Jalopnik: Pontiac G8

2009 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck is what we really want for Christmas

Tom Joslin — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST

A few months before General Motors killed Pontiac, Pontiac killed our dreams when they announced the cancellation of plans to bring the Holden Commodore Ute to America in the form of the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck. Almost three years later the sting of being denied access to the ultimate parts hauler after being told the G8 Sport Truck was on its way is still there. More »

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 »

Chevy dealer will sell you a new Caprice police car

Justin Hyde — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EDT

When Chevrolet announced last year it would import the Australian-built Chevy Caprice sedan as police-only fleet car, enthusiasts begged for a civilian version to no avail. Now one Maryland dealer says it will buck GM and sell 13 Caprices to the public. UPDATE: It's legit — but not for long. More »

REPORT: Pontiac G8 To Return As RWD Chevy Sedan, Ute

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:30:00 EST

The Australians are convinced Holden's sending the Zeta RWD platform, which formerly underpinned the Pontiac G8, back to the U.S. as a Chevy sedan. If this is true, we're thinking an El Camino-badged Ute is a no brainer. [Drive] More »

Ford Exec: "The Pontiac G8 Spoked Us"

Ray Wert — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 09:45:00 EDT

Want a Ford Falcon? Tough. You're not getting one and it's all the Pontiac G8's fault. [GoAuto] 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 »

Maryland Judge Decrees Pontiac G8 GT Tail Lights Illegal

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EDT

A Maryland judge issued an $85 fine to the owner of a Pontiac G8 GT for illegal tail lights, despite being factory-installed and approved by the US Department of Transportation. She's promised to keep fining him. Judicial activism, FTL! More »

Walkinshaw Holden SS-V Superwagon: How You Can Get One!

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EDT

Aussie auto journalist Thomas Reynolds knows of Jalopnik's painful love affair-from-a-distance with the Aussie-only 603 HP, V8-Powered G8-mimicking Walkinshaw Holden SS-V Superwagon. So he snagged one and went to Walkinshaw's shop to demand they bring it to us! More »

Walkinshaw Holden SS-V Superwagon: 603 HP Of Salt-Rubbing-In-Wound Pontiac Power

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EDT

One of the best performance sedans GM ever built, the Pontiac G8 GXP, is dead. The Aussies still get a Holden version, and a wagon. Heck, this one from Walkinshaw Performance packs 603HP. Wagon. V8. Supercharger. Sometimes the world's unfair. 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 »

Holden Commodore SS V-Series Special Edition: "V" Is For Pontiac

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EDT

The Pontiac G8 sedan and Ute will live on as the Holden Commodore SS V-Series in Australia with the trademark Pontiac grille. Oh, and there's a wagon. Photos of the badgeless beasts below. 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 »

New HSV Lineup Reveals The Pontiac That Could Have Been

Ray Wert — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EDT

HSV, GM's Australian performance division, unveiled its E-Series 2 lineup today. Featuring a twin-nostriled bonnet borrowed directly from the Pontiac G8, it's the performance lineup that could have built excitement for GM's recently-killed arrow-headed brand. Let's take a look. 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 »

"Maximum" Bob Lutz On G8: "It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time"

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:45:00 EDT

If you were curious who would win in the Bob Lutz vs. Fritz Henderson battle over the fate of the G8, wonder no more. Lutz is Fritz's bitch. See Maximum Bob eat crow on the Fastlane Blog 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

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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 »

GM Considering Zeta RWD Platform For Other Brands: GMC Denali ST?

The Auto Insider — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:30:00 EDT

We all know it's now official. Pontiac is dead and GM's CEO confirmed the Pontiac G8's death, so what's to come of the RWD Zeta platform? GoAuto says it'll carry on. GMC Denali ST anyone? More »

LAPD To Buy Chevy-Badged Holden Commodore Police Cars?

Ray Wert — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EDT

Starting with the LAPD, up to 40,000 Chevrolet-badged Commodore police vehicles could be exported annually in a deal to replace Pontiac G8 volume lost by GM killing Pontiac. A re-badged Commodore police car? Sweet. 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 »

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP Priced At $39,995...Plus $695 For The Manny Tranny

Ray Wert — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:45:00 EST

After our first drive of the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP we told you it drove like a BMW M5. Well, now you can get that M5-like performance for just half the price —$39,995. 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 »

Pontiac To Kill RWD G8 After Current Generation

Andrew Stoy — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:30:00 EDT

Edmunds Inside Line is reporting sources inside GM have confirmed the rear-drive Pontiac G8 will fade into memory at the end of the current model's production run. If true, the previously announced elimination of the Solstice and the disappearance of a RWD G8 would leave GM's performance brand without a rear-drive vehicle in about five years' time. Of course, what could change in that five years? Just about everything. Let's take a look at the possibilities. 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

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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

"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 »

The Making Of The Pontiac G8 "Spy Hunter" Commercial, Or...

Ray Wert — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:35:00 EDT

...there's another headline we could have used for this exclusive look at the making of the new Pontiac "Spy Hunter" commercial — "How Leo Burnett Got It's Groove Back." After the disaster that was the Cadillac Escalade Super Bowl commercial a couple years back, that's exactly what this ad — and the "Hot Wheels" companion commercial called "Mine" — for the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT may end up helping them accomplish. Talk about going from zero to hero. Anyway, it's kind of cool to see how the sausage gets made, right? You get to see how the G8 was transformed into "The Interceptor" and everything else from the faux-hipster / creative class team and all their inside jokes like "ceiling cat" and Johnnie the office dog. Makes us want to stay the hell away from advertising altogether. Well, except for Regina. She looks cute in a faux-hipster kind of way. What can we say? We dig the look. Also, the driving sim looks cool. Shit, we're just surprised we didn't see a foosball table. [Leo Burnett via Digitas] 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 »

The Problem With The Pontiac G8 El Camino

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EDT

We love the idea of the 2010 Pontiac G8 El Camino, this much goes without saying, but there's been a lot of hemming and hawing about the long term viability of the product from a business perspective. Motor City Blog Man Todd Lassa has a theory on the General's strategy and it kind of makes sense to us. Remember when we all went a little batty at the prospect of a G8 Wagon and then it got canned — kind of? Well Todd got to thinking about the wagon and the El Camino, and mixed in a little marketing strategy from GM's cross town rivals at Ford and came up with an idea: More »

50 Cent Thinks "El Camino" Isn't Cool, Will Cheat To Elect Pontiac G8 "Curtis"

Mark Arnold — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:15:00 EDT

Continuing our coverage of the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck ~~ballot bowl~~ naming contest, 50 Cent has announced that he is officially endorsing his own name, "Curtis," for the name of the new ute. This comes as no surprise to our ~~best political team on television~~ hack team of — well, hacks — despite Bob Lutz's unofficial endorsement of "El Camino." Remember, if you haven't already, vote "El Camino" today! More »