Pontiac G8 Debut (56K go away)

[hyunelan2]

Just was debuted in Chicago


http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/pontiacg8_hi_01.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/pontiacg8_hi_02.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/pontiacg8_hi_03.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/pontiacg8_hi_08.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/pontiacg8_hi_10.jpg

6.0L V8, rear wheel drive.

[Cypher]

i saw that at the dc auto show. good looking car. i've always been a fan of pontiac

[BobMs_wht2k2]

OMG. . . . I need a napkin. I've been waiting for the official release and pics for WEEKS! I am not disappointed! Ladies and gentlemen, the General is BACK!

[hyunelan2]

I'll be there to see it in person on Monday. I really hope I'm not disappointed. These pics are outstanding. Press release says the wheels are larger and the car is lower than the actual production vehicle is.

Hopefully Pontiac doesn't screws this up and put 14" wheels and 225/99/14 tires on it (sarcasm).

Edit: oh, and that's a new, revised, Pontiac Emblem too ;)

[Cypher]

trust me. you won't be.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

I don't think that this particular style could EVER be screwed up! This car is 100% Pontiac. The GTO, while I still love it, was too bland for Pontiac. This is what they needed from the beginning.

My God I can't get over it. . . it's perfect.

[hyunelan2]

info:


General Motors will unveil a new Pontiac sedan at the Chicago Auto Show today.

"With the balance of rear-wheel drive and the availability of V8 power, the G8 represents another step in Pontiac's commitment to its performance DNA," Pontiac General Manager John Larson said in a GM announcement.

GM is moving its Pontiac division, traditionally the company's performance-oriented brand, toward more rear-wheel drive cars. Rear-wheel drive offers better weight balance and allows for larger and more powerful engines than front-wheel-drive, which is the more common configuration in cars today.

The car unveiled in Chicago is, officially, a concept vehicle. The G8 will be available in dealerships in early 2008, GM said.

The concept version rides slightly lower to the ground and has bigger wheels than the production version, GM said. The concept also features a "modernized" Pontiac badge to test consumer opinion.

The G8 is based on rear-wheel drive engineering created in Australia by GM's Holden division there. Holden also created the recently discontinued Pontiac GTO performance coupe.

"We spent many hours refining the chassis to create a unique blend of steering precision, vehicle balance and handling that we believe driving enthusiasts will love," said Doug Houlihan, G8 chief engineer, in a GM statement.

The G8 will be available with a choice of either a 261-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine or a 362-horsepower 6.0-liter V8. Since the G8 is not in production yet, estimated fuel economy figures are not available.

The G8 will compete against performance-oriented four-door cars like the Dodge Charger and Nissan Altima

[robs02elantra]

it's awesome...! I love it

[NovaResource]

http://chicagoautoshow.com/uploads/vehicles/zoom/EE0975AF0138401CB0302EDEE162C616.jpg
http://chicagoautoshow.com/uploads/vehicles/zoom/93F123B50EB745FC810193E9CF645195.jpg
http://chicagoautoshow.com/uploads/vehicles/zoom/3F17F3C765FC40ABA9B878CD8F9EA0C6.jpg

Here's some more pics for ya from the Chicago Auto Show site. I'm not sure if I like the 2 door as much as the 4 door, or more than the 4 door?

info:


^^^ Those are pics of the G6, not the new G8.

[hyunelan2]

ha, you're right. They have them listed under the wrong section on the CAS website. I'll make those go away. -no, I just misread - it's correct on the CAS site, I just grabbed the wrong ones.

[NY2002ElantraGT]

Nice, the side view and interior almost look like the Auddi A8. I think Pontiac have been very borring when it comes to their body styling. but i like this G8. and puts up good #'s with 362hp. not too shabby GM!

[BobMs_wht2k2]

3700lbs AND 363hp AND a 6-sp manual all powering the correct wheels . . . how else can one describe automotive nirvana?

[robs02elantra]

this MIGHT even make me forget that they used to put out a car called the sunfire..we will see.

[hyunelan2]

3700lbs AND 363hp AND a 6-sp manual all powering the correct wheels . . . how else can one describe automotive nirvana?

3700 lbs - is that with the 6.0L? Seems like a heavy metal-monster, but I'm sure the 6.0L engine isn't light. Have you heard anything about auto/manumatic transmission options for the car?

Did anyone else notice the integrated audio/climate system? A lot of manufacturers seem to be doing that now.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

6-spd auto and 6-spd manual.

Actually, the new LSx engines are light, lighter than the old 3.8 V6.

[Cypher]

this MIGHT even make me forget that they used to put out a car called the sunfire..we will see.

bahahaha. the sunfire was crap. i hated that thing but thats probably more so because of an ex than anything.

[NovaResource]

Actually, the new LSx engines are light, lighter than the old 3.8 V6.
Yep, all aluminum V8.

[ghrpdx]

Nice looking car. It's great to see GM putting 110% into the interiors of their cars now. I want to see this one in red!

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Yep, all aluminum V8.

Plus, GM ECM's are readily accessible. Intake, headers, exhaust and a pcm tune puts you at 400+hp. Add in a S/C and that puts 450+ to the rear wheels.

[PSUsouthpaw]

Sweet! Finally making up for some of the crap they put out over the years!

[hyunelan2]

Do you know what other cars will be receiving the LSx? Will the new Camaro get one, I would only guess it should?

[BobMs_wht2k2]

FRom what I understand, all the W-body cars (Grand Prix, Impala, Monte Carlo) are all being replaced by these new Zeta-platform cars by '09. So expect to see a new Impala SS, Monte Carlo SS, the new Camaro (also the same) and the CTS.

Looks like the LS2 (current model of the LSx engines) will probably find their way into all the afore mentioned cars. The new 3.6L V6 is replacing the venerable 3.8L and being used as a mainstream replacement across the board. It's already in the Cadillac SRX, CTS and the new Acadia/Outlook SUV.

[KeWLKaT]

wow!

dang

i would be down for one


but headlights confuse me

[Munky]

I would drive the hell out of that.

[04GTboySC]

thats nice lookin

[cubic_16]

lol the G8 is a rebuild of Holdens commodore calais with simply the pontiac front end

[Cypher]

i was happy to see the monte was back to RWD at least the one i saw at the auto show was. i was told that they were back to fwd for awhile.

[WytchDctr]

how did you get a pic of my next car, lol. Very nice.

[extremeaudiowa]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Thats funny

Its a Holden Commodore from australia

been out here for about 12 months

funny funny funy

HOLDEN AUSTRALIA (http://www.holden.com.au)

HOLDEN SPECIAL VEHICLES HSV (http://www.hsv.com.au)

[jh0n]

Check this link out http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/modeloverview?modelid=4006

It`s the Holden commodore, it hit the streets here a few months ago, pretty similar cars.

[hyunelan2]

Nothing groundbreaking for you Aussies, but GM's been sandbagging all the RWD cars on the other side of world for the last 10+ years (except for Corvette). Finally, we are getting some muscle back in 'our' cars.

[Estopatitiana]

yeah our pontiac GTO is the same deal as a holden monero (sp)? down under. In fact most the gtos are made in australia..i dont know if they use the same engine though

[hyunelan2]

Our Pontiac GTO was also discontinued, however there's still some '06s on the lots. Rumors say that it will come back - kinda - as the G8 coupe in 2009 or 2010.

That car (GTO) was a b* for me to get in and out of without hitting my head on the A pillar. Never fit me well. I'm guessing the 'sedan-ness' of the G8 should make that less of a problem than the swept-back lines of the GTO.

Also note, the Holden Commodore is the first "Zeta" platform car to hit production. Future cars of Camaro, G8, Impala, Monte Carlo, Caddy DTS, and Buick something will be similar. It better be a good platform, GM spent over $1,000,000,000.00 (one billion) dollars on its development.

[extremeaudiowa]

yeah our pontiac GTO is the same deal as a holden monero (sp)? down under. In fact most the gtos are made in australia..i dont know if they use the same engine though

Yes they are as we source the LS2 from the states for this car

[SuperGLS]

So it's basically a new Grand Prix? Wowzers. I guess the RWD is nice.

Let's wait to see it on the road and read some reviews.

[Biff]

Sexy. Only word that describes it for me.

[06elantra]

I don't think that this particular style could EVER be screwed up! This car is 100% Pontiac. The GTO, while I still love it, was too bland for Pontiac. This is what they needed from the beginning.

My God I can't get over it. . . it's perfect.

yes it is beautiful isnt it

my bf has one of these - except in the Holden Calais Z Series spec (being we are Australia)

its not 100% pontiac.. its mostly GM/Holden

[ricerrx7]

Maybe I'm the only one who noticed this, but the engine isn't an LS2, it's an L76. Look at the bottom righthand corner of the engine pic...

[WytchDctr]

thats the iron truck motor eh?

[ghrpdx]

its not 100% pontiac.. its mostly GM/Holden
It's still GM, though ... a good example of "badge engineering". It's nice looking but not something I would buy for myself.

[cubic_16]

god i love V8 engines
they look so gosh darn pretty

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Maybe I'm the only one who noticed this, but the engine isn't an LS2, it's an L76. Look at the bottom righthand corner of the engine pic...

And that is why I typically refer to them as the LSx engines. GM changes engine codes faster than I change underwear.



its not 100% pontiac.. its mostly GM/Holden

Yes, I know. I've been following Holden's since 1996 when GM was completely ignorant and discontined the B-bodies. What I was referring to is that it fits the Pontiac styling theme so much better than the previous GTO/Monaro we had before.

[WytchDctr]

They have an LSx now, lol. I saw it on some show not to long ago, its a crate motor. The L76 has been around for some time but in trucks.

[ricerrx7]

And that is why I typically refer to them as the LSx engines. GM changes engine codes faster than I change underwear.

But can you refer to it as an LSx if the middle symbol is "7" and not "S"?

[cubic_16]

tbh,.,, the more i look at this car...
the more a like it as a pontiac as apposed to a holden
the front end looks nicer

[robs02elantra]

tbh,.,, the more i look at this car...
the more a like it as a pontiac as apposed to a holden
the front end looks nicer

I actually went and downloaded the holden picture after seeing this thread. I like the rims on the holden better.

[hyunelan2]

The production version will not have those 20" wheels. The v8 version will have 17", and the v6 cars will have 16" rims. Probably in a much more conservative style as well.

[06elantra]

The production version will not have those 20" wheels. The v8 version will have 17", and the v6 cars will have 16" rims. Probably in a much more conservative style as well.


we get them rims here in australia!!! they are very nice up close too

i gotta say, i like the ponty front end a lil better than the holden version - does seem to flow a little bit better.

http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/vehicleentry?vehicleid=6

the holden calais build and price site.
note you can fit 20inch rims from factory onto these cars, at a price of course.
Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) fit 21inchers to thier version of the SS Commodore from factory.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

But can you refer to it as an LSx if the middle symbol is "7" and not "S"?

Yes, because it is still based off the LS1/LS2 architecture. I mean look at all the different versions of them. there's the 4.8/5.3/5.7/6.0/6.2 with many dfferent power levels and configurations of iron block/aluminum block. . . different intakes and soon a factory S/C.

Your question is almost like asking: is a 350 still a sbc? Because technically the SBC was a 265ci engine. See my point? Most of the GM truck sites refer to the multitude of engines available in this new configuration the LSx. Just makes it easier. ;)

[ricerrx7]

But to me, that's like calling our engines a "theta". It's a Hyundai engine, so why not call it the name of another engine?

[BobMs_wht2k2]

But to me, that's like calling our engines a "theta". It's a Hyundai engine, so why not call it the name of another engine?

It's obvious GM V8's are a mystery to you still. It's actually more like calling our Engines a Beta when they are really a Beta II. If it was a theta derived engine but different displacement than yeah, it's be a "theta".

GM has 3 digit engine codes for ordering purposes. That's whatthe cute little tag that EVERY GM car and truck has. They are a list of options that were ordered for that vehicle. When they change something, be it engine cover, cam timing, spark plugs . . . whatever they tend to change the engine code to reflect that cahnge because the older version is probably still in use in another platform. Silly, yes. But it works for them.

[ricerrx7]

^I'm not a GM enthusiast, I just work on them. I know about the RPO codes and such, but I'm just looking at this from a technicality standpoint.

[2000 elantra]

:bowdown: i want that motor in my elantra.anybody think it'll fit lol