Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, Pontiac
Pontiac to hype the Hell out of the G8
Click the G8 for a high-res gallery
The G8 is the most important new model that Pontiac has had in many years, and it could in fact be a make-or-break car for the brand. For several years, GM has been planning to transition the "performance" brand to an all rear-wheel-drive lineup. However, new fuel economy regulations may kill those plans unless GM can get some big sales out of the G8 and also make it more efficient. Now that the sedan is rolling into dealerships, the company is planning a major promotional push for it to ensure it doesn't suffer the same sad fate as Pontiac's last Aussie import, the GTO.
Interestingly, it seems GM thinks that the car will appeal more to the old-school types than us web junkies. The G8 will be getting the biggest bundle of Pontiac ad dollars this year, starting with the NCAA Tournament. Most of the effort will be put into old-style TV and print ads rather than the internet. Brian Shipman, G8 product manager, thinks this will bring more people into Pontiac stores than web and viral campaigns would. GM isn't saying how much it'll spend on the campaign, but dealers definitely want a car with some excitement to draw in customers. We'll know soon enough whether the G8 fits the bill.
Gallery: First Drive: Pontiac G8
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
SPG 4:55PM (3/04/2008)
The baby boomers have the vast majority of the wealth in North America.
Promoting a car to people that grew up with rear wheel drive Pontiacs that boasted lots of power makes sense.
Promoting a car to people that easily afford it makes sense too.
Most gen X and Y car junkies already know a great deal about this car and hardly need to be pitched to.
Their parents might not know this car even exists yet though.
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OKC08SKYRL 7:35AM (3/05/2008)
The GXP version needs the 430hp LS3.
dan spalinger 4:59PM (3/04/2008)
Gah!! Wheel vents!! Gah!! Gah!! Hood scoops!! Gah!! Gah!! Gah!! A price tag at or above 30K!!
Dead before it arrives...
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Seoultrain 5:08PM (3/04/2008)
yeah, 360hp with good driving dynamics and a nice interior for $32k fully loaded sounds like a sure loser to me.
It's gonna need more than fender and hood vents to ruin it for me. Maybe a huge rear wing. yeah, that would do it.
Andrew 5:11PM (3/04/2008)
so how many RWD 4 door, V8 sedans are there at 33k max?
hmmm, seems to me that the answer is none except the G8. for the performance crowd, it poses an exceptional value without sacrificing practicality.
Lee 5:14PM (3/04/2008)
While your opinion may be valid for a certain set of people. I think that the vents and scoops are subtle. They are agressive without being so over the top as to be offensive.
I believe the G8 compares favorably to one of my favorite cars of all time, the E39 M5. If, and when, it comes with a slick shifting 6 speed I believe the General has a winner on its hands. Given the choice between the two I would still go with the m5 but I could not fault someone for doing the opposite.
tbss_in_the_D 5:13PM (3/04/2008)
You are clearly an idiot.
Wally 5:17PM (3/04/2008)
Judging by your Xterra avatar a car needs to have plastic body cladding and a first aid kit sticking out the back for it to look good so I'm not going to put a whole lot of weight in your opinion
Matt 5:44PM (3/04/2008)
Break vents and hood scoops are FAR more appropriate on the G8 than on, say, the Taurus.
Just sayin.
jg 6:24PM (3/04/2008)
'I believe the G8 compares favorably to one of my favorite cars of all time, the E39 M5.'
Compares to an M? No.
I don't even think it would compare favorably with the E39 540i.
rav3 6:36PM (3/04/2008)
Far as I'm concerned: give me (functional) hoodscoops or give me death.
Torrent 7:44PM (3/04/2008)
Yes because a 361 hp sedan with sportscar like handling is wayy too common these days, right? Wrong. I see your avatar is an Xterra..........an Xterra? nuff said.
LloydChiro 5:29PM (3/05/2008)
"so how many RWD 4 door, V8 sedans are there at 33k max?"
Mercury Grand Marquis! 224hp V8 baby!
"for the performance crowd, it poses an exceptional value without sacrificing practicality."
Oh, did you say performance? Nevermind.
jg 4:59PM (3/04/2008)
When does this hit showrooms? I'd like a close look. I'd love to see what my old Pontiac Grand Prix is like done right.
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Matt 5:45PM (3/04/2008)
The G8 is expected to hit show rooms around the end of March, at least here in Wisconsin... could be sooner elsewhere.
wrussi 5:02PM (3/04/2008)
it still looks like a pontiac...
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gschon 5:11PM (3/04/2008)
It's supposed to look like a Pontiac. Moron.
PhattyDre16 9:39PM (3/04/2008)
Hmm, well since it IS a Pontiac, one would imagine that it might look like a Pontiac.
Jim 5:13PM (3/04/2008)
It looks like a 10 year old Pontiac, time for a new look !!!!
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Christian Stevens 8:52PM (3/04/2008)
Amen. Lot of defensive comments here.
It maybe super cheap and have a ton of horsepower, but looks a crappy ass 8 year old Pontiac Bonneville.
Plus ever single model will be spec'd with a weak-ass automatic transmission.