The Pontiac G8 is an all-new offering from the Chief that doesn’t replace the G6, it lives alongside it, and perhaps above it in terms of styling, luxury and status.
Often, vehicles with numbers attached to them, make engine sense. A car ending in 500 could have a 500hp engine or a 5.0-liter engine. A vehicle ending in 4 could have a 4-cylinder powerplant. But my test G8 was confusing, as my test vehicle sported only a V-6 engine, instead of the more-touted V-8 (an option).
All of the G6 trims are powered by V-6 engines (which plays into the numbering consistency), but the flagship G8 sedan is offered with an optional 6.0-liter V-8 in the GT version and also the standard 3.6-liter V-6 that propelled my test ride. The 6-cylinder engine rumbles out 256 horses and 248 lbs.-ft. of torque, and while that pales in comparison to its exciting GT sibling’s, explosive 361hp and 385 lbs.-ft. of torque V-8, the V-6’s economy is 20-25 percent better than the larger engine, and the muscle is enough to gallop the 3885-lb. G8 from zero-to-60mph in just 7.2 seconds, on it way to a 15.2-second quarter-mile during test runs.
Numbering aside, the G8 is an American Pontiac, built in Elizabeth, Australia, just outside Adelaide, SA, and based on the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Holden Commodore from Down Under. This international vehicle utilizes an Aussie engine, French 5-speed automatic transmission and about 7 percent U.S/Canadian parts.
An athletic mid-size that speaks to a European-styling influence, but adorned with its signature Pontiac twin-shield grille, the G8 is a head-turner with sleek dimensions of 196.1 inches in length, 74.8 inches in width and 57.7 inches in height on a 114.8-inch wheelbase. Its twin hood scoops hearken back to the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am days, and its forward posture, bold wheel flares and a rising beltline, give the impression of a caged cat ready to spring forward at sudden speed.
The 2008 Pontiac G8 Base vehicle is EPA rated at 17mpg in city driving and 25mpg on the highway. Those estimates proved accurate, as my week of testing on Central Pennsylvania’s interstates and township streets, and several treks across the Mason-Dixon Line into Maryland averaged out to 22.8mpg, covering some 500 miles at a ratio of 2:1 highway vs. city driving.
Employing GM’s new rear-drive Zeta architecture shared by Holden and Pontiac, the G8 exhibits balanced handling and a 50-50 front-to-rear weight distribution. During quick-turn tests, autocross runs and gliding on the country roads of Central Penn and mountain passes near Pocono, the GT8 demonstrated responsive steering at high speeds and sluggish maneuverability in town in sedate motion. Solid braking and a generous suspension make for a safe, confident and smooth ride.
The G8 smoothes out road irregularities with a multi-link MacPherson strut front suspension with direct-acting stabilizer bar; progressive-rate coil springs and fully adjustable camber, caster and toe. The rear suspension is a four-link independent with progressive-rate coil springs over shocks, decoupled stabilizer bar and fully adjustable camber and toe. The G8’s stopping power comes from four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, ventilated front and rear rotors, twin-piston front calipers and single-piston alloy rear calipers that cover P245/45R18 All-Season tires.
Safety concerns are attended to well in G8, with such standard protection components as a sturdy crash-absorbing body structure, dual-stage frontal air bags with a passenger sensing system, head curtain side air bags for front and rear occupants, side thorax air bags for the front passengers, StabiliTrak electronic vehicle stability system, tire pressure monitoring system and rear-seat LATCH child safety seat provisions in all three seating positions, as well as On-Star Safe & Sound.
A well-appointed interior is functional, but not luxurious. The cabin is comfortable with 38.7 inches of front headroom with 38 inches in row two; leg room of 42.2 and 39.4; shoulder room is 59.1 front and back.
Interior amenities include fully-bolstered four-way adjustable seats, intuitive, easy-to-read instruments, a two-tier glove compartment and center storage bin, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, AM/FM stereo CD player, and door locks and lighted visor mirror.
The base G8 is priced at an aggressive $26,910, but my test vehicle bottom-lined at 29,765 with the addition of several comfort and convenience packages. The Premium package ($1375) consisted of leather seats, heated driver and passenger seats, 6-way power driver and front passenger seats and leather –wrapped shift lever and steering wheel. The Comfort and Sound package ($795) included Dual-zone air conditioning, 230-watt Blaupunkt AM/FM/6-disc CD Changer with 11-speakers and MP3 format. A power sunroof is also an option that was not included in my test vehicle, and destination charges added $685 to the final sticker.
The 2008 Pontiac G8 is a quiet smooth ride that looks as a flagship should and drives as one would expect the line-leader to handle. With comfort, safety and technology built in, Pontiac has added a gem to its line-up, regardless of the vehicle’s numbering.
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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