Pontiac launches new G8 lineup for 2009
Published Thursday October 30th, 2008
Complaints about the unavailability of the modern-day GTO in Canada are evidence that shoppers here wanted a V8 powered rear-drive car from Pontiac. Muscle-car enthusiasts have largely stopped complaining though, because Pontiac's just launched their new G8 lineup.
Simple premise, really. Bring $36,495 to your Pontiac dealer, and you'll leave with a six-liter, 361 horsepower V8 engine spinning the rear wheels, as well as a sporty and spacious four-door wrapped around it. Our G8 GT tester clocked in at $40,530 with sunroof, sport package and premium package. Base for base, that's nearly $2000 less than a HEMI Charger.
G8 is distinctively Pontiac- with a blocky fascia, fog-lamps, hood-scoops and a wide, dug-in stance. There's no flashy stuff on the body- just a muscular and sculpted shape with a distinctive pseudo-Euro appearance. Though G8 looks capable of chewing lesser machines into bits, it doesn't make a tremendous fuss about it visually.
There's no V8 badge to be found, but everyone knows this car's packing heat. Expect nods and thumbs up everywhere, as well as some interesting vocabulary from passing teenagers.
G8's interior is far from setting a new standard for build quality or materials selection, and like the exterior, there's nothing much showy going on. Entry and exit to each seat is very easy, and there's plenty of room and decent storage space. The trunk is generous, and G8 will have no problem handling a 4 or 5 person weekend road trip.
Black or faux-aluminum are the colors of choice, though the instruments and red console-lighting light up nicely after dark. It's a focused and uncluttered environment. Auto climate control, a Blaupunkt stereo system, heated leather seats, and an Audi-esque multifunction computer were included. The G8's non-American roots are apparent in the cabin, as most controls, dials, readouts and switches are unfamiliar to the Pontiac brand. Remember, the G8 is actually a re-badged Holden Commodore, from Australia.
Controls are mainly easy to manipulate, though the console-mounted window, lock and mirror switches require a change in habit as they're not fixed to the doors where they belong.
Heated leather seats are electrically adjustable fore, aft, up and down- but reclining and erecting is handled by repeatedly twisting the awkward knob jammed inconveniently between the seat and the door. Finally, the speedometer only reads to 180 km/h, which is a bit laughable given what's under the hood. With the specifications at play here, some may wish for more sound effects when the L76 V8 engine fires up. There's no grumble, bark or burbly idle- and the engine is almost imperceptibly quiet unless prodded.
Opened up, acceleration is potent and fierce, though not intimidating. With 361 horsepower, the six-speed automatic never needs to downshift with the cruise set, and G8 will blast past slower traffic in a jiffy with just the slightest jab on the throttle.
G8 lacks the aural sting of a Mustang or Charger- but sound levels are appropriate for a daily driver that delivers a level of go-fast hooliganism unmatched for the price. Combined mileage averaged about 13.5L / 100km on our watch, which is in the same ballpark as your average V6 powered family SUV.
Drivers weak in the flesh will find themselves in a perpetual state of impending license revocation, as G8 will vaporize its rear tires and hang its tail out effortlessly when the traction control is switched off. Middle button, just ahead of the shifter.
Fitted with 19-inch wheels and a sporty suspension, G8 delivers rewarding lateral performance. Steering feels a touch lightweight, though the ratio is pleasantly quick and the car feels solid and planted in any situation.
Pushed, G8's heavyset frame and wide stance work towards a predictable and un-intimidating dynamic backed up by powerful ABS brakes. These bite down with authority, though pedal travel is lengthy.
The ride can become a touch noisy on rougher surfaces, and wind-noise gets intrusive at higher speeds. A BMW the G8 is not, but overall ride quality is appreciable, especially on smooth, twisty highways.
All said and done, G8 redefines the affordable family muscle car in numerous regards, dropping a big V8 into a playing field mainly occupied by V6's. Best off, it does it at a price that'll embarrass a large number of the popular front-drive 'sport' sedans currently on the market. There's a V6 engine available too, but if you're a performance buff after a 'jeans-and-a-T-shirt" sort of muscle sedan, the G8 GT is a near no-brainer.
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