Pontiac G8
Encyclopedia
The Pontiac G8 is a rear-wheel drive sedan that was produced by Holden
, the Australian General Motors
(GM) subsidiary. The G8, a rebadged
Holden Commodore, was released in early 2008 for the 2008 model year
in the United States, and in 2008 for the 2009 model year in Canada. Production stopped in mid-2009, following the GM decision to suspend the Pontiac
brand. While available, the G8 took the place in the Pontiac lineup of both the Pontiac Bonneville
, which ceased production after the 2005 model year, and the Pontiac Grand Prix
, which ceased production after the 2008 model year. The G8 was Pontiac's first full-size car
since the Bonneville
and the GTO coupe last sold in 2006.
By December 2008, the rear-drive G8 had not become the expected sales replacement for the previous front-drive models, with 11,000 unsold G8s in the inventory and just 13,000 sold. During the 2009 global economic downturn, market prices had dropped by $3000–5000 below GM's sticker price for the car. By July 2009, there were only 5,000 unsold G8s in inventory, with almost 30,700 sold.
With the imminent demise of the Pontiac brand, a result of GM's Chapter 11 bankruptcy
, the 2009 model year marks the end of all Pontiacs, including the G8. However, in July 2009, Bob Lutz made an off-hand comment during a press review that the G8 would be revived as the Chevrolet Caprice. Subsequently, Lutz retracted this statement, citing market conditions.
, created by Holden
for the VE Commodore in the Australian market. The G8 differs from the Commodore mainly in frontal styling and interior details. At the 2007 North American International Auto Show
in Detroit, GM chairman Bob Lutz confirmed that GM intended to import Holden Commodore
s into North America as Pontiac G8s. The news was not planned to be officially announced until the Chicago Auto Show
in February.
Holden chairman Denny Mooney
announced that the G8 is imported from the Elizabeth, South Australia
plant, South Australia for the life cycle of the car, but refused to comment on possible future production at GM's Oshawa, Ontario
facility. At the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, GM Global Chairman Bob Lutz announced that the G8 was expected in US Pontiac dealerships in "early 2008". On July 4, 2007 the first Pontiac G8 prototypes rolled out of the Elizabeth assembly plant in Australia. General production began December 18, 2007.
The G8 was the first rear-wheel drive four-door sedan sold under the Pontiac name since the 1986 Bonneville
and Parisienne
. However, at the time of the G8's release, Pontiac did offer the rear-wheel drive Solstice
. The then recently discontinued GTO, also utilized the rear-wheel drive layout. The GTO was another Holden product, known as the Monaro
in Australia, repurposed and rebadged for U.S. consumption. Production was discontinued in 2006 due to new US safety regulations and the architecture being phased out worldwide in favor of the new Zeta platform on which the G8 is based.
At least one Australian company is offering body part sets which are intended to change the G8's appearance to that of the Holden VE Commodore by installing Commodore front bumpers and other parts.
V6 engine
, producing 256 hp. The only transmission available is a five-speed GM 5L40-E
automatic; fuel economy is officially rated at 17 miles per US gallon city/25 miles per US gallon highway.
Base G8 models come standard with six airbags (including full-length side curtain airbags), traction control
, electronic stability control
, dual tailpipes, 18-inch alloy wheel
s (fitted with either all-season or summer performance tires), sports body kit, fog lights, power windows and locks, cruise control, black cloth seats and a seven-speaker audio system, including front center speaker, single-disc CD player, and auxiliary input jack.
A "Comfort And Sound" package is available on V6 powered G8s, which upgrades the seven-speaker audio system and manual HVAC controls to the 11-speaker audio and automatic climate control found in the GT model. The "Premium" package upgrades the Sedan's cloth seats to leather seating surfaces, driver and passenger heated seats, six-way power driver seat adjuster, 6-way power front-passenger seat adjuster, rear center armrest, leather-wrapped shift lever, and the GT's standard leather-wrapped steering wheel. Both the base G8 and the GT utilize the "FE2" suspension package.
The GT comes with a 361 hp 6.0 L (364 cu in) Generation IV V8
, featuring a 6-speed 6L80
automatic
and Active Fuel Management
, capable of reaching 60 mph (26.8 m/s) in just over 5 seconds, with quarter-mile times as low as 13.5 seconds. The G8 GT averages a fuel economy of 15/24 mpg (city/highway). A 6-speed manual
was formerly being considered as an option on the GT model, but Pontiac dropped the option, stating that it would instead be offered as an option on the G8 GXP. Midway through the 2009 model year several changes were made to the G8 GT, including an additional pair of catalytic converters
which reduced engine output to 355 hp.
In addition to the larger engine and six-speed transmission, GT models also contain additional equipment, including all of the standard Sedan features plus quad tailpipes, clear taillight lenses (as opposed to the Sedan's traditional red taillights), automatic dual-zone air conditioning, a larger center-console display screen, and an 11-speaker Blaupunkt
premium audio system with 2 subwoofers, six-disc CD changer, and auxiliary input jack. Some (but not all) of these features are available as options on the base model. A sports package is available on the GT, adding sport metallic pedals, QS4 19" machine-faced aluminum wheels, summer performance tires and a slightly smaller diameter, leather-wrapped Sport steering wheel.
in March 2008 with a 6.2-liter402 hp V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette
and a six-speed manual transmission. The production version of the GXP was more powerful with its LS3 V8 producing 415 hp and 415 ft.lbf of torque. Both the six-speed Tremec TR-6060
manual transmission and the six-speed automatic transmission were available. The GXP reached 60 mph (26.8 m/s) from a standstill in 4.5 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 13.0 seconds at nearly 110 mph (49.2 m/s), and 0.90g (8.8 m/s2) of lateral acceleration on a skidpad.
The GXP has an upgraded, Nürburgring
-tuned FE3 suspension package, as well as larger, ventilated Brembo
disc brakes. It also features a unique front bumper cover and a rear (non-functional) diffuser to differentiate it from the standard Sedan and GT models.
Total sales of the Pontiac G8 GXP were 1,829 units. The GXP was not available in Canada.
Production versions are sold as VE Commodore SS V-Series Special Edition (Sedan, Sportwagon, Ute), with the choice of manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions. SS V-Series Special Edition was unveiled in 2009 Deni Ute Muster. Production version for SS V-Series Special Edition went on sale in 2009–11.
called the G8 ST was shown at the New York International Auto Show
in March 2008. Based on the Holden Ute
, it was built on the same G8 platform with a 73 inches (1,854.2 mm) cargo bed. The Sport Truck had the same 361 hp, 6.0-liter V8 used in the G8 GT, as well as the 3.6-liter, 256 hp direct-injection V6. After a naming contest with more than 18,000 suggestions, the name remained the G8 ST.
The G8 ST, slated for release as a 2010 model, was to be Pontiac's first pickup truck, and GM's first coupe utility in the United States since the Chevrolet El Camino
was discontinued in 1987. In January 2009, GM announced to Pontiac dealers that the G8 ST was cancelled due to budget cuts and restructuring.
as compared to its Charger
sedan counterpart. Unlike the G8 ST, the Sportwagon model was never announced by General Motors.
The 2009 model year adds the GXP version powered by a 415 hp 6.2-liter V8 engine with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission or optional six-speed manual transmission (see above). The GXP is available in all standard G8 colors.
The G8 lineup also adds standard XM Satellite Radio
, with Bluetooth
connectivity provided later in the year, and four new exterior color choices: Maverick Silver Metallic, Sport Red Metallic, Stryker Blue Metallic and Pacific Slate Metallic. Meanwhile, Stealth Blue and Ignition Orange are unavailable for 2009 (Stealth Blue having already been eliminated during 2008 model year production). Also for 2009, the oil pressure and battery voltage gauges at the top of the center console have been eliminated. Heavy criticism among the automotive press of the outdated appearance of these red LED gauges no doubt factored heavily in their removal. The gauges were simply replaced with a small storage compartment.
National Safety Agency Ltd., an Australian company in a joint project with the Los Angeles Police Department
(LAPD) displayed a prototype squad car based on the Pontiac G8, at the APCO 2009 Conference in Sydney in March 2009. The vehicle is fitted with a large portrait format touch screen in the center console, replacing the clutter of controls common in police vehicles.
The G8 is the primary vehicle in the 2009 driving game, Wheelman.
In March 2008, a commercial based on the 1980s arcade game
Spy Hunter
ran nationally. In the commercial, the Pontiac G8 GT takes the place of the hero car when it is destroyed by enemies.
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
, the Australian General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
(GM) subsidiary. The G8, a rebadged
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
Holden Commodore, was released in early 2008 for the 2008 model year
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
in the United States, and in 2008 for the 2009 model year in Canada. Production stopped in mid-2009, following the GM decision to suspend the Pontiac
Pontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
brand. While available, the G8 took the place in the Pontiac lineup of both the Pontiac Bonneville
Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville was an automobile built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1957 to 2005. It was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year...
, which ceased production after the 2005 model year, and the Pontiac Grand Prix
Pontiac Grand Prix
Picking up where the Pontiac Ventura model left off, the Grand Prix first appeared in the Pontiac line for 1962. It was essentially a standard Pontiac Catalina coupe with minimal outside chrome trim and a sportier interior...
, which ceased production after the 2008 model year. The G8 was Pontiac's first full-size car
Full-size car
A full-size car is a marketing term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car. In the United States, the EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars....
since the Bonneville
Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville was an automobile built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1957 to 2005. It was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year...
and the GTO coupe last sold in 2006.
By December 2008, the rear-drive G8 had not become the expected sales replacement for the previous front-drive models, with 11,000 unsold G8s in the inventory and just 13,000 sold. During the 2009 global economic downturn, market prices had dropped by $3000–5000 below GM's sticker price for the car. By July 2009, there were only 5,000 unsold G8s in inventory, with almost 30,700 sold.
With the imminent demise of the Pontiac brand, a result of GM's Chapter 11 bankruptcy
General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization
The General Motors Chapter 11 sale of the assets of automobile manufacturer General Motors and some of its subsidiaries was implemented through section 363 of Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York...
, the 2009 model year marks the end of all Pontiacs, including the G8. However, in July 2009, Bob Lutz made an off-hand comment during a press review that the G8 would be revived as the Chevrolet Caprice. Subsequently, Lutz retracted this statement, citing market conditions.
Background
The G8 is based on the GM Zeta platformGM Zeta platform
Zeta was the original name for General Motors' full-size rear-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was engineered by Holden of Australia and was most recently referred to as the "Global RWD Architecture". The GM Zeta replaced the Australian V-body and was considered as the replacement...
, created by Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
for the VE Commodore in the Australian market. The G8 differs from the Commodore mainly in frontal styling and interior details. At the 2007 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
in Detroit, GM chairman Bob Lutz confirmed that GM intended to import Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
s into North America as Pontiac G8s. The news was not planned to be officially announced until the Chicago Auto Show
Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Placeconvention complex. It is among the largest auto shows in North America....
in February.
Holden chairman Denny Mooney
Denny Mooney
Dennis M. "Denny" Mooney is a former General Motors executive. Mooney joined GM in 1978, and held positions such as head of the Buick-Cadillac-Oldsmobile N-car chassis development team, and executive director for vehicle performance at GM Engineering until September 2003...
announced that the G8 is imported from the Elizabeth, South Australia
Elizabeth, South Australia
Elizabeth is a northern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in the City of Playford.-History:Elizabeth was established in 1955 as part of a planned satellite town by the South Australian Housing Trust on rural land between the older towns of Salisbury and...
plant, South Australia for the life cycle of the car, but refused to comment on possible future production at GM's Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
facility. At the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, GM Global Chairman Bob Lutz announced that the G8 was expected in US Pontiac dealerships in "early 2008". On July 4, 2007 the first Pontiac G8 prototypes rolled out of the Elizabeth assembly plant in Australia. General production began December 18, 2007.
The G8 was the first rear-wheel drive four-door sedan sold under the Pontiac name since the 1986 Bonneville
Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville was an automobile built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1957 to 2005. It was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year...
and Parisienne
Pontiac Parisienne
The Pontiac Parisienne is a full-size rear-wheel drive vehicle that was sold by Pontiac on the GM B platform in Canada from 1958 to 1986 and in the US from 1983 to 1986...
. However, at the time of the G8's release, Pontiac did offer the rear-wheel drive Solstice
Pontiac Solstice
The Pontiac Solstice is a small sports car from the Pontiac division of General Motors. Introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the Solstice roadster began production in Wilmington, Delaware, starting in mid-2005 for the 2006 model year. The exterior styling of the...
. The then recently discontinued GTO, also utilized the rear-wheel drive layout. The GTO was another Holden product, known as the Monaro
Holden Monaro
The Holden Monaro is an automobile that was produced by GM Holden Ltd, an Australian subsidiary of General Motors, between 1968 and 1977 and between 2001 and 2005...
in Australia, repurposed and rebadged for U.S. consumption. Production was discontinued in 2006 due to new US safety regulations and the architecture being phased out worldwide in favor of the new Zeta platform on which the G8 is based.
At least one Australian company is offering body part sets which are intended to change the G8's appearance to that of the Holden VE Commodore by installing Commodore front bumpers and other parts.
G8
The base G8, referred to in Pontiac sales literature as the "G8 Sedan", is available with a 3.6 liter High FeatureGM High Feature engine
The 3600 LY7 are members of General Motors' new High Feature engine family of modern DOHC V6s. This new family of engines was introduced in 2004 with the Cadillac CTS. Holden sells the HFV6 under the name Alloytec. The High Feature moniker on the Holden produced engine is reserved for the twin...
V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
, producing 256 hp. The only transmission available is a five-speed GM 5L40-E
GM 5L40-E transmission
The 5L40-E are a series of automatic transmissions from General Motors. Designed for longitudinal engine configurations, the series includes 5 forward gears and is used in the GM Sigma platform vehicles from Cadillac, as well as the Pontiac Solstice and Holden Commodore.The electronically...
automatic; fuel economy is officially rated at 17 miles per US gallon city/25 miles per US gallon highway.
Base G8 models come standard with six airbags (including full-length side curtain airbags), traction control
Traction control
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
, electronic stability control
Electronic stability control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
, dual tailpipes, 18-inch alloy wheel
Alloy wheel
Alloy wheels are automobile wheels which are made from an alloy of aluminium or magnesium. They are typically lighter for the same strength...
s (fitted with either all-season or summer performance tires), sports body kit, fog lights, power windows and locks, cruise control, black cloth seats and a seven-speaker audio system, including front center speaker, single-disc CD player, and auxiliary input jack.
A "Comfort And Sound" package is available on V6 powered G8s, which upgrades the seven-speaker audio system and manual HVAC controls to the 11-speaker audio and automatic climate control found in the GT model. The "Premium" package upgrades the Sedan's cloth seats to leather seating surfaces, driver and passenger heated seats, six-way power driver seat adjuster, 6-way power front-passenger seat adjuster, rear center armrest, leather-wrapped shift lever, and the GT's standard leather-wrapped steering wheel. Both the base G8 and the GT utilize the "FE2" suspension package.
G8 GT
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, featuring a 6-speed 6L80
GM 6L80 transmission
The 6L80 is a 6-speed automatic transmission built by General Motors at their Willow Run Transmission plant, in Ypsilanti, MI. It was introduced in late 2005, and is very similar in design to the smaller 6L45/6L50, produced at GM Powertrain in Strasbourg, France...
automatic
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
and Active Fuel Management
Active Fuel Management
Active Fuel Management is a trademarked name for the automobile variable displacement technology from General Motors. It allows a V6 or V8 engine to "turn off" half of the cylinders under light-load conditions to improve fuel economy...
, capable of reaching 60 mph (26.8 m/s) in just over 5 seconds, with quarter-mile times as low as 13.5 seconds. The G8 GT averages a fuel economy of 15/24 mpg (city/highway). A 6-speed manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
was formerly being considered as an option on the GT model, but Pontiac dropped the option, stating that it would instead be offered as an option on the G8 GXP. Midway through the 2009 model year several changes were made to the G8 GT, including an additional pair of catalytic converters
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
which reduced engine output to 355 hp.
In addition to the larger engine and six-speed transmission, GT models also contain additional equipment, including all of the standard Sedan features plus quad tailpipes, clear taillight lenses (as opposed to the Sedan's traditional red taillights), automatic dual-zone air conditioning, a larger center-console display screen, and an 11-speaker Blaupunkt
Blaupunkt
GmbH is a German manufacturer of electronics equipment, noted for its home and car audio equipment. It was a 100% subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH until March 1st, 2009 when its Aftermarket and Accessories branch including the brand name were sold to Aurelius AG of Germany for an undisclosed...
premium audio system with 2 subwoofers, six-disc CD changer, and auxiliary input jack. Some (but not all) of these features are available as options on the base model. A sports package is available on the GT, adding sport metallic pedals, QS4 19" machine-faced aluminum wheels, summer performance tires and a slightly smaller diameter, leather-wrapped Sport steering wheel.
G8 GXP
A G8 GXP version was shown at the New York International Auto ShowNew York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...
in March 2008 with a 6.2-liter402 hp V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
and a six-speed manual transmission. The production version of the GXP was more powerful with its LS3 V8 producing 415 hp and 415 ft.lbf of torque. Both the six-speed Tremec TR-6060
Tremec TR-6060 transmission
The Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission features six forward speeds and one reverse speed. It is derived from the Tremec T-56 6-speed manual transmission. As per usual, the forward helical cut gears are synchronized however, the reverse gear operates through a fully synchronized...
manual transmission and the six-speed automatic transmission were available. The GXP reached 60 mph (26.8 m/s) from a standstill in 4.5 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 13.0 seconds at nearly 110 mph (49.2 m/s), and 0.90g (8.8 m/s2) of lateral acceleration on a skidpad.
The GXP has an upgraded, Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
-tuned FE3 suspension package, as well as larger, ventilated Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
disc brakes. It also features a unique front bumper cover and a rear (non-functional) diffuser to differentiate it from the standard Sedan and GT models.
Total sales of the Pontiac G8 GXP were 1,829 units. The GXP was not available in Canada.
Holden VE Commodore versions (2009)
Following the cancellation of Pontiac brand, it was reported that Holden planned to sell 1,500 limited edition version of the Commodore SS V fitted with the Pontiac G8 front-end fascia and other trimmings. Unlike the G8, which was offered only as a sedan, Holden will be offering utility, sedan and wagon body variants of the G8. They would be sold locally in November and December, with production beginning on November 2.Production versions are sold as VE Commodore SS V-Series Special Edition (Sedan, Sportwagon, Ute), with the choice of manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions. SS V-Series Special Edition was unveiled in 2009 Deni Ute Muster. Production version for SS V-Series Special Edition went on sale in 2009–11.
Cancelled body variants
G8 ST
In addition to the sedan, a two-seat coupé utilityCoupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
called the G8 ST was shown at the New York International Auto Show
New York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...
in March 2008. Based on the Holden Ute
Holden Ute
The Holden Ute is a coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors, since 2000. Before then, Holden had marketed their Commodore-based utility models under the Holden Utility and Holden Commodore utility names, although the term “Holden Ute” was also used in their...
, it was built on the same G8 platform with a 73 inches (1,854.2 mm) cargo bed. The Sport Truck had the same 361 hp, 6.0-liter V8 used in the G8 GT, as well as the 3.6-liter, 256 hp direct-injection V6. After a naming contest with more than 18,000 suggestions, the name remained the G8 ST.
The G8 ST, slated for release as a 2010 model, was to be Pontiac's first pickup truck, and GM's first coupe utility in the United States since the Chevrolet El Camino
Chevrolet El Camino
The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupe utility vehicle produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1959–1960 model years in response to the success of its rival, Ford Ranchero. Production resumed for the 1964–1977 model years based on the Chevelle platform, and continued for the...
was discontinued in 1987. In January 2009, GM announced to Pontiac dealers that the G8 ST was cancelled due to budget cuts and restructuring.
G8 "Sportwagon"
A Pontiac variant of the VE Commodore Sportwagon station wagon was considered as well, but not imported, partially due to poor sales of the market in general, especially of the Dodge MagnumDodge Magnum
The Dodge Magnum name has been used on a number of different automobiles. The most recent is a large rear-wheel drive station wagon introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year and produced through to 2008. This new Magnum is Dodge's first car to use the new Chrysler LX platform, shared with the...
as compared to its Charger
Dodge Charger (LX)
The Dodge Charger LX is a rear-wheel drive four-door automobile introduced in February 2005. Built by Chrysler for its North American Dodge brand, the car was created to continue the Dodge Charger line, and replaced the Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's full-size sedan...
sedan counterpart. Unlike the G8 ST, the Sportwagon model was never announced by General Motors.
2008
For the 2008 model year, the Pontiac G8 was initially offered in six colors: Stealth Blue, Liquid Red, Ignition Orange, White Hot, Magnetic Gray, and Panther Black. Stealth Blue was discontinued after the first batch of vehicles were shipped from Australia. First deliveries to dealerships were posted on GM's website in March 2008, with comments that initial sales were brisk. Subsequently, May 2008 monthly sales were reported at 1,832 units against a May 2007 sales volume of 12,230 units for the Grand Prix.2009
The G8 lineup also adds standard XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
, with Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
connectivity provided later in the year, and four new exterior color choices: Maverick Silver Metallic, Sport Red Metallic, Stryker Blue Metallic and Pacific Slate Metallic. Meanwhile, Stealth Blue and Ignition Orange are unavailable for 2009 (Stealth Blue having already been eliminated during 2008 model year production). Also for 2009, the oil pressure and battery voltage gauges at the top of the center console have been eliminated. Heavy criticism among the automotive press of the outdated appearance of these red LED gauges no doubt factored heavily in their removal. The gauges were simply replaced with a small storage compartment.
National Safety Agency Ltd., an Australian company in a joint project with the Los Angeles Police Department
Los Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the city of Los Angeles, California. With just under 10,000 officers and more than 3,000 civilian staff, covering an area of with a population of more than 4.1 million people, it is the third largest local law enforcement agency in...
(LAPD) displayed a prototype squad car based on the Pontiac G8, at the APCO 2009 Conference in Sydney in March 2009. The vehicle is fitted with a large portrait format touch screen in the center console, replacing the clutter of controls common in police vehicles.
Sales and marketing
| Calendar year | Total sales (U.S.) |
|---|---|
| 2008 (March-December) | 15,002 |
| 2009 | 23,157 |
Marketing
General Motors heavily promoted the Pontiac G8 on January 1, 2008, by having it as the official sponsor of the Times Square New Year's Day Countdown, as well as the Rose Bowl.The G8 is the primary vehicle in the 2009 driving game, Wheelman.
In March 2008, a commercial based on the 1980s arcade game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
Spy Hunter
Spy Hunter
Spy Hunter is a 1983 arcade game developed and released by Bally Midway. It has also been ported to various home computers and video game systems....
ran nationally. In the commercial, the Pontiac G8 GT takes the place of the hero car when it is destroyed by enemies.