First Test: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

bankhead submitted on 02/22/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:46 PM
from: www.motortrend.com

Tags: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT, first test

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2008 Pontiac G8 GT

first test

First Test: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

To those of you who've eagerly awaited the launch of Pontiac's super-hot, Australia-sourced 2008 G8 sport sedan, we're pleased to announce the following: We have liftoff. The test numbers are in.

We were as eager as you to get behind the wheel of this bold new four-door Grand Prix replacement -- bred and built by GM's Holden division in Australia. And that's largely because, first and foremost, the G8 is rear-drive, which immediately gains it admission into a lofty arena occupied by the likes of BMW and Infiniti. The G8 is a genuine, kick-the-tail-out sport sedan, not a front-drive compromise. Let us all pause now and give GM a huge round of applause.

The good stuff isn't limited to the layout. When the G8 goes on sale in a few weeks (target is early March), Pontiac will offer two versions. The base car is powered by a DOHC, 3.6-liter V-6 with variable valve timing that kicks out 256 horses at 6300 rpm and 248 pound-feet of torque at 2100. The engine mates to a five-speed automatic transmission. Eighteen-inch, silver-painted alloy wheels are standard, as are projector-beam headlights, a tilt-telescoping wheel, polished stainless-steel exhaust tips, remote start, and a seven-speaker Blaupunkt audio system with CD player and iPod jack.

Seen here is the up-level G8 GT, which ripples with a 6.0-liter OHV V-8 that booms out 361 horses at 5300 rpm and 385 pound-feet at 4400. The engine features computer-managed cylinder deactivation for enhanced economy. The big mill's output flows through a standard six-speed automatic with Sport mode. No manual is available yet, but when we pressed Pontiac execs, they hinted one may be coming later this year -- perhaps in concert with a higher-tuned engine.
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EL34 - 2/22/2008 2:19:43 PM

+15 Boost

Are you finished? :-|

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91z4me - 2/22/2008 2:23:05 PM

+14 Boost

I think your bias is standing out a bit much. This car is on par w/ offerings from BMW (5 series), Mercedes (E class), and Lexus (GS) in many regards. Perhaps not in ultimate fitness but in size, room, power, and performance.

I think you should also reexamine how inefficient the GM V8s are. The 6.2 LS3 in a Corvette gets better gas mileage than most other 2 seat premium coupes/convertibles (aside from the Miata and other small models). And I think the 3.6 v6 G8 will cover those who want a large sedan w/ good gas mileage (for the class). The 6.0 V8 will likely get as good or better mileage than the V8 offerings from competitive models.

Also this model was built for Australians (as it is a re-badged Holden Commodore which is also sold in Europe under the Opel brand) not 'fat Americans'. Perhaps you should not let your bias for or against a particular brand, class, or size of vehicle.

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CarbonBlue - 2/22/2008 3:03:04 PM

+8 Boost

rsands1 if you are so anti auto get off this site and ride away on a bicycle... that might do you some good anyways

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pushrod27 - 2/22/2008 3:52:20 PM

+7 Boost

The G8 is no bigger than an A6. What's wrong with big cars? They're not just for fat people. Most Americans love big cars, regardless of their physical stature. I see petite women driving Escalades and Range Rovers all of the time. Many people desire the space and presence of a large vehicle.

If there were more space (and cheaper gas) in Europe, then i'm pretty sure that big cars would be popular there, too. The vaunted efficiency of European cars is a matter of necessity. Make fun of American cars if you want, but deep down inside you probably wish that you had bigger roads and cheaper gas too. Remember that the European automobile was developed around existing European roads, whereas many American roads were developed to accomodate the automobile.

You sound like a small man. They're usually always pissed off about something.

As a big man (6'6"), it is my need and my right to consume more resources than smaller men. Get over it.

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jerobinson29 - 2/22/2008 5:27:20 PM

+7 Boost

Funny how foreigners rip on America until they get invaded... If it weren't for the US, they'd be speaking German in Paris right now... Probably London too...

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cl0wn - 2/22/2008 7:11:21 PM

+5 Boost

save your annoying azn comments for an integra board... kekeke

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85bmw745i - 2/22/2008 8:38:39 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

Problem is this is an Australian car re-badged for the U.S. its the Holden commodore in Australia, so are you going to call them fat and <azy. All of the real Muscle cars are over there, the Holdon commodore, Holden Monaro Ford Falcon ETC. Rear wheel Drive v8 6 spd manual available. they have more real muscle cars than we do.

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EL34 - 2/22/2008 3:24:39 PM

+11 Boost

He's not finished :-/

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njshift - 2/22/2008 3:35:27 PM

+8 Boost

No, tell us how you really feel. Here's a tissue for your tears.

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pushrod27 - 2/22/2008 3:58:25 PM

+8 Boost

drop dead. what concern is of yours big the next man's car is? we don't all want to drive cramped little four-banger econo boxes. Many people need and want a car with plenty of interior space and imposing road presence.

why are you so bitter? if you don't like horsepower, why are you here?

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MattB - 2/22/2008 4:02:35 PM

+8 Boost

rsands1, do you know anything about America or Americans?

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Porschinator - 2/22/2008 4:59:51 PM

+7 Boost

We are whinny? HAH...read what you just wrote! You are whining about Americans. Hopefully you never make it to the States =) Besides that who really cares what you have to say since you offer nothing...

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PlanB - 2/22/2008 5:22:48 PM

+8 Boost

Congratulations on getting everybody to despise you. Not to rain on your parade or anything but the last time I checked, the G8 was built in Australia next to its Holden twin and shipped to the US. So technically, its not completely American. Just thought I'd inform you out since you're only here to get off on the negative attention.

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RSharma - 2/22/2008 10:10:50 PM

+6 Boost

rsands1 has no idea what a yuppie is... rsands, if you're trying to insult someone, you'd really be better off checking a dictionary before mouthing off compliments towards your opponents....I've gone through the trouble of providing the definition for you: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/yuppie

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Htay7500 - 2/22/2008 3:46:34 PM

+6 Boost

" No manual is available yet, but when we pressed Pontiac execs, they hinted one may be coming later this year -- perhaps in concert with a higher-tuned engine."

please let that happen, and on the side, add a factory supercharger.

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Porschinator - 2/22/2008 4:57:40 PM

+6 Boost

Apparently rsands prefers heavy MB over US cars. Hmmm...SL550 = nearly 4500lbs. I guess that is for big European Asses? Or the upcoming BMW 550 at ~4K lbs...lol....idiot...

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mini22 - 2/22/2008 5:04:11 PM

+6 Boost

rsands1-Did you even really read the review on the G8?.Do you recall reading that it has a cylinder deactivation system for better gas mileage?Also did you read that it has a 51/49 weight distribution(essentially what BMW offers in their vehicles).If you had really bothered to READ you would have realized that this is NOT some big bloated sedan for american fat asses.Rather it is a well thought out,well designed RWD sedan that has the performance and handling and refinement to take on the eurocars. Perhaps you were too busy being critical.Perhaps you should re-read the article instead of hearing yourself think.

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pushrod27 - 2/22/2008 5:40:51 PM

+8 Boost

don't be mad because we have plenty to eat.

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no1listensanyway - 2/22/2008 6:14:23 PMView My AgentSpace

+7 Boost

America this, America that.. blah blah blah...bush is stupid...You damn Euro's appreciate nothing, your time of imperialism has come and gone, get over it already...

BTW Awesome Car, it is a real steal, just kille me how even with the Nav screen in the car, they still cannot offer one.

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/23/2008 1:18:26 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

"All you people do is sit around stuffing food into your mouths and then try and sue the companies for getting you fat...such a bunch of stupid people you are."

Wow. You are absolutely, completely correct.

That's ALL I do. I stuff food in my mouth, and then throw up on the restaurant manager and sue him for wearing dirty clothing which is interrupting my serene dining experience. I am SO stupid. You're the smart one. Let's bow down to him, because he knows everything about us! There's my life story, right there!

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Kemic - 2/23/2008 1:58:24 AMView My AgentSpace

+7 Boost

What is your problem with fat people anyway? Are you some kind of unrequited chubby chaser? Are you just jealous because you can't afford a good meal? Maybe a fat guy cut in front of you in the high school lunch line last week?

Get over it.

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Bored - 2/23/2008 4:54:29 AM

+5 Boost

@ rsands1 and RX7_4Lifebaby,

Talk is cheap.
You are more than welcome to come to America to do something about it.
The way our government and the media represents us does not necessarily represent to true character of our individual citizens.
Us Americans do respect your opinions, but we do not and cannot respect YOU because of what you've stated.
I strongly suggest you change your tone because we personally do not wish you any harm but we cannot control the will of others.
This really isn't the place for such contempt.
Sadly, it is the path that you are taking now.

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stash84 - 2/23/2008 10:07:19 AM

+3 Boost

im half american and im not fat. i never eat fast food and anyone who generalizes such a large group of people is truly an ignorant fool. keep boosting your rotary/gas guzzler "son" ! (i wonder where you learned that language from..lmao....AMERICA)

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Bored - 2/23/2008 2:35:06 PM

+1 Boost

@ RX7_4Lifebaby,

I wasn't implying that WE will fight you, but what would you expect if you actually 'man up' and say that to someone's face? Regardless of country of origin, I 'd be betting against you.

You should be more concerned about your lack of education that you have on display.

"Yall be hatin just becus yos be all fat. Dat car be da slowist peece I been seen. muy rxseven wud smoke dat son all day woot woot!"

What the hell is that? It doesn't sound 'street' to me. More like a pitiful stereotype from watching way too much MTV, BET and reality shows.

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StickShiftCamry - 2/24/2008 3:38:29 PM

+2 Boost

I'm sure u like ur slow and tiny 1.4 Diesel which probably costs more than this 6.0 V8 that u wish u had deep down inside.

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Bmw8ter - 2/22/2008 5:26:28 PM

+4 Boost

They should make the 3.6DI engine as an option on this car.

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GodfatherSHM - 2/22/2008 6:08:57 PM

+3 Boost

Fat Americans are bad, but yet Fat Italians are respectable...thats a good double standard maintain. I sure hope my wife doesn't read your comments about all americans being fat, i'm pretty sure she could kick your rear, and she's pretty tiny.

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njshift - 2/23/2008 9:06:07 AM

+1 Boost

MMMM Beer

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Alec - 2/23/2008 1:04:05 PM

+1 Boost

Hmmm rsands and rx4life keep thinking this 'american' car was brought here for fat people. i doubt they read the article, as this car IS MADE IN AUSTRALIA. the g8 is a holden commodore, which has been in the down under for some time. only recently did gm decide to bring it here (and a good choice to do so).

btw rsands & rx74life, a real american would read what you commented about thier fat and life style and call you a terrorist. well maybe lol.

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Alec - 2/23/2008 1:46:13 PM

+2 Boost

god your spelling is just as bad as your car. well then go on about how fast you can go, im sure once you have a proper accident, you wont be talking about how wrecked youd be.

the g8 is a awesome car, 33grand is a bargain, i dont care how fast your apex seals blows out or what you smoke. the g8 is dam good.

MKIIIdb - 2/23/2008 3:36:09 PM

+1 Boost

Well, i don't see anyone complaining about the Germans, and how much excess power they have. Compared to a Mercedes-Benz E550, the 6.0L G8 almost oozes mediocore.
Somehow, with being approx a half litre bigger, it still produces competitive power and good fuel economy.

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EL34 - 2/24/2008 2:04:05 AM

+3 Boost

PWN3D :-D

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M53R - 2/24/2008 10:58:47 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Our Lumina SS looks better!

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iamdabest1 - 2/24/2008 12:51:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

great performance for what it is but i personally dont like pontiac designs.
to me they still look like they are in the 90's

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/25/2008 8:26:03 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

This was designed as a Holden!

M53R - 2/26/2008 10:43:41 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

It would have done extremely well in the Middle East (as the Lumina) if it wasnt for the bad reliability history of the old model, which is keeping customers away.

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