GM's decision to pull the plug on the Pontiac G8 ST this week was a tough one for us, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it's the end of the road for our El Camino fetish. You boys in Dearborn have something in your global arsenal and we want it bad. In fact, we crave it.

It couldn't be a more perfect time. The economy is in shambles and car sales are down, but more importantly truck sales are way down. Once the cash-cow of the American car industry, trucks just aren't cutting it anymore, at least not in their current state. The Ranger's falling off into oblivion (in most of our minds) and the new F-150, although less of a fuel sipper, still doesn't get that great of a mileage figure. Could there be a better time to release a new car-based truck?

The Australian-built Ford Falcon has been a competitor to the Holden Commodore (Pontiac G8) for a very long time. Both vehicles are essentially the same in the way that they accomplish their goals. Both have a six-cylinder model, both have a V8, both have a whomper of a performance model, but most importantly, both have a Ute variant. While we've spent all this time pining for the Pontiac G8 ST we almost forgot about the Falcon Ute and we have one huge question - Why aren't you giving us what we crave?

Ford, yes, You. Ford! - We're talking to you. Yes, put down your thinking caps and open your ears, we've got something to ask of you. Please, pretty please. With sugar on top and all the good stuff you like. Bring us what we crave. Bring us the Falcon Ute.

Compare the Falcon Ute's towing capability of 2,300kg (5,070lb) and fuel economy 10.5L/100km (22mpg City) with the Ranger's 6,000lbs and 21mpg City. It's not that far off, at least not far enough to warrant another standard truck. Those of us that rarely actually use the bed of our truck will thank you, we promise. You can keep your Ranger, just please don't clog the lots with it. Hell, get rid of it all together. Sell it somewhere else. We. Don't. Want. It. But we do want the Falcon Ute. Jalopnik craves it.

Now that we have you thinking about it; how about that FPV version? Yeah, the one that all of the hoons love and adore. Don't pretend like you don't condone that sort of thing –- you built it. Let me refresh your recently departed memory. I'm talking about the FPV Falcon Ute Super Pursuit. The one with the 5.4-liter, 8-cylinders, 32 valves and dual overhead cams. That's right, The Boss. We crave its 315kW (422hp) and tree stump pulling 551Nm (406lb-ft) of torque. We're asking nicely here, so please consider it.

We think we might have your attention now. Ford, your cross-town rivals in Detroit failed to give us what we crave. We begged and they promised, but they just ended up putting us away wet. We don't think we could take that kind of disappointment again. You wouldn't do that to us if we asked you nicely, would you? We hope you understand that we have to ask you for this. It truly is our only hope.

Ford, you can solve all of life's riddles by bringing us this one thing. We love your new Mustang and we're sure we'll love your new Taurus. But, please give us what we want. What we need. What we CRAVE. We promise we won't ask much else from you. You're our favorite anyway. Have we told you that before? No? Well, it's true.

Sincerely,

Your friends at Jalopnik

P.S.
This is why we really want it:

Really, ever since we saw the Pontiac G3, we kind of knew the brand was moving away from the direction the brand deserved to be and into...well...something else. We also knew the new coming of the El Camino was on the ropes. So the news today from our sources with knowledge of the arrowheaded brand's product direction wasn't entirely unexpected.

The General's recent cash problems only heightened the reality. We're disappointed, of course, but we were more disappointed when the news came out the pickup-truck-ized G8 wasn't going to get the El Camino name plate. Well, it's over. Guess we can cross the G8 ST off our list of cars we want to buy in the new year. We're going to go and hit up CraigsList

A Pontiac spokesperson told us this morning they

"are still proceeding with plans to bring the G8 ST to market late next year. However, it will be part of an ongoing portfolio review for Pontiac."

We knew Pontiac would be trimming its lineup due to the Carpocalypse, but we’re deeply saddened to learn there’s a possibility we may never get the chance to have our own Ponitac G8 ST to hoon.

The G8 ST was developed on the Zeta RWD platform, the same as the G8 and upcoming Camaro. Built in Australia by GM’s Holden subsidiary, GM had announced sales projections of the G8 ST to be 5,000 units annually.

In other news, the FWD 2010 Pontiac G3 will arrive on schedule in the spring. Forgive us if we don’t share quite the same level of enthusiasm.

[via Automotive News]

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]

Along with the press release on the official name of the Pontiac G8 ST, GM's press team released a bevy of photos of the new ute from the brand all about the arrowhead. Pontiac marketing director Craig Bierley told us Pontiac "didn't really have ST as the name when we engaged in the process" but the press photos from last night display a remarkable similarity to the original shots released back in March. Do they make you wonder whether perhaps "ST" was going to be the name all along, regardless of what entries were received? All we know is we're still in mourning over the loss of the El Camino name.

Come we to speak in El Camino's funeral. It was our friend, faithful and entertaining to us. But Bob Lutz, he was ambitious. He hath brought many vehicles home to Detroit. Whose ransoms did the General's coffers fill. Did this in El Camino seem unlikely? When that the poor hoons have cried, El Camino hath wept: instant name recognition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Bob Lutz says it had instant name recognition. You all did see that on the New York Auto Show we thrice presented him a Vote El Camino button, which he did thrice refuse: was this because of instant name recognition? I speak not to disapprove what Bob Lutz decided, but here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love El Camino once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for it? O judgment! Though art fled to brutish beasts, and GM has lost their reason. Bear with us, our heart is in the reject bin here with El Camino. and we must pause till it come back to us. [Kicking Tires]

Bob's response: "Well, I personally like the name, it has instant name recognition". We're considering nominating Mr. Lutz as Vice President of Jalopnik's Awesome Division. Perhaps we'll put his name in the masthead under the title of "El Camino Loving GM VP". Now that we know we have a man on the inside, the momentum is going to be inevitable.

We're not going to spend a whole lot of time talking about the under-pinnings of the Pontiac G8 sport truck as it shares virtually everything but the nose, hood and interior with its brother from down under, the Holden Ute. We'll let the press release and video from PickupTruck.com handle that job. For the moment, yes, it's built on the same rear-wheel-drive platform also shared with the G8 ST's four-door non-truck brother, the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT. Fitting, don't you think, since Australia has picked up the wild-child mantle the US of A seems to have laid down as of late — and what a wild child this is. The G8 sport truck boasts the same 361 HP 6.0-liter V8 found under the hood of the Pontiac G8 GT. Plus, the sport truck will lose much of the rear weight we've been told hampers the true tire-squealing abilities of this born-down-under import so we expect once behind the wheel, we'll in no time be bathed in the glorious clouds of tire smoke billowing from beneath the six-foot cargo box. Pontiac even claims a 5.4 second 0-to-60 time and unlike it's crude Malibu-based forefather, the latest pickup car will sport a modern independent suspension and fat rubber all around. Getting sideways will still be the most fun way through a corner, but we're betting it will be a lot less suicidal now with this new Pontiac G8 El Camino. But like we said, we already knew all this. No, the real story is how we're going to make GM call this the "El Camino." We've been told Pontiac will have a special website set up in just a few short hours to allow enthusiasts to submit their suggestions and we're hoping to rig the vote.

We've spoken with a number of high-ranking officials with the General and all tell us they'd support a Pontiac El Camino if it's what "the people" want. Who knows why they didn't just call it that in the first place. Perhaps they were scared of pissing off purists who could never see a non-Chevy El Camino. Perhaps they were concerned how it would fit into the General's grand alpha-numeric numbering marketing scheme for their "performance brand." Whatever the reason, let's show 'em how wrong they were. This is an opportunity for you, the readers of Jalopnik, to rise up and truly make this the most amazing day in the history of this site — the day the El Camino returns! If you're a lover of the hoonage, defender of the truck car, and a member of the Jalopnik nation, you'll follow the link below to let GM know you want a name this car begs for. Do it for the mullet, do it for your country and our way of life. God bless America! Vote El Camino!
[Click through the graphic below to the Pontiac site and remember to vote early and vote often!]*

All Photos Copyright Chris Doane / Jalopnik
Video Copyright Mark Arnold / Jalopnik
*We kid, only vote once. But feel free to take this button and add it on your own site to remind people to "Vote El Camino!"

Video courtesy of PickupTruck.com

PONTIAC INTRODUCES SEGMENT-BENDING G8 SPORT TRUCK

NEW YORK - The 2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck blurs the line between cars and trucks and is creating an all-new segment in the North American car market. This dramatically different vehicle blends the sporty handling of a performance coupe with the cargo capabilities of a light truck.

Based on the all-new Pontiac G8 performance sedan, the newest member of the G8 family has a longer wheelbase and a cargo bed suitable for either work or recreation. The G8 sport truck significantly stretches Pontiac's commitment to style and performance and is expected to arrive in dealers' showrooms in late 2009.

"Pontiac has never shied away from offering segment-defining vehicles, going back to the original GTO," said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager. "There's simply nothing else like the G8 sport truck on the road today, and we definitely believe that there are customers who will be excited by its distinctive design, performance and cargo capabilities."

Consumer named

Another unique aspect of this new vehicle is the fact that it will be named by a consumer. Beginning today (March 15, 2008), consumers can visit www.pontiac.com/namethiscar and submit their name ideas. "As an important part of the G8 family, we know that 'sport truck' doesn't fully describe the vehicle's ability to blur the lines between sports car and truck," said Craig Bierley, Pontiac marketing director. "Because its fans will surely be as unique as the vehicle itself, we're giving them a voice in selecting a name that reflects its appeal." The winning entry will be announced April 15.

Design

The G8 sport truck maintains the same sporty exterior design as its namesake sedan. Flared fenders wrap around the 18-inch wheels and give it a wide, confident stance. The roofline has a coupe-like profile that reflects the vehicle's performance pedigree.

The doors, roof and exterior panels aft of the B-pillars are unique from the G8 sedan. One-piece outer body panels give the vehicle a sleek appearance. Wrap-around taillamps and fully concealed tailgate hinges add to the sculpted look. A color-coordinated, soft tonneau cover conceals and protects items in the cargo bed from the weather.

Performance

The sport truck draws its strength from the same powerful 6.0L V-8 engine used in the G8 GT. It puts out 361 horsepower (270 kW) and 385 lb.-ft. (522 Nm) of torque. The combination of a six-speed automatic transmission and Active Fuel Management technology provides both car-like fuel economy and an unexpected 0-to-60 time of 5.4 seconds.

While these performance numbers are respectable by sports car standards, the G8 sport truck offers flexibility unlike that of a sports car. A 73.9-inch (1878 mm) cargo bed has 42.7 cubic feet (1208 L) of cargo space and a durable composite bed liner. It also can carry a payload of more than 1,074 pounds (488 kg) and tow a 3,500-pound (1,600 kg) trailer.

Structure

The G8 sport truck is based on the same rear-wheel-drive architecture as the G8 performance sedan. However, the sport truck's body structure was reinforced in key areas to support its cargo and towing duties. More than 60 new components were added to strengthen the structure. Compared to the sedan, the 118.5-inch (3,009 mm) wheelbase is approximately four inches longer and the overall length is six inches longer.

Suspension and wheels

A four-wheel independent suspension with electronic stability control delivers confident handling, whether loaded with weekend home-improvement supplies or towing a pair of personal watercraft to the lake.

The steering box is located ahead of the front axle line for a quick, direct feel. The sport truck's front stabilizer bar is one mm larger than the sedan, and the rear suspension has been enhanced to support payloads without adversely affecting handling.

The G8 sport truck rides on 18-inch machine-faced aluminum wheels with a P245/45R18 summer performance tire. All-season tires are available. An optional Sports Package includes 19-inch machine-faced aluminum wheels with P245/40R19 summer performance tires.

Brakes and steering

The sport truck shares the G8 GT's four-wheel disc brake system, featuring 12.64-inch front and 12.76-inch rear rotors. Front rotor thickness is 1.0 inch, while the rear rotors are 0.87-inch thick. Twin-piston, front alloy calipers and vented rotors and single-piston, alloy rear calipers with vented rotors are standard, as is ABS.

Comfort and convenience

Given its heritage, it's not surprising that the G8 sport truck offers many of the same creature comforts as the G8 GT, such as:

* Air conditioning with electronic dual-zone climate control
* Cruise control
* Driver Information Center
* Bluetooth connectivity
* Tilt/telescoping steering wheel with DIC and radio controls
* Power windows/locks/mirrors
* Remote keyless entry and remote start
* Theft-deterrent alarm system

Fully-bolstered, four-way adjustable cloth seats are standard. Heated, six-way leather seats are available. They can be customized with two-tone, black-and-red inserts and a coordinating gauge cluster.

Behind the seats is a surprisingly large interior cargo area with more than 8.5 cubic feet (245 liters) of storage space. There are two covered storage compartments beneath the load floor and a pair of cargo nets.

Sound system

The G8 sport truck's 230-watt Blaupunkt AM/FM/six-disc CD changer has an MP3 input and five speakers. The 6.5-inch audio display controls both the sound and climate control systems.

Safety and security

A full list of safety features are standard, including:

* StabiliTrak electronic vehicle stability system
* Tire pressure monitoring system
* Dual-stage frontal air bags with a passenger sensing system
* Head-curtain side air bags
* Side thorax air bags
* Three-point safety belts in all seating positions
* Safety belt pretensioners
* OnStar

# # #

"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!

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."