Click on the image above for our high-res live gallery of the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST
Even the most die-hard enthusiast, dreaming about the 361-hp 6.0-liter V8 under the hood of the upcoming Pontiac G8 Sport Truck, must be having second thoughts about the cost of feeding that thirsty powerplant. With fuel prices rising significantly in just the last few months, the folks at Pontiac are rumored to be considering a six-cylinder option for the G8 ST. The engine, if it finds its way under the hood, would be the same 256-hp 3.6-liter V6 found in the entry-level Pontiac G8 sedan. Not due until the 2010 model year, the V6-powered G8 ST would share the sedan's EPA fuel economy ratings of 17/25, making the sport truck a more feasible for buyers that want to jettison their daily-driven pickups for something with better fuel economy and a bit of utility.
[Source: G8Nation]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
MemphisNET @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:06PM
How about a happy medium. 3.6 DI w/300HP , non-DI & V8 options are dropped all together. I've always preferred V8 power plants, but these modern DIv6's are swaying me away.
You get the power, you get better fuel economy, GM gets a slightly better corporate average and you have a stylish pickup.
TBlueMax @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:37PM
If you're going to mention engines, don't forget to mention swapping the 5-speed auto currently paired with the G8's V6 with GM's 6-speed auto for maximum performance and efficiency. Heck, for that matter, toss in a tuned version of GM's turbo 2.0L Ecotec and pair that up with a 6-speed manual for maximum fun with decent fuel economy.
Incidentally, the DI-V6+auto would be a much smoother cruiser than the turbo-4 w/6MT and would likely hit a different market and price point depending on standard/available equipment.
Wishful thinking.
joe97 @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:40PM
Exactly.
And, Hyundai's Genesis can get 17/25 MPG on its 4.6L V8 @ 375hp, why can't Pontiac G8 with the smaller 3.6L V6 @ 252hp?
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 2nd 2008 2:46PM
joe97:
The article says the G8 V6 Sport Truck would get 17/25. So I don't really understand your question.
Dan @ Jul 2nd 2008 2:53PM
The G8 doesn't get poor mileage because of the engine, it gets poor mileage because it's a two ton vehicle with wide sticky tires and a large frontal area. You aren't going to fix that on the engine side.
The LS block OHV V8 is significantly cheaper to manufacture (and maintain) than a four cam wonder six with high pressure injectors. And it has better power. And it costs you maybe 1 mpg. Win.
Matt @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:04PM
joe97:
The V6 Pontiac G8 DOES get 17/25.
And FYI, the 6.0l V8 in the G8 gets 15/24, which isn't awful considering the size and power increase of the engine.
s13hybrid @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:06PM
I want this Holden, I mean Pontiac! To bad it is not in the cards for me, but the V6 version sure does make it more enticing.
John Johnson @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:09PM
I like the smaller engine idea myself, because these will likely be daily drivers that happen to be trucks, not the other way around. If it's a truck, that you happen to drive every day, it may need a V8. If it's just something you drive, and oh hey it's a truck too, you'll probably never need the V8.
I'd almost be a fan of the 4-cyl turbo in one of these. It's a good engine and it'd get better gas mileage to boot.
MemphisNET @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:00PM
Would the weight and hauling abilities overtax the smaller I4 anyway? You may wind up with no gas savings, along with an engine that is strained to the max all the time, limiting durability.
Re-engineering both drivetrain and the chasis to accept that smaller motor which was not designed to be in there would add massive cost.
If it WORKS, i'd be all for it, but if it's going to be way-underpowered there is no point.
Rene Curry @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:09PM
Did we hear anymore about the contest to name the G8ST and win a G8ST ????
I just gotta win...
I gave away my 170,000 mile 1996 GMC Safari away to my son and have nothing to tow my jet ski & boat!
My 75 horsepower Pinto just doesn't cut the mustard in that department.
Torrent @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:13PM
Now that I think about it, I never heard an update on the contest.
Steve @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:09PM
I dont get why GM has so many variations of the 3.6 engine. Im sure there will be some mixups and different tuned engines will end up in different cars.
Last count:
252hp
255hp
256hp
270hp
275hp
288hpDI
295hpDI
304hpDI
the 3.6 makes 275hp in the Lambdas but going the direct injection route only adds 13hp to 288. In the CTS it makes 252hp regular and adding direct injection takes it to 304. Now all these variations arent solely because of the exhaust system. The internals of these engines is different from one to another.
GM please make life simple for yourself, the customers, and your parts and service mechanics. Just go with 250hp regular, 275hp advanced and 304hp DI.
Johnny @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:15PM
How about simpler than that? DI and Non DI
270hp
310hp
done.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:13PM
With GM using SAE certified HP, it would actually more difficult and require more changes to get the HP exactly the same across all cars rather than just lump it in with the exhaust/intake in the car and find out what it makes.
MikeW @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:44PM
The lamdas have the 3.6HO, it has different cams and slight differences in porting.
http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2008/Whats%20New/HFV6/08_LY7.doc
GM 'only' lists LY7, LLT but there has to be substantial differences in intake/exhaust systems to account for the spread between 252hp and 275hp.
The Buick has the low output version
http://www.autospeed.com.au/cms/A_2264/article.html
If the 3.6HO adopted the intake manifold from the direct injection model [air horn], it would be possible for a 285hp rear drive version, it would make Dan happy.
Dude @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:11PM
Mullet
Yar @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:15PM
How about the new 4.5L Duramax?
Matty @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:16PM
Here's a better idea: don't produce that chimera of an automobile at all. To the guy who wants to use this to tow his jet-ski and boat: what are you thinking? Recall that this is NOT a pickup truck or an SUV. It is a Pontiac G8 chopped into the shape of a pickup truck. Would you use a G8 to tow something? Probably not. If you want a G8, get one, because it's one of the better American cars out there (although I have only seen one on the roads since its launch). However, write to GM and tell them not to produce this beast, since it will only push them further into the hole.
John Johnson @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:28PM
I would disagree, I think there's a good market for smaller trucks, especially since this is the coolest looking truck on the market (IMO).
My friend bought a Tacoma, because he had to have a truck for some reason. Don't ask me why, he's never towed anything and I don't believe anything has ever been in the bed. And he's horrible at driving it. Now he's trying to get out of it because gas sucks. And he's not the only person like this. This truck would be perfect for him.
Matty @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:31PM
Yes but this isn't a truck. It's a sedan with a different back end. Maybe the bed will be a little helpful from a cargo perspective, but since when are G8's suitable for towing things like trucks are? If you want to tow something, you're gonna have to get a truck. If you want cargo, get a wagon. I just don't see a place for this and think it will be a huge mistake for GM.