After 18,000 submissions in the Tame the Name promotion, several months of waiting, polls of G8 enthusiasts and El Camino loyalists, Pontiac has officially announced that the new segment-defining G8 Ute will be called the “G8 ST“. We love the name, however, we’re thinking that Pontiac will need the entire width of the tailgate should they decide to release a “Pontiac G8 ST GXP”. Alphabet soup anyone?
“Frankly, we were blown away by both the volume and quality of the names that were submitted,” said Craig Bierley, BPG product marketing director for cars and crossovers. “‘G8 ST’ was one of the most popular suggestions, plus we noticed a far broader trend toward simple, easy-to-remember names.”
So what about the El Camino nameplate? According to Pontiac, it was one of the more popular entries submitted as a moniker for the G8 ST. However, after months of consideration and feedback from people like you, GM has decided to honor the El Camino’s unique place as part of Chevy’s heritage and not use that nameplate on a Pontiac.”
[Source: GM]
For release: Thursday, August 14, 12:01 a.m. ET
Pontiac G8 ST at a Glance
- Sports car with truck-like cargo and towing capabilities
- V8 engine with Active Fuel Management linked to six-speed automatic
- 74-inch cargo bed and 3,500 lb towing capacity
- Estimated fuel economy near top of vehicles with comparable cargo/towing capacity
- Available in late 2009 as a 2010 model
PONTIAC NAMES ALL NEW SPORT TRUCK THE “G8 ST”
Segment-Defining Vehicle on Target for Late 2009 Launch
Detroit - After sifting through more than 18,000 possibilities, Pontiac has chosen to keep it simple, naming the recently revealed G8 sport truck the “G8 ST.”
Thousands of fans submitted suggestions during a “Tame the Name” promotion, which delayed a final announcement until each possibility was considered and cleared for possible trademark use.
“Frankly, we were blown away by both the volume and quality of the names that were submitted,” said Craig Bierley, BPG product marketing director for cars and crossovers. “‘G8 ST’ was one of the most popular suggestions, plus we noticed a far broader trend toward simple, easy-to-remember names.”
“El Camino” was also a sentimental favorite, given the G8 ST’s resemblance to the classic Chevy.
“We actually thought very long about El Camino,” said Bierley. “In the end, we felt it was more appropriate to honor the El Camino’s unique place as part of Chevy’s heritage and not use that nameplate on a Pontiac.”
Perhaps the ultimate reflection of the blurring line between cars and trucks, the G8 ST will create a unique niche segment in the marketplace: a sports car with truck-like cargo and towing capabilities. Sharing the basic architecture and 361 hp V8 engine as the G8 GT performance sedan, it will offer a 73.9-inch cargo bed that has 42.7 cubic feet of cargo space and can carry a payload of 1,000 pounds (453 kg) or tow a 3,500-pound (1,587 kg) trailer.
Thanks to its six-speed automatic transmission and Active Fuel Management system, the G8 ST should offer some of the best fuel economy numbers for V8-powered vehicles with similar cargo/towing ratings while still turning in zero-to-60 times of 5.4 seconds.
The G8 ST will be available in late 2009 as a 2010 model and will be backed by GM’s industry best 100,000 mile, 5-year powertrain warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.
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Contact:
Jim Hopson
Pontiac Communications
Phone: 313-667-4124
E-mail: jim.hopson@gm.com
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