Pontiac G8 GXP research? HSV Clubsport R8 spotted in Troy, MI
A reader named Dominic sent in photos of a car he spotted in Troy, MI this week. In his email, he noted only that said car was RHD. To our enjoyment, when we looked at the photos, we were pleased to find an E-Series HSV Clubsport R8 (official pic at right). HSV is the performance arm of GM's Australia-based Holden division, and the HSV cars have the goods to back up their aggressive looks.The Clubsport, like the other E-Series HSV sedans, sports different front and rear fascias than the regular Holden Commodore SS-V (which we'll see as the Pontiac G8 GT). It's also identifiable easily thanks to the "Clubsport" badging ahead of the rear wheel well (plainly visible in the spy photo gallery below). Its 6.0L LS2 is good for a rocking 411 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of tire-shredding twist -- a notable upgrade over the forthcoming G8 GT's 362 horses and 391 lb-ft.
While it's not at all surprising to see Holdens in the Detroit area sporting manufacturer tags like this one (there are always several sightings during the Woodward Dream Cruise, as the stuff just comes out of the woodwork), it's encouraging to see one of the latest and greatest HSV's tooling about. After all, everyone knows that the best Pontiacs get a GXP designation now, and we hope that this car's presence is an indicator that the General is looking to add a range-topper to the G8 lineup sometime after it makes its debut next year.
Thanks for the shots, Dominic!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Josh Oliver 4:01PM (6/17/2007)
This car (but in black) was in front of my driveway in November of 2006.
It would be foolish to think we will not get a hi-po G8 GXP. Why the guessing games.
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Pep Boys Sux 4:14PM (6/17/2007)
I wouldn't mind being seen in one of those.
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Chris Vitale 4:25PM (6/17/2007)
Wow. That thing looks great parked on the curb. I can definately see on in my driveway.
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SobeSVT 4:30PM (6/17/2007)
Downgraded Catera? Totally 90s, same problem the GTO had, when will Pontiac learn?
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Guenther 5:23PM (6/17/2007)
Uhhh- no. While the GTO (and Munaro and Commodore) WAS based on the same platform as the Catera, itself borrowing from the German Opel Omega (not to be confused with the Omega platform). Even these previous generation cars were heavily revised from the Omega/Catera. The new Zeta cars (Holden VE generation) are completely new.
But maybe I missed something- what is Pontiac supposed to learn?
Viv 8:55PM (6/17/2007)
Care to education Bob Lutz and Pontiac about what they are supposed to learn from you.
SobeSVT 9:09PM (6/17/2007)
They need to learn that these new age "muscle car" need some muscle in their design. These lame Pontiacs, first the GTO and now this G8 whatever-ever, simply do not look the part.
Keeping in mind the flop that Lutz's GTO was, I tend to believe that there is something these people need to learn, and by the look of the G8 . . . it looks like they didn't. :)
Matt 9:38PM (6/17/2007)
Except for the problem that the G8 isn't designed as a muscle car. It's designed as a higher-end sedan (much the same as the Grand Prix it's replacing, only a tad higher in the segment), the GT simply having GTO-like power being a coincidence.
What confuses me is that, if a GXP G8 was rolling ~420/400 for hp/torque, would that suggest an omission of the rumored Trans Am comeback? Such a G8 would probably cannibalize sales of a Trans Am, I would imagine.
TriShield 4:57PM (6/17/2007)
This has been widely speculated for a long time. When we get the HSV Clubsport as the G8 GXP it will probably be packing the new 430hp LS3 instead of the LS2.
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Danny Boy 5:01PM (6/17/2007)
could it be that someone imported it to the U.S. ? I mean, its a possibility ...
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bmw122487 5:12PM (6/17/2007)
DANNY BOY
not with a manufactor license plate
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RedG8 5:23PM (6/17/2007)
You're a dumass SobeSVT.
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That One Person 5:33PM (6/17/2007)
Sobe...sometimes more conservative designs sell. Look at the Camry. That thing isn't exactly groundbreaking. Plus, this is better looking compared to the GTO. And it looks nothing like a Catera.
Anyways, I saw a Holden Caprice in Dearborn about two weeks ago. I saw the rear and thought it was an Impala...until I caught up to it and saw the Holden badge on the back. Pretty sharp car.
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Deezee 6:15PM (6/17/2007)
Nice ride. How much do these cost tho? I wouldn't spend 40k on a Pontiac. I just cant do it.
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chris 8:03PM (6/17/2007)
It's around the same price as a 350Z here in Australia.
Deezee 8:54PM (6/17/2007)
That would be a really good price.
But I dont think it would be the same in the US. The 350z is mid to low 30's usually. And the regular G8 GT will probably be around that price to start. So the supped up GXP version will probably be closer to 40k. Thats my guess atleast.
Matt 9:41PM (6/17/2007)
The lower-end V6 (260 hp or whatever) is expected to run $25,000ish, with the 361/392 V8 running around $32,000-$35,000 with options.
GM is pitting the G8 against the 3-Series, I'm guessing.
Devin 7:03PM (6/17/2007)
This is off topic, but hopefully this car will sport as good of an interior as what GM has been coming out with lately. The GTO interior was pretty good, and that's mainly because it came directly from the Monaro, but this G8 needs to be a knockout in all areas. I hope all the auto mags completely praise this car, not only because it would be good for GM, but also because it would wake Ford's dumb ass up, and get them to realize what we want here.
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Alex Nunez 8:03PM (6/17/2007)
Devin,
Interior should be identical to the Commodore's, as this is being imported from Australia just like the GTO/Monaro.
Steve B. 8:19PM (6/17/2007)
What we want here? This looks more like a niche product... I mean, where is the RWD sedan or coupe on the top 10 best-seller list for 2006?
1. Ford F-Series 796,039
2. Chevrolet Silverado 636,069
3. Toyota Camry 448,445
4. Dodge Ram 364,177
5. Honda Accord 354,441
6. Honda Civic 316,638
7. Chevrolet Impala 289,868
8. Toyota Corolla 272,327
9. Nissan Altima 232,457
10. Chevrolet Cobalt 211,449
Or, let's try the top 20 selling vehicles for this year through may:
1 Ford F-Series 290,282
2 Chevy Silverado 265,941
3 Toyota Camry 193,900
4 Toyota Corolla 165,722
5 Dodge Ram 154,143
6 Honda Accord 153,431
7 Chevrolet Impala 144,541
8 Honda Civic 137,288
9 Nissan Altima 114,318
10 Dodge Caravan 94,220
11 Honda CR-V 84,464
12 GMC Sierra P/U 84,106
13 Ford Econoline/Club Wagon 80,641
14 Chevrolet Cobalt 79,257
15 Ford Focus 77,732
16 Toyota Prius 76,747
17 Ford Escape 73,058
18 Toyota-RAV4 72,447
19 Chrysler Town & Country 66,951
20 Ford Fusion 66,260
http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20070601:MTFH87045_2007-06-01_19-56-37_N01356876&type=comktNews&rpc=44
This looks like a terrific product, but considering that Pontiac is already a niche brand in and of itself (a bit like an American Mazda), I doubt they'll make much of a splash. However, the more choice to the consumer, the better.
I just wonder why on earth a RWD car with a V8 that isn't an old-man mobile (Crown-Vic, Grand Marquis, Chrysler 300) is saddled with a slushbox!