Pontiac G8: It came from a land down under
Sometimes a car seems to embody the very stereotype of national character. Think of elegant but temperamental Italian sports cars or the unique but eccentric French Citroens. Now consider the Pontiac G8, an Australian ex-patriot that started life as the Holden Commodore before General Motors gave it another name during the immigration process.
GM’s Australian Holden subsidiary designed and built the G8. The GT version we tested for the February issue has a 361-hp, 6.0-liter V8, similar to that found in the base Corvette. (See the upscale sedans road test and videos.) It makes all the vigorous sounds of a healthy V8 and packs a punch that catapults this fairly large sedan to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.
But raw power isn’t the impressive part here. It’s the chassis that matters. If you didn’t know what brand of car you’d just jumped into, you could easily believe you were piloting a Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 Series: The driving dynamics are that good. The steering response is pinpoint quick, nicely weighted, and offers excellent feedback. Tracking is straight as an arrow. The car’s agility belies its substantial size, and yet, the ride is supple and controlled. It’s just too bad that some driving enthusiasts will dismiss the G8 out of hand, wrongly assuming it’s just another Pontiac with more shadow than substance. The last GTO didn’t exactly set the world on fire. Even Bob Lutz, GM’s vice-chairman of vehicle development, has admitted that Pontiac is a “damaged brand.” The saving grace for GM is that the G8’s impressive chassis underpins the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro, which remains an untarnished icon.
With a muscular small-block Chevrolet V8 and European-influenced road manners, the G8 is very much an interesting mix of free-spirited American abundance and Euro-style sophistication. At least in American eyes, isn’t that the essence of the strong but easy-going, freewheeling Australian?
I can’t help suggesting modified lyrics to the song "Down Under," the 1980s mega hit by the Aussie band Men At Work. "It was 6.0 and full of muscle…" And, yes, I can hear the thunder.
Posted by: david | Jan 9, 2009 11:46:54 AM
Considering the size of this engine ... 6 liters, 361 hp seems pretty low. The G35/37 sedan got around 300-330 hp (I don't recall the exact figure) from a 3.5/3.7L engine. 0-60mph was 5.3/5.4 secs - with some magazine rating as low as 4.9 sec on the G37. Granted the G8 is a bigger car.
Posted by: Matt | Jan 10, 2009 1:25:59 PM
G37 is lighter, but power under the curve is much different. As well as peak. G37 is nice, but over priced. This car seats 4 comfortably too.
Posted by: Ron | Apr 2, 2009 4:19:28 PM
The G8 GT is a heavier car and the 5.7 time is probably with the stability controls on. Without, it can do 5.3. While 361bhp is a bit low for the 6.0L engine, the engine is detuned with AFM (cylinder deactivation), with less agressive cams, and for use of 87 octane fuel. Retuning the engine for premium fuel will provide another 20bhp. The G37 uses premium fuel. Also from 60 to 100mph, the G8 will leave the G37 behind.
Posted by: Jonathan | Apr 30, 2009 10:16:01 PM
To applaud Pontiac for the G8 is ridiculous. Too little, too late.
To put it in perspective, 10 years ago, BMW introduced the M5, with a 5.0 liter engine and 400 hp. The M5 handles better than anything GM has ever produced.