Looks like the car will be cheaper than we thought. A shame the horsepower's down, though.
If the mule they have draped in the checkered flag in the picture is the G8 and not the Holden, it appears they haven't screwed with the front end too much. At least it doesn't have the Pontiac twin nostril grille. There may be hope.
One other thing on my wish list for this car is a few more features than the GTO offered. Perhaps they could do a "track" version with minimal options to keep the price down and a G8 "Summit" to cater to old farts like me.
My Wish List
Onstar
Satellite Radio
Stability Control (with off switch)
Navigation System
Premium Sound System (better than GTO)...Bose?
Sunroof
Auto Climate Control With Rear Seat Controls
Laminated Side Glass
Side Impact Air bags
Bluetooth Phone Setup
3.70 - 4.10 Differential Gearing
Weight under 3,500 Lbs
As other people have noted, if there's an LS2 under the hood, more horsepower is readily available with relatively little cost or effort.
Last edited by Wing_Nut : 01-21-2007 at 11:27 AM.
Reason: more thoughts
If the mule they have draped in the checkered flag in the picture is the G8 and not the Holden, it appears they haven't screwed with the front end too much. At least it doesn't have the Pontiac twin nostril grille. There may be hope.
One other thing on my wish list for this car is a few more features than the GTO offered. Perhaps they could do a "track" version with minimal options to keep the price down and a G8 "Summit" to cater to old farts like me.
My Wish List
Onstar
Satellite Radio
Stability Control (with off switch)
Navigation System
Premium Sound System (better than GTO)...Bose?
Sunroof
Auto Climate Control With Rear Seat Controls
Laminated Side Glass
Side Impact Air bags
Bluetooth Phone Setup
3.70 - 4.10 Differential Gearing
Weight under 3,500 Lbs
As other people have noted, if there's an LS2 under the hood, more horsepower is readily available with relatively little cost or effort.
I agree with this guy's wish list. I just might have to buy this car...oh darn...
__________________
2004 GTO A4/BLACK/RED
K&N FIILTER - ONLY MOD...SO FAR
"Listen to thine engine and watch thine tach, lest thine whirlybits seek communion with the sun..." - Unknown
GM eliminating the Grand-Prix and replacing it with the G8. What the hell is with this G series????
Another marquee car that sold millions eliminated. The Grand-Am eliminated for the G6 and now this? Where is their brains? You have 2 proven sellers that lead Pontiac eliminated, gambling that their replacements will outsell their most popular sellers. The Bonneville was eliminated and it too wasn't that bad a seller.
Based on the overall look of the G8 it's not a bad looking car, but damn, if they market it like they did the GTO, they will be blaming poor sales on everything but their own stupidity.
I maintain.... If they want to add another model to their line up, do it and if sales of the old drop off for the new, then make a move. But don't eliminate the most popular sellers before seeing total sales coming in just because you are bored with it. The G8 appears to be a more compact car than the GP I guess this is the trend, but they are gambling buyers will be like those in Australia.
well i emailed Holden asking is they are going to export the Ute or any other car they have and their response was id have to take it up with GM because their only do it if alot of interest was involved. So the more people want it then they'd ship it.
First question: are they going to have to move the fuel tanks into the trunk like the Goats?
Second question: are they going to update to the LS2?
Third question: what are the chances we can convince them to drop the ridiculous number-naming scheme they're going with? I am going to get REALLY tired of saying "No, this isn't a G6, this is a G8".
and then the FAR distant fourth... what's the cost going to be US dollars?
What do you guys and gals think?
Number 1: The tank has been redesigned, as the car sits on the new global Zeta platform (think 2008 Caddy CTS)
Number 2: The new G8 will sport a 6.1liter V8 with 367bhp. The LS2 will soon be retired.
Number 3: No chance.
Number 4: Price will be geared to compete with the Charger: Roughly 35k for a loaded G8 w/Six Speed.
I'm almost willing to bet it WILL have the Pontiac twin nostrils. That is like a Pontiac trademark. don't expect it to go away.
Also, I think the nose of the GTO actually looks BETTER than the Holden (preferrably with the SAP grills though.. they should have all came with them).
At 3:15 this afternoon, the Pontiac press conference was the place to be. Everybody wanted to see the new rear-wheel-drive G8 sedan. And we mean everybody. The Pontiac press conference was without a doubt the most crowded of the day. And it wasn't just members of the press waiting for the new performance sedan to show itself, we spotted people from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Ford and Toyota in the audience. The car lived up to the anticipation.
"This car is everything we think a Pontiac should be," said Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman of global product development about the Austrailian-built sedan. "It's a return to tradition. And it's what Pontiac fans have been clammering for for years. An athletic, beautiful, powerful rear-wheel-drive sedan."
When the G8 goes on sale in early 2008, it will compete with and be priced against the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300C. "Pontiac is all about performance at affordable prices," said Mark LaNeve, GM's vice president of North American sales, service and marketing after the G8's debut. "Over time we will transition Pontiac to predominantly rear-drive."
Unlike the illfated Australian-built GTO, the G8 was designed to be a Pontiac from the beginning, and LaNeve thinks that will make all the difference. Plus, it's a sedan, which should appeal to a larger group of buyers. Underneath is the same chassis that will be used for the Chevy Camaro, which will be built in Canada, but there's no Pontiac coupe planned at this time according to Lutz. That's right, fans of the Screaming Chicken, the Firebird is still a dead duck.
The G8 displayed is the only one in the world and is dressed up in production G8 GT trim, which is the top performance model. It's powered by a 6.0-liter small-block V8 rated at 362 hp and is fitted with a six-speed manual transmission. Only the 20-inch wheels on this showcar are not production spec. The production G8 GT will wear 19-inch wheels, but those oversized slotted brake rotors and massive calipers are the real deal. The hood scoops, too.
Pontiac has a winner on its hands. — Scott Oldham, Editor in Chief, Inside Line
PROS:
* Holden built, nearly 100% UAW-free (for now, anyway)
* Classy, Euro-esque Holden Interior (except for the multi-colored G8 show car interior- ick)
* 4-link independent rear suspension
* Pushrod V8 whoomph in the GT trim
* Not saddled with the "Grand Prix" name and subsequent baggage
CONS:
* P-P-Pontiac nose (hideous compared to the Holden nose, above), P-P-Pontiac badging, P-P-Pontiac resale value
* "Designed to be a Pontiac from the beginning." Ummm...this is a good thing?
* Incompetent P-P-Pontiac / GM dealer network
* Oprah-esque curb weight (Comodore VE SS is listed at 1825 kg (4023 lb)- even more than the GTO/Monaro. C'mon, people- it weighs two tons!!
BOTTOM LINE:
Nice to see another Aussie, but GM can blow me.
I'll test drive it, just because I'm curious...but I'll not subject myself to GM's gawdawful, incompetent, apathetic service departments again.
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