To those of you who've eagerly awaited the launch of Pontiac's super-hot, Australia-sourced 2008 G8 sport sedan, we're pleased to announce the following: We have liftoff. The test numbers are in.
We were as eager as you to get behind the wheel of this bold new four-door Grand Prix replacement -- bred and built by GM's Holden division in Australia. And that's largely because, first and foremost, the G8 is rear-drive, which immediately gains it admission into a lofty arena occupied by the likes of BMW and Infiniti. The G8 is a genuine, kick-the-tail-out sport sedan, not a front-drive compromise. Let us all pause now and give GM a huge round of applause.
The good stuff isn't limited to the layout. When the G8 goes on sale in a few weeks (target is early March), Pontiac will offer two versions. The base car is powered by a DOHC, 3.6-liter V-6 with variable valve timing that kicks out 256 horses at 6300 rpm and 248 pound-feet of torque at 2100. The engine mates to a five-speed automatic transmission. Eighteen-inch, silver-painted alloy wheels are standard, as are projector-beam headlights, a tilt-telescoping wheel, polished stainless-steel exhaust tips, remote start, and a seven-speaker Blaupunkt audio system with CD player and iPod jack.
Seen here is the up-level G8 GT, which ripples with a 6.0-liter OHV V-8 that booms out 361 horses at 5300 rpm and 385 pound-feet at 4400. The engine features computer-managed cylinder deactivation for enhanced economy. The big mill's output flows through a standard six-speed automatic with Sport mode. No manual is available yet, but when we pressed Pontiac execs, they hinted one may be coming later this year -- perhaps in concert with a higher-tuned engine.
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