Posted on 14 August 2008
Tags: Active Fuel Management, Craig Bierley, El Camino, GXP, Jim Hopson, Pontiac, pontiac g8, sport truck, ST, Ute
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]
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Discuss this post in our Pontiac G8 Forum - (3) Posts
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Posted on 02 July 2008
Tags: El Camino, Jim Hopson, new york auto show, Pontiac, pontiac g8, ST, Ute
Since the unveiling of the Pontiac G8 ST Ute at the New York Auto Show, Pontiac has communicated that the El Camino, ST, or whatever it will be named, would be offered with the identical the 361-hp 6.0L V8 power plant that is found in the Pontiac G8 GT.
G8 Nation has been told that Pontiac is now considering an additional power plant offering. It’s no surprise that this would be the same 3.6L 256-hp V6 found in the G8 V6 sedan, and would have the same 17/25 mpg fuel economy as the V6 sedan.
Pontiac Communications Manager, Jim Hopson said, “I understand there is some discussion about possibly offering the V6 engine in the sport truck. Again, I’d like to know your readers’ opinion, which I will pass on to the marketing and engineering teams.“
Time for another vote and our results will be shared directly with the Pontiac marketing and engineering teams.
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[source: GM]
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Posted on 30 June 2008
Tags: El Camino, Jim Hopson, Pontiac, pontiac g8, sport truck, ST
Back on May 8, we reported that Pontiac was no longer considering the El Camino moniker for the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST. At that time, the information was accurate. However, it seems as though Pontiac may have had a change of heart.
According to an e-mail G8 Nation received from Pontiac Communications Manager, Jim Hopson, Pontiac is again considering ‘El Camino’ as a name for the G8 Ute. There were reportedly more than 18,000 names submitted in the Tame the Name sweepstakes and El Camino is one of many names being considered.
Jim Hopson stated, “El Camino is definitely one of the fan favorites and I do know that it is being considered. As you might suspect, there is a bit of concern about using a classic Chevy nameplate on a Pontiac, so I’d be interested in hearing your readers’ opinion on that point“.
GM has asked for the feedback from G8 Nation readers about the name of the new G8 Sport Truck. Please vote now and let’s have an impact on the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST!
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[Source: GM]
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Posted on 25 May 2008
Tags: chicago tribune, chicago tribune columnist, G8 ST, general motors, Jim Hopson, Jim Mateja, Pontiac, pontiac g8, ST, Ute
In a brief Q&A article by Jim Mateja of the Chicago Tribune, there is one question that was posted by a reader of the Chicago Tribune columnist that relates to the Pontiac G8 ST Ute that was recently spied down under.
“R.H.” of St Chalres asked, “When will General Motors start taking orders for the new El Camino-like Pontiac G8 from Australia?”
The question was directed to Pontiac Communications Manager, Jim Hopson. Jim replied, “You can start placing orders in late summer of 2009 for the two-seat car/truck that comes out that fall as a 2010. Contact a dealer to get on the list”.
Mark your calendars guys, only 15 months to go.
[Source: Chicago Tribune]
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Posted on 20 May 2008
Tags: G8Board.com, Holden, Pontiac, pontiac g8, spy shot, ST, ST, US, Ute
Mike Freeman is currently down under on a business trip. While heading back to his hotel for a little R&R, he peeped a car hauler with two camouflaged utes loaded on it. He noticed that they had Holden wheels and Pontiac grills.
As any G8phile would do, Mike reached for his trusty camera phone and snapped a few shots. He has been kind enough to allow G8Nation access to all of his photos for viewing on G8Nation.com.
In an e-mail from Mike to G8Nation, he said “The only one (photo) that really shows that it is a Pontiac grille is the one where the truck is driving away, and even then it is hard to make out. Trust me though, in person, it was VERY clear.
[Source: Mike Freeman]
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Posted on 29 March 2008
Tags: Australia, Holden, Holden Commodore, Mahindra, Pontiac, ST, US, Ute
This time, a Pontiac G8 crash test was conducted with intention and without a Pontiac engineer in the car. For those of you who have an interest in getting your hands on the upcoming G8 (name goes here) ST, when they come to the US, we have good news. In a recent crash test comparison in Australia, the Holden Commodore Ute walked away with a perfect 5 star rating; beating out the Ford Ranger-based Mazda BT50 and the Indian Mahindra pickup.
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Posted on 25 January 2008
Tags: CAFE, General, Holden, Holden VE, NY, pickUpTruck, Pontiac, Pontiac-ize, Show, Sport, ST, US, Ute, Wagon
There are several reason to be excited about the NY Auto Show this March, and the list of reasons just got better. The crew 2 pickUpTruck.com is reporting that Pontiac will debut a production ST pickup.
The Pontiac ST pickup is based on the Holden VE Ute that recently debuted down under. The level of effort to “Pontiac-ize” the VE is minimal and involves little more than transplanting a G8 front clip onto the VE to transform it to a Pontiac ST
PickUpTruck.com is also reporting that the Pontiac ST will be offered with a 256-HP V6, as well as a 361-HP V8. The engine choices are due to two factors. First, the rumored Pontiac Sport Wagon has been cancelled so the General has decided to use that V6. Also, by offering both the V6 & V8 on the ST, Pontiac is able to balance out the effect it has on GM’s CAFE rating.
[Source: Pickuptruck.com]
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Posted on 19 December 2007
Tags: Chicago, Daewoo, excitement, Holden, Holden Commodores, Middle East, OZ, Pontiac, pushrod, RWD, Sedan, Show, Sport, ST, UK, US, Vauxhall
The Pontiac mantra of excitement was revitalized as the G8 was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show. The RWD sport sedan with the 6.0L V8 pushrod produces 362 HP and launches its passenger to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. Sounds like the perfect dose of adrenaline for the Pontiac brand.
If you’re like me (and you are since you’re on this site), it probably feels like the Great 8 was unveiled a loooooong time ago…well….drum roll please….the G8s are now being produced! The production plan down under is running at full capacity and will produce 620 G8s and Holden Commodores daily. About 50% of these will exit OZ, being split between, split between Chevy (Middle East), Vauxhall (UK), Daewoo (Korea), and Pontiac. After you run the numbers, that comes out to approximately 50,000 G8s a year in the good ol’ U.S of A.
I think it’s time we all go down to our local Pontiac dealers and start making friends with the gents who hold the keys to our G8s.
[Source: Just-Auto]
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Posted on 19 November 2007
Tags: Camaro, Dodge Magnum, excitement, General, GMC-guise, Pontiac, Sport, ST, US, Ute, Wagon
Automotive News is reporting what we’ve all thought for a while: The General has plans to spin off the G8 into a Ute and wagon and have them here in the states in 2008…though they may be 2009 models. Automotive News has referenced three sources “very close to the project”.
The move comes in an attempt to bring back the sporting credentials sorely lacking in GM’s excitement division, so there are no plans to offer the Ute in GMC-guise. It also appears as though timing is great with the recent announcement of the demise of the Dodge Magnum. The sports truck will use the same platform as its G8 sibling and will be powered by the drivetrain from the Camaro.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Posted on 06 November 2007
Tags: Blaupunkt, GPS, Holden, Holden Commodore, NY, OnStar, Pontiac, Sedan, ST, US
Just last month, Pontiac declared that the 2008 G8 would start at $27,595 for the V6 sedan and $29,995 for the G8 GT. Well now, according to Pontiac, a fully-loaded 2008 G8 GT can be yours for just $32,895.
For an additional $2,900 over the GT base price, you get the highest combination of trim level, packages and individual options could add up. It also includes a set of 18-inch all-season tires that cost $150. Rumor has it that some of the options included are dual zone climate control, an 11 speaker Blaupunkt stereo, sunroof, heated and power seats, and of course OnStar.
We have not seen any mention of GPS anywhere. We do know that its available on the Holden Commodore, but there may be a conflict as OnStar now offers voice, turn-by-turn directions.
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