Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: RWD Commodore platform could underpin Caddies, G8 GT could make a comeback]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/report-rwd-commodore-platform-could-underpin-caddies-g8-gt-cou/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/report-rwd-commodore-platform-could-underpin-caddies-g8-gt-cou/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/report-rwd-commodore-platform-could-underpin-caddies-g8-gt-cou/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


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]]>cadillacg8 stG8Stgmgmcpontiacpontiac g8 stPontiacG8StrwdutezetaFri, 01 May 2009 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009: The cars of CES]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/ces-2009-the-cars-of-ces/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/ces-2009-the-cars-of-ces/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/ces-2009-the-cars-of-ces/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Tutor / Weblogs, Inc.

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]]>cesces 2009ces automotiveCes2009CesAutomotiveg8 stG8Stgalpin auto sportsgalpin scythegalpin scythe conceptGalpinAutoSportsGalpinScytheGalpinScytheConceptkenwoodWed, 07 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Pontiac G8 ST may get direct-inject V6]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/2010-pontiac-g8-st-may-get-direct-inject-v6/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/2010-pontiac-g8-st-may-get-direct-inject-v6/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/2010-pontiac-g8-st-may-get-direct-inject-v6/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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]]>3.6L v63.6lV6direct injectionDirectInjectionG8 SedanG8 sport truckG8 STG8SedanG8SportTruckG8StPontiac G8PontiacG8Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Pontiac El Cami-"NO"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/pontiac-el-cami-no/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/pontiac-el-cami-no/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/pontiac-el-cami-no/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



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]]>breakingel caminoel camino nixedel camino outElCaminoElCaminoNixedElCaminoOutg8g8 sport truckg8 stg8 truck naming contestG8SportTruckG8StG8TruckNamingContestThu, 08 May 2008 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[New York 2008: The Ute has landed! Live Reveal of the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/new-york-2008-the-ute-has-landed-live-reveal-of-the-pontiac-g8/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/new-york-2008-the-ute-has-landed-live-reveal-of-the-pontiac-g8/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/new-york-2008-the-ute-has-landed-live-reveal-of-the-pontiac-g8/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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]]>2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck2010PontiacG8SportTruckbreakingg8 STG8Stnew yorknew york 2008new york auto showNewYorkNewYork2008NewYorkAutoShowpontiac G8 sport truckpontiac G8 STPontiacG8SportTruckPontiacG8StWed, 19 Mar 2008 13:18:00 EST<![CDATA[No El Camino for you! Pontiac pickup will be named G8 ST]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/30/no-el-camino-for-you-pontiac-pickup-will-be-named-g8-st/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/30/no-el-camino-for-you-pontiac-pickup-will-be-named-g8-st/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/30/no-el-camino-for-you-pontiac-pickup-will-be-named-g8-st/#commentsFiled under: , ,



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]]>g8 stG8Stpontiac g8pontiac g8 stpontiac pickuppontiac truckpontiac utePontiacG8PontiacG8StPontiacPickupPontiacTruckPontiacUteFri, 30 Nov 2007 11:36:00 EST