Spy Shots: Pontiac G8 RWD sedan!
Now that the Solstice is here and things are quiet again at the Pontiac pavilion, it's time to focus on the next big thing from GM's "excitement" division. That car will be the Grand Prix replacement, assumed to be called the G8 based on Pontiac's current naming scheme. The G8 will return the Grand Prix to its rear-wheel drive roots thanks to the platform underpinning the Aussie-built Holden Commodore VE sedan. The G8 will be platform mates with the Commodore, likely along with a Chevy and Buick variant, though it will not share any sheetmetal or interior design with its counterpart from down under. These are the first spy pics of the Pontiac G8, and while they don't reveal much in terms of design, at least they indicate the project is underway and progressing. [Source: World Car Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Slippery Pete 11:33AM (1/02/2007)
If Autoblog insists on faithfully repeating GM's asinine brand distinctions (Pontiac is the "excitement" divsion) then maybe they could explain what that distinction means when Chevy and Buick are planned to get clones of the G8?
Words mean things. Except at GM.
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Michael Karesh 11:34AM (1/02/2007)
How can they tell this isn't just a Commodore prototype they never removed the camo from? I don't see any differences from the Commodore. Are there any?
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DV 3:56PM (1/05/2007)
Uhhhhh....isn't that an un-camo version just to the back and left of the camo'd one?
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solomonrex 11:38AM (1/02/2007)
Yeesh, Pete. Switch to decaf before your next post.
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Mike 11:47AM (1/02/2007)
"maybe they could explain what that distinction means when Chevy and Buick are planned to get clones of the G8?"
"it will not share any sheetmetal or interior design"
It is as much of a clone as the edge is of the Mazda 6.
or the BMW 335 is of the X3
or the Audi A3 is of the VW Golf
or the Audi R8 is of the Lambo Guillardo (sp)
or the Lexus RX330 is of the Toyota Camry
or the Honda Element is of the Civic
or the....
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Sue Esponte 11:16PM (1/02/2007)
Looks like Pontiac built itself a 335i look alike.
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Um... no 11:49AM (1/02/2007)
Yay General Rebadge
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sfast 11:53AM (1/02/2007)
G8? That is pretty lame. I like the name Grand Prix. How do they have the balls to sell a car called the G8? Did they name it after the world economic summit? And what irony it is for GM to come out with a car seeming named after the G8.
Anyway, aside from the disappointment over the possilbe name, I'll be very happy to see this car.
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paul 11:54AM (1/02/2007)
what'll be next a G10 bonneville! they need to come up with another word other than "excitement!!" ugly designs,terrible vehicle names and suspect reliability is not good enough for today's consumer!!!boring and reliable toyota and honda gets my hard earned money!!!!
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DarkKnight67 11:57AM (1/02/2007)
Hey um, what do you call the practice of slapping a Lexus badge on a Land Cruiser or Camry and charging $10,000 to $20,000 more. If that isn't a rebadge, then it must be magic.
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Sam 12:20PM (1/02/2007)
Wow. Paul is always on the internet.
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slyde 12:03PM (1/02/2007)
It should only be considered rebadging if you sell the same models in the same country. Since there are no Holden dealerships in the US, what is the big deal?
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Puffy C 12:10PM (1/02/2007)
It's only a rebadge if it's GM or some other domestic manufacturer. Any foreign company gets a free pass. Same goes for recalls - they're "proactive customer service enhancements" if it's done by a foreign company but evidence of "crappy Detroit reliability" if done by an American company. That's how the winds blow on Autoblog.
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greg curran 12:14PM (1/02/2007)
Rebadging is putting a different grill and possibly differnet tailights on a vehicle and calling it something else as in cobalt-G5. using the same platform to build cars for different divisions is something done by EVERY major car company in the world period.
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Shiner 12:24PM (1/02/2007)
Surprised Paul learned to use punctuation marks.
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Karn 12:35PM (1/02/2007)
Well stated, Puffy C.
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Craig B 12:36PM (1/02/2007)
The Holden Commodore isn't a bad looking car as it is. Probably too European looking for the North American designers at GM which explains the new Pontiac sheet metal for the G8. Too bad. 'American-ized' styling ala GM usually isn't very appealing. For example, compare a Chevy Trailblazer to its twin Saab 9-7x (yes, Saab rebadges a Chevy SUV).
Rebadging isn't a problem if it's done well. IMHO, it isn't GM's problem. Judging by reviews, auto forums, friend's opinions, etc. they're still struggling with reliability issues, cheap interior materials issues, also-ran performance (e.g., many reviews I have read state GM has rough/course/unrefined engines), and dull styling.
Is GM getting better? Sure. But their attitude since the 80s appears to be produce cars that a good enough, not segment leaders.
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aaron 12:49PM (1/02/2007)
+1 for puffy C..
it seems to suggest that the poncho will not share sheetmetal or interior with the holden..
that being the case, how this can be considered a rebadge only makes sense when put into the minds of the import nutswingers here.. lol..
this is the one they've talked about being produced here.. as I recall.
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Sid 12:48PM (1/02/2007)
I agree with puffy. The ES is nothing more than a Camry in (expensive) drag and yet no one complains. And that's just one example. Look at the Acura lineup. Its simply a bunch of Hondas with leather trim and chrome buttons.
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Jim 1:04PM (1/02/2007)
Isn't the G8 supposed to be shown at the Detroit Auto Show? I heard previously it could be here as early as late 2007.
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