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 28 February 2008
Tags: Australia, Colors, P.U, Pontiac, pontiacunderground.com, power, San Diego, Sedan, U.S. Border, Underground, US
It’s official; the Pontiac G8s are now stateside and will be in dealer showrooms very soon. Fresh off of the boats from Australia, several G8s are being unloaded in San Diego to find shelter in their temporary foster homes before the proud and anxious parents come to claim them.
A couple of the Great 8s are staying in San Diego for a short time and being shared with the paparazzi of automotive media. You have probably seen some of the premature reviews from Popular Mechanics, Car & Driver, Motor Trend and others.
According to Pontiac Underground, “Actually, several surgeons are needed, as there are a ton of smiles as we introduce the G8 performance sedan to a large group of automotive media. Their collective comment… “WOW!!!”"
One journalist went as far as saying that he is considering trading in his Beemer 5 for the G8.
Pontiac Underground had the privilege of spending 6 hours behind the wheel of the G8. They drove both the G8 Sedan (V6) and the G8 GT (V8) through some of the most “glorious twists and turns in the country” and they are enamored by the rail-like handling and neck-snapping power that the G8 so effortlessly exhibits. Some of the locals have reported sightings of split-grill liquid red streaks accompanied by the trumpeting sound that only comes from a good ‘ol American pushrod.
Apparently, the P.U. drivers we’re randomly “chosen” at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 8 to stop and undergo a full “inspection”. These examinations are usually accompanied by drug-sniffing dogs and underbody mirrors…not this one. This inspection was all about a firm interrogation process including tough questions like, “How much horsepower is under the hood?”. “What colors does this come in?” and “What’s it cost?”.
Of course, to comply with the Dept of Homeland Security, all questions were answered honestly as a line of cars backed up behind them. Rumor has it that after the first G8 was let through customs, the Fed agent was calling his peers over to the subsequent G8s and trying to sell them on it.
Rumor has it that the first load of the First 888 Pontiac G8s have left the port, and are bound for east coast dealers. A second load of First 888s for the west coast should ship next week, followed very quickly by several thousand more.
If you’re one of the luck few to secure one of the 888, just remember that your local police may not be as impressed as the US Border Patrol.
[Source: Pontiac Underground]
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Posted on 21 February 2008
Tags: Cadillac, Corvette, CTS-V, engine, GXP, L V, LS3, Pontiac, US, Vette, XLR
Can it really get much better for the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT? It already has major bang-for-the buck- with a sub-$30K base price, rear wheel drive and 361 ponies being produced by the 6.0L V8. Well, apparently Lutz has a little more bang up his sleeve. If the above image is genuine, then it looks like the G8 GXP may get a little more muscle courtesy of the LS3, 6.2L V8.
An employee from an unnamed dealership has shared a pic of GM’s inventory controls website that indicates a new engine option for the 2009 G8 GXP. The LS3 replaced the LS2 as the base Corvette engine during the 2008 model year. When this heart is transplanted in the Vette, it produces 430 hp from 376 cubic inches.
The production of the Cadillac XLR occurring side-by-side with the Vette, changed the days of Corvette components only being used by the Vette. In addition to sharing with the XLR, you will also find the Corvette power plant in the CTS-V.
I can’t imagine many things anything that would be better than a shoe-horned LS3 in a Pontiac G8 GXP. Here’s hoping to truth behind this rumor!
[Source: G8GT.com]
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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 18 December 2007
Tags: Adelaide, Andrea Matthews, Chris Gubbey, Holden, Holden Chairman, Kate Lonsdale, Kevin Foley, Pontiac, Simon Crean, Theo Theophanous, US, USA
GM Holden added another vehicle to its growing export program today with the announcement that full production of the Pontiac G8 for the US market was now underway.
The introduction of the Pontiac G8 represents a significant milestone for GM Holden as it brings the mix of vehicles produced at the Elizabeth manufacturing plant in Adelaide to a 50-50 split of export and domestic production.
It also ensures the Elizabeth production line will now be running at its full production capacity of 620 cars a day, which equates to one car off the line every 76 seconds.
GM Holden marked the start of the G8 export program today with a VIP event at Holden Vehicle Operations in Adelaide.
Read the full story
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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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Posted on 31 October 2007
Tags: AutoSports, Castro, Cent, Fast Lane, GXP, helluva, JBL, NY, Pontiac, SEMA, Show, Sport, ST, Unique, US, Vegas, Wynn
50 Cent and Pontiac gave Castro from Unique AutoSports a shout to customize the first Pontiac G8. This bad boy was officially unveiled at the Wynn Hotel in Vegas at SEMA 2007.
Some of the mods include a shoehorned LS7 (yeah…from the Z06) cranking out 500 ponies, red leather seats and armrests and a booming 800-watt JBL sound system. Hmm….LS7…can that be a sign of a GXP? Anyway, all of these mods translate to one helluva fast and loud ride that will snap the necks of those in the passenger seat and those trying to get a peep. Personally, I think I can do without the oversized 50 Cent fender badges.
Check out video from Fast Lane Daily if you follow the jump, or take check out some of the pics below.
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