Pontiac G8 is a rear-wheel drive sedan manufactured by Holden in Australia, and then exported to the United States, where it is sold by Pontiac. The G8, a Holden Commodore demolished, was released in early 2008 for the 2008 model year in the United States, and in 2008 for 2009 model year in Canada. Production stopped in mid 2009, following GM's decision to suspend the Pontiac brand. Although available, the G8 takes its place in the Pontiac ranks both Pontiac Bonneville, which stopped production after the 2005 model, and the Pontiac Grand Prix, which stopped production after the 2008 model. The G8 is Pontiac's first full-size car since Bonneville and GTO last coupe were sold in 2006.
In December 2008, the G8 rear-wheel drive did not substitute for the expected sales for the previous front-drive model, with 11,000 G8 unsold inventory and only 13,000 sold. During the 2009 global economic crisis, market prices fell $ 3000-5000 below GM sticker prices for cars. As of July 2009, only 5,000 G8 were not sold in stock, with nearly 30,700 sold.
With the death of the Pontiac brand, due to the bankruptcy of Chapter 11 GM, the 2009 model year marks the end of all Pontiacs, including the G8. However, in July 2009, Bob Lutz made off-hand comments during a press review that the G8 will be revived as a Chevrolet Caprice. Furthermore, Lutz revoked this statement, citing market conditions. Nevertheless, General Motors announced the Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) in 2009, which the Car and Driver were portrayed as the successor of the G8. To fill the gap left by the G8, GM announces Chevrolet SS, a RWD V8-powered sedan for 2014 based on VE Commodore's successor, Holden VF Commodore.
Video Pontiac G8
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The G8 is based on the Zeta GM platform, made by Holden for VE Commodore in the Australian market. G8 is different from Commodore especially in frontal style and interior detail. In January 2007 the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, GM chairman Bob Lutz confirmed that GM intends to import Holden Commodores to North America as Pontiac G8s. The news is not planned to be officially announced until the Chicago Auto Show in February.
Holden chairman Denny Mooney announced that the G8 was imported from Elizabeth, South Australia plant, South Australia for the car's life cycle, but declined to comment on future production possibilities at GM's Oshawa, Ontario facility. At the Chicago Automotive Show 2007, GM Global Chairman Bob Lutz announced that the G8 is expected at Pontiac US dealerships in "early 2008". On July 4, 2007, the first Pontiac G8 prototype was launched from Elizabeth's assembly plant in Australia. General production from 18 December 2007.
The G8 is the first four wheel drive front wheel that has been sold under the name Pontiac since 1986 Bonneville and Parisienne. However, at the time of the G8 release, Pontiac did offer a rear wheel drive Solstice. The recently discontinued GTO (like previous Firebird/Trans Am), also uses a rear-wheel drive layout. GTO is another Holden product, known as Monaro in Australia, altered and revoked for US consumption. Production was discontinued in 2006 due to new US safety regulations and deleted architectures worldwide supporting the new Zeta platform on which the G8 is based.
Maps Pontiac G8
Specification level
G8
The G8 base, referred to in the Pontiac sales literature as "G8 Sedan", is available with a V6 3.6 liter High V6 engine, generating 256 hp (191 kW). The only available transmission is a five-speed automatic GM 5L40-E ; fuel economy is officially assessed at 17 mpg -US (14Ã, L/100Ã, km) city/25 mpg -US (9.4 L/100Ã, km) Highway.
The G8's basic model is standard with six airbags (including full-length side curtain airbags), traction control, electronic stability control, dual tailpipes, 18-inch alloy wheels (equipped with all-season tires or summer performance), sport kit, fog, power windows and locks, cruise controls, black fabric seats and a seven-speaker audio system, including front center speakers, single-disc CD players, and additional input jacks.
The "Comfort And Sound" package is available on V6 powered G8s, which enhances the seven-speaker audio system and manual HVAC control to 11-speaker audio and automatic climate control found in the GT model. The "Premium" package raises the seat of the Sedan fabric to the leather seating surface, the driver's seat and the heated passenger, the six-way power driver's seat adjuster, the 6-way front seat power adjuster, the rear center armrest, the leather levered lever, and the wheel steering wheel leather standard GT. Both base G8 and GT utilize the "FE2" suspension package.
G8 GT
The GT comes with 361 hp (269 kW) 6.0 liter (364 cuÃ, in) Generation IV V8, featuring 6-speed automatic 6L80 and Active Fuel Management, capable of reaching 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.2 seconds, with quarter mile times as low as 13.4 seconds. G8 GT average fuel economy 15/24 mpg (city/highway). A 6-speed manual is being considered as an option on the GT model, but Pontiac decides not to offer it, stating that it will be offered as an option on the G8 GXP. One of the changes in 2009 was the removal of the central oil pressure stack and the voltage gauge. The mid-2009 model some changes were made on the G8 GT, including a pair of additional catalytic converters that reduced the engine output by up to 355 hp (265 kW), bluetooth addition and rearranged rear cup holder removal. from under the rear seats (cupholders in the folding rear center folds take their place).
In addition to the larger engine and six-speed transmission, the GT model also contains additional equipment, including all the standard features of Sedan plus quad tailpipes, clear rear taillights (as opposed to traditional Red rear lights Sedan), automatic double-zone AC, a larger center console, and a blaupunkt 11-speaker premium audio system with 2 subwoofers, six-disc CD changer, and an additional input jack. Some (but not all) of these features are available as an option on the base model. Sports packages are available on the GT, adding a sport metallic pedal, a 19 "QS4 aluminum-faced aluminum wheel, a summer performance tire, and a slightly smaller leather-wrapped steering wheel.
G8 GXP
The GXP GXP version was shown at the New York International Auto Show in March 2008 with a 6.2-liter402 hp (300-kW) V8 from Chevrolet Corvette and a six-speed manual transmission. GXP production version is stronger with LS3 V8 that produces 415 hp (309 kW) and 415 lb? Ft (563Ã, N? M) torque. Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission and six-speed automatic transmission is available. GXP reaches 60 mph (97 m/h) from silence in 4.5 seconds, a quarter of a mile 13.0 seconds at 109.6 mph (176.4 km/h), and 0.90 g (8.8 Ã, m/s 2 ) lateral acceleration on the skidpad.
GXP has an enhanced FE3 suspension package, NÃÆ'¼rburgring-tuned, as well as larger-ventilated Brembo disc brakes. It also has a unique front bumper cover and rear diffuser (non-functional) to distinguish it from the standard models of Sedan and GT.
Total sales of Pontiac G8 GXP is 1,829 units. Only limited production of 6 G8 GXP is available in Canada.
In 2014, General Motors released the Chevrolet SS, which in essence is the next generation G8 GXP. It's based on the new VF chassis Holden Commodore, VE's commodore VE router where the G8 is based. Both G8 GXP and SS share the same LS3 V8 engine, with the new SS showing off machines with minor repairs. Horsepower for both remains 415, with torque of 415 lb. ft.
Holden VE Commodore version (2009)
After the cancellation of the Pontiac brand, it was reported that Holden plans to sell 1,500 limited editions of the Commodore SS V equipped with the Pontiac G8 front-end fascia and other ornaments. Unlike the G8, which is offered only as a sedan, Holden will offer a variant of body, sedan and wagon from the G8. They will be sold in Australia in November and December, with production starting on November 2nd.
The production version is sold as VE Commodore SS V-Series Special Edition (Sedan, Sportwagon, Ute), with a choice of 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. SS V-Series Special Edition was launched in 2009 Deni Ute Muster. Production version for SS V-Series Special Edition went on sale in 2009-11.
Canceled body variations
G8 ST
In addition to the sedan, a two-seat coupe utility called G8 ST was shown at the New York International Auto Show in March 2008. Based on Holden Ute, it was built on the same G8 platform with a 73-inch (1,900 mm) cargo bed. Sport Trucks have 361 hp (269 kW), 6.0-liter V8 used in G8 GT, and 3.6 liter, 256 hp (191 kW) V6. After the naming contest with more than 18,000 suggestions, the name remains a G8 ST.
The G8 ST, scheduled for release as a 2010 model, is becoming a Pontiac coupe utility, and GM's first coupe utility in the United States since Chevrolet El Camino was discontinued in 1987. In January 2009, GM announced to Pontiac dealers that the G8 ST was canceled due to withholding budget and restructuring.
G8 "Sportwagon"
The Pontiac variant of the VE Commodore Sportwagon wagon station is also considered, but not imported, in part because of the poor sales of the market in general, especially the Dodge Magnum compared to its Charger sedan counterpart. Unlike the G8 ST, Sportwagon model was never announced by General Motors.
Model year
2008
For the 2008 model year, the Pontiac G8 was initially offered in six colors: Stealth Blue, Liquid Red, Ignition Orange, White Hot, Magnetic Gray, and Panther Black. Stealth Blue stopped after the first batch of vehicles shipped from Australia. The first shipment to the dealer was posted on GM's website in March 2008, with comments that early sales were fast. Furthermore, in May 2008 monthly sales were reported at 1,832 units against the May 2007 sales volume of 12,230 units for the Grand Prix.
2009
The 2009 model year adds a GXP version powered by a 6.1 liter 419 liter V8 engine with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission or an optional six-speed manual transmission (see above). GXP is available in all G8 standard colors.
The G8 ranks also add the XM Satellite Radio standard, with Bluetooth connectivity provided at the end of the year, and four new exterior color options: Metallic Silver Maverick, Sport Red Metallic, Stryker Blue Metallic and Pacific Slate Metallic. Meanwhile, Stealth Blue and Ignition Orange are not available for 2009 (Stealth Blue has been eliminated during 2008 model year production). Also for 2009, the oil pressure and battery voltage gauge at the top of the center console have been eliminated. The heavy criticism among the automotive press of the outdated appearance of this red LED gauge is undoubtedly very influential in its deletion. The meter is only replaced by a small storage compartment.
National Safety Agency Ltd., an Australian company in a joint project with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) featured a prototype squad car based on the Pontiac G8, at the 2009 APCO Conference in Sydney in March 2009. The vehicle is equipped with a large portrait touchscreen display on the center console , replacing the common control chaos in police vehicles.
The Pontiac G8 last slid from the assembly line on June 19, 2009.
Sales and marketing
Marketing
General Motors promoted the Pontiac G8 on December 31, 2007 to January 1, 2008, making it the official sponsor of the Times Square Night and Times Square New Year's Eve Ball and Rose Bowl.
The G8 is the main vehicle in the 2009 driving game, Wheelman.
In March 2008, an ad based on the 1980s Spy Hunter arcade game runs nationwide. In advertising, the Pontiac G8 GT replaces the hero's car when it is destroyed by the enemy.
References
External links
- Media related to Pontiac G8 on Wikimedia Commons
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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