click above image to view high-res gallery of the 2008 Pontiac G8
Today in New York during what we believed would be a mundane media event, General Motors dropped a mini-bomb on us when it announced pricing for its highly anticipated rear-wheel-drive Pontiac G8 sedan. The V6 model will arrive with a base price of $27,595, while the G8 GT with a V8 will begin at $29,995. Yep, they somehow managed to get the price of the performance model below $30,000, which, considering this car is basically imported from Australia, is amazing.
The base model is of course powered by GM's excellent 3.6L V6, though the direct inject version that's available with the Cadillac CTS. Expect around 260 HP for the V6, and it's mated to a five-speed automatic. The G8 GT, meanwhile, gets the General's 6.0L V8 paired with a six-speed automatic. Sorry, there's no rowing your own boat in a Pontiac G8, as no manual transmission appears to be offered.
We're pretty impressed that GM managed to keep the base price below $28,000, and that there's only $2,400 separating the two models. Mark our words, this car will sell out, at least in its first year of production and perhaps one or two after that.
[Source: GM]
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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Justin @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:45AM
Looks great, I'd love one!
On the lack of the manual tranny...is it available in some kind of auto-manual or paddle shift?
Justin @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:46AM
Ah nevermind...the official website indicates "Driver Shift Control"
Papi L-Gee @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:32PM
Unless something has changed, they're saying late availability on the 6M.
iamhoff @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:38PM
I'm with Papi...last I heard (or read) I thought that the 6MT would be dropping a few (meaning probably 6) months after the commencement of sales. GM's powertrain engineers were working on the combo to see if they could keep it out of gas-guzzler tax territory.
Dr. K @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:45AM
I called my local Pontiac dealer - they knew less about the G8 than I did! They said 'maybe spring', $30K 'sounds about right' and they had no info on the stick timing. The dealers need to get their heads out of their @$$es - that would be a great first step toward being taken seriously!
voodoobru @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:47AM
are you kidding me with the lack of a manual? is this for enthusiasts or not?
Tim @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:49AM
I think you answered your own question
Nick @ Oct 2nd 2007 1:24PM
Manual transmission is coming at an unspecified time after initial launch.
Autoblog has again given a lovely dose of misinformation that's going to get everyone in a tizzy.
Tim @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:48AM
Hard to have anything negative to say about this car. The 300 will be hurt the most. And the GtO/Holden had some of the worst reliability of an imported product. I think that GM is selling this car at a loss to keep Pontiac around. Since Buick will stay FWD this will be the only RWD car for now in the GMC/Buick/Pontiac dealers and shouldn't take sales from another Gm brand. Well there is that Impala SS...well you know what I mean
alex @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:13PM
buick isn't staying fwd and this isn't the only rwd pontiac car. ever heard of the solstice? and soon enough the g6 and the g5 will be rwd.
Jay @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:48AM
What? No manual? What the...??!?!?
Well, Pontiac, that's one less than you were gonna sell. You wanna compete with the big boys? You wanna try schlepping a "BMW at Pontiac Prices?" You better rethink that logic and get the manual ball rolling. C'mon, don't feed the stereotype--that Americans are fat and lazy and don't drive stick (Not can't--won't) so they don't sell them here. This is certainly not the case in Europe, where all the heavy-hitting Teutonic BAMF sedans are available with stonkin' V8's and manuals, and you damn well know that ain't the case in the country this car hails from.
God, how the Aussies must be laughing at us.
Johnny Rotten @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:16PM
While I generally agree with you that American drivers are pathetic compared to other in terms of skills and desire to be good drivers, the US market is the only to get a true manual in the M5. This is due to the major backlash in this country against only having the SMG.
Victor @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:33PM
Who cares about stupid manual when there is 6.0L
Jordan @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:50AM
I sure hope that the manual option will be added soon after production. Why would GM tease with the manual transmission in the G8 Concept at Chicago if it wasn't going to be offered?
The lack of a M/T is a deal breaker for me. And I was seriously considering this car.
Michael Yung @ Feb 23rd 2008 12:35PM
Couldn't agree more, won't byt or even consider without the manual - not sure what they were thinking...
JMa @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:51AM
Will they be changing their tag line from "built for drivers" to "built for riders"?
otherwise, second gm i could see myself in since the '69 camaro (1st being the z06 of course).
B @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:53AM
I'll still hold out hope for the 6 sp. GM has a habit lately of quoting prices with the automatic as standard only to bury the manual option and subsequent rebate way down on the order sheet. See 08 Caddy CTS
Tyo @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:53AM
all we can hope for is a GXP model that does get 6 forward gears that you can row yourself, and the new 430hp corvette V8
SuperSkyline89 @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:57AM
I'm a bit confused. According to Autoblog, the V6 makes 260hp and according to the Pontiac.com the G8 GT with it's V8 makes 261hp. So does the V8 really only make 1 extra hp than the V6? Is there a big difference in torque or something because to me a V8 is not worth 1 extra hp and the extra weight. Someone want to clarify this?
Papi L-Gee @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:32PM
Most likely a typo, as every other source, including the G8 webpage itself, says 361 HP.