Autoblog

The V8-powered Pontiac G8 GT has garnered a fair amount of respect around Autoblog HQ, with almost everyone who's spent time behind the wheel singing the praises of the Aussie-imported four-door muscle car. We're all suckers for rubber-melting torque and rear-wheel motivation, and even El Capitan Neff has thought about retiring his Alero for a shot at G8 ownership. For the rest of us, a six-speed manual would seal the deal.

Next year Pontiac will finally offer a proper cog swapper on its G8 GXP, and not only do drivers get to row their own gears, but they're getting an extra 13 horses and 15 lb.-ft. of torque to boot. The SAE has finally performed its official testing on the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 and output is up to 415 horsepower and an equal amount of twist.

With 19-inch HSV wheels framing 14-inch (front) and 12.76-inch (rear) discs and Brembo calipers, a standard LSD and a stiffened suspension, the additional power is just another reason to be smitten by the Pontiac G8 GXP. That, and the Tremac TR060 manual. We'll take ours in slate grey for maximum intimidation. Thanks for the tip, Torrent!


[Source: GMI]

Last week, we linked to a CarDomain piece about a lunch that gang had with GM's Bob Lutz. One of their topics of conversation with the product czar was manual transmissions, and it was reported that the '09 Pontiac G8 GT would be offered with an optional Tremec 6-speed manual transmission. This was certainly welcome news, both to us and readers. Unfortunately, it turns out that this information was, in fact, too good to be true. Pontiac's Jim Hopson dropped us a note this morning to clarify. In it, he writes, "We currently have no plans to offer the Tremec on any other G8 model (including the GT mentioned in the article), although it might be an option we could consider in the future." That's a bummer, and there you have it: The only way you'll be able to get a manual in the Pontiac G8 is if you pony up for the über-caliente GXP performance variant when it arrives later this year. Jim's email, in its entirety, is pasted after the jump.


[Source: Pontiac]

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

CarDomain recently sat for lunch with GM car czar Bob Lutz, and one of the topics that came up was the ever-vanishing manual transmission. Lutz explained that modern automatics are no longer the less efficient option by default, and with CAFE dictating so much nowadays, carmakers can actually improve their fleet average fuel economy more by going with automatics that can be programmed to deliver maximum efficiency (as far as the EPA is concerned, at least). He then went on to state that there will be manuals available in both the Camaro and the 2009 Pontiac G8 GT, which gets a 6-speed unit from Tremec. So if you waited on Poncho's new muscle sedan, your patience will be rewarded. Of course, your patience will also got you a price increase too, but at least those dopey digital auxiliary gauges will be gone, as well.


[Source: CarDomain]

It's a complex issue, this business of oil. With stock markets and unemployment numbers taking their lumps, civilian unrest at oil and food prices, and politicians weighing in with all manner of cures and pronouncements, the Group of Eight nations got together to try and figure something out. The result: they want oil producing companies to produce more oil while they work on creating oil-independent fuel sources.

It's the equivalent of Wimpy saying to Popeye, "For a hamburger today I will gladly pay you on Tuesday." The G8 nations, including the U.S., want more of the black stuff to see them through this rough spot. In the mean time, all countries but Germany pledged to begin exploring nuclear power and building reactors, and examining technology like carbon capture and storage. Think of carbon storage as a sealed, underground landfill for coal plant emissions. If they can get it to work -- and find the space -- they can use more coal without creating more emissions.

An OPEC representative said there would be no decision on any production change until it convenes its next meeting in Vienna on September 9. In the mean time, the retail price of oil has passed $4 nationwide in the U.S. for the first time ever, and you can probably expect to pay more for gas as each week of summer passes.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Donkervoort D8 GT.

When we first laid eyes on the Donkervoort D8 GT back in Geneva in 2007, we couldn't help but be compelled by the minimalist coupe's aggressive styling and performance potential. Now, just over a year since it's initial unveiling, the Dutch specialty automaker has begun production of the D8 GT, with sales beginning in Europe next month.

The GT model finds its inspiration from the original D8, but the changes aren't limited to the addition of a fixed roof. The roof, doors and other components are made of carbon fiber, and extensive use of aluminum along with 14-pound wheels allows the GT to tip the scales at just over 1,400 pounds. Motivation is provided by an Audi-sourced, turbocharged 1.8-liter four that can be tweaked to output 180, 210 or 270 hp. In top of the line guise, the G8 GT won't have any problems sprinting to 60 in less than four seconds.

Donkervoort is looking to produce 50 DB GTs each year, with the cost of entry pegged at 90,000 euros.


[Source: Donkervoort]

Click above for a gallery of the turbocharged APS HSV Commodore.

APS is in the business of making power and that's exactly what they've done for the new Pontiac G8 GT and its Aussie-spec sibling, the Holden Commodore HSV. The tuner's Stealth Intercooled turbocharger setup uses two water-cooled turbos mounted deep into the engine bay, just ahead of the transmission, to ensure underhood temps are kept in check – road debris be damned. According to APS, the system is a straightforward, bolt-in affair, utilizing a right-sized, aluminum, air-to-air intercooler, seven pounds of boost and a pair of TIAL 38mm external wastegates to bleed off exhaust gases and optimize throttle response. While APS hasn't installed the system on a Pontiac G8 GT yet, they've strapped its own blown HSV (with a three-inch cat-back exhaust) onto the rollers of a Dyno Dynamics dyno and produced 557 hp and 583 lb.-ft. of torque while running 93-octane. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but considering how impressed we were with the standard G8 GT, this setup has the potential to redefine the bang-for-the-buck quotient in the segment.



[Source: APS via FreshTarmac]

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...


[Source: Cars.com]

SpeedTV did a video podcast featuring Adam Carolla -- along with SpeedTV's Kendall, and 50 Cent -- flogging a Pontiac G8 around a track. Carolla gets a check mark for being able to make jokes at speed and while in a spin. Whether he's actually funny, we'll let you decide. Since it wasn't done as a trial for the US Top Gear, and we have no idea what he was meant to be doing -- or allowed to say -- we shouldn't judge too harshly. But Clarkson doesn't have anything to worry about just yet...

[Source: Final Gear via Jalopnik]

Click above to view more high-res live shots of the Pontiac G8 GXP

It's a rare occurrence when honest applause breaks out in a press conference over a new model, let alone a transmission. But that's exactly what happened when Maximum Bob talked up the Pontiac G8 GXP, and specifically its optional six-speed manual transmission. Mated to that highly coveted cog swapper is the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 pulled from the Corvette, making 402 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. If you opt for the 6L80 auto 'box, you can check your manhood and an extra two lb.-ft. of torque at the door.

In addition to the upgraded engine and manual tranny, the GXP benefits from the 19-inchers originally shown on the G8 concept, Brembo brakes (sized 14-inches up front and 12.76 inches out back) and some revised suspension bits. Zero-to-60 times are down to 4.7 seconds and the G8 GXP (along with the Solstice coupe and 'ute) are all due to hit dealers later this year.

Pontiac's full press release is posted after the jump, and our own live high-res shots can be seen in the gallery below (we're going to be adding more as soon as the pandemonium surrounding the vehicle dies down.

Click above for hi-res gallery of the Pontiac G8 GXP

The Northeast is the Pontiac division's largest market, and the brand -- which has played the stepchild in recent years, banished to the outer limits of exhibition halls -- is finally getting its own coming out party in New York next week. The resurgent Performance Division will flex its muscles at the Javits Center. Joining the 2010 G8 sport truck (and maybe another newcomer sporting the Arrowhead badge) is the highly-anticipated Pontiac G8 GXP.

The new Poncho flagship wears subtle visual tweaks including updated front and rear fascias plus the same 19" HSV wheels that were shown on the G8 concept. More importantly, the GXP packs GM's 6.2L LS3 V8 underhood. In this application (it's also in the Vette, where it makes even more power), the small-block punches out 402 horses and 400 lb-ft of torque rearward via a Tremec 6-speed manual gearbox or a HydraMatic 6L80 auto. (Add another 2 pound-feet of twist if you opt for the latter.) A fully-adjustable suspension helps keep the muscle sedan planted to the tarmac, and stopping power comes from the gang at Brembo. Look for an upgraded interior with glitzier trim and well-bolstered leather sport seats. A Pontiac stand littered with V8s? It's sure been a while. Welcome back to the party, guys. Let the wanton tire destruction begin!

We'll have plenty of live shots for you from the floor on Wednesday.


[Source: GM]