The Sport Ute No One Asked For Officially Becomes the Pontiac G8 ST

The Sport Ute No One Asked For Officially Becomes the Pontiac G8 ST
After sifting through more than 18,000 possibilities, Pontiac has chosen to keep it simple, naming the recently revealed G8 sport truck the "G8 ST."

Thousands of fans submitted suggestions during a "Tame the Name" promotion, which delayed a final announcement until each possibility was considered and cleared for possible trademark use.

"Frankly, we were blown away by both the volume and quality of the names that were submitted," said Craig Bierley, BPG product marketing director for cars and crossovers. "'G8 ST' was one of the most popular suggestions, plus we noticed a far broader trend toward simple, easy-to-remember names."

"El Camino" was also a sentimental favorite, given the G8 ST's resemblance to the classic Chevy.

"We actually thought very long about El Camino," said Bierley. "In the end, we felt it was more appropriate to honor the El Camino's unique place as part of Chevy's heritage and not use that nameplate on a Pontiac."

Perhaps the ultimate reflection of the blurring line between cars and trucks, the G8 ST will create a unique niche segment in the marketplace: a sports car with truck-like cargo and towing capabilities. Sharing the basic architecture and 361 hp V8 engine as the G8 GT performance sedan, it will offer a 73.9-inch cargo bed that has 42.7 cubic feet of cargo space and can carry a payload of 1,000 pounds (453 kg) or tow a 3,500-pound (1,587 kg) trailer.

Thanks to its six-speed automatic transmission and Active Fuel Management system, the G8 ST should offer some of the best fuel economy numbers for V8-powered vehicles with similar cargo/towing ratings while still turning in zero-to-60 times of 5.4 seconds.

The G8 ST will be available in late 2009 as a 2010 model and will be backed by GM's industry best 100,000 mile, 5-year powertrain warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.


91z4me91z4me - 8/14/2008 8:38:33 AM
+11 Boost
Subby, your headline sucks "The Sport Ute no one asked for" If you read the article it clearly states: "Thousands of fans".

Perhaps you should show a little less bias next time.


Agent009Agent009 - 8/14/2008 9:46:34 AM
-4 Boost
How about few?


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 8/14/2008 11:01:41 AM
+4 Boost
not to mention alot of people did ask for this thing.....and on this site saying it would be a good idea to bring the Holden ute over, just like they did with the GTO and when it got here they trashed it....same with the car mags they praised the holden versions, and when the cars came over they trashed them....I honestly think it was a bad idea after the marketing lieing to them over the Commodore but thats me


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 8/14/2008 11:02:06 AM
+2 Boost
monaro i meant


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 8/14/2008 12:05:05 PM
-2 Boost
Many people would not be seen dead in a G8 but this latter-day El Camino has a lot of reverse snob appeal.


AmazonPrinceIS350AmazonPrinceIS350 - 8/14/2008 8:55:57 AM
-2 Boost
I would take off the whole front end and change it to the new Camero's front.Same thing with the rear take off those Ford Freestyle/Expedition rear lights and some how place the Camero rear on it, or else no one will take this seriously (they used a front end that has been out in Australia for years).Don't we deserve something fresh and new? And I bet this will cost like $45,000........... I do like how the side profile looks especially how the roof slopes over.


B7FANB7FAN - 8/14/2008 9:11:46 AM
+2 Boost
it looks like an up to date El Camino I would have to see it in person the pics do no justice


nicecarsnicecars - 8/14/2008 9:46:09 AM
0 Boost
Elcamino exactly! What the heck are they thinking? I know companies are going retro these days but this design should stay on paper not in dealerships.


Sarcastic1Sarcastic1 - 8/14/2008 9:12:30 AM
-1 Boost
By pure aesthetics, this thing is disgusting. It's no secret that I despise American cars, but this one take the cake. Pontiac has the rare ability to engineer cars with looks that are borderline nauseating. Everyone remembers the Aztec, which also had "thousands of fans". Whether this catches on or just becomes another favorite of mullet clad car clubs who sit in Burger King parking lots or actually has success, I think it's an abomination of car design.


Agent009Agent009 - 8/14/2008 10:15:23 AM
+2 Boost
Why don't you tell us how you really feel?


ShredmoShredmo - 8/14/2008 12:12:03 PM
+3 Boost
This car is relatively successful in Australia. Ford has a version of it too. I like that it is not "the same old thing".


sold2earlysold2early - 8/14/2008 10:25:12 AM
-1 Boost
They should have called it the GTF (Guaranteed To Fail).



CarboyCarboy - 8/14/2008 11:02:52 AM
0 Boost
You're right. ST stands for sanitary towel in the woman's bathroom.


PlanBPlanB - 8/14/2008 10:56:44 AM
+3 Boost
The rebirth of the SSR if you ask me. Whatever floats your boat I guess but personally, its not a style of car I'm interested in.


AmazonPrinceIS350AmazonPrinceIS350 - 8/14/2008 11:04:27 AM
+3 Boost
204E60 I don't think that certain demographic (illegals) can afford this beauty (thank God) Don't you they love Toyota Tundras & Tacomas.


_43LE_43LE - 8/14/2008 11:25:53 AM
-1 Boost
Why don't they just call this the Pontiac Aztek II?


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 8/14/2008 12:06:28 PM
+1 Boost
Because the Aztec was too ugly.


StarStar - 8/14/2008 12:59:28 PM
0 Boost
...not compared with this.


mp2dtwmp2dtw - 8/14/2008 2:51:01 PM
-3 Boost
Exactly. Another "brilliant idea" from our friends in the Renaissance Center.


drake0707drake0707 - 8/14/2008 12:34:32 PM
0 Boost
If this becomes a trend I don't know what will happen next.


lewishamiltonpimplewishamiltonpimp - 8/14/2008 1:24:23 PM
+1 Boost
Umm...Holden. Like everyone else.

I think it will do well. The US market cares not for going around corners. It's stoplight to stoplight and they will sell every one at MSRP.


91z4me91z4me - 8/14/2008 2:37:31 PM
+3 Boost
You would be VERY surprised how well this vehicle will go around corners.


OblivObliv - 8/14/2008 3:43:48 PM
+1 Boost
I love how biased you tools are. No wonder this site is openly mocked.

009 is a perfect example why this site fails on many levels.


steve27tsteve27t - 8/14/2008 8:20:35 PM
-1 Boost
Agent 009 is right with the title. No wonder the rest of the world holds the US car makers in disdain.


91z4me91z4me - 8/14/2008 8:33:34 PM
+2 Boost
Actually this is a product of Holden, the Australian GM subsidiary that builds some very profitable and popular cars like the Holden Commodore and Statesman which are HUGE sellers in the Middle East, are becoming big sellers in China and Korea, and the Commodore is fairly popular for its segment in Europe.

This is just another version of the same world calss chassis. It does the job of fullsize pickups for the Australian market. And it does that while sharing a lot of parts and lowering costs, in addition it makes for quite the handler when not hauling light loads.

Let your bias go and open your freaking eyes. FWIW the South American markets also sell car based pickups but on FWD platforms instead of RWD.


OblivObliv - 8/15/2008 1:31:01 PM
+1 Boost
Steve, thank you for proving my point. Biased, ignorant fools.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 8/15/2008 1:49:40 PM
+2 Boost
Australians love their utes. I think the buick park ave (which is a now luxury version of the G8 sold in China) should be brought here.


DW1968DW1968 - 8/17/2008 1:18:04 PM
+1 Boost
I was pleasantly surprised--I think the styling is pretty decent...considering the kind of vehicle they're trying to design.

But in terms of market success--I don't think there's a statistically significant market for this, at least in the U.S.
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