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: Pontiac G8 Sedan, Wagon and Ute to be sold... in Australia]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/report-pontiac-g8-sedan-wagon-and-ute-to-be-sold-in-austral/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/report-pontiac-g8-sedan-wagon-and-ute-to-be-sold-in-austral/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/report-pontiac-g8-sedan-wagon-and-ute-to-be-sold-in-austral/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


The ill-fated Pontiac G8 ST - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's sad enough that the dizzying, platform-sharing, don't-call-it-rebadging upcoming product extravaganza General Motors unveiled to the Twitterati and media last week did not include the terms Zeta, Pontiac, G8, or any derivative thereof, but if a new report out of Australia is accurate, Holden is about to pour salt in America's wound - with an iodine chaser. Carsales.com.au claims to have an internal Holden memo stating that our friends Down Under will not only be able to purchase a Pontiac G8 SS-V sedan, but Wagon and Ute variants as well. (SS-V is the equivalent trim level to the U.S.-market G8 GT.)

These final Pontiac G8s will reportedly be offered through Holden dealerships (natch) as special limited-edition models. The reason? Simple: a final run of G8s made specifically for the Aussies will allow Holden to clean out some of the remaining Pontiac G8 part stock it currently has sitting around with nowhere to go. Dealer sources told Carsales.com.au that they expect the total run to be in the neighborhood of 1,500 cars, with the breakdown split fairly evenly among the three body styles.

Pontiac G8: the car that didn't deserve to die, that no one wants to see die, and that, so far, refuses to die quietly. Thanks to Stephen for the tip.


Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST


[Source: Carsales.com.au]

REPORT: Pontiac G8 Sedan, Wagon and Ute to be sold... in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingg8holdenlimited editionLimitedEditionpontiacPontiac G8 SS-VPontiac G8 UtePontiac G8 WagonPontiacG8Ss-vPontiacG8UtePontiacG8Wagonspecial editionSpecialEditionSS-vWed, 19 Aug 2009 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Melbourne 2008: Holden unveils VE Sportwagon and adds SS for flavor]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/melbourne-2008-holden-unveils-ve-sportwagon-and-adds-ss-for-fla/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/melbourne-2008-holden-unveils-ve-sportwagon-and-adds-ss-for-fla/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/melbourne-2008-holden-unveils-ve-sportwagon-and-adds-ss-for-fla/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click image for a high-res gallery of the VE Sportwagon SS-V

Wagons are cool. They're practical, too -- a fact most of the world outside North America seems to fully understand. Alas, we're here in the land of the crossover. Sure, there are some nice ones, but they aren't nearly as fun as what Holden has brewing. Following up the "concept" that made its debut in Sydney last October, Holden has formally unveiled the VE Sportwagon, which comes in the same range of trim levels as the VE Commodore sedan, up to and including the musclebound, tire-immolating SS-V, which is shown above.

Depending on trim level, non-SS models generally come with one of two 3.6L Alloytec V6 engines (this is the same 3.6 you'll find in any number of US GM vehicles -- the Alloytec-branded motors are manufactured in Australia, however). The standard one is good for 241 hp / 243 lb-ft via a 4-speed automatic. The "high-output" version delivers 261 hp / 250 lb-ft courtesy of a 5-speed auto with a manumatic feature. The SSvand SS-V get the 6.0L, 362-horsepower / 390 lb-ft V8 as standard equipment. It's mated to a 6-speed automatic, also with a manual-shift feature. Optionally, the Calais V can be had with this powertrain as well.

The SS-V is our fave, with HID lamps, big 19" wheels, and the full muscle-machine look of its sedan counterpart, just with more space for your stuff. Sadly, Pontiac won't be getting a version of the VE Sportwagon, which would have been a much cooler Poncho family hauler than the '87 Safari 9-seater (navy blue with the woodgrain stickers and yacht-like steering) this Autoblogger learned to drive in. Chalk up yet another win for Aussie gearheads, who'll get a highly practical and stylish vehicle that can do burnouts at will.

Gallery: 2008 Holden VE Sportwagon SS-V


Gallery: 2008 Holden VE Sportwagon Calais V


[Source: Holden]

Continue reading Melbourne 2008: Holden unveils VE Sportwagon and adds SS for flavor

Melbourne 2008: Holden unveils VE Sportwagon and adds SS for flavor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calaiscalais VCalaisVSSSS-Vve sportwagonVeSportwagonThu, 28 Feb 2008 21:55:00 EST<![CDATA[In The Autoblog Garage: Holden Commodore SS V-Series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/19/in-the-autoblog-garage-holden-commodore-ss-v-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/19/in-the-autoblog-garage-holden-commodore-ss-v-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/19/in-the-autoblog-garage-holden-commodore-ss-v-series/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click image to view high-res gallery of the Holden Commodore SS V-Series

Since the Pontiac G8 burst onto the scene at the Chicago Auto Show heralding a new era of affordable, rear-wheel drive GM sedans, interest in the new vehicle has been intense. Based on GM's new Zeta platform, the G8 is actually an Australian Holden Commodore under the skin and is set to be manufactured Down Under at Holden's Elizabeth plant in South Australia. This could give us a great opportunity to tell you all about how the Pontiac G8 will feel and drive long before one lands on U.S. soil. That is, so long as Autoblog has someone actually in Australia - someone who can convince Holden to lend us a Commodore SS V-Series. Well we do, and they did.

[Images: Dane Muldoon and Damian Griggs]

Gallery: Autoblog Garage - Holden VE Commodore SS V-Series

Continue reading In The Autoblog Garage: Holden Commodore SS V-Series

In The Autoblog Garage: Holden Commodore SS V-Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6.0 litrechicago auto showcommodoreg8gmholdenmorpheousplatformpontiacsigmass v-seriesss-vv8vezetaMon, 19 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Holden gearing up for increased global exports]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/24/holden-gearing-up-for-increased-global-exports/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/24/holden-gearing-up-for-increased-global-exports/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/24/holden-gearing-up-for-increased-global-exports/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Holden Commodore SS-V

In the latest hint that the Holden Commodore SS-V is headed to the US to be the new Pontiac Grand Prix, the Australian website GoAuto reports that GM Holden is preparing for a possible future in which it sells more vehicles overseas than it does in Australia. In an interview with the website, Holden chairman and managing director Denny Mooney said of the heavily-rumored Pontiac deal, "You will see an announcement in the next three to four months. Assuming it happens, (shipments) would start a little beyond that. I am not making an official announcement (in this discussion)."

That sure sounds like a "yes" (with a little CYA thrown in at the end), which jibes perfectly with earlier reports that the Holden-sourced GP will be unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show in February. Mooney expects the Grand Prix to be more successful than the previous Holden import, the GTO because the US has a much greater demand for sedans than it does for coupes. We agree there, but also feel that the next GTO, which will borrow more from Pontiac's heritage than the rebadged Holden Monaro that previously bore the name, should connect better with consumers.

There's more. read the rest after the jump.

[Source: John Mellor/GoAuto.com]

Continue reading Holden gearing up for increased global exports

Holden gearing up for increased global exports originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Nov 2006 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commodoredenny mooneyDennyMooneygm holdenGmHoldengrand prixGrandPrixholdenss-vFri, 24 Nov 2006 17:57:00 EST