Jalopnik: G8

GM to recall 38,400 Pontiac G8s over airbag issue

Tom Joslin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST

GM will recall 38,400 2008 and 2009 Pontiac G8s in response to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concern regarding the front passenger air bag modules. More »

The Chevrolet El Camino turns 53

Tom Joslin — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EDT

53 years ago today, Chevrolet introduced the1959 El Camino to the automotive world and it hasn't been the same since. In direct response to the popularity of the Ford Ranchero, Chevrolet had decided it needed to stake a claim in the world of the automotive based utility vehicle. More »

Hooning a HSV Maloo in the mud looks like a lot of fun

Tom Joslin — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EDT

We might not have gotten the Pontiac G8 sport truck here in the states, but Australia has had the HSV Maloo it would have been based on for decades. More »

What car would you drive in a race across the country?

Tom Joslin — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EDT

After viewing The Cannonball Run for the 100th time this past week we started wondering the obvious question when faced with the prospect of a high speed coast to coast automotive competition. What car would you drive in a cross country race? More »

Beer, Girls And Go-Karts In Vegas

Rob Krider — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST

Las Vegas is the city of sin and of some wicked cars. We hit The Strip, enjoyed the sights and ended up doing battle at a local go-kart track. More »

Maryland Judge Dismisses G8 Tail Light Charges

Justin Hyde — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:30:00 EDT

The Maryland judge who threatened to approve tickets for all Pontiac G8 owners over their stock tail lights has backed down, reportedly saying she "misunderstood." Vehicular freedom's having a good week in the Old Line State. More »

Walkinshaw Performance Offers 644-hp Upgrade For Holden Commodore HSV, Pontiac Still Dead

Sam Smith — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST

Walkinshaw Performance now offers a supercharger kit for the Holden Commodore HSV. The package costs $44,975, but it gives the HSV 644 hp and 592 lb-ft of torque. Because, you know, Pontiac geeks needed another reason to be angry. More »

The Limited-Edition Aussie Pontiac G8 Is No Longer Limited

Sam Smith — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST

Last fall, a badgeless version of the Pontiac G8 sedan, complete with twin-port grille, was released for limited sale in Australia. The Aussies liked it so much that it's now an ordinary production model. Vegemite excitement, anyone? More »

Quick! Buy The Last New Pontiac G8 GXP

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST

If you haven't figured it out yet, the Pontiac G8 GXP is not only collectible it's also an amazing car. And the last one sold? We assume it's worth just a bit more. (H/T to Ralph!) [Haley Pontiac-GMC] More »

GM Still To Re-Badge Holden Commodore As U.S. Cop Car

Ray Wert — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:20:00 EDT

GM CEO Fritz Henderson says the General's still looking to win a contract to supply re-badged Holden Commodores (formerly re-badged as the Pontiac G8 and once rumored to be re-badged as the Chevy Caprice) to US law enforcement agencies. More »

REPORT: The Pontiac G8 El Camino, GXP Live... As Holdens!

Ray Wert — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EDT

Holden's readying a limited edition version of its Commodore SSV with Pontiac's twin-nostril grille and hood scoops. According to Australian sources, the special edition will be called the Commodore G8 SSV and be available as a sedan, ute and wagon! More »

G8 Leaders Look Silly Shuttled Around In GEM Electric Cars

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:45:00 EDT

Whatever may or may not have been accomplished at last week's G8 Summit in Italy, this photo of Egypt's Hosni Mubarak in a GEM flanked by security guards is great success. Merkel, Gaddafi, Sarkozy and other leaders looking ridiculous below. More »

GM CEO Henderson: "Bob Lutz Says A Lot Of Things, But He Works For Me"

Ray Wert — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:30:00 EDT

When Autoblog asked GM CEO Fritz Henderson about Bob Lutz's comments on the G8 becoming a new Chevy Caprice, his response was much different than what he gave when asked the same question later by two print journalists. More »

G8 Survival Again In Doubt?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Much to the frustration of G8 fans, when GM Marketing Chief Bob Lutz said the Pontiac G8 will become the Chevy Caprice he might have meant a Caprice only for police work. What's happening? More »

Pontiac G8 To Live On As Chevy Caprice!

Ray Wert — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:40:00 EDT

Despite denials from the highest levels, including GM CEO Fritz Henderson, newly-re-tasked GM marketing man Bob Lutz told Automobile the Pontiac G8 would find its way into Chevrolet showrooms as the Caprice. A RWD Chevy Caprice? Is the Carpocalypse over? More »

Automotive News: Pontiac G8 Might Survive?

Ray Wert — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EDT

Automotive News: Pontiac G8 Might Survive?" alt="Click here to read Automotive News: Pontiac G8 Might Survive?" src="http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2009/06/Pontiac-G8-GXP_601.jpg"/>

Despite GM CEO Fritz Henderson saying "no chance" at a Pontiac G8 rebranded for Chevy, Buick or any other GM brand, Automotive News today reports GM's Tom Stephens claiming the G8 sedan "might survive with another GM badge." Wait, what? More »

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP: Last Drive, Part Three

John Krewson — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:30:00 EDT

You probably won't still be able to buy a 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, but today we'll try to think of a single reason why you shouldn't. More »

Pontiac G8 GXP: Last Drive, Part Two

John Krewson — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:30:00 EDT

Yesterday we considered the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP while indulging in a bittersweet cocktail of horsepower and history in the making. Today, we drink deep the bracing tonic of dispassionate evaluation. More »

Pontiac G8 GXP: Last Drive, Part One

John Krewson — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP is, finally, the ultimate Pontiac — and ultimately, the final Pontiac. More »

Should The Pontiac G8 GXP Become The Chevy Camaro SS Sedan?

Ray Wert — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:05:00 EDT

Hey, if BMW has the M3 sedan, why can't Chevy get the Pontiac G8 GXP as a high-horsepower super sporty sedan? More »

Talking Pontiac's Post G8 ST Future With GM VP of Marketing Susan Docherty

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST

Yesterday's announcement from GM stating the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST was being canceled came to us like a knife in the heart, so today, we had a conversation with Susan Docherty, the Pontiac Marketing VP. More »

Pontiac G8 GXP Laps Nurburgring In 8:30

Wes Siler — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST

Like seemingly every other GM product to be launched in the last year, the Pontiac G8 GXP’s handling was tuned on the Nurburgring. There, while being driven by development engineers (and not a professional race driver), it set a ring time of 8:30. That sounds pretty good, especially given the badge the G8 GXP wears on its nose and its price: expected to be just under $40,000 including gas guzzler tax and destination fee. But how good is it? More »

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, First Drive

Wes Siler — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:01 EST

If I were to tell you GM is the new BMW you'd probably laugh at me. But driving the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP just a couple of months after the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and Corvette ZR1, that's exactly what I'm thinking. Equipped with a 6.3-liter, LS3 V8 making 415 HP and 415 lb-ft of torque, the G8 GXP isn't just the fastest car Pontiac's ever made, but based on GM's new global rear wheel drive platform (the same one as the new Camaro) and fitted with lower, stiffer suspension and a six-speed manual gearbox it strikes the right balance between supercar performance and real world practicality. Think E39 M5, but with a Corvette engine and better steering. More »

Conversion Kit Turns Pontiac G8 Back Into Holden Commodore

Wes Siler — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:40:00 EST

Like the idea of an affordable, rear-wheel-drive, mid-size performance sedan, but concerned the Pontiac G8 is a little too...Pontiac for your tastes? JHP Vehicle Enhancements has the solution for you. The company is selling a kit to convert the US-market Pontiac G8 back into the Holden Commodore upon which it's based, thus freeing it from the image problems (mullet) associated with the Pontiac brand. More »

G8 ST V8 Pricing To Start In Low $30K Range

Andrew Stoy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:20:00 EDT

Despite the industry-wide downturn and reports that Pontiac will be reverting to a front-wheel-drive lineup in the coming years, PickupTrucks.com has confirmed that the 2010 G8 ST is still on track for a fall 2009 sale date. Pricing is expected to be in the low $30K range. The Aussie-built sport truck will begin production in July of next year; two months for shipping and distribution puts the G8 ST on dealer lots in late September or early October. Pontiac also reports serious discussions are taking place about a V6 version of the truckamino; if green-lighted, V6 production could be launched at the same time the V8 versions begin rolling off the line. More »

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Pits Kia Amanti Against...The Pontiac G8?!

Andrew Stoy — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:20:00 EDT

Since the Atlanta Journal-Constitution isn't exactly known for its automotive coverage, we shouldn't have been surprised to find this apples-to-mangoes comparison between the Kia Amanti and the Pontiac G8 gracing its pages. We probably also shouldn't have been surprised to discover the AJC called the competition in favor of the, ahem, uniquely styled Korean sedan. The sparse, Consumer Reports-style review (except without, you know, anything of real use) appears to glance at most of the facets of vehicle performance without actually looking in-depth at any of them, and was written by someone who seems completely bored with the assignment. The result is a car with styling "reminiscent of the Soviet bloc" winning the competition while the G8 takes second place. Maybe stick with reporting on the Dawgs, water shortages and gas lines, guys. [AJC] More »

SLP Performance Pontiac G8 Firehawk Reveals Flaming Birds Will Never Die

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:40:00 EDT

SLP Performance is resurrecting a moniker from Pontiac's recent past, planning to introduce the Pontiac G8 Firehawk. Though details are thin at the moment, the newly foor-doored Firehawk will come with your choice of tuned V6 or V8 and best of all, a supercharged model. The exterior will be tarted up as well with new exhaust tips, custom wheels and "Firehawk" logos — to allow you to show the world that flaming birds didn't die in the 90s. SLP is still in the development stages, but when making mention of the supercharged Firehawk, performance was called "More than impressive." A supercharged, rear-wheel-drive, V8 with four doors. Aaah... please, we'll take one! Hopefully we'll see more from SLP at SEMA in the next few weeks. More »

Pontiac Rear-Wheel-Drive Excitement On Hold

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:40:00 EDT

There was some speculation floating around which opined the future of Pontiac would be an all rear-wheel-drive one. Exciting as that may be, those rumors have been quashed. Despite the introduction of the RWD Pontiac Solstice, Pontiac G8 and pending Pontiac G8 ST, the market shift toward fuel economy is forcing GM to keep wrong-wheel-drive firmly in place for future product plans at the pointy-spear division. So what kind of cars will we be seeing as a result? More »

Pontiac G8 ST El Camino To Get Direct-Inject V6

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:40:00 EDT

El Camino To Get Direct-Inject V6" alt="Click here to read Pontiac G8 ST ~~El Camino~~ To Get Direct-Inject V6" src="http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2008/08/2010-Pontiac-G8-ST-V6.jpg"/>

Sources at GM are beginning to whisper that the ~~2010 Pontiac G8 El Camino~~ Pontiac G8 ST will be getting a version of the direct injection V6 present in the Cadillac CTS. First to tell us a two-engine plan for the new ~~El Camino~~ G8 ST was a real possibility was Pontiac marketing director Craig Bierley, who told us the option was "absolutely on the table." Now Edmunds' site always with the exclusive Inside Line on happenings at the General claims it's more than likely not just a possibility, but a reality. More »

NameG8 Continues: Pontiac G8 ST Press Photos Show Photoshop Fun

Ray Wert — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Pontiac G8 ST Officially Named... Pontiac G8 ST, Tens Of Chevy Fans Will Now Sleep Easy

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:01:00 EDT

It's official — despite Jalopnik and over 80,000 arrowhead fan boys best efforts, Pontiac's decided to officially name the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck the unimaginative name of "Pontiac G8 ST." Frankly, we were as disappointed as you are. So we did what all fan boys of what could have been the new "El Camino" do when they're disappointed — we broke open a case of PBR. After a few beers we decided to get fellow El Camino fan boy Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com to help us set up a conference call with Pontiac marketing director Craig Bierley. Our purpose was to get to the bottom of how a process that seemed to encourage the type of fan movements like our "Vote El Camino" campaign would seemingly result in Pontiac choosing the original name of the vehicle. Interestingly, when we asked the question — Bierley told us Pontiac "didn't really have ST as the name when we engaged in the process, we were just calling it a sport truck." But, if you look at the pictures we originally took of the car in our exclusive first look, it had the "ST" letters. Go ahead, take a look at the liftgate in the picture up top as well as in this original picture of the "Sport Truck." We'll have more on the "NameG8" story tomorrow, but for the moment hit the jump for the press release. We're going to go and finish up the rest of this case of PBR. More »

"El Camino" Name Is Still Alive For The Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

Ray Wert — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:55:53 EDT

Despite a report from KickingTires.com two months ago that "El Camino" was officially out as a name for the new ute from Pontiac, we're now being told by Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson the name is still very much in the mix. What reason there may have been for this change? Unknown. But all we do know is if the chance still exists to bring back the "El Cam" — to any GM brand — we're in full support of it. What we're not in support of — dropping a V6 between the rails. More on that below the jump. More »

2009 Pontiac G8 GT Stuck With Slushbox

Mark Arnold — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EDT

Rumors floating around that the Pontiac G8 GT will be available with a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission for 2009 models have been officially squashed. Currently, all 2008 models will only be available with automatics, though we really weren't expecting anything but the 2009 G8 GXP to be offered with a ~~proper~~ manual gearbox. The word straight from Pontiac's Communication Manager after the jump. More »

2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck, Down Under

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:20:00 EDT

Despite the small size of the image, it appears the 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck has moved on from cobbled together show car to pre-production tester. A forum member over at GM Inside News spotted these camouflaged (why?) cars around Melbourne and snapped one off before the driver made a speedy getaway. The grille on the bottom car looks Holden-like to us, but maybe the top one was the Pontiac, or maybe our eyes need to be tested. Is it wrong to want to liquefy those tires as part of the break-in procedure? [GMInsideNews] More »

Pontiac G8 GT Stock Runs 13-Second Quarter-Mile, Are Those Paper Plates?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT

When we first saw this video of the new 2008 Pontiac G8 GT running a 13.12 quarter-mile at 106.65 MPH we thought, "Wow, that's kind of fast." It's even faster if you consider that this appears to be an automatic version making its first pass. If you go deeper into the video you'll notice the lack of plates and that paper in the back window. Now it could be something put there by the owner/drag officials. The better theory is that it's a paper plate from the dealership, meaning that this car was driven off the lot and in front of the christmas tree. The best theory is that this car is in the middle of an awesome test drive. We guess those Pontiac G8 commercials are working. [FQuick] More »

Pontiac G8 GT Slams BMW 5-Series In Poetic Verse

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:40:00 EDT

From the book of car, whatever that is, comes the latest in the march of ads for the Pontiac G8 GT. We all thought the Spy Hunter commercial was clever, and the Hot Wheels one was slick too. This new web-only commercial turns it up a notch, taking the fight right to the lion's den, comparing the new 2008 Pontiac G8 GT to the BMW 5-Series. Hmm, that's an interesting approach from the brand that never used to drive excitement, especially when they claimed they were, but since it's their ad, do we really have to say who comes out ahead in this one? What we really like about this latest commercial is the poetry slam vs. powerpoint presentation style, plus the funny pictures of goats. Subtle allusion to the Pontiacs of the past, perhaps, but automakers should remember that farm animals always make for a good direction for a car commercial. At least in our minds. [Youtube] More »

Wards Ignores Jalopnik At Epicenter Of El Camino Campaign

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:45:00 EDT

Seems Wards Auto noticed our little campaign to resurrect the El Camino moniker for the 2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck, even going to far as to quote Bob Lutz's response to our question at the New York Auto Show. But when it came time to assign a location from which the hootin', hollerin' and shoutin' was emanating from, the best they could come up with was a vague pointing in a direction other than them. Although they were able to see the tens of dozens of press walking through the show wearing our "Vote El Camino Today!" pins, they apparently missed the name Jalopnik printed right underneath it. But at the very least they think our campaign has been "skillful": More »

New York Times Goes Negative On Jalopnik El Camino Campaign

Ray Wert — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EDT

The New York Times's Lawrence "Lars" Ulrich took a swing at pithy commentary on the 2010 Pontiac G8 "El Camino" sport truck today, deciding to heap the bed full of liver-lilied liberalism and haterade. To wit:

"Who exactly was clamoring for a two-seat, gas-guzzling pickup with the cheapest-looking interior this side of a Motel 6?"

Who? Well, us for one. But we wouldn't expect Ulrich to understand anything about a vehicle... More »

Bob Lutz Is On Our Side! Thinks 'Pontiac G8 El Camino' Name Is Great Idea

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:21:05 EDT

As you know we were just present for the live reveal of the 2010 Pontiac G8 El Camino here at the New York Auto Show. After diving into the press scrum that surrounded Bob Lutz after the unveil, we managed to ask him the most important question of the day - What do you think about naming the the car the "El Camino". After handing out dozens and dozens of "Vote El Camino" buttons today, including to the live band the "Young Lords", various press and peeps, and to Mr. Lutz himself, we just had to know the answer. Maximum Bob's response both surprised and delighted us. More »