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Absinthe
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« on: February 08, 2007, 02:22:11 AM » |
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Could this car save Pontiac?        
2008 Pontiac G8 Preview
Oz brings you the big rear-drive Pontiac once more.
Pontiac will add a G8 sedan to its lineup for the 2008 model year. The Australian-built G8, with V-8 power, is built off GM's global rear-drive architecture and will arrive in Pontiac showrooms in early 2008.
The G8 is essentially a version of the Holden Commodore sold in Australia and other markets. For the U.S., the big Pontiac will come in G8 and G8 GT versions. Standard features on all G8s will include an independent suspension; anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control; front, side and curtain airbags; OnStar and XM; power seats, locks, windows, and mirrors; and 18-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.
Base G8s will sport GM's 3.6-liter V-6 with 261 horsepower, teamed to a five-speed automatic. The GT models get a 6.0-liter V-8 worth 362 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with stop-start technology and a limited-slip differential. A six-speed manual gearbox is planned for the new sedan.
The G8 sports a fully independent suspension with MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link rear. Four-wheel disc brakes have anti-lock, traction and stability control built in. And each G8 gets six airbags: duals, sides, and curtains.
Inside, the wraparound cockpit will be offered in cloth or leather trim. Heated seats will be offered, and GT models will have two-tone cloth or leather options with red or blue inserts and special instrument faces.
On display at the Chicago auto show this week is a thinly disguised version of the new model with show-car trim including 20-inch wheels, a lowered ride height, painted brake calipers, and a brown leather dash. The concept also wears a restyled Pontiac badge, as GM gauges other ways to update the brand other than with new products.
2008 Pontiac G8
Base price: $27,500 (est., base; G8 GT, $35,000 est.)
Engines: 3.6-liter V-6, 261 hp/250 lb-ft; 6.0-liter V-8, 362 hp/391 lb-ft
Transmissions: Five-speed automatic, six-speed automatic (GT), or six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Length x width x height: 196.1 x 74.8 x 57.7 in
Wheelbase: 114.8 in
Curb weight: 3885-3995 lb
Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): N/A
Safety equipment: Dual front, side, and curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control
Major standard features: Eighteen-inch wheels; AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio; air conditioning; power windows/locks/mirrors; cruise control; power seats
Warranty: Five years/100,000 miles
Article & unveiling video: ClickHi-res gallery: ClickBtw, here are some pics of 2007 Holden Commodore SS, which the G8 is based on.     |
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Ice-520
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« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2007, 02:25:50 AM » |
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the interior is pretty audi-like
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Absinthe
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« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2007, 02:33:01 AM » |
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A comment from one Australian: "Why do pontiac keep uglying up our beautiful Holdens?" and "Meh. The Holden Commodore is a great looking car. Why they fucked it up with a Grand Am grille and non-functional hood scoops is a mystery to me." lol.
Personally, I kinda like this car (but that's because I like Holden's designs), but I just can't stand that it's just a carbon copy of a car that was released last year. If the Commodores were sold in North America, I don't think Pontiac would survive long. Why can't they just be more creative?
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dmogx
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« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2007, 02:33:57 AM » |
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the pontiac grille actually kinda improves the look imo.. the holden one looks kinda weird and out of proportion.
looks very nice tho, pontiac and saturn lineups are definately improving a lot!
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rancid
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« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2007, 03:00:36 AM » |
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kinda like it....looks more european. mmm...tasty engine choices!
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jefferino
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« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2007, 07:25:46 AM » |
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I like it too... except for those wheels. They're even worse than the snowflake rims on the 07 Mazda3s.
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« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2007, 08:01:17 AM » |
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It looks fantastic. Big improvement from Pontiac.
Kev
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derrick
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« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2007, 08:19:53 AM » |
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I like the Holden look better.
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melonvitara
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« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2007, 09:05:40 AM » |
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i kinda like it too
btw the price is in USD right?
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disqx
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« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2007, 09:13:20 AM » |
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Its RWD which is going in the right direction for Pontiac. Would be worth looking at at an auto show.
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Dennis
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need4speed
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« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2007, 09:15:44 AM » |
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Good looking car.
Hood scoops should be functional, function should always follow form. Yeah the grill could look a little better. But its a pretty decent car for a domestic maker. But personally I wish instead of a fricken super huge V8 they would have a smaller displacement motor with a super charger or turbo. Another thing is if those prices are in US.....you know the GT will go for $40K +.
If those prices were in Canadian they would sell ALOT of cars.
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tonyzoomzoom
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« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2007, 09:46:53 AM » |
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I like the Holden design more -- much sleeker.
That said, I think this is still a good move for GM / Pontiac. Finally recognizing the value of its import affiliates. Unlike Ford....
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Elder_MMHS
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« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2007, 01:09:22 PM » |
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Hood scoops should be functional, function should always follow form. Yeah the grill could look a little better. But its a pretty decent car for a domestic maker. But personally I wish instead of a fricken super huge V8 they would have a smaller displacement motor with a super charger or turbo. Another thing is if those prices are in US.....you know the GT will go for $40K +.
I prefer the Holden front-end as well, though I can see why GM would do that for the Pontiac look. Fortunately, the rest of the car is still pretty nice. It has the stance and proportions of an Acura TL. Except the non-functional speed holes. I don't like them either. |
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Victor Chow (Elder_MMHS)
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« Reply #13 on: February 09, 2007, 03:31:58 AM » |
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Elder_MMHS
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« Reply #14 on: February 09, 2007, 11:28:09 AM » |
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I honestly wouldn't let the tacky but otherwise minor hood scoopies factor very highly into my preference for the car. It still looks very nice overall. There doesn't really seem to be any other visual difference between the G8 and the Commodore except the front bumper + lower hood design and maybe rear bumper length (looks possibly longer on the G8).
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Victor Chow (Elder_MMHS)
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« Reply #15 on: February 09, 2007, 12:23:39 PM » |
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I like the pontiac design over the other one. It looks more detailed and well thought out.
I only wish they would have a model that would be exactly like the concept one (with big brakes and rims).
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bufli
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« Reply #16 on: February 09, 2007, 04:14:52 PM » |
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the back is oklooking but the front is iffy... i dono why they hold on to tradition...
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derrick
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« Reply #17 on: February 09, 2007, 04:29:53 PM » |
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The different opening in the front and the scoops do give the car the Pontiac "look".
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tonyzoomzoom
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« Reply #18 on: February 09, 2007, 04:38:12 PM » |
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^^^ yes, kind of like those plastic side slabs Pontiacs used to have in the 90s... (yuck)
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« Reply #19 on: February 09, 2007, 11:04:27 PM » |
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They should have introduced it a couple years ago as the GTO and saved the G8 badge for the GTOoooohNo redition that they came out with!!!
Pete
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