Autoblog

Holden announces export of RWD Commodore to North America, other bodystyles could follow *UPDATE

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Holden, Australia, Rumormill

Calling it "Holden's worst kept secret," a report in Australia's Drive indicates that the General Motors antipodean brand will announce "very soon" that it will be exporting "thousands of Commodores to the U.S. from 2013." Or, put another way, we will be getting thousands of Chevrolet SS Performance sedans - the Pontiac G8 in a previous life - starting next year.

The report says Holden is divulging the news earlier than planned because leaks just about everywhere, including OnStar, as well as trade-publication reports and speculation about GM's 2013 NASCAR entrant, have got everyone looking southward for confirmation of the answer we already (almost) know.

Drive says our rear-wheel drive Chevrolet will get a revised take on the VF-model Commodore that has an aluminum hood to make it lighter and less aggressive wheel arches to make it more slippery. No hard numbers are attached to the export rumors, but it is expected to number "much fewer than the 50,000-odd" units that were predicted for the Pontiac G8 program.

The scintillating line for bitter enthusiasts still chafing over the confirmed-then-cancelled G8 ST Ute corn tease is that the exports "could also expand to involve ute and sportwagon variants." Drive didn't, but we will emphasize the word "could," since we've been here before. However, that does jive with a report in Car and Driver indicating the same thing. Holden's announcement could be made as soon as ~~later today~~ right now - see below for update.

*UPDATE: Well that didn't take long. General Motors has officially confirmed that the new Holden-derived sedan sold in the U.S. will be called simply Chevrolet SS. The "limited production" SS will race in NASCAR beginning with the 2013 Daytona 500 and will appear in showrooms in 2014. GM isn't getting into specifics, but says "The much anticipated Australian-built car will benefit from significant technology advances which enhance overall performance." As to additional bodystyles like a wagon or pickup, well, GM isn't saying. See more in the official press release added below, and click on the image above to get a look at GM's newest racer all camo'd up.

Continue reading Holden announces export of RWD Commodore to North America, other bodystyles could follow *UPDATE

Holden announces export of RWD Commodore to North America, other bodystyles could follow *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: RWD Commodore platform could underpin Caddies, G8 GT could make a comeback

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Truck, Cadillac, GM, GMC, Australia

Pontiac G8 ST - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With Pontiac's death official, Holden stands to lose around $1 billion annually with the demise of the Pontiac G8. However, Holden doesn't plan to go quiet into night. The Aussie automaker has drawn up plans to offer the rear-wheel drive Commodore platform to Cadillac and GMC.

Although GM's CEO, Fritz Henderson, has confirmed that the G8 won't live on, there's a chance it could be used by law enforcement in the States, and with Cadillac's recent attempts to inject more RWD models into the mix (save the Epsilon II-based sub-CTS), the Zeta architecture could be used for a new line of Caddies.

More interestingly, with GMC safe - for now - from sharing a grave with Pontiac (not to mention the inevitable liquidation of Hummer, Saab and Saturn), Holden could make a case for importing the stillborn G8 ST 'ute to the U.S. as a fuel-efficient alternative to GMC's otherwise big and thirsty pick-ups. Where there's a niche, GM normally likes to fill it, and while the case for the Zeta-based Cadillacs could be made -- particularly as GM seeks to downsize the platform to aid its survival -- the G8 ST's revival seems far less plausible.

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

[Source: GoAuto]

REPORT: RWD Commodore platform could underpin Caddies, G8 GT could make a comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

CES 2009: The cars of CES

Chris Tutor — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, CES, Pontiac

Click above to view a high-res gallery of the cars of CES 2009

The doors to the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show don't officially open until Thursday morning, but we got a sneak preview of the setup going on in the LVCC's North Hall. That's where most of the automotive action will be concentrated and there are plenty of wild rides lining the halls.

You'll notice that in most of the photos, like the Galpin Scythe (above), the exhibitors' booths are far from complete. As the week unfolds, we'll bring you more from the floor and attempt to get our hands on some of the best car-related tech in Vegas. For Alex, the original KITT's here - or at least a close facsimile - and for all you Pontiac G8 ST fans, Azentek/Navigon has everyone's favorite stillborn ute on hand, although it could just be a Holden Commodore with a G8 nose job. We'll find out more tomorrow, so stay tuned.

UPDATE: We spoke with Azentek about their G8 ST. Apparently it is indeed one of the only G8 STs in existence. Donnie Zanney of Azentek says his company is just down the road from GM and, like a good neighbor, lets the tech company borrow a car every now and then. Unfortunately, yes, they have to give it back.

Gallery: CES 2009: The cars of CES

CES 2009: The cars of CES originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

2010 Pontiac G8 ST may get direct-inject V6

Chris Shunk — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, GM, Pontiac, Rumormill

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

The Pontiac G8 Sport Truck was originally supposed to be powered only by General Motors' 361-horsepower 6.0L V8, but tough fuel economy standards and customer demand for fuel efficient products have conspired to change the General's plans. Edmunds Inside Line quotes an anonymous senior engineer at the General saying that the unique sport ute will receive automaker's 3.6L V6, as well. That's good news for fuel economy, but the better news is that the 3.6L V6 of choice will be the direct injection versoin. That will likely give the G8 ST the same 300+hp as the 2010 Camaro and Cadillac CTS. That should also make the base ST more appealing to enthusiasts and the average Joe, with more power at the pedal and a healthier torque curve. The DI version of GM's 3.6L V6 will also likely be available in the base G8 sedan for the 2010 model year, as well.

It makes sense that GM would go with direct injection for the G8 ST, as the General has already promised the powerful V6 for the Chevy Traverse and Camaro. Putting DI in more vehicles will help drive down the cost of producing these more high-tech engines economy of scale while also giving customers V8ish performance with V6ish fuel economy. Keep in mind, however, that though a GM engineer was quoted, none of this is official word from GM, so plans could change.

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

[Source: Inside Line]

2010 Pontiac G8 ST may get direct-inject V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pontiac El Cami-"NO"

Alex Nunez — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., GM, Pontiac

It comes as little surprise, but Cars.com has all but confirmed that the "El Camino" moniker has been nixed as a potential name of the new G8 Sport Truck. The site reports from a recent media event that a Pontiac spokesperson said that there was internal strife regarding use of the Chevy-associated nameplate on a Pontiac vehicle. Frankly, we agree with this decision. If GM wanted a legit El Camino, it would have simply handed the Ute to the Chevy division. GM has mismanaged its vehicle naming process enough as is -- one needn't look any further than Pontiac, where it's nuthin' but a "G" thang, baby... unless you're talking Vibe or Solstice. Way to be consistent, guys. Like everyone else, we're curious to learn what the badge applied to the G8 truck's tailgate will read, and it sounds like we should hear something fairly soon. Now, can we have another contest to give the G8 sedan a real name, too? Bonneville sounds nice to us...

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

[Source: Cars.com]

Pontiac El Cami-"NO" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 May 2008 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New York 2008: The Ute has landed! Live Reveal of the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:18:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Truck, Pontiac

Click above for a high-res live gallery of the 2010 Pontiac Sport Truck

Again with musical accompaniment from the Young Lords, Maximum Bob Lutz heralded the return of the ~~El Camino~~ Pontiac G8 Sport Truck to the U.S. market for the first time in over two decades. Joining Lutz to make the sales case for how wonderful the new G8 ST was Fifty Cent who the company claims is a loyal Pontiac owner. We've already heard all the specs on the new Ute, so we won't bore you with them again here. Click to visit our previous post with all the deets. The platform is a longer wheelbase version of the one under the G8 sedan, and the suspension remains all-independent, although the rear end has been beefed up to provide some load carrying and towing capacity. This thing is no replacement for a Silverado in terms of capability, but for those that need to grab some bags of mulch from your local big box store or tow a pair of jet skis to the lake, the ST provides a much more car like ride and performance pretty close to the G8 GT sedan. The Sport Truck has the same 361-hp 6.0L V8 as the G8 sedan, along with the six-speed autobox through which 385 lb-ft of torque flow to the rear end. Sometime between now and late next year GM will announce what the real name of the ST, is but you can make your voice heard (whether anyone is actually listening is another story) at www.pontiac.com/namethiscar.

[Source: Pontiac]

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck - Live Reveal

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

Continue reading New York 2008: The Ute has landed! Live Reveal of the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck [w/VIDEO]

New York 2008: The Ute has landed! Live Reveal of the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

No El Camino for you! Pontiac pickup will be named G8 ST

John Neff — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:36:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Pontiac, Australia

Mike Levine over at Pickuptruck.com has managed to scoop a tasty nugget of info about the Pontiac-branded ute that will soon be for sale in the U.S. The Aussie-import based on the same platform as the rear-wheel-drive G8 sedan will be called the G8 ST, as in "Sport Truck".

That pang of disappointment you feel is the missed opportunity of paying homage to GM's most well known car-based pickups and their colorful names: the Chevy El Camino and GMC Caballero. Rather than dubbing Pontiac's ute the "Tamale" or "El Camino Redux", we get a measly little two-letter suffix. Sigh.

Also of note is that the pickup will only be available with a 6.0L V8 and is likely to start around $31,000.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

Gallery: Holden VE Ute

No El Camino for you! Pontiac pickup will be named G8 ST originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments