All-new Pontiac G8 to unleash in 2008

By Jerick Brooks

Though the 2008 Pontiac G8 will be available in dealerships early next year, Pontiac introduced its all-new, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan at the Chicago Auto Show. As the first North American application of General Motors (GM) new global rear-wheel-drive architecture, the G8 is developed by GM’s Australian subsidiary Holden. The G8 has a styling packages such as a dual-port grille, fog lamps, bold wheels and a confident, wheels-at-the-corners stance. The design accents the car's performance lineage, with fenders that flare over the wheels, seemingly hugging the wide tires, making it very sporty.

Distinctive elements include hood scoops and front fender vents, and projector-beam headlamps housed in crystal-clear lenses. Jewel-like tail lamps are found at the rear. These are mounted in housings and feature bright detail work surrounding the red lighting elements. G8 models all have red tail lamp lenses and twin chrome exhaust outlets. At the rear of the roof, all models have a mounted antenna. On its power train, the base G8 model has a 3.6L DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing. Rated at 261 horsepower (194 kW), it is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Combined to give the G8 a confident, sharp driving experience are the 114.8-inch (2915 mm) wheelbase, 62.7 inches / 1592 mm wide front and 63.3 inches / 1608 mm rear tracks. These give a fully adjustable, four-wheel independent suspension system.

In the rear, the four-wheel independent suspension system has a MacPherson strut design in the front and a four-link coil-over-shock design. Tuning uses a direct-acting front stabilizer bar, decoupled rear stabilizer bar and lateral ball joints on the rear suspension. This system transcends increased lateral stiffness for enhanced handling.

The front suspension features fully adjustable caster, camber and toe while the rear suspension has fully adjustable camber and toe, which enables more precise, tailored suspension tuning.

When starting the engine, the brand assured that the Pontiac exhaust will release gases smoothly, making it more comfortable for the driver as well as the persons outside the car who will breathe in the exhausted gases.

As to its four-wheel disc brake system, the car has standard anti-lock and traction control features. The system is partnered with a standard electronic stability control system. Its features vented front and rear disc rotors, with twin-piston alloy calipers in front. The rear brakes feature alloy calipers with single-piston actuation.

The G8's interior delivers both comfort and convenience, packaged in a level of sophistication not often found in other cars within its price range. A driver-oriented instrument cluster positions the gauges for easy, direct line of sight. Between the large, round tachometer and speedometer, an electronic driver information center is located.

Attention catcher details include jewel-like instruments, selective use of satin and chrome trim and rich-feeling, grained textures throughout. The instrument cluster glows with crisp. While white light on the primary instruments and Pontiac’s signature red lighting enlightens the rest of the instrument panel cluster.

The seats offer firm support to hold passengers and occupants in place during aggressive cornering. As an option, the G8 models will also offer two-tone cloth or leather combination that pairs black with either red or blue inserts and color-matched instrument faces on certain exterior color combinations. With an all-new Pontiac exhaust system, G8 uses 362-horsepower (270 kW) 6.0L V-8 engine and optional six-speed manual transmission.

Pontiac General Manager John Larson said the company’s commitment to its performance DNA is showed in the balance of rear-wheel drive and the availability of V-8 power in G8. He further said they expect this vehicle to be very competitive in the segment where it belongs, even against cars that cost far more expensive.