The 2008 G8 is Pontiac's return to the rear-wheel drive performance sedan market.
In the nearly 50 years since that formula really came into its own, the American car market has changed profoundly. Rear drive and V8 engines have remained popular, but in domestic-brand vehicles they are largely confined to pickup trucks and SUVs. General Motors still builds large rear drive V8-powered sedans, but not in the United States; Australia is a different story. The 2008 Pontiac G8 is a large rear-drive four-door sedan that is based on the latest Holden Commodore VE.
GM Holden is the name of General Motors' Australian branch. Holden has a long history going back to the 1850s, but the company did not enter the automobile business until 1914, and then it was only as a body builder. Holden formally merged with General Motors in 1931, and in 1948 the Holden 48-215 was the first automobile completely manufactured in Australia.
For a short time in the early 1960s, Holdens were exported to Hawaii, but the make is largely unknown in the United States. Pontiac did dip into Holden's product portfolio once before for the slow-selling 2004-2006 reincarnation of the GTO that was based on Holden's Monaro coupe. In 2008, Pontiac again looks to its Australian cousin for a new product, this time the G8.
The new Pontiac comes in two models: the V6-powered G8, and the V8-powered G8 GT. A higher performance V8-powered G8 GXP will follow for 2009, and in 2010 a two-door "Sport Truck" pickup will join the line. The G8 and G8 GT sedans ride a 114.8-inch wheelbase, and are 196.1 inches long.
The Body
Both G8 models look nearly identical from the outside. Up front, they both sport projector beam headlights and Pontiac's trademark split grille. The hood has twin hood scoops and each front fender has a chrome-trimmed vent.
The 2008 Pontiac G8 is based on the Commodore VE from GM's Holden branch in Australia.
Out back the base sedan sports taillights with red lenses and dual exhaust tips. By comparison, the GT is marked with four exhaust tips, clear taillight lenses, and a GT badge.
The Interior
Both models seat five. Cloth upholstery is standard, with leather optional across the line. A two-tone black and red leather interior is available only on the GT. The rear seat includes a wide pass through to the trunk. Air conditioning, cruise control, and power windows/locks/mirrors are standard on all models. A tilt/telescope steering wheel, keyless entry, and remote start are also included on every G8.
The six-cylinder car comes with a seven-speaker Blaupunkt AM/FM/CD radio that includes an iPod/MP3 input jack. An upgraded 230-watt Blaupunkt AM/FM radio with 11 speakers and a 6-disc CD changer is standard on G8 GT and optional on the base model. The upgraded stereo brings with it a dual-zone climate control system and a dash-mounted display that integrates climate and audio functions.
The Six
The base G8 sedan starts at $27,595 and is powered by a 256-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. The 24-valve engine has continuously variable valve timing, and mates to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The transmission has what Pontiac calls "Driver Shift Control." Basically this means you can use the transmission in one of three ways: normal automatic mode, sport mode, or the driver can select gears manually. Normal mode is said to favor fuel economy but still maintain performance. Pontiac says the sport mode alters the transmission's shift points and holds gears longer for higher levels of torque. In the manual mode, the driver moves the shift lever forward or backward in the shift gate to select each gear; a display in the instrument cluster shows the chosen gear.
A base V6-powered G8 starts at $27,595. The V8-powered GT stickers for $29,995.
The Eight
The $29,995 GT model is powered by a 6.0-liter V8 engine that mates to a 6-speed automatic. This engine produces 361 horsepower, and is similar to the 6.2-liter engine that powers the base model Chevrolet Corvette. Also included is Driver Shift Control and GM's Active Fuel Management that allows the engine to operate on four cylinders under certain conditions to improve fuel economy.
The 18-inch tire selections mirror the base car, but the alloy wheels have a slightly different appearance. Likewise, the suspension tuning is the same as the six-cylinder car. The GT offers an optional sport package that includes 19-inch alloy wheels and P245/40R19 summer-only performance tires, metal trim on the pedals, and a unique leather-wrapped sport steering wheel.
The Drive
Consumer Guide was given the opportunity to test both the G8 and the G8 GT on the roads around sunny San Diego. The drive route included an expressway sprint and some twisty two-lane roads in the areas south and east of the city.
The first car sampled was a base V6 with a cloth interior. There's a standard tilt/telescope steering wheel and the cloth seats come with four-way power operation. It was quite easy to find a comfortable driving position and there was plenty of headroom.
The steering wheel is textured plastic with Audi-style scroll wheels for radio volume and presets. Additional steering wheel buttons control the information screen in the gauge cluster. The power window, lock, and mirror switches are mounted on the console behind the shifter, rather than the traditional placement on the door. After some acclimation this location becomes quite handy, especially the mirror control.
The radio is a Blaupunkt unit, and the test car had the optional upgrade with the dual-zone climate control. The system is quite different from systems typically found in the vast majority of American-market cars and trucks, and the controls will take time to become accustomed to. Above the radio is a fairly bizarre digital display for voltage and oil pressure. In particular, the oil pressure display is cryptically marked.
Rear passengers will find a large backseat with plenty of legroom, even sitting behind a six-footer. A six-foot-tall rear seat occupant will be quite comfortable, but headroom is only adequate.
The Australian-built V6 emits a growl under acceleration, but is hushed at cruise. Pontiac says this model does 0-60 mph in 7 seconds, which seemed believable based on our experience. The engine has adequate power for most any situation, and the transmission is quick to downshift for more, even when set in the economy-minded automatic mode. Tire and wind noise are fairly well controlled. The ride is firm and but not harsh on the generally smooth pavement that made up the Southern California drive route. In the twisties, the car is well balanced and quite agile for its size. The brakes are strong and the pedal was easy to modulate.
The GT was next. This test car had the optional Premium Package that includes a leather interior and the standard 18-inch wheels and tires. The interior is virtually identical to the base car, but the leather upholstery adds heaters and six-way power adjustment to the front seats, and a leather-covered steering wheel and shifter.
The 6.0-liter V8 is noticeably quieter than the V6 most of the time, but it starts to emit a nice rumble under hard acceleration. The V8 really turns the car into a hot rod, with more than ample power only a throttle stab away. Pontiac says the GT can go from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds. Despite some added weight, handling is virtually the same as the base car.
We weren't able to drive a GT equipped with the 19-inch wheels and tires or any model equipped with the optional sunroof.
It may take American drivers some time to get used to G8's audio and climate controls.
The base model with the 3.6-liter V6 is no slouch, but the GT comes across as the better value of the two. The price increase seems modest and the marginal decrease in estimated fuel economy is overshadowed by the additional thrust and cache of a V8.
In general, the G8 is very likable. Both models are comfortable, handle well, and look good on the street. Our main gripe is with the confusing audio and climate controls. They're out of the American mainstream, but the more you use them, the easier they are to figure out. The G8 is on sale now.
04.24.2008
