Pontiac G8 GXP rumored to lap Nurburgring in 8:30
After taking a ride in the Pontiac G8 GXP and reading Jonathan's review, our adoration of the Aussie-bred sports sedan continues unabated. Nearly everyone we've talked to about the GXP says the same thing: "budget E39 M5." While the clichéd poor-man's Bimmer trope always causes our eyes to roll back into their sockets, this may be one of the few exceptions. According to Jalop's new reporter, Der Auto Inshiderfahvenberger, the GXP ran around the 'Ring in 8:30 -- a mere two seconds off the E39 M5's time.
The run was supposedly set by one of the GXP's development engineers – not a professional driver – but as always, we're wary of any development mule setting "unofficial" lap times, particularly when a roll cage is fitted, aiding in chassis rigidity. Regardless, it's hard to argue with a four-door sedan coming in under $40-large and delivering this level of performance.
Gallery: 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP - Live Reveal
[Source: Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Michael 4:39PM (11/25/2008)
I really like how this car is shaping up.
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Mobius_1 7:03AM (11/26/2008)
I really like how GM's performance car lineup is shaping up, so much bang for the buck and without (apparently) the poor quality that once troubled them.
Torrent 4:41PM (11/25/2008)
This is a great car. Simply put, If the Camaro wasn't coming out, I would already have one of these on order.
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Dun 7:32PM (11/25/2008)
Can't take the wife and kids to the movies in the Camarro.
Thetruck454 8:17PM (11/25/2008)
you need to have a smaller wife.. and less kids
BigMcLargeHuge 4:43PM (11/25/2008)
Not bad. I'll take a G8 ST GXP manual please!
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RJ 6:04PM (11/25/2008)
Actually, I find it a little disappointing that a $22k, 260hp, fwd Cobalt SS can do an 8:22 lap, while this thing is 8 sec slower.
Either the estimate is conservative, or they're using some mild tires.
naggs 6:37PM (11/25/2008)
the cobalt weighs well over 1000 lbs less than this car, its also faster than an evo or sti.
compare the 4000+lbs sedan with similar vehicles
BoneHeadOtto 10:27PM (11/25/2008)
@RJ
you find it disappointing that a $22k car can best performance cars costing twice that much?? Strange
the only thing i find disappointing is that the Cobalt does not come in a nicer package.
kal326 10:31AM (11/26/2008)
@RJ
Even worse when you consider that the Cobalt probably didn't have a rollcage installed on its 8:22 run. Run a bone stock G8 GXP around the ring and see what the time ends up being.
moyoi 11:26AM (11/26/2008)
could it be that it weighs much more and just bigger in general?
henrykrinkle 4:54PM (11/25/2008)
Pelosi and the gang will be thrilled!
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scrapin240 4:58PM (11/25/2008)
LOL!
Murray 5:11PM (11/25/2008)
GM exec should drive this or 2010 Camaro to congress, the Ford exec in a 2010 Mustang, and the Chrysler guy in a 2009 Challenger. Then tell them since gas is under $2.00 a gallon the muscle car wars are on. They are building real cars people want!
why not the LS2LS7? 5:43PM (11/25/2008)
I don't get it.
Xcountryflyer 4:59PM (11/25/2008)
If I recall, sales of the G8 haven't been stellar. It is too bad GM imports a good car and it doesn't sell that well.
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SPF 5:20PM (11/25/2008)
Pretty sure it has something to do with sky high gas price. Price did come down, but when G8 came out, the gas was d@mn expensive.
Matt 5:03PM (11/25/2008)
This is BY FAR one of GM's best cars...WHY DON"T THEY ADVERTISE IT?????
While other manufactures are making crappy FWD "sport" versions of their cars...GM is making PROPER RWD cars that are very reasonably priced.
Between the Lambda's, CTS, Malibu, and G8, GM has the best line up of any of the big 3.
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cFoo 5:08PM (11/25/2008)
It's because it doesn't fly, if it doesn't fly Wagoner wouldn't know how it feels to sit in one.
zamafir 5:13PM (11/25/2008)
If you had a PROPER RWD sedan with slighly more room inside than a golf, and which was a scant 2 seconds faster around the 'ring with 150 more hp then cars cost $10,000 less would you be marketing that? Nah. You'd just hope someone was in the market to spend $40,000 on a mid sized american car from pontiac.