Pontiac G8

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Pontiac G8
Manufacturer	Holden
Parent company	General Motors
Production	2008–
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	114.7 in (2913 mm) Truck: 118.5 in (3010 mm)
Length	196.1 in (4981 mm) Truck: 201.8 in (5126 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. It also acts as a replacement for the V8-powered Pontiac GTO coupe, discontinued in 2006.

Contents 1 Overview 1.1 Sport truck 2 Launch commercial 3 2008 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Overview

The G8 is based on the GM Zeta platform which was created by Holden for the Holden VE Commodore in the Australian market. 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.

The G8 is the first rear-wheel drive Pontiac four door sedan sold 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.

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." ^[2]

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)^[3] 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.^[4] 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. A premium package is also available on both trim levels, which upgrades the black cloth interior to either black leather or two-tone black and red leather. A sunroof is also an available option on both trim levels. A sports package is available on the GT model only, containing 19 inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires, a "sport" steering wheel, and alloy pedals.

Holden chairman Denny Mooney announced that the G8 is imported from the Elizabeth plant in Adelaide, South Australian for the life cycle of the car, but refused to comment on possible future production at GM's Oshawa, Ontario facility.^[5] At the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, GM Global Chairman Bob Lutz announced that the G8 was expected in US Pontiac dealerships in "early 2008".^[6] On July 4, 2007 the first Pontiac G8 prototypes rolled out of the Elizabeth assembly plant in Australia.^{[7] [8]}

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.

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) naturally aspirated V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette and a 6-speed manual transmission.^[9]

[edit] Sport truck

In addition to the sedan, a rebadged Holden Ute, originally thought to be called the G8 ST 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 will likely not be its final name as GM is holding an online contest, with the winner determining the actual name. The sport truck has the same 361-horsepower, 6.0-liter V-8 used in the G8 GT sedan.^[10] A 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.^[11]

[edit] 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.^[12]

[edit] 2008

For the 2008 model year, the Pontiac G8 is available in 6 colors: Stealth Blue, Liquid Red, Ignition Orange, White Hot, Magnetic Gray, and Panther Black. A Comfort And Sound package is available on base 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. A Premium Package is available on both trim levels. This upgrades the black cloth interior to 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 leather. A Sports Package is available on the GT model, which adds 19 in alloy wheels with summer performance tires, a "sport" steering wheel, and alloy pedals. Moonroof packages are 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.^[13]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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

v • d • e Pontiac, a division of General Motors, automobile timeline, United States market, 1980s–present
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Subcompact	Sunbird	T1000/1000							LeMans																					G3
Compact			J2000/2000 Sunbird/Sunbird													Sunfire												G5
																								Vibe						Vibe
	Phoenix					Grand Am							Grand Am							Grand Am
Mid-size	LeMans		Bonneville																							G6
	Grand Am		6000
	Grand Prix								Grand Prix									Grand Prix							Grand Prix
Full-size	Bonneville			Parisienne				Bonneville					Bonneville								Bonneville								G8
	Catalina		Safari
Crossover																						Aztek					Torrent
Minivan											Trans Sport							Trans Sport/Montana								SV6
Sports	Firebird		Firebird											Firebird											GTO
					Fiero
Roadster																											Solstice