle this car under a well-known name (GTO) and it flopped, now they’ll try again after a short absence under a brand-new name, only this time the 4-door version of the Commodore. And the old one already HAD a 400hp engine. Two more doors and less power? Good luck with that. Although, this one may actually have a chance, as styling is king and this one isn’t quite the rolling Sominex that the GTO was.
Totally different cars, Kyle.
Both are Holden Commodores.
Just finished reading a press review. Good accolades in a comparison to the BMW 550 for half the price. It’s RWD, has a good engine, affordable - not bad. I prefer the CTS to it - however. Don’t quite like the looks of the G8 - although Pontiac appears to be doing a bit better with their designs.
Hope it’s of better of quality than the last generation GTO - also from Australia.
Mike
Actually, no, they aren’t both based on the Commodore, only the G8 is. The GTO was based on the Monaro, which was an evolution of the dated Opel Omega designed WAYYYY back in the mid 90’s. As I said, two TOTALLY different cars…