Pre-pro Pontiac G8 parked on Woodward
click above image for high-res gallery of Pontiac's pre-production G8
We've this red pre-production Pontiac G8 out and about before, but General Motors had it parked on Woodward last weekend, which gave Dream Cruise revelers a chance to pick it over. Now that the festivities have concluded, we can do a proper comparison between it and the Pontiac G8 Concept that debuted last February in Chicago thanks to a GM Inside News forum member who brought back pics.
Remarkably, the car has changed very little on its way to production, which tells us either that it's really easy to badge engineer a Holden into a Pontiac (we kind of already knew that thanks to the GTO) or that the car we saw in Chicago was already far along in development.
Follow the jump for more pics, including comparison shots of both cars side by side.
Thanks for the tip, Jay!
[Source: GM Inside News]
Gallery: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT (Pre-Production)
Gallery: 2008 Pontiac G8
The differences between the gunmetal silver car we saw in Chicago and this blazing red one on Woodward are few, but the wheels are clearly different with the red car wearing more production ready split five-spokes instead of the concept's more wild and certainly larger rims. Inside the pre-pro car we see a more monotone color scheme awash in shades of gray rather than the concept's two-tone deal, and the concept's stick shift is gone in favor of an automatic with manual shifting in the pre-production prototype. Aside from that, it appears the G8 that eventually goes on sale will be a dead ringer for the concept that was rolled out in Chicago.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
paul 2:03PM (8/21/2007)
i wouldnt mind rolling around in that. as long as you give me the stick option, im fine
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Don 7:39PM (8/21/2007)
I love it, except for the positioning of the tail lamps...they seem too high.
Adam 2:06PM (8/21/2007)
The back end of the red one looks great! Better than the new '08 CTS. The car has a Audi look to it, good for Pontiac.
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geo.stewart 3:15PM (8/21/2007)
that audi thing sneaks up on you, so its not overt. good. you do get that feel from the dimensions and general shape.
but no question it is a Pontiac...
sweet job GM
AutomagV 2:09PM (8/21/2007)
Center console window switches, very disappointing. It seems they got everything right except for that. It may be a cost cutting measure, but it sucks.
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gwballin 2:53PM (8/21/2007)
I've gotten used to it in my gto. My left hand never has to leave the steering wheel.
Sign me up when I can get the GXP with the LS3.
Mark Ryan 4:59PM (8/21/2007)
How can you be that disappointed by window switch placement? People that step into my GTO may have to turn their heads left to see the switch, but other than the minor inconvenience of not finding it where they expect (an inconvenience only once) what's the objection to center-console switches? I kinda like how clean the door handles are :)
naggs 7:41PM (8/21/2007)
ls3, bah
gxp should get ls7!
Nellydesign 10:47AM (8/22/2007)
Personally I think center switches rock. Drivng down the road with my left hand on the wheel and my right arm resting on the armrest. I can reach back ever so slightly and roll the window down without switching hands at the wheel. And it allows a much cleaner design execution on doors as well. Plus saves money. This is one feature I wish all cars had.
AutomagV 1:41PM (8/22/2007)
Aside from confusing every new guest you want to impress with that awesome engine, giving passengers access to the drivers side window is never a good idea. With young cousins, obnoxious friends (childhood loyalty can be so damaging), and busy fingered family members, something as simple as window controls moved from the drivers door to the center console can get very annoying very quick.
Keep in mind I am absolutely in love with this car in every other way (oh JHP, how I hope you import some Aussie parts like you do for the GTO).
iamhoff 2:12PM (8/21/2007)
Not sure about the console window switches, but the rest of it looks like a sweet package. Nice to see that they aren't straying too far from the concept.
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TriShield 2:15PM (8/21/2007)
The car GM parked out for the Cruise is the plainest the G8 GT will come.
It's also the same car Holden's former CEO Denny Mooney and Australian government officials were photographed with months ago.
The only non-production part of this car is the silver Pontiac badges, otherwise what you see is what we're getting in our showrooms.
It has the small 18" wheels and base GT/V8 interior with leather. V6 G8s have the same interior but with cloth and optional leather.
Larger 19" wheels are optional as is dual-zone automatic climate control with a large LCD screen in the dash, and red leather inserts for the seats and doors among other things.
It's a damn nice car. Workmanship and material trim is first-rate as is the tactile quality of all the switchgrear inside. The leather is nicely textured and very soft. It has quality that is comparable to the best you can buy for the money and absolutely shames the 300 and Charger.
I'm a little disappointed GM didn't have the silver car with the 20" HSV wheels out for people to see. They probably didn't want it getting rained on or manhandled by the Cruise masses.
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cowboy bob 8:57AM (8/22/2007)
Nice plug. What part of GM do you work for? Oh hey, my pet peeve- the gas filler door is on the wrong side again! If they can engineer right to left hand drive, why can't they do the same thing with the filler door? If you drive in Australia, you have the door on the correct side, so why not here?
Dave 2:17PM (8/21/2007)
IIRC-
The V6 will only be offered with an automatic trans. That is a shame.
Otherwise, this looks to be a very good car.
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Dave 2:31PM (8/21/2007)
PS-
This car is way to big to be red.
Guenther 2:22PM (8/21/2007)
2 gripes-
Why is the ignition key on the column? That's a collision/knee injury point. most new vehicles have migrated to an IP mounted key.
Seat material on the driver's seat. No way should the bolster look like that, even in pre-production. I've had Hyundai seats (production and pre-production samples) that looked better after 50000 ingress-egress cycles.
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david.snyder 2:29PM (8/21/2007)
It looks cheap without the LCD screen. Good thing it's an option. I can't wait to buy this car.
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chad 2:29PM (8/21/2007)
I think Pontiac's days are numbered.
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ATL 2:45PM (8/21/2007)
I think Chad is misinformed.
J.Crew 2:36PM (8/21/2007)
Looks great for a base model! Good job GM!
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