Pontiac G8

Pontiac G8

Manufacturer	Holden
Parent company	General Motors
Production	2008–present
Assembly	Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Predecessor	Pontiac Grand Prix Pontiac Bonneville Pontiac GTO
Class	Full-size car
Body style(s)	4-door sedan 2-door pickup truck
Layout	FR layout
Platform	GM Zeta platform
Engine(s)	3.6 L LY7 V6 6.0 L L76 V8 6.2 L LS3 V8
Transmission(s)	5-speed 5L40-E automatic 6-speed 6L80-E automatic 6-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual
Wheelbase	Sedan & Coupe: 114.7 in (2913 mm) Truck: 118.5 in (3010 mm)
Length	Sedan 196.1 in (4981 mm) Truck: 201.8 in (5126 mm) Coupe: 195.7 in (4971 mm)
Width	74.8 in (1900 mm) Truck: 74.8 in (1900 mm)
Height	57.7 in (1466 mm) Truck: 58.3 in (1481 mm)
Curb weight	3946 lb (1790 kg)
Related	Holden Commodore Holden Caprice Holden Statesman Vauxhall VXR8

The Pontiac G8 is a rear-wheel drive sedan produced by General Motors released for the 2008 model year (2009 in Canada). The G8 takes the place in the Pontiac lineup of both the Pontiac Bonneville, which ceased production after the 2005 model year, and the Pontiac Grand Prix, which ceases production after the 2008 model year. The G8 is Pontiac's first full-size car since the Bonneville.

Overview

The G8 is based on the GM Zeta platform which was created by Holden for the Holden VE Commodore in the Australian market and is derived from the Commodore, differing mainly in frontal styling and interior details. At the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, GM chairman Bob Lutz confirmed that GM intended to import Holden Commodores into North America as G8s.^[1] The news was not planned to be officially announced until the Chicago Auto Show in February. The G8 is GM's first North American Zeta vehicle. The G8 shares much of its design with the Commodore. The G8 is a captive import of Australia. This commonality is allowing parts exporters from Australia to respond to a market demand by some G8 buyers, who are removing all traces of the Pontiac brand from their vehicles by installing Commodore front bumpers and other parts.

The G8 is the first rear-wheel drive four door sedan sold under the Pontiac name in North America since the 1986 Bonneville and Parisienne. However there are also several rear-wheel drive offerings on the road such as the Solstice and the discontinued GTO. The GTO was another Holden product, known as the Monaro in Australia, repurposed and rebadged for U.S. consumption. Production was discontinued in 2006 due to new US safety regulations and the architecture being phased out worldwide in favor of the new Zeta platform of which the G8 is based.

Launch commercial

In March 2008, a commercial based on the 1980s arcade game Spy Hunter runs nationally. In the commercial, the Pontiac G8 GT takes the place of the hero car when it is destroyed by enemies.^[2]

Production and availability

Holden chairman Denny Mooney announced that the G8 is imported from the Elizabeth plant in Adelaide, South Australia for the life cycle of the car, but refused to comment on possible future production at GM's Oshawa, Ontario facility.^[3] At the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, GM Global Chairman Bob Lutz announced that the G8 was expected in US Pontiac dealerships in "early 2008".^[4] On July 4, 2007 the first Pontiac G8 prototypes rolled out of the Elizabeth assembly plant in Australia.^{[5] [6]}

General Motors heavily promoted the Pontiac G8 on January 1, 2008 by having it as the official sponsor of the Times Square New Year's Day Countdown, as well as the Rose Bowl.

Versions

G8 base and GT

2008 Pontiac G8 Base Model

The 2008 G8 is available in two trims: base and GT. The base G8 is available with a 256 hp (191 kW) 3.6 L DOHC VVT V6 engine, standard with a 5-speed automatic. The GT comes with a 361 hp (269 kW)^[7] 6.0 L Generation IV V8, featuring a 6-speed automatic and Active Fuel Management, capable of reaching 60 mph (96 km/h) in just over 5 seconds. A 6-speed manual was formerly being considered as an option on the GT model, but Pontiac dropped the option, stating that it would instead be offered as an option on the G8 GXP, which debuted at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, and is scheduled for the 2009 model year. The G8 GXP will feature a 6.2 L V8, similar to the one that first appeared in the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette.^[8] Base G8 models come standard with 6 airbags (including full-length side curtain airbags), traction control, stability control, dual tailpipes, 18 inch alloy wheels (fitted with either all-season or summer performance tires), sports body kit, black cloth seats and a 7-speaker audio system, including front center speaker, single-disc CD player, and auxiliary input jack. In addition to the larger engine and 6-speed transmission, GT models also contain additional standard equipment, including quad tailpipes, clear taillight lenses, automatic climate control, a larger center-console display screen, and an 11-speaker Blaupunkt premium audio system with 2 subwoofers, six-disc CD changer, and auxiliary input jack. Some (but not all) of these features are available as options on the base model.

GXP

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

A G8 GXP version was shown at the New York International Auto Show in March 2008 with a 6.2 liter 402 hp (300 kW) V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette and a 6-speed manual transmission.^[9]

G8 ST

2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

In addition to the sedan, a rebadged Holden Ute, called the G8 ST pending the results of a naming contest, was shown at the New York International Auto Show in March 2008. The 2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck, which will essentially curtail Pontiac's brief hiatus from the truck market, is a two-seater built on the G8 platform with a 73-inch (1,900 mm) cargo bed. G8 ST remained as the final name^[10] after the naming contest came up with more than 18,000 suggestions, many of which were to retain the "ST" designation.^[11]

The sport truck has the same 361-horsepower, 6.0-liter V-8 used in the G8 GT sedan.^[12]

Station wagon

The VE Sportwagon station wagon was planned as well, but canceled, partially due to poor sales of the market in general, especially of the Dodge Magnum as compared to its Charger sedan counterpart.^[13]

Packages

There are two available packages available, the Premium and the Sports. Both are available on the G8 GT. A sunroof is also an available option on both trim levels.

Premium

A premium package is also available on both trim levels, it includes leather seating surfaces, driver and passenger heated seats, 6-way power driver seat adjuster, 6-way power front-passenger seat adjuster, rear center armrest, leather-wrapped shift lever and leather-wrapped steering wheel. On the G8 Sedan model, requires Onyx leather seating surfaces. On the G8 GT, requires interior colors Onyx or Onyx/Red leather seating surfaces. Leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard on G8 GT.

Sports

A sports package is available on the GT model only, containing sport metallic pedals, QS4 19" machine-faced aluminum wheels, P245/40R19-94W summer-only performance blackwall tires and leather-wrapped Sport steering wheel. The sport package option requires the removal of the stock P245/45R18-96V summer-only performance, blackwall tires, and the 18" (45.7 cm) machine-faced aluminum, 5-spoke with silver painted inset wheels,

2008

2008 Pontiac G8

For the 2008 model year, the Pontiac G8 was initially offered in 6 colors: Stealth Blue, Liquid Red, Ignition Orange, White Hot, Magnetic Gray, and Panther Black. Stealth Blue was discontinued after the first batch of vehicles were shipped from Australia. A Comfort And Sound package is available on V-6 powered G8's, which upgrades the 7-speaker audio system and manual HVAC controls to the 11-speaker audio and automatic climate control found in the GT model. The V-6 model comes with standard black cloth seats. The GT comes standard with a choice of black cloth or two-tone black and red cloth. A Premium Package is available on both trim levels. This includes leather seating surfaces, 6-way power adjustable heated front seats, rear center armrest, leather-wrapped shift lever, and leather-wrapped steering wheel (the leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard on all GT models). V-6 powered models with the Premium Package include black leather seating surfaces. GT models equipped with the Premium Package include a choice of black leather or two-tone black and red leather. G8 models with Stealth Blue or Ignition Orange exterior paint are not available with two-tone interior. A Sports Package is available on the GT model, which adds 19-inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires, a slightly smaller diameter "sport" steering wheel, and alloy pedals. A sunroof is available on both trim levels.

First deliveries to dealerships were posted on GM's Website in March 2008, with comments that initial sales were brisk.^[14] Subsequently, May 2008 monthly sales were reported at 1,832 units against a May 2007 sales volume of 12,230 units for the Grand Prix.^[15]

2009

The G8 lineup also adds standard XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth connectivity and four new exterior color choices: Maverick Silver Metallic, Sport Red Metallic (dark red), Stryker Blue Metallic and Pacific Slate Metallic (dark blue-grey). Meanwhile, Stealth Blue and Ignition Orange are unavailable for 2009 (Stealth Blue having already been eliminated during 2008 model year production). Also for 2009, the oil pressure and battery voltage gauges at the top of the center console have been eliminated. Heavy criticism among the automotive press of the outdated appearance of these red LED gauges no doubt factored heavily in their removal. The gauges were simply replaced with a small storage compartment.

The 2009 MY adds the GXP version powered by a 402 hp 6.2-liter V8 engine with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission or optional 6-speed manual transmission. The 2009 GXP features track-tuned suspension, 19-inch polished aluminum wheels (featuring the same design as the original G8 concept car), Brembo brakes, limited-slip differential.

None of the models in either year are available with moving map navigation, an option long available on many cars priced well below the G8.

Reviews

In the April 2007 issue of Motor Trend, reviewer Matt Stone wrote, "If the experience recalls any other car, it's the previous-generation BMW M5, which also had a six-speed stick, 400 horses, and a wonderfully communicative chassis." Automobile Magazine also compares the G8 to the current-generation 5-Series. Sam Smith writes, "... by the numbers and on American roads the 5-Series and the G8 are equals." ^[16]

Cars.com has the following criticisms on the FY 2009 MY: "Frequent accelerator hesitation, awkward dashboard controls, spotty interior fit and finish, so-so brakes, unsupported backseat, awful front-seat adjustments, and middling gas mileage, even with V-6."

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Pontiac G8

• Official Pontiac G8 site
• Detailed Pontiac G8 specifications
• 2008 Pontiac G8 - Motor Trend review
• 2008 Pontiac G8 GT - Edmunds Inside Line Review

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