Pontiac G8 will not live on as Chevrolet Caprice

Updated 7/16/09

Bob Lutz has reverse his previous position on the G8, stating a post to the official GM Fastlane blog that it will not live on as a Chevrolet Caprice.

"The G8 will not be a Caprice after all. I’d mentioned it, and said we were studying it, giving it a serious look, because a car like the G8 was just too good to waste.That’s all still true. But I have to say that, with my new “marketing” hat on, upon further review and careful study, we simply cannot make a business case for such a program. Not in today’s market, in this economy, and with fuel regulations what they are and will be."

Below is the original text from our 7/13/09 blog post:

The blogosphere has been abuzz with rumors that from the ashes of the shuttered Pontiac division that its G8 muscle sedan would be reborn as a Chevrolet Caprice. Consumer Reports editors and engineers have been lamenting the expected loss of this world-class, rear-drive car and are encouraged that one of GM’s best models may survive the restructuring process.

This afternoon, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz in a Web chat wrote:

The G8 has finally been discovered by a broader percentage of the buying public. The owners are ecstatic about them, many calling it the best sedan they've ever driven. We consider it too good to waste. So we're studying the feasibility of bringing it in as a Caprice for both law enforcement and the public.

The transition could be relatively minor, with the greatest challenge being the replacing the twin kidney Pontiac grille with a more-appropriate Chevrolet fascia, such as shown below on the Middle East version sold as the Chevrolet Lumina. Swap out a few Pontiac dart logos for Chevy bowties and call it a day. Shame the Impala moniker is already being used…

While GM is now focused on electrifying powertrains and producing fuel-efficient vehicles, we hope they are able to save this gem from the old GM.

See the Pontiac G8 model overview, with ratings, reliability, road test—available to online subscribers.

Read our G8 laments:
Don’t let the Pontiac G8 wither and die
GM shrinks performance model line-up
Pontiac–The excitement has faded from the line up
Personal picks: Pontiacs, modern and classic

—Jeff Bartlett

Comments

[Bob Hill]

Good to see GM re-starting on the right track. This is one of but a hand full of american cars that can compete with the imports in terms of quality, performance and apeal. I just hope they don't overdue the makeover with oversized bowties and clumsy scoops and cladding.

[Alex]

This car's MPG is pretty bad. It will remain a niche car that it is. I can't imagine chosing it over, say, a Maxima or an Acura TL.

[Michael]

If GM had made all the Pontiac cars RWD and of this caliber, instead of rebadged Chevrolet FWDs, then I think the division would still be around. The Pontiac name would have meant something.

[Eric]

Can the Vibe live on too, perhaps to replace the Aveo? The Cavalier wagon was always such a great idea-why not let the Vibe live on as a Chevy small wagon? It would be so much better than the Aveo.

[Josh]

Wow, they are really going to give a competent great performing car the Caprice name? When I think Caprice, I think of some old cop car or crud wagon.

Looks like the old GM is already resurrecting itself.

I'll put the new Caprice in the same category as the Malibu. "Cars I'll Never Buy Because the Name Is Horrible"

[Scott]

This is very exciting news!! I have owned a G8 GT since April of 2008 and am extremely impressed with it overall. I have been getting 24 mpg on the highway which I am fine with given all the hp of this car. The city mpg is a different story...but worth the fun that this car brings!

I am hoping that this resolve goes through as I would definitely purchase another G8!!

[Derrick G]

OK, Maximum Bob just killed the idea again on the FastLane blog. Seems it was the product guy and not the marketing guy talking, but Marketing Bob has final say. I'm wondering how far back you'd have to go in his family tree to find a relationship to Vice President Biden.

[Goat Man]

When I was shopping for a car the only practical choices for me were either the G8 or the Dodge Charger. For the common man, you can’t put the family, a set of golf clubs, or the weekly groceries in a corvette (much less afford one), and the G8 is (was) better than the Charger in almost every way. To those who say the mileage is bad, I say go find a V8 SUV that gets better. Since I’ve taken ownership, its averaged 18.9mpg overall (5000+ miles driven). The Nissan Maxima gets 19-26mpg, the Acura TL gets 18-26mpg, and they have V-6’s and are FWD, really no comparison in my opinion. Try and do a full-throttle power slide in one of those. 20-30 years from now, I’ll look back on this and smile. I can picture it now, depositing a cool million in the bank after selling my G8 at Barrett-Jackson. GM, thank you for making my G8 a collector’s item; but the sad truth (and your ultimate demise) is that the muscle car will live on without you.