2008 Pontiac G8

We Build Excitement?

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The title of this entry is a test. Images of acres of plastic cladding...glowing red gauges...lots of smoke and passion and strobe lights and feigned intrigue. Does all of this add up to the Pontiac of your recent memories?

Well, time to leave that feeling right there in the past as the new Pontiac G8 introduced here in Chicago might be the best example of just how far we are from the days of the "Screaming Chicken". While no pricing was mentioned at the press conference, we were told that this new sedan will be delivered in early 2008 in just two trim levels. Simple and more proof of "the new GM". And those trims are primarily driven by choice of motor - the new 3.6 L DOHC V-6 with 261 hp in the "G8" and a stonking 6.0 L V8 rated at 362 hp in the "G8 GT". Bob Lutz mentioned 0-60 times below 5.5 seconds for the GT. Assume a fair pricing structure since Pontiac is not quite in the position to go premium just yet, and you might have a new darling of the affordable power player set.

2008 Pontiac G8

Design is clean and purposeful. Other than a few concessions to the 'concept car' theme such as lowered ride height, fancy taillights, and extra wide wheels, this is no-nonsense and direct machine that should carry it's head high once it hits the road in production trim. Don't forget that the G8 is the replacement for the Bonneville and possibly also the Grand Prix, so it won't take much charisma to justify that pride.

But the significance of the G8 mostly lies in its origin. Australia. The lamented (and ugly) Pontiac GTO from just a few years ago was an Aussie that sold below expectations but proved the maxim that they really know how to build rear-wheel drive fun Down Under. This platform is also due to support several new GM models over the next years, such as the highly-anticipated Chevy Camaro in 2009, so the 2008 G8 will illuminate what is starting to look like a bright corner of GM's future.

Posted on 2007-02-08 | Permalink | |

Back to "The Bell Curve" | << Previous blog "Off the Rack and Off the Hook"