Pre-pro Pontiac G8 GXP spotted in Australia
Click above for more spy shots of the G8 GXP from G8 Nation
Although we thoroughly enjoyed the fleeting time we spent with the Pontiac G8 GT, what whith its 361 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque and all, it's the upcoming GXP model that truly looks to catapult the Australian-bred sedan back into musclecar territory. We, along with just about every other gearhead, are especially looking forward to the six-speed stick and clutch pedal with which the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 making 402 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque will be paired. Of course, the rest of the car needs to be up to snuff too, so we are happy to take a gander at these spy photos of a pre-production prototype in Australia that indicate the nineteen-inch GXP-specific wheels and big Brembo disc brakes are present and accounted for. A slightly revised front fascia with a lower splitter combine with the rear diffuser to further signify that this is the high-zoot version of Pontiac's sport sedan.
[Source: LS1.com.au via G8 Nation]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mark 2:34PM (8/04/2008)
"Honey, are you ok with a longer engagement, something came up?"
Reply
Marques 3:41PM (8/04/2008)
"...what whith its 361 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of..."
What is "whith?"
Reader 4:09PM (8/04/2008)
Marques, what does your post have to do with Mark's?
Marques 4:12PM (8/04/2008)
Hit the reply button by mistake and wasn't paying attention.
PLEASE FORGIVE ME. I SHALL NEVER DO IT AGAIN.
Matty 3:40PM (8/04/2008)
OK so everyone on Autoblog (bloggers and posters) raves about the Pontiac G8. However, I have seen a grand total of one (1) of these cars on the road. For perspective, this is equal to the number of Audi R8s I've seen on the road and fewer than the number of Gallardos, Carrera GTs, and any Ferrari make I've seen on the road or parked. I divide my time between NY, NJ, and DC, so I don't think it's because people around here can't afford them. Can anyone honestly tell me how many of these have been sold? Does anyone who posts here actually own one of these (CorvetteZR1 need not apply)?
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MJK 3:42PM (8/04/2008)
I saw a few in a recent trip to California, and I see allot here in the Detroit area. Someone must be buying them....right?
Matty 3:45PM (8/04/2008)
I guess but this car is supposed to be a big deal. GM must have a lot riding on it right? I guess people in the Northeast have really moved on from cars like this. I know it sounds like a sweeping generalization but I really do pay attention to what's on the road and I'm not seeing G8's in any trim level around around here.
s13hybrid 3:47PM (8/04/2008)
I have yet to see one. I think it is a very very cool car, it just came at the wrong time. Gas prices are high, so who is going to go out and buy a v8 high performance sedan.....pontiac? If you can afford a high performance car, and want 4 doors, and have no problem with gas prices, you will probably look for something more prestigous than a pontiac (no offense to pontiac, this is a cool car).
Kimura 4:01PM (8/04/2008)
1. What you see in your area is not an accurate representation of the number of any one model on the road throughout the entire country.
2. Check the Sales Ticker figures next time to see the numbers...it's not that hard. However, out of the kindness of my heart I'll do the work for you this time. So far this year they have sold 7,742 G8's, with 1,472 being sold this month.
Yar 3:59PM (8/04/2008)
I've seen 6 or 7 between TX, KY, and FL.
Matty 4:06PM (8/04/2008)
Agreed. Unless you're really into American cars you're probably going to get an entry-level sports sedan from zee Germans for a little more coin once options are settled, but a lot more luxury and prestige. If you don't care about having 4 doors but still want to buy American, you would probably opt for a new camaro or challenger.
IMO I think it's time that Pontiac meets the reaper. The G6 should be folded into Chevy and Saturn, the Solstice should be spared somehow, but the rest can really be killed. I know it's a storied make with a lot of history, but business is business. Also, the axe should fall before that godforsaken G8 'ute comes out and delivers one final kick in the crotch to GM's bottom line.
Moves like this really make me wonder who is doing the accounting and consulting work for GM. I'm coming to the conclusion that GM doesn't feel the need to compete with foreign makes but instead just wants to capitalize on people who want to buy American. Unfortunately, the subgroup of car buyers who will solely buy American seems to be shrinking. Unless the Cruze proves to be a world-beater, and they can whip up a few more hits that are light on fuel consumption but enticing and well-prices, I don't see GM turning around its woes. I know this will probably lead to some heated debate now, but blunders like this car make me question the wisdom of the domestic auto industry.
Paul 4:07PM (8/04/2008)
I have seen about a half dozen in the Philadelphia suburbs
Matty 4:25PM (8/04/2008)
I suppose you can say I live in the Philly suburbs/ NY suburbs (Princeton, NJ). I have yet to see one on the roads here. I saw one parked on the street in DC. I'm aware this may not be a representative sample of the auto-buying public, but it does constitute a diverse, populated swath of the country.
In my area, the cars currently selling like hotcakes are the Honda Fit, for people who want something small and efficient, and the entry-level sedans from the 3 major German manufacturers, for people who want some luxury. I guess the G8 exists in an automotive no-man's land in this part of the United States. Still, having been provided with the sales figures now by Kimura, I am still able to conclude that the car is not moving as well as it should be moving. It looks like it's on pace to sell 15,000 units or so by the end of the year. I'm willing to bet that GM anticipated 20,000 or more sales. Does anyone know what they projected or hoped for when they released this car?
All I'm saying is that this car must have one of the lowest sales to autoblog coverage ratios out there, save for low-production cars (GT-R and ZR1 will account for about 5,000 units on the street total. Ferraris and Lambos make enthusiasts like us drool but of course don't volume-sell). There is no way you can say this car isn't a disappointment for GM, or that GM hasn't missed the mark with the G8.
jg 5:01PM (8/04/2008)
I've seen 2. A black one and a red one. They looked smaller than I'd expected. Sweet as hell too.
rant
From someone who owned a 99 Pontiac Grand Prix bloated FWD pig....FU Pontiac! Now? When gas is $4 a gallon you build a bad ass RWD car?
/rant
Volk 7:56PM (8/04/2008)
To Matty:
I have an explanation for you - very simple actually - American is not considered any longer cool (with the only exception of Apple).
I always have been of an opinion that GM would be much better off if they don't rebadge the cars - just sell Opels as Opels and Holdens as Holdens. All American-made is despised here just because it bears the “made in America” label.
Torrent 10:50PM (8/04/2008)
I've seen like 20 around SoCal
Chase 12:19AM (8/05/2008)
One of my good buds bought one (a G8 GT) off of my recommendation two months ago. Especially after seeing one in person, I was super impressed. In my opinion, its too big to be fun to drive, but for something of its size, there is no better option for twice the cost. And regardless of fun to drive factor, its still fast as hell.
I giggled with the ".. more r8s, lambos, etc..." comment, because that's been my experience also. Then again, I live right next to a Ferrari/Maserati/Lambo dealer, so I might see a hand full of all of the above on any given day. -- I even had a jaunt with a Gallardo on a back road a while back, which was quite a memorable experience. :)
-- But in all fairness, the G8 is brand spanking new still. I don't know who in their right mind would buy a Charger with the G8 around, and Chargers litter the street now-a-days.
I can't wait to see a G8 police cruiser! It has to happen some day soon -- one would look imposing as hell!
Matty 1:00AM (8/05/2008)
Charger starts at 4K cheaper more or less. I understand the G8 is brand new but I don't think anyone will deny that it's under-selling according to GM's expectations.
I think the problem here is that GM still considers its customer base to be a bunch of patriotic domestic-market fans who only want big RWD cars with big V8s. It's hottest seller is of course the Corvette, and I think GM is guilty of extrapolating the demands of the general public from Corvette fans (no disrespect to Corvette fans). While this may be the most vocal segment of GM's base, I don't think a majority of car buyers share these preferences.
Listening to a vocal subset of the general population is of course nothing new among large organizations. It's a major complaint levied at the U.S. government for example, as only extreme partisans on the left and right get their voices heard and their preferences folded into party platforms. Porsche is also guilty of listening very closely to its most vocal customers, but this is a successful move for them because of the great homogeneity among Porsche owners and their economic situations.
Sadly, I think GM needs to only consider the needs of Corvette owners when designing the Corvette. In nearly all of the other segments, it needs to do the exact opposite of what Corvette owners (who on average are 49, make around 125K a year, and own 4+ cars) want. I think the G8 is too much of an attempt to make a Corvette sedan, and there just doesn't seem to be a major market for it.
Torrent 1:16AM (8/05/2008)
"Charger starts at 4K cheaper more or less."
Matty, keep in mind you're talking about the anemic 178 horsepower transmission in the Charger that starts at 4K less than the G8. The closest Charger comparable is the 28K dollar SXT- which starts at 1K more than the G8 but still has almost a dozen less horsepower, and a lower fun-to-drive factor. Even the Charger R/T is around 3K more bucks than the much faster G8 GT, and STILL has less horsepower.
Again, I must confront you about this statement:
"I think the problem here is that GM still considers its customer base to be a bunch of patriotic domestic-market fans who only want big RWD cars with big V8s."
How many big RWD cars with V8's have been made by GM in the last decade? It's OK. I'll wait for you to do your research.
neoscape 3:47PM (8/04/2008)
"We, along with just about every other gearhead, are especially looking forward to the six-speed stick and clutch pedal with which the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 making 402 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque will be paired. "
Are you kidding me? I don't mean to be a dick, but aren't you professional writers? Jeez.
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