Pontiac G8 GXP officially rated at 415 hp

Click either image for a high-res gallery
The V8-powered Pontiac G8 GT has garnered a fair amount of respect around Autoblog HQ, with almost everyone who's spent time behind the wheel singing the praises of the Aussie-imported four-door muscle car. We're all suckers for rubber-melting torque and rear-wheel motivation, and even El Capitan Neff has thought about retiring his Alero for a shot at G8 ownership. For the rest of us, a six-speed manual would seal the deal.
Next year Pontiac will finally offer a proper cog swapper on its G8 GXP, and not only do drivers get to row their own gears, but they're getting an extra 13 horses and 15 lb.-ft. of torque to boot. The SAE has finally performed its official testing on the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 and output is up to 415 horsepower and an equal amount of twist.With 19-inch HSV wheels framing 14-inch (front) and 12.76-inch (rear) discs and Brembo calipers, a standard LSD and a stiffened suspension, the additional power is just another reason to be smitten by the Pontiac G8 GXP. That, and the Tremac TR060 manual. We'll take ours in slate grey for maximum intimidation. Thanks for the tip, Torrent!
Gallery: 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP - Live Reveal
[Source: GMI]











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kumail891 7:34PM (9/08/2008)
only thing i dont like about pontiac's is the red lights everywhere in the interior, it's not even a nice red like in the si, but it's distracting and what not. their logo could also be refreshened, but other than that you have to be a retard not to like this car, or are too interested about saving the environment in your econo-box.
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Rafael Illan 7:37PM (9/08/2008)
is this a GM clone of the e39 M5?
jv2k 8:20PM (9/08/2008)
Logo refreshed? Pontiac has one of the best logos out there right now. It's simple, sleek, and eludes to speed(or it would if it wasn't so heavily associated with sunfires and grand ams).
Shiftright 8:47PM (9/08/2008)
Nobody complains about the red lighting in BMWs. Just saying... But yeah, this is a an intelligent muscle car. Hawt...
Esprit bird 10:01PM (9/08/2008)
Complaining and comparing the color shade of the gauges...
Picky?
the vegas style guy 2:11AM (9/09/2008)
They're called mentally disabled.
Or some crap.
I agree, however.
Torrent 3:55AM (9/09/2008)
jv2k: at least make the Pontiac sign all silver or black, and we'll be all set.... Same thing can be said for you, Chevrolet......
Eponymous 7:36PM (9/08/2008)
This is turning out to be a great couple of years for performance-per-dollar rides. I feel pretty amused when "imported" and "muscle car" share space in a sentence written in America, though.
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stevereportdotcom 7:43PM (9/08/2008)
Watch your back BMW. Poor man's M5 that looks better, and performs like one. Keep the GXP under 40k, and we'll have another winner.
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Randy915 8:22PM (9/08/2008)
BMW doesn't need to watch its back... performance isn't the only factor to consider, there are other things too like refinement and *class*. There's no comparison because they're in a different league other than raw HP numbers.
Calling it a "poor man's M5" is just another way of comforting yourself knowing you can't afford the real thing.
Mario 8:31PM (9/08/2008)
At randy. Did some piss in your corn flakes this morning or did you just buy a m5 to compensate for your misgivings?
dude 1:10PM (9/09/2008)
as long as it lasts more than 10k miles and the tranny doesn't crap out on you like most GM junk
IowaSuby 9:43PM (9/08/2008)
I agree with the point that performance isn't the only thing to look at, you left out badge snobbery. American's sure do love their badges. If the exact same performance car was wearing a pontiac badge and you removed that and slapped a bmw logo on it, people would flock to it. It's sad really.
Frylock350 8:20AM (9/09/2008)
BMW should concern themselves with the CTS-V. Its also cheaper, but faster, nice and has badge appeal.
RealityCheck 7:46PM (9/08/2008)
This is one car that can put Pontiac on the Map. It is a Jr. BMW that can show people what GM can really do if they want to. Now they just need a 3/4 model with a turbo 4 cyl and a turbo 6 cyl and they will fly off the shelves. Of course they will still need the Mom and pop engine but this is how you rebuild a brand in a hurry. If they follow the Audi program and just do the math to create a 3/4 scale model they could do it within 24 months. Just compare it to the Audi 4 and 6 series. They do need an AWD addition ASAP so us winter folk can get one just like I did with the CTS. And yes I spent almost 50k on a CTS because it is that good.
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Trent 7:49PM (9/08/2008)
i'm guessing $34k-36k base. i hope.
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mechanic58 8:11PM (9/08/2008)
I wonder how many nancy-boy pantywastes that have never driven a fast car are going to get killed in these cars? lol....probably a lot. I foresee a large quantity of these cars in salvage yards....with ditchbank damage.
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hidden_hunter 9:12PM (9/08/2008)
Here in Australia it's usually the base 6cyl model that are 10 years old that end up in a ditch.
Torrent 8:04PM (9/08/2008)
Wow it's so ironic I sent this tip in about 45 minutes ago...
*hint, hint*
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Torrent 8:33PM (9/08/2008)
oh..... omg.... is my name actually up there? wtf?
NOW I look stupid......