Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA, Sedans/Saloons, Pontiac
SEMA Preview: 638-horsepower Pontiac G8 GXP Street Concept
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One of the best parts about SEMA is getting to see the manufacturers build cars they might not otherwise. Take this G8 GXP Street Concept, for example. Sure, the 415-horsepower 6.2L V8 in the standard G8 GXP is plenty good enough, but why not stuff the new LSX454 crate engine from GM Performance Parts underneath the hood? The 7.4L V8 is good for a ZR1-matching 638 horsepower and 600 lb-ft torque, allowing this G8 to unashamedly call itself a true muscle car. Other features include stiffer springs and the brake package from the CTS-V as well as 20-inch black chrome wheels. The exterior has been given an aggressive makeover with a new front fascia with unique upper and lower grilles and a rear fascia that incorporates a diffuser and performance exhaust system. Inside are custom leather seats and a new gauge cluster. More details and plenty of photos are soon to come when we hit the show floor next week. Thanks for the tip, Jonathon!
[Source: GMInsideNews.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Esprit bird 12:35PM (11/01/2008)
Pontiac trying to do what its supposed to do...be a performance division.
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P.V. 12:42PM (11/01/2008)
Agreed. I'm glad that the performance in Pontiac is still alive (given that the rumor about the G8 switching to FWD is unsubstantiated and probably untrue).
KingCyrus 12:47PM (11/01/2008)
Ride.Or.Die.
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Torrent 12:47PM (11/01/2008)
I'm am really (NOT) digging that grille.
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larry a 1:51PM (11/01/2008)
The whole front end is hideous
ddorsey 6:19PM (11/01/2008)
I think it's functional...looks very functional to me, and function>form.
tankd0g 12:02PM (11/02/2008)
Looks like a stainless steel gas grill I saw at Home Depot.
nlawless 12:59PM (11/01/2008)
Ummm.....I think I just drooled on myself! Yes please!!! I hope that the LS9 crate motor will fit without too much modification. Maybe they should do it as an option and call it the GXP-R...
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RamblinReck89 1:10PM (11/01/2008)
I wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating cookies, but with some better wheels I'd be looking for a place to put a ring so I could spend my life with it. All the practicality of a family sedan, but with more fun under the hood than you can shake a stick at? Its like marrying a woman who can mother your kids, cook, clean, do laundry, get you beer, and do all the other stuff you get a wife for 'cus you don't like to do yourself, but she also happens to be an exceptionally skilled nymphomaniac who leaves you waking up every morning with that stupid grin still plastered on your face.
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john.paulsson 1:20PM (11/01/2008)
Well put :P
John 1:36PM (11/01/2008)
No no, I think you are thinking of the CTS-V, cause at least then she'd also be really good looking . . .
fmwso 4:33PM (11/01/2008)
couldn't have said better myself, some better wheels would be perfect!!
DingoM 1:44PM (11/01/2008)
Actually I'm more impressed with and a fan of the LSX 454 because even if it were the engine of choice to put under the hood of the ZR1....It would have been a better choice in my opinion. Anyone can slap a supercharger on a block and compete with the big boys. But when you're already the big dog in the alley, why use a blower??? Besides...even though you'll mostly have a bunch of weekend cruisers buying the ZR1, with a supercharger, there's just more that could go wrong. Belts, gaskets, cooling system issues. You do the math.
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RJ 3:17PM (11/01/2008)
The problem with NA engines is fuel economy and emissions. This is what put the last GM BigBlock out of production - the 8.1 on heavy pickups.
To make big power with no forced induction, you're forced to do things like aggressive timing, heavy fueling at low rpm, and high rpm. Take the BMW 5.0 V10 for example - it gets worse mileage than a ZR1, CTS-V, Viper, Ford GT, and just about everything except - other highly tuned NA engines, like the Ferraris, Lambos...
DingoM 3:56PM (11/01/2008)
This is very true...
Robetrt Ryan 3:08PM (11/01/2008)
It looks like Pontiacs version of the Holden HSV W427 except the Holden is a production car.
http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/Holden/HSV/W427/Holden_HSV_W427_production.jpg
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54ca400b 3:19PM (11/01/2008)
A fair bit of HSV Sportswagon in the front as well.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/r8_tourer1.thumbnail.jpg
happy_penguin 1:35AM (11/02/2008)
The G8 is a Holden. That's who makes it.
FuglyRides 3:10PM (11/01/2008)
That looks absolutely and positively like a BMW, especially the profile from the side. I'd say mostly like a 5-series.
- FuglyRides.com
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tristan 10:26PM (11/01/2008)
i love when people say that Pontiac looks like BMW!!!
(the similarities end with two small grills in the front)
the form language could not be more different.