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The Ultimate Pontiac G8 -- Just add a Z06 engine

cpruitt submitted on 12/17/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 5:40 PM
from: www.motortrend.com

[17] user comments | category: New Cars

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Tags: Pontiac G8, Z06 engine

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The Ultimate Pontiac G8 -- Just add a Z06 engine

My, how the badges lie. To anyone else on the road, this black Holden Commodore is a regular HSV GTS, the 6.0-liter V-8 sport sedan built by GM's Australian hot-shop, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). With its 20-inch wheels, big brakes, and tied-down suspension, the HSV GTS previews the 425-hp Pontiac G8 GXP we'll see here sometime in late 2008.

Under the hood, though, is a little secret -- a 7.0-liter, 505-hp LS7 V-8 lifted straight out of the Corvette Z06. Yup, it basically bolts right in. And it's taken an outsider to do the operation many Aussie musclecar enthusiasts have been waiting for GM to perform. The work has been done by Corsa Specialized Vehicles (CSV) in Melbourne, Australia, a tuner with no small amount of experience in turning out some wicked Commodore-based projectiles over the last 15 years or so.

We've driven the car: Run it down the drag strip, through peak-hour traffic and out in the country, so can attest that the engineering, the finish and most of all the performance work beautifully. All it needs now is a new badge.

It's worth cutting straight to the chase and talking about acceleration. There's a six-speed automatic involved but experience on the road suggests that, even with a rubbered-up track surface, traction off the line won't just be difficult, it'll be virtually non-existent. Chevrolet's figures show the LS7 grunts out 470lb-ft, but this example, with a better intake and exhaust system, is certainly producing even more, so what chance do a pair of standard, 20-inch Bridgestones have when that lot is unleashed in anger? Read Article

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DaHarder - 12/18/2007 9:39:30 AM

+3 Boost

I'm not usually one to appreciate manufacturers who resort to gaining horsepower via 'cubic inches' versus 'intelligent engineering', but...

This vehicle certainly has its appeal.

- Handsome

- Powerful

- Perfectly Sized

- (Possibly) a Great Value

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Bmw8ter - 12/18/2007 12:09:56 PM

+2 Boost

displacement is more cost effective than increasing the compression ratio, which I presume is what you're alluding to...this car is meant to be Australian Muscle, with high torque and low revs....not vice versa, like the E92 M3.

KZ258 - 12/18/2007 9:42:01 AM

+2 Boost

nice!!!

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thematrixhasu2 - 12/18/2007 10:12:42 AM

+4 Boost

Great makes me want a G8 as soon as GM gets its head out of its @ZZ and make that engine available in the G8. But I can see it now G8 ZO6 vs Chrys 300 SRT10 with the viper engine both engines can fit in there counterparts, If only american engineers had the balls to do it.

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2ndbimmer - 12/18/2007 10:20:21 AM

+5 Boost

I think the G8 will do well. The G6 was lightyears ahead of the replacement grand am. Pontiac is starting to make better cars.

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1995e34 - 12/18/2007 11:49:09 AM

+2 Boost

while the g8 will be touted "the budget bimmer" in magazines, i think an immediate comparison to a bmw is unfair. this isn't a cadillac, it's not trying to be a top end luxury performace sedan.
i look at this car as camry/accord competition. and when compared to those cars, the rwd g8 looks to be sent from the heavens. the g8 won't win the "accountant's pick" award from the appliance testing publications, but it will further reestablish the rwd american car.
gm has refound (most of) their identity, it seems. their malibu looks competitive, if not best in class. their trucks always do well. when they finally thin out their suv line, they'll be in pretty good shape.
i don't know ho good their european diesel is, but perhaps they can pop it into a g8 for the mpg hounds.

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/18/2007 7:06:02 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

IMO, the G8 straddles the line between the Camcordima class and the 3/A4/C/G/IS... and maybe even the mid-sizers. Does that sound familiar? I think so: Chrysler 300C.

However, unlike the Chrysler, the G8 isn't all flash. In fact, it's quite the opposite: subtly handsome, with awesome performance and a high-quality interior.

1995e34 - 12/18/2007 10:28:55 PM

+2 Boost

i would more likely compare it to the charger than the 300c. but i think we're on the same page

Lexus - 12/18/2007 4:21:18 PM

-2 Boost

This Holden like very similar to the Toyota Aurion sold in Austrilia.

It look very nice, I like it.

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/18/2007 7:07:10 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

???

Bmw8ter - 12/18/2007 8:09:46 PM

+2 Boost

PLEASE!!!!! If anything, it's the Toyota Aurion that looks like the Holden. Holden has had this styling for a while.

Toyota styled the Aurion they way they did, to try to capture some of the HSV and FPV market, which they're obviously no match for, with a FWD. With that said though, I'm somewhat partial to the Toyota Aurion.