General Motors Brings Back The G8 In SS Form — Is It Too LATE Though?

Several years ago when General Motors was in financial straits, it unfortunately had to put several manufacturers out to pasture and send them to that big 'ol parking lot in the sky. One of them was Pontiac.

While it was benefiting from cars like the Holden-based GTO and Commodore-based G8, it seemed like Pontiac was, more or less, onto something. Reviews were pouring in and it was a lovefest for the G8. People characterized it as a budget BMW M5.

And if you had the chance to drive the limited edition G8 GXP like I did, you would have agreed.

If you're not aware those Aussies are HUGE lovers of V8 muscle cars. The Holden-based G8 certainly boasted that quality and it was a pretty awesome product.

Auto communities winced in pain. How could such a good car be killed? Would General Motors rebadge it as the Impala and get it back into consumers' hands soon? Nope. It was made available for the men in uniform, not you or I though.

After several years though, now we're seeing it coming back in 2014 as the SS. It's styling has gotten softer and its interior is blinged up quite a bit — bordering on nauseating.

This leaves me wondering and asking a very simple question: WHY the wait?

And, even more importantly, WHY make us wait so long?

The car was well recognized several years ago and by now has been long forgotten as better and more intriguing products have been released. Typically automakers want to be AHEAD of the curve. Not several years behind.


2014 Chevrolet SS Photo Gallery

Stewie - 2/17/2013 7:59:55 PM

+1 Boost

The biggest mistake is the fact that a manual isn't offered. This is an old school muscle car and it doesn't need some slushbox holding it back.

Agent00R - 2/18/2013 12:05:50 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah, I can't believe it.

I was looking all over to see if there was a std. gearbox. Doesn't appear so.

vinman1013 - 2/17/2013 8:30:44 PM

+4 Boost

Interior looks decent...

Agent00R - 2/18/2013 12:04:34 PM

0 Boost

You know some elements are OK but then they're cheapened up a bit.

jeffy210 - 2/17/2013 10:54:05 PM

+1 Boost

Yup, how's that there capitalism working for you? Whereas other countries are taking pride in themselves and what they can build, big businesses in the US only care about what money they can make for their shareholders.

Amclaussen - 2/19/2013 10:24:30 AM

+1 Boost

Well said jeffy210, why do you complaint? If they are using mexican engineering maybe it's because most US engineers have become too lazy and/or dumber... Will you now complaint that everithingismadeinChina, when your country has made it that way just to maximize money?

sdcarguy - 2/17/2013 11:36:47 PM

+4 Boost

Why the wait? GM Bankruptcy, near death experience, etc, etc, etc. GM had to heal, then carefully grow again and have some fun ...

We are lucky to get this, it may well be our last chance for an affordable non-blown, RWD, V8.

Agent00R - 2/18/2013 12:09:07 PM

0 Boost

Ah, that's bullbird.

The Camaro was out and about regardless of the GM bankruptcy and we all know the Volt was pushed along.

This could have been rebodied much quicker than a 2014 MY.

1CarSmart1 - 2/18/2013 8:18:48 AM

-6 Boost

Terrible. Shoddy, ugly, bloated, piece of dung. Rubbish car.

trmckin - 2/18/2013 10:43:07 AM

+4 Boost

I'm curious. What do you drive?

trmckin - 2/18/2013 11:46:58 AM

+5 Boost

I'm really curious. He comments on every page bashing fuel economy, size, carbon footprint, etc... but hasn't given one indication as to what he is doing to "save the planet". Also continues to use the smarteuro/asian descriptors and the only article he's commented on in that general category is around autonomous cars which he thought meant anonymous. So... Time for this guy to buck up and lay some info down. Otherwise, he's a troll.

Yonder7 - 2/18/2013 10:23:55 AM

+2 Boost

I Like it a lot...no turbos is just simple power at American Style, If it comes to my country I'll buy one, most likely will be the last dinosaur before GM Extinction. Hopefully that wont happen but everything leads to that...

theman440 - 2/18/2013 3:58:27 PM

+1 Boost

Good lookin' car...

irishmike - 2/18/2013 5:01:14 PM

+1 Boost

Very plain styling, no manual shift, no dual clutch auto...let's hope it's cheap.