If there ever was a victim of poor automotive timing, it's the Pontiac G8. Built in Australia by GM's Holden subsidiary, the relatively large V6- and V8-powered G8 was introduced in America during 2008 just as gas prices were hitting new highs, auto sales were plummeting and GM was deciding to scuttle the entire Pontiac division. What's doubly frustrating about that is the G8 proved to be an excellent car. The Pontiac G8 may well be one of the finest Pontiacs ever built...and certainly one of the last.
For all intents and purposes, the Pontiac G8 is a Holden Commodore done up in Pontiac drag. It's based on GM's rear-drive Zeta platform that was engineered in Australia and is also used as the base for the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. The basic structure is a solid unibody with MacPherson struts holding up the front end and a four-link independent suspension in the back. The styling is strictly square-cut and the interior is comfortable if not particularly lavish. By Pontiac's standards, and despite the hood scoops and big wheels, the Pontiac G8 is understated.
A 256-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 powers the base Pontiac G8, with GM's 361-hp 6.0-liter small-block V8 powering the G8 GST and a 415-hp, 6.2-liter version of that same V8 aboard the top-of-the-line G8 GXP. The V6 comes lashed to a five-speed automatic, while the V8s can be had with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. It's quite likely that the Pontiac G8 GXP will go down in history as the most powerful and quickest Pontiac production car of all time.
Yes, the Pontiac G8 GXP is more powerful than any GTO, any Trans Am and any Super Duty Pontiac of yore. And remember, the Pontiac G8 GXP's engine was rated using conservative SAE net protocols.
When the last Pontiac G8 leaves the last Pontiac dealer just before they shutter the showroom and toss all the brochures into a dumpster, it will be a sad day. But at least with the Pontiac G8, Pontiac had a chance to go out on a very high note.
