Jalopnik: g8 el camino

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?

With the Pontiac G6 in refresh limbo and a probable Pontiac G5 based on the Chevy Cruze, it's a hard to argue the case for an all-rear-wheel-drive lineup at the moment. MotorAuthority contradicts an earlier GM statement saying we wouldn't be seeing the Pontiac G3 in the US. They go one step further and imagine a car between the G3 and the G5 — we're no rocket scientists, but "G4" is a good bet for a name. So, lets count it all up: No rear-wheel-drive lineup and a rebadged Aveo? We don't like this story; put it back. [MotorAuthority]

Pontiac G8 ST El Camino To Get Direct-Inject V6

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

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.

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: When we speculated on the success of the Pontiac G8 ST with only a big honkin' 361 HP V8, we wondered aloud if a V6 option might not make a lot of sense. Given the disintegration of the full size truck market, and a largely unserved compact truck market, a 3.6-liter V6-powered ~~El Camino~~ G8 ST could be a huge success. Is it wrong that we're almost more excited about a well designed V6 in the truck-car than the tire melting power of a V8? Note we said "almost."

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...

...he misnames as the "Pontiac Sport Truck," forgetting those strong G8 roots. But he makes up for it with hackery like calling our beloved El Camino the "Like Hell Camino," the "Pontiac Wallaby" and the "Haulacious." Isn't that precious? It's like he studied at the school of me, but without the love of real cars. [New York Times]