Filed under: Car Buying, Spy Photos, Trucks/Pickups, Pontiac, Australia
Spy Shots: Pontiac G8 Sport Truck snapped in Australia
Click on image above for more spy shots at G8Nation.
Two 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Trucks were recently spied in Australia loaded on the back of a transporter. Although seemingly dipped in camouflage decals, the profile of this not-going-to-be-named-El-Camino is easily distinguishable, even without a clear shot of the obvious Pontiac grill. Previewed at the 2008 New York Auto Show, the G8-based Sport Truck will be powered by a 6.0-liter V-8 rated at 361 horsepower. It should scoot to 60 mph in just over five seconds. Those of us in North America can expect this cargo-bedded Aussie import to arrive on our shores in late 2009.
[Source: G8Nation]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mobius_1 8:11AM (5/23/2008)
Is that the new Zebra paint job? :)
That is a cool car
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Juan 8:22AM (5/23/2008)
While this new Ute looks kinda cool, I would much rather see a sport wagon...
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LMBVette 8:25AM (5/23/2008)
I think the idea of a car based truck is a good idea. With gas prices being so high, and most likely staying there, small companies that use trucks daily would probably like a lighter, more fuel efficient truck. I think of pool cleaning companies, furniture deliveries, etc, that don't need over 1,000 pounds of payload.
A car would most likely be lighter because it doesn't have a heavy duty frame on it like a truck does. A unibody would surely be lighter.
However, GM instead went with a large heavy car and a large displacement V8.
I would think building a ute that weighed 3500 lbs or less with the 2L turbo engine and good gearing would have been a better idea.
Perhaps use the Delta platform an put a nice bed back there.
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carbuzzard.com 8:56AM (5/23/2008)
There are already compact/mid-sized pickups available, and the last car-based pickup, the Subaru Baja, was a bust. I hope that Pontiac has found a way to make money with a small number of the Sport Truck, as it's one of those things which everyone says, "Hey, that's cool," but doesn't buy. Not having a lid on your trunk is rather inconvenient when you're carrying something weather sensitive or theft-worthy. On the other hand, the El Camino and the Ranchero both had long runs.
I wonder, however, if the Baja on the back of the car carrier is supposed to be some sort of decoy...
Guenther 8:59AM (5/23/2008)
All the weight saving propaganda of uni-body is bunk. This thing weighs almost 4000#. Curb weight of my Tundra is 4000#. It still has an iron block and a frame. Sure, ride and handeling are great in these utes, but the weight argument is bogus.
MUSASHI66 10:20AM (5/23/2008)
You obviously never delivered furniture if you think that this thing would be a good choice for it. Occasional sofa, maybe, but how about sofa+love seat+chair?
This would be great for bikes, dirt bikes, stuff for the house, anything for a casual pick-up owner, that does not need a full size (let's face it, even a Tacoma is pretty much a full size truck, and I would not be caught dead in the Ranger), wants some handling from it, and who hopes for better fuel mileage.
Cole Mitguard 8:55AM (5/23/2008)
I really want to see one of these in person, I cant decide on the pictures of not if I like it or not, it just seems to foreign to me, maybe because I grew up well after the time of the Ranchero and El Camino, but I think that this may be perfect for the weekend handyman. The questions is will these types go for something thats not the manly and unquestionably useful F-150, even if they never use its capabilities to its fullest. It seems like, from experience, that the mindset of these people is not "thats all that i really need" and more, "well maybe one day... " and in that case they opt for the more capable full size. And this can be demonstrated by the incredibly poor small truck market in the US (combined with the fact that until recently there hasn't been many great options). But I guess well find out! And I love to see GM continue to take risks on new and bold products. Like has been said many a time, the General spent much to long on its laurels, and we are just starting to see him get up into a crouch, if that is a proper analogy. Pontiac is defieneatly showing the lead of GM's new pioneering trend, they actully have a showroom that I want to go to now, where as before the GTO was really the only reason to stop by, and even then, there were plenty of car people who would pass on that one as well (although, I wouldn't be one)
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Andrew 9:01AM (5/23/2008)
I might to replace my Silverado with one of these. Better mileage, faster, better handling, and more power! Looks pretty sick too and I can still throw my dirtbike in the back. I like it!
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Chris 9:05AM (5/23/2008)
So is it an attempt to bring pickups down to size like SUVs were with crossovers? Still I see zero advantage in this vehicle.
It does not have the height people associate with suvs/trucks which is still a selling point
It does not have the cargo capacity
It doesn't really provide a mileage benefit over more capable vehicles
Probably a one year fad success and then gone by three years tops
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Justin 12:53PM (5/23/2008)
A lower ride height helps handling, stability, and aerodynamics (Name ANY truck that gets 15/24 with 362 hp/391 lb-ft). This is also lighter (about 3800-3900 lbs) and more sleek looking.
tanooki2003 9:12AM (5/23/2008)
Forget those G8 Sport Trucks. I seriously am dying to have that uncamouflaged silver Mitsubishi L200/Triton compact pickup truck.
I had one of those for 2 years when I was in Malaysia The truck I used to own was the 4X4 4-door with the 2.5L common rail diesel 4 banger and I loved driving that truck everyday. That truck truly for the size it was had spectacular handling and awesome offroad capabilities, especially when I used it to climb up some of the treacherous hills on the side of the road to a few peaceful retreats.
If i was to compare this truck to any midsized/(supposedly compact) built in the US I'd say the only one that comes close is the Toyota Tacoma, second would be the Ford Ranger, third would be the Nissan Frontier. Sorry the Canyon/Colorado trucks just don't even come remotely close to the Mitsubishi Triton/L200. The Mitsubishi Raider here in the US is not the same truck as this. It is actually a dressed up Dodge Dakota. Trust me if you ever had the opportunity to drive one you would almost hate yourself for selling it as I did. Unfortunately I had to because I was coming back to the States.
If I was able to import this truck AND doing whatever it took to make it pass these retarded US EPA regulations I would go for it. Even if the total cost plus importing it stateside would cost me twice as much than it did in Malaysia I would still do it because it's that damn good of a compact truck.
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TBlueMax 11:45AM (5/23/2008)
"If i was to compare this truck [Mitsu Triton] to any midsized/(supposedly compact) built in the US I'd say the only one that comes close is the Toyota Tacoma, second would be the Ford Ranger, third would be the Nissan Frontier."
I would almost agree with you, except I completely disagree with you.
Having driven all the trucks mentioned (including both the USDM Ranger, the Thai-DM Ranger, the Thai-DM Triton, and USDM Raider - 4 completely different vehicles). I would put the Tacoma and Frontier on par for the top spot with the Thai-DM Ranger and Thai-DM Triton a close second, and the rest of the trucks in a lower-tier altogether. The asian- and euro-Ranger is a stellar truck compared to the USDM Ranger and folks who have test-driven a Raider wouldn't think the Triton was even made by the same company (no surprises there really), with the Triton being a superior product. However, for all around capability and well-roundedness (however you want to take that), the Taco and Frontier rule the roost.
Of course, that's just my opinion based on my experiences overseas and I haven't driven those trucks in Malaysia which may make a difference.
Good to know that there are some really great products out there, unfortunately not all are offered here.
I am, however, excited to see the Holden Ute coming stateside as the Pontiac G8 ST, although I'm still pining for the Denali XT concept truck http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/06/chicago-2008-gmc-denali-xt-concept-is-ute-ifu/
Best wishes to all for a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.
mk 12:09PM (5/23/2008)
That little mitsubishi thing is almost exactly what I wish Subaru would bring back, with the advent of their new boxer diesel.
Something small, utilitarian, but not atrociously ugly, or outdated before it even starts.
I would buy one of those things used long before I would ever consider a Pontiac Sport truck thingie.
I am kinda wanting an occaisional use utility vehicle with a small diesel engine and AWD, and sport needs to be no part of it. I have a gasoline turbo AWD car, and a RWD sports car for sport.
But I don't want a giant pickup truck to deal with. A unibody vehicle with a 4-cyl diesel, that can do what it does, but do it well, without thinking that it needs to be a kenworth.
dibbage 10:11AM (5/23/2008)
Am I missing something here, that is obviously a Holden grill. What makes people think this is the Pontiac?
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Avinash machado 10:16AM (5/23/2008)
Pontiac G8 Sport Truck is a rebadged Holden Commodore Ute.
dibbage 10:23AM (5/23/2008)
I know that. But this looks like the Holden version, not the pontiac. Maybe it is camo'd because the Holden profile is going to be inline with the Pontiac's now? The writer said "even without a clear shot of the obvious Pontiac grill". But it's obviously a Holden grill.
Michael Harley 11:02AM (5/23/2008)
According to our source... “The only one (photo) that really shows that it is a Pontiac grille is the one where the truck is driving away, and even then it is hard to make out. Trust me though, in person, it was VERY clear."
- Mike
Philthy 11:03AM (5/23/2008)
Since it's camouflaged I assume they're testing a LHD Holden ute with the Pontiac's suspension and engine tuning - that or someone's dug up an old ute prototype pic. Still, it doesn't make much sense for testing of an American-market car to take place outside of America.
CBChase 8:52AM (5/24/2008)
No, I don't think you've missed anything. It's obviously a Holden Ute; why on earth would the Pontiac version be in Australia? Why is this even newsworthy?
Warren 10:02PM (5/24/2008)
Dibbage you are right , and all you others think you know everything, that is an old pic circa 2006 of 2 Holden SS or SV6 utes, not pontiac at all. Not eveything is realated to the USA. Get over yourself. Oh and if you want a real ute with a good payload try here www.ford.com.au and look at the Falcon ute!