Jalopnik
We're able to forgive GM's main product man and vice-chairman, "Maximum" Bob Lutz, over his gaffe on the xtremely secret GMC pickup car concept with the news we've now got. Just to recap — if you'll remember earlier today we told you he was wrong about which show it'd debut in. Originally, a number of outlets reported the concept would hit the showroom floor in New York based on Lutz's comments. Although we knew that wasn't the case, we held off on reporting on anything other than the reports themselves until we were absolutely sure it'd hit the New York Auto Show floor. Now we know why he was so confused. You see, there will be another unibody El Camino pickup truck-car hitting the floor in New York. That's right — we're hearing the new "El Cam" — the Pontiac G8 ST will be revealed officially this year in New York. Michael Levine of PickupTruck.com has the full scoop below.
"Very reliable sources have told PickupTruck.com that the production Pontiac G8 ST (Sport Truck), based on Holden's VE Ute, will bow in the Big Apple in late March during the NY Auto Show's media days. WO0t!Head on over to PickupTruck.com for the rest of the scoop. We need to sit here for a few minutes and just breathe. In...out...in....out. [PickupTruck.com]The decision to move forward with the G8 ST was made even though there are still lingering concerns inside GM about the exchange rate between the Australian and U.S. dollars. If the U.S. dollar had continued to weaken against the Aussie buck recently, it would not have been profitable to import the Holden VE Ute to American shores. The price for the Ute would have been too high for the market...Last year our sources also gave us the official name of the Pontiac G8 ST and news that only a 361-hp V8 would be offered, starting at $31,000 USD. The name remains the same but a 256-hp V6 version of the ST will also be available."
Comments
Hoo-fucking-ray.
@skaz: Excuse me. Missed something there.
!!!!!!!!111!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!11
Does anyone know the story regarding availability of the manual transmission on this car? I thought I remembered hearing it would be available after the first shipment.
Hear that? That's the sound of thousands of hoons all across America jumping for joy. And yes, I'm jumping too.
Sweet. I would consider a 4-door...and considering how popular crew cab pickups are now, I doubt it will be long before we see one. Not many people even buy regular cabs anymore.
As long as I can secure 4'x8' sheets with the gate down, it'll have all the utility I need. Stick a cap on it and you have an instant wagon.
I want mine badged as an SS with a cowl induction hood and two black stripes... and a manual transmission please.
I just don't fully grasp the Pontiacness of it.
I want mine donked.
If the whole building doesn't smell of tire smoke for about a week, Pontiac will have done the reveal wrong.
GTO Elcamino?
@TheGuinnessTooth: What's a donk?
i really want to see the 4 door GMC version
@Dr.Danger: Look it up on GIS (see also Bubble, Box)
Popular in the hood, you take a body-on-frame car like a Caprice, Town Car, or Grand Marq and lift the body AND the suspension AND put 22"-30" rims on it.
@Dr.Danger: You're in for a treat.
[images.google.com]
Why don't they go all-out retro:
The Holden Loosely, aka the GMC You On the Dark Side of the Moon.
"Starting at $31,000"
FUCK YOU GM, why don't you just shoot it in the head at birth?
I think I just pee'd myself a little.
@ash78: @skaz: Dundee quote, "Whats a donk", "This is a donk"
Nobody got it.
BTW, im from the dirty south. I know about big rims on the olds.
@Dr.Danger: Dammit. I haven't seen that movie in so long, all I can remember is the usual "That's not a knoife..." quote.
At that price, it's going to be a very short run. :(
(I still want one.)
I've always wanted an El Camino. But I've taken shits that look like this thing.
Ahh..two doors...that's more like it.
Chevy must feel left out of all this pickup car fanfare.
It will have to sell better than the Magnum in order not to be a 2 year wonder.
Rear tire manufacturers the world over rejoice.
(But I still want a wagon)
I'd buy one this weekend albeit in a less pukey color.
@beercheck: Me niether.
I'm saying to myself "Professional Grade? Or We Build Excitement? Uh, it's none of the above really"
.
.
Pontimino/Pontamino?
G8amino (pronounced gate-amino)?
Goatamino?
El Cabramino (El Goatamino in Spanish)?
El Cid's-amino (a.k.a Babiecamino)?
So... no es un Caballero?
Five bucks on the "other" unibody truck being Lambda based.
As cool as it is, they're going to have a hell of a time moving this one for $2k more than a G8 GT.
How about a 2 door version of the G8. Seriously who's the target audience here? Trailer parks of the world rejoice.
[www.petcats.net]
I iz in ur marketz, makin new segmentz...
el camino-amino?
Bring down the price, make it a GMC, and I'm sold on the Uteamino.
@Maymar: COTD!
For the first time in my life I want to get paid enough to afford a 30-thousand dollar car.
This car will singlehandedly revive the American economy.
all we need now a version with a bench seat and column shift, hoons of the world unite!
I would buy this over the wagon, especially if the four-door makes it.
But again, why not build it here?
I just hope they offer it up with a stick.
@Seth L: Probably much cheaper and easier to build it in Australia... especially since they already have the factories set up to build the Ute.
I really want one, but $31k for one! Maybe for the big V8 with six speed and racing stripes but starting out at 31k.It'll end like the GTO. I really wanted one of those to but $34k for a two seater muscle car with options I dont want or need.Sorry, but no.Maybe in a few years when I can get a used one for cheap.
@Mad_Science: What I want is a two door wagon. It would be very cool, and probably would last about as long in the marketplace. (Forgive the 5-minute Photoshop job.)
@Tanshanomi: It's amazing that anyone on this site gets any work done... I know I don't!
@Tanshanomi: Having been raised as a young child around a VW Type III Squareback, I wholeheartedly agree with that.
Nice chop, too!
It will need an open bed just for the woodie I'll be carrying!
I fear only Jalops & original El Camino fans will want this G8 variant. I also hope I'm wrong.
@UDMAN: Whenever I eventually get fired, I'm expecting Ray Wert to hire me.
nice chop, i'd buy that even with a pontiac badge
@Tanshanomi:
"Two door wagon" ? You mean a shooting brake ?
@Tanshanomi: Amazing...its a reverse-amino