...We still intend to offer the six-speed manual transmission as an option on the GXP model released late this year, however we have no current plans to offer the manual tranny on any other G8 model. It's possible there was some confusion over the GT vs. GXP...

[G8nation]

That's because the G8 GT (along with its LS3-powered sibling, GXP) is the first truly exciting car Pontiac's introduced in years, ironically arriving well after the company abandoned a borderline-fraudulent advertising claim of excitement creation. Lutz acknowledged the hubristic inaccuracy of the brand's old motto, "We Build Excitement," on stage at the New York auto show this week, evoking as evidence the defunct four-cylinder Grand Am, which, even in its malaise-era context, was slightly less exciting to operate than a lawn sprinkler.

Not that Pontiac's was the most egregious messaging offense of that period. Back in the early '80s, Ford insisted quality was "Job One." Simultaneously, it turned out the Fairmont, a car whose shoddiness was a thumb in the eye of every mid-level administrator who applied part of his stagflation-adjusted paycheck toward one. You may remember the Fairmont as the car whose horn was activated, without explanation, by pushing a plastic-capped stalk horizontally toward the steering column. Woe to the drivers who mistakenly plunged into the immovable steering-wheel hub (Note to self: research cases of jammed palms circa 1981). Others remember the Fairmont as a car beaten to the junkyard only by the Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare, a marginally more unconscionable shitbox.

(For the record, automakers weren't the only ones engaging in hyperbole. Burger King insisted one could have it one's way, yet failed to offer a fried quail egg or dollop of creme fraiche to those whose "way" involved those delicacies.)

The G8 shared Pontiac's stage at the New York auto show this week with a targa-topped version of the Solstice and a new version of GM's Australian Holden ute, the G8 sport truck. The latter may seem pointless to anyone who's not Australian, under the age of 40 or missing the gene for irony. Trust me; it's the kind of pointless that makes people uncomfortable enough to buy one. And if you think that paradox won't fly, just wait until someone builds a fiberglass cap for it.

The point of the story is that Pontiac, once an icon of performance, had been a victim of unspeakable corporate abuse during the past three decades. Remember what happened to Sybil (in that 1976 movie) after sustaining lesser parental disaffection? She ended up with a massive case of dissociative identity disorder. In the movie Sybil, it took a caring psychiatrist and some hard therapy to bring the Syb around. It's taken Bob Lutz's personal care to keep Pontiac likewise from ending up rocking in place and twisting its hair, which some say was in the company's brand-marketing plan for 2011.

The products are there, the excitement is palpable and it's up to Pontiac to live up to expectations.

We received an e-mail from a marketing maven at Digitas, one of the agencies working on a few of the General's many brands, sent from their Digitas e-mail. Here's the e-mail:

"Just saw this new Pontiac ad online and thought it might be of interest...It takes an old classic, SpyHunter to a whole new place. God love CG. From what I hear its not even on TV yet."

Pontiac thoughtfully provided us with both the base V6 — a perfectly capable 3.6-liter number making 256 HP — and the alternately growlin' and purrin' V8, which is of course why we're all here. She's a 6.0-liter, 361 HP honey of an engine that Pontiac says will propel the G8 GT to 60mph in 5.3 seconds. All this sitting on top of GM's Zeta platform, otherwise referred to as the Holden Commodore in Australia, where the car was engineered, built and put on the big boat. But most of you already knew this. Most of you also already know that this new arrowheaded sedan represents the first in a coming wave of rear-wheel-drive hotness coming from the General's Aussie branch — with the Camaro next up to bat.

First, let's just strike any more talk about the V6, because really that's not why we're here. We all know the horsepower and hoonage potential of the big V8 is the real reason anyone should be looking at this car. The big 6.0-liter can do the 60 in 5.3, as a brief stretch of Interstate 8 just south of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park allowed us to assess the hoonage quotient, and yes, it is high. It's more than enough to appeal to the youthful redneck contingent that has done time with the screamin' eagle and other Pontiac-badged play-things of the past. Aggressive throttling can set the back end free. Acceleration compresses the abdomen. However, the Aussies, they are a strange people. On the one hand, grilled-flesh-loving criminal stock with an affection for the rugged outdoors and strong beer; on the other, the constructors of the Sydney Opera House, the creators of Penfolds Grange (a fine red wine that rivals collectible California Cabernet and French first growth Bordeaux), and guardians of a culture that gave us the magnificent art critic Robert Hughes.

What I'm saying is: The G8 GT is not some yee-haw backwoods ripper. It's meant to offer far superior value to a BMW 5-series sedan. The car sounds very muscular on the straightaway, but it's refined muscle. Cruising on the freeway, at typical SoCal velocities of approximately 80-90 mph, is comfortable. And there's torque all over the goddamn place, a plaything for your passing pleasure.

Handling? Well, this is where we have our first teensy objection, but truly, not much of one. On meandering, single-lane curves — scenic country road stuff — the G8 GT is simply a pleasure. Point and shoot, with no discernible slosh and plenty of precision in the steering. However, when things get all tight and hairpin-ish, especially headed downhill, we started to feel the nearly 4,000 lb. the car is packing. By and large, the GT doesn't drive as big as it actually is. And it is large — the back seat has ample room for any number of Kama Sutra positions and the front is roomy without making your rear end feel as if you might slip as sideways as you're sliding the G8 GT's rear end. Unless you're fighting gravity and narrow, swerving asphalt. A better driver than this tester would probably be able to manage, but it came across as an Achilles heel. But big whoop. Such circumstances were few and far between on our little adventure through the SoCal wilderness.

But let's talk design for a moment as it's admirably restrained while still hinting at the power within. We studied two color schemes, each telling their own tale:

Red = Screamin'
Black = Well...umm...jeez...sorta elegant. Sorta.

The horrifically beak-like Pontiac front fascia nonsense of previous models is gone — hopefully for good. In its place, a more discreet and tasteful look. Not really a head-turner, but sharp and far more restrained than the Charger. But there are a few issues. I'm not nuts about how far-forward the hood scoops are pushed — it makes the front end seem stubby and I truly dislike the itty-bitty rear taillights. And don't even get me started on the funny-looking trunk lid (though it does hide one big-ass American trunk). Overall, the shape is solid, wide and provocatively sleek — yet another example of the complete Audi-fication of the performance-sedan design field. The 18-inch aluminum wheels are pretty. Ideal customer might be an air-traffic controller from Huntington Beach with a girlfriend who likes shoes, the Angels, and premium vodka.

Not much to say about the interior. Graphite tones. Brushed metal. Leather. Pretty easy to negotiate the instruments. Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The Blaupunkt booms. There's a weird orange-red digital voltmeter and oil-pressure display atop the center console that on reflection we now like (it can't be turned off, FYI). OnStar with Turn-By-Turn nav more than makes up for no in-dash nav system and allows you to spend your energies focused on the road. The case for the owner's manual is a piece of floppy nylon shit.

Soooo, what more could we want? Six-speed manual, obviously although Pontiac claims they may offer one if they do a performance version. There's also the matter of the immense A and B pillars, something that we and our driving partner, the esteemed Jill Ciminillo of the Chicago Sun-Times, noticed as troublemakers during tight driving. Oh yeah, how about a sun-roof? Nice big one, please. Or T-tops. It is a Pontiac, after all, structural rigidity be damed.

Verdict? G'day, GT!

Pontiac Announces G8 Pricing

New RWD Performance Sedan to Start Under $28k

DETROIT - Pontiac today confirmed pricing for its new rear-wheel drive G8 performance sedan will start at $27,595 when it hits the streets in early 2008. The V-8 powered G8 GT will be available for $29,995.

"The G8 represents the next phase in Pontiac's commitment to bring seductively designed, high-performance vehicles to the showroom floor," said Craig Bierley, Pontiac marketing director. "Our dealers and customers have been anxiously waiting for this vehicle since we first showed it at the Chicago Auto Show in February, so we're really excited to get this car on the street early next year."

The G8 is powered by a 3.6-liter VVT V-6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission and comes equipped with a number of standard convenience and safety features, including StabiliTrak electronic stability control, six airbags and OnStar. The G8 GT ups the ante with a 6.0-liter V-8 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and additional standard equipment.

Customers can get a closer look at the G8 at www.pontiac.com/g8.

Pontiac is a division of General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) and markets the Vibe, Solstice roadster, G5 sports coupe, Torrent compact utility vehicle and the G6 family of sedans, coupes and retractable hardtop convertibles. For the 2008 model year, Pontiac expands its GXP performance series with the introduction of the G6 GXP and Torrent GXP, and will launch the all-new rear-wheel drive G8 performance sedan in early 2008. Pontiac sold more than 410,000 vehicles in 2006, ranking third among GM divisions in total sales. More information on Pontiac and its products can be found on the division's website at www.pontiac.com, and in Spanish at www.pontiac.com/espanol .

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