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Sedans Pontiac G8 2008 Pontiac G8
1265 messages, Last post on Jul 21, 2009 at 10:14 AM
You are in the Pontiac G8 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: froggersjc (Feb 07, 2007 1:15 pm) The Grand Prix hasnt had plastic cladding since the pre-99 generation. It may not have been the greatest seadn in the world but it did offer better than average performance. The current GXP is probably just as fast as the G8 will be because it weighs 400lbs less. a 303hp FWD car with little torque steer for under $30k sounds reasonable to me, even if the press doesn't agree. Acutally, C&D liked the GXP quite a bit when they tested it in 2005. As for the new CTS, the interior is better but it's likely to cost several thousand more than the G8. |
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Replying to: paisan (Feb 08, 2007 5:19 am) 1 - I didn’t say “too heavy” – just that I was surprised at how heavy. 2 – I didn’t say it would be “too slow”. ( Absolutely, or ‘for me’. ) There are no published independent acceleration numbers for any G8 – and likely will not be for some time. 3 – I didn’t say it would not handle well. Or that it is overweight. I said the magnitude of the weight difference surprised me. And that the additional weight will not help the dynamics. I’d hoped for a GT weight closer to 3700 – or even 3800. 4 – Having to drive an automatic ( due to bursitis in my left foot, if that matters ) in whatever car I choose means I cannot comment here? I was not aware of that Edmunds rule . . . I meant to cast no stones here. Certainly none at you. The GM\Pontiac move to a RWD V8 sedan for the G8 I do find very interesting. I hope this works out better for GM than the Caddy STS. And we’ll see ( eventually ) how the production samples perform. - Ray Waiting . . . |
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Replying to: rayainsw (Feb 08, 2007 6:55 am) http://www.pontiac.com/ CHICAGO – Confirming its commitment to style and performance, Pontiac introduced a show car version of an all-new, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan at the Chicago Auto Show. The 2008 Pontiac G8 will be available in dealerships early next year. “With the balance of rear-wheel drive and the availability of V-8 power, the G8 represents another step in Pontiac ’s commitment to its performance DNA,” said John Larson, Pontiac general manager. “Added to the Solstice and the recently announced additions of the G6 and Torrent to the GXP series, the G8 demonstrates that Pontiac has never been more serious about the business of performance – and we expect this vehicle to be very competitive in the segment, even against cars that cost far more.” The G8 is the first North American application of GM’s new global rear-wheel-drive architecture developed by Holden, GM’s Australian subsidiary. G8 GT show car details The G8 show car unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show is representative of the production GT model, including use of the 362-horsepower (270 kW) 6.0L V-8 engine and optional six-speed manual transmission. The show car also features some unique items not found on the production model, including: * Twenty-inch “shadow chrome” wheels and performance tires * Ride height lowered approximately half-inch * High-performance brake rotors with painted brake calipers * Custom interior trim color, including a leather-wrapped dash * Exclusive exterior paint color: Phantom Grey * Concept of “modernized” Pontiac badge, to gauge public opinion. Production model details The 2008 Pontiac G8 lineup will offer two models: G8 and G8 GT. Each will come with a host of standard performance, convenience and safety features, including: * Four-wheel independent suspension * Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control * Electronic stability control * 18-inch aluminum wheels (19-inch wheels available with sport package) * Seat-mounted thorax air bags and dual-stage frontal air bags for front passengers, with automatic passenger sensing system * Roof rail side-impact air bags for both seating rows * OnStar * XM Satellite Radio * Power-adjustable front seats * Fog lamps * Chrome exhaust tips * Rear lip spoiler A sport package will be available for both models and adds features such as specific wheels – including 19-inch aluminum wheels and performance tires on GT – a rear wing spoiler, leather shift knob, leather-wrapped steering wheel and alloy pedals. Design The G8 has a progressive styling package highlighted by strong Pontiac design cues, such as a dual-port grille, fog lamps, bold wheels and a confident, wheels-at-the-corners stance. The design accents the car’s performance lineage, with fenders that flare over the wheels, seemingly hugging the wide tires and enhancing the sporting stance. Distinctive elements include hood scoops and front fender vents, as well as projector-beam headlamps housed in crystal-clear lenses. At the rear, jewel-like taillamps also are mounted in housings and feature bright detail work surrounding the red lighting elements. G8 models have red taillamp lenses and twin chrome exhaust outlets, while G8 GT models feature clear taillamp lenses and quad chrome exhaust tips. All models have an antenna mounted at the rear of the roof. Powertrain The base G8 model receives a 3.6L DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing, rated at 261 horsepower (194 kW). It is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. The G8 GT is powered by a uniquely configured 6.0L small-block V-8, rated at 362 horsepower (270 kW) and 391 lb.-ft. of torque (530 Nm). A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode is standard and features the fuel-saving Active Fuel Management system, which enhances fuel economy by alternating between eight- and four-cylinder power. An optional six-speed manual transmission will be available soon after launch. A limited-slip rear differential is standard with GT models. Suspension system A 114.8-inch (2915 mm) wheelbase, wide front ( 62.7 inches / 1592 mm) and rear ( 63.3 inches / 1608 mm) tracks, and a fully adjustable, four-wheel independent suspension system combine to give the G8 a confident, sharp driving experience. The four-wheel independent suspension system employs a MacPherson strut design in the front and a four-link coil-over-shock design in the rear. Tuning is specific between the base and GT models, but both models use a direct-acting front stabilizer bar, decoupled rear stabilizer bar and lateral ball joints on the rear suspension. This system delivers increased lateral stiffness for enhanced handling. The front suspension features fully adjustable caster, camber and toe; the rear suspension has fully adjustable camber and toe, which enables more precise, tailored suspension tuning. Brake system A four-wheel disc brake system includes standard anti-lock and traction control features and is partnered with a standard electronic stability control system. Both the base and GT models feature vented front and rear disc rotors, with twin-piston alloy calipers in front; the rear brakes feature alloy calipers with single-piston actuation. The brakes are approximately one-inch larger on the higher-performance GT model. Interior Designed to meld form and function with world-class fit and finish, the G8’s interior delivers both comfort and convenience, packaged in a level of sophistication not often found in its price range. A driver-oriented instrument cluster positions the gauges for easy, direct line of sight; an electronic driver information center is located between the large, round tachometer and speedometer. Attention to detail includes jewel-like instruments, selective use of satin and chrome trim and rich-feeling, grained textures throughout. The instrument cluster glows with crisp, white light on the primary instruments and Pontiac ’s signature red lighting illuminates the rest of the instrument panel cluster. The seats offer firm support to hold occupants in place during aggressive cornering; all seats were designed to deliver excellent comfort during long drives. Cloth seating surfaces are standard, with heated leather seating available. G8 GT models will also offer an optional two-tone cloth or leather combination that pairs black with either red or blue inserts and color-matched instrument faces on certain exterior color combinations. |
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Replying to: paisan (Feb 08, 2007 1:24 am) |
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Apparently, this version of the 6.0L V8 is designated L76 by GM. And in this application, GM apparently renames DoD: “ . . features the fuel-saving Active Fuel Management system, which enhances fuel economy by alternating between eight- and four-cylinder power . .” I presume that this is DoD, like my 2005 Grand Prix GXP had? - Ray Acronym challenged . . .
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Then you were never going to buy the car in the first place. I think the new Tundra looks awesome, despite the fake plastic hood scoop in the front. I would never not buy it because of that.
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Replying to: rayainsw (Feb 08, 2007 7:42 am)  Rocky |
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Replying to: rayainsw (Feb 08, 2007 6:55 am) There have been tests of the Commodore so we can figure out how the G8 will perform long before it gets here. In fact, MT is going to be testing a Commodore in a future issue to preview the G8. Since this car weighs about the same as the CTS-V I would think 0-60 is reachable in 5.5secs or so. Holdens are heavy, just like European cars so you might as well get used to the G8 being heavy. Actually, Japanese cars are the only "light" cars overall. American and European cars of similar size typically weigh more than Japanese cars. |
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Replying to: 1487 (Feb 08, 2007 8:27 am) http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/New-Commodore-is-Wheels-Car-of-the-Year/2- 007/01/23/1169518705972.html and has been nominated for World Car of the Year http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,20796407-21822,00.html Can 't be too bad! Chris |
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Replying to: 1487 (Feb 08, 2007 8:27 am) Essentially, as you said: “It hasnt been a huge hit”. And period over period sales continue to decline. IMHO, GM \ Caddy needed the STS to be a sales hit. And now GM \ Pontiac needs the G8 to be a sales hit. “Huge” would be really good . . . Any time a manufacturer enters a new market ( for them ) where they have not yet proven the long term durability of the product or the trade \ re-sale values, they face a very tough road. For example the Caddy STS going from FWD sedan, more luxury biased in my view, to a RWD & more sporting sedan, at rather a high price point. The costs involved in R&D, marketing, etc. really demand that the product be an immediate and a long term sales hit. I am on record, here & elsewhere, as applauding Caddy for having the determination & the will to bring the new RWD STS to market. I have some issues with equipment availability, option ( group ) pricing and a few other things – that prevented me from purchasing an STS V8. But again, making the investment for a serious foray into trying to compete with the established LPS manufacturers like BMW is something I do respect. And the STS-v was a noble effort. I just think that if Pontiac is to survive ( and if GM is to thrive ) they cannot afford to have any major new product that is not a big sales success, right out of the box. We’ll see. - Ray Rooting for GM here, really . . .
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