Pontiac G8 resurfaces in Australia as a pair of special-edition Holdens
Holden VE Commodore SS V-Series Special Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery
Holden giveth, and Holden taketh away. While we're still mourning the departure of the Pontiac G8 here in the U.S., the General's Australian subsidiary – whose Commodore gave birth to the G8 in the first place – has just announced a pair of special editions that seem to take back what we've lost.
The Holden VE Commodore SS V-Series Special Edition – available in sedan, Sportwagon and Ute body-styles – ditches the Australian brand's usual grille in favor of a twin nostril front end with a splitter down low and a pair of hood scoops up top. Look familiar? It's a Pontiac G8 GT, only without the Pontiac emblem. They just wiped the arrowhead off with a tissue like it was an errant booger. There's also the...um, sophisticated-sounding International Special Edition that packs AUS $7,500 of optional equipment, including leather interior and 18-inch alloys, into the
You can read more about the pair in the press release after the jump. But all you really need to know is that the prisoner of GM's war on spending wasn't put to death, it was just sent off to Australia until the parts supply runs out. Press release after the jump, arrowhead-free high-res gallery below.
[Source: Holden]
PRESS RELEASE:
Holden to Launch Two New Special Editions
Holden will hit the streets with two new special edition models delivering very different approaches to Australia's best-selling car range.
The SS V-Series Special Edition sedan, Sportwagon and Ute will achieve immediate attention with styling treatments even more aggressive than Holden's established performance hero models.
For motorists seeking great value, International sedan and Sportwagon models will deliver $7,500 of extra features (based on recommended retail price of extra features) including leather seat trim and 18 inch alloy wheels.
Holden Director of Marketing Philip Brook said the two offerings highlighted the different ways in which Holden special editions stimulated demand in Australia's best-selling range.
"These vehicles cater to motorists at both ends of the Commodore-buying spectrum - those looking for great value and those looking for striking performance looks," Brook said.
"SS V-Series has always been about sports performance and ultimate road presence. Now we've dialled it up even further.
"The International edition is even better value when you combine extra features with the advanced 3.0 litre direct injection engine and 6-speed automatic transmission."
SS V-Series Special Edition Sedan, Sportwagon and Ute
The SS V-Series Special Edition will boast a new aggressive twin nostril front fascia with unique lower splitter and twin letter-box hood scoops. The sedan variant will feature a decklid spoiler and chrome highlights.
On sale from November, the SS V-Series Special Edition will be available in three colours – Phantom black, Red Hot and Voodoo blue.
The Recommended Retail Prices (RRP), not including dealer delivery or Government charges, for the three SS V-Series Special Edition packs are carryover from the standard SS V-Series models and are as follows:
*
VE Ute SS V-Series Special Edition (man) $47,490 RRP
*
VE Commodore sedan SS V-Series Special Edition (man) $55,290 RRP
*
VE Sportwagon SS V-Series Special Edition (man) $57,290 RRP
*
Six-speed automatic transmission +$2,000 RRP
The SS V-Series Special Edition Ute will make its debut at this year's Deni Ute Muster which starts on Friday 2 October.
"Holden has sponsored the Deni Ute Muster for 11 consecutive years and its popularity continues to grow," Brook said.
"The event that attracts the country's most passionate Ute enthusiasts is the perfect place to launch this special edition Ute."
Special Edition International Sedan and Sportwagon
The new International offers an impressive level of standard features, five star safety and the performance and refinement of the all new 3.0 litre Spark Ignition Direct Injection V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The new powertrain offers fuel efficiency that is better than some major four cylinder competitors.
In addition to Omega, the Special Edition Commodore International includes:
*
18 inch alloy wheels (4)
*
Berlina front grille
*
Leather appointed seat trim
*
Leather wrapped steering wheel
*
Bluetooth for compatible mobile phones
*
International badge
*
Chrome decklid eyebrow moulding (sedan only)
*
Rear Park Assist (sedan only as already standard on all Sportwagon models)
On Sale from November, the driveaway pricing for the two International packs is as follows:
*
VE Commodore International Sedan (auto) $35,990 driveaway
*
VE Commodore International Sportwagon (auto) $37,990 driveaway
*
Metallic paint $500
A 3.6 litre dual fuel LPG Alloytec V6 engine with four-speed automatic transmission is available on Commodore International sedan only.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Tang 11:48AM (10/01/2009)
The Commodore Sportwagon looks like it would trump the Dodge Magnum by a factor of infinity and change
Reply
MemphisNET 12:12PM (10/01/2009)
Especially since it's been discontinued!!
Hey, give it to Chrysler -- at least they weren't a bunch of wussies and actually made a RWD V8 wagon!
Jei 12:13PM (10/01/2009)
That would be an interesting comparo (Pontiac G8 Sportwagon GXP v. Magnum RT or SRT8) to see. It would've been informative to compare both their performance claims and their utility credibility.
Aeromax 12:14PM (10/01/2009)
Comeon GM, at LEAST give us some Commodore cop cars...
Aeromax 12:14PM (10/01/2009)
Oops that wasn't meant as a reply.
James 1:13PM (10/01/2009)
GM, why waste a successful rebadge model of a G8...
Why not cater/supply it to Penske (as a last ditch effort) as a Saturn G8...
Jei 4:12PM (10/01/2009)
@ James:
That's a good thought. Holden would be eager to ship all the capacity Saturn would take for a version of the G8. And it would be a good re-starting point for the brand to have a very capable platform for a large car.
Wheelnut 5:53AM (10/02/2009)
IMHO it also looks a lot better than the Cadillac wagon
Mehdi Cheddadi 11:54AM (10/01/2009)
I wouldn't mind a UTE.
Reply
This Man. 11:54AM (10/01/2009)
Someone buy that ST/El Camino lookin thing, put it on a boat, and scare the crap outta folks after applying the obligatory 3 dollar Pontiac badge on the front!
Reply
jv2k 11:55AM (10/01/2009)
They gotta do something with all those pontiac parts they have lying around.
Reply
MeiSooHaityu 12:15PM (10/01/2009)
Bingo...Probably promissed the vendor a certain volume for parts, and now they are forced sell those parts.
mk15 12:00PM (10/01/2009)
It always looked good, even with the Pontiac emblem... people just cannot get past the idea of a Pontiac logo on their car, but I say people should appreciate a car for what it is.
But this makes me more envious of the Aussies, although how they get by with what I hear are draconian traffic laws is beyond me.
Reply
yosh 12:02PM (10/01/2009)
This is one of my favourite cars to ever come out and I have nothing but good things to say about it. If I hadn't messed up, I'd be out of college by now with a job and this G8 would be parked outside my house. Real pity that by the time I get into the workforce, this monster will be gone.
IMO the Pontiac nostrils look far sexier on this car than the standard Holden grille. I really want this car!
Reply
leigh 12:15PM (10/01/2009)
@mk15: you're probably confusing Australia with New Zealand when you refer to draconian traffic laws. ours are all much the same as the US, albeit adapted to RHD/left lane.
Reply
Carlos 12:24PM (10/01/2009)
I didn't like GM before the bailout and I really don't like them now. This is one more reason why GM should have gone bankrupt. You don't take a risk making a business and then when you get lulled into mediocrity and your products don't sell you look for a hand out.
Reply
D 12:35PM (10/01/2009)
so r these LHD????
Reply
ForgedInternals 1:15PM (10/01/2009)
LHD is not legal in Australia, This is just what GM is doing with all the leftover G8 fascias.
Chris 5:30AM (10/04/2009)
LHD are legal in Australia, just not (generally) anything under 30 years.
Berto 1:49PM (10/01/2009)
B-but these belong to us!
Damn you GM! I understand selling leftover stock to someone else if we didn't want to buy it, but you didn't even give us the opportunity to buy the ute or sportwagon?
How about you send a couple of them "special edition" Utes over here...
Reply