2009 G8 GT Gets Optional Tremec 6 Speed Stick

[TAMark]

The fact that an automatic requires external cooling and a manual doesn't is proof that the manual is more efficient. That heat is wasted energy. Bob's all wet on this one.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by eb110americana

Congrats GM. This is what we asked for. Pontiac deserves at least as much.

The center stack could use a bit more class. Something more like this:



much better than even this fully optioned out G8:



I know it's been beaten to death, but having nav and a few other high tech options to compete with Infiniti and Acura are also a good idea. They shouldn't be standard, because performance junkies need to get their fix too, but as options they would keep the G8 relevant and unique from Chevy and bridge the gap up to Cadillac.

I somehow like the G8 interior better. The other one is too camry for my liking. too simple.
I have driven the G8 v8. Its worth every penny

[88ls1blazer]

I guess not, My 2000 SS got around 30 mpg on the highway and made around 400 RWHP. But yeah, V8's are all thirsty...

[88ls1blazer]

Originally Posted by TAMark

The fact that an automatic requires external cooling and a manual doesn't is proof that the manual is more efficient. That heat is wasted energy. Bob's all wet on this one.

He is simply stating about FE, you can have DOD on an auto, you can't have DOD w/ the manual, which negates the mileage gains you would have.

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by Lichtronamo

The G8, with its unremarkable V6 and thirsty V8 powertrain options, is likely to prove to be the answer to the question no one is asking in the era of $4.00/gallon gas. Its the wrong car at the wrong time - if it would have debuted when the Commodore did, it may have had an impact.

The v8 isn't really that thirsty considering its output (at all rpms) and the fact that this is a big car. People just like to play on stereotypes that 8 cylinders = thirsty.

[gopedxr7]

if they just offered a 5 speed or a 6 speed with the 6 cylander motor i would buy one. i just dont want a v8 daily driver

Alan

[tgagneguam]

As for your concerns about the Camaro's ugliness, Bob stressed that the car employs an entirely "new design language," and that it's not meant to be slavishly retrostyled like the Mustang or the Challenger. He said that the ultra-retro Camaro prototypes, which looked a lot closer to the '69 Camaro, were even vetoed by Rick Wagoner, who wanted to give the car a look that would have more global appeal.

The Camaro is far, far from ugly. It's gorgeous, and it's as sophisticated a design as the Mustang and especially the Challenger are just warmed over versions of the car designs that inspired their lines. Of the Big Three, GM Design, under the direction of the very talented Mr. Ed Welburn, spins circles around its competitors... when Design is granted the freedom to do its job.

[chris442]

I'm puzzled as to why they didn't offer the stick from the beginning. The GTO ran about 60/40 in favor of the stick in 2006, it's last year. In addition, when the car started to sell out, the last 1000 left on the lots were 95% autos.

I know the G8 is a 4 door, more family oriented car, with a much better auto then the one in the GTO, but I'd bet a significant portion of V8 buyers would go for the stick.

Sometimes I find the V8 defenders on this site as funny as the V8 haters. Big engines use gas in town. It takes more energy (fuel) just to turn the engine at idle. My GTO used about .70 gal/hr just to idle. Now it uses more, but I have Comp Cams to thank for that, LOL. Going from stoplight to stoplight a V8 just won't be as efficient as a smaller engine. On the highway, it's a different story. Weight and gearing are probably more important than engine size there. Highway mileage is just not going to happen often for a lot of people. I average usually 20-22 in my GTO with a fair bit of highway. Not exactly stellar, but not bad for the 400 rwhp at my disposal. If I just drove city, I'd be lucky to see 16.

The question I think that is more important is how much thirstier is this car compared to others its size, and how much more fuel is one willing to buy to enjoy the power? In my eyes, at least the gas is going directly to me enjoying a fast car, rather than just hulk around another 1000 or so pounds of SUV.

[usa1]

Originally Posted by Lichtronamo

The G8, with its unremarkable V6 and thirsty V8 powertrain options, is likely to prove to be the answer to the question no one is asking in the era of $4.00/gallon gas. Its the wrong car at the wrong time - if it would have debuted when the Commodore did, it may have had an impact.

You can say the same for every high performance, low mileage car and truck on the market. I don't think people should expect the G8 to be a Grand Prix replacement in terms of volume. Hopefully it won't be since the fleet/rental market represented the lion share of Grand Prix sales.

The G8 GT is still the best bang for the buck in a 4 door sedan. It embarrasses Mercedses, BMWs and Audis that cost twice as much. It's mileage is better than 4 cylinder WRXs and Evos to boot. Who complains about those cars mileage?

Too many people cannot get past the badge on hood and give it the credit it deserves.

Mark

[MaxLegroom]

Originally Posted by eb110americana

Congrats GM. This is what we asked for. Pontiac deserves at least as much.

The center stack could use a bit more class. Something more like this:



much better than even this fully optioned out G8:



I know it's been beaten to death, but having nav and a few other high tech options to compete with Infiniti and Acura are also a good idea. They shouldn't be standard, because performance junkies need to get their fix too, but as options they would keep the G8 relevant and unique from Chevy and bridge the gap up to Cadillac.

I'm finding this good for a laugh. So we lost the bin cover at the bottom of the console, and gained gauges at the top of the center stack. The biggest difference between the two is the interior color, and I could go for something to lighten up the blackness of the Pontiac myself. I do agree about the nav and such. Being able to drive a 6 speed GT with nav and bluetooth would just about be the limit...

[motorman]

Originally Posted by TAMark

The fact that an automatic requires external cooling and a manual doesn't is proof that the manual is more efficient. That heat is wasted energy. Bob's all wet on this one.

corvette manual trans have a external oil cooler.

[F14CRAZY]

Originally Posted by 88ls1blazer

He is simply stating about FE, you can have DOD on an auto, you can't have DOD w/ the manual, which negates the mileage gains you would have.

I understand it isn't offered, but why not?

[WillCG]

Originally Posted by fastball

The G8 is among those cars that should offer a stick shift, no matter how minute the demand may be, to satisfy those of us who will not drive automatics.

I don't care that sticks no longer offer better fuel economy than autos - I never bought a stick for that reason to begin with.

Its all about fun. The fun and enjoyment of being physically connected to the car.

On a side note, the most fun (and I'm not lying) I've ever had driving a car was the 1938 Pontiac that my Uncle rebuild for a friend of his. He let me drive it. Now, consider the fact that no car had an automatic transmission when this car was built, here's how to start it:

1. Insert key, turn to generator mode.
2. With left foot, depress clutch (no hydraulic clutches here - direct mechanical linkage, with LOTS of resistance)
3. With heel of right foot, depress gas pedal half way (on a warm engine) or all the way (on a cold engine)
4. With the toe of your foot, depress the starter stomp switch on the top of the gas pedal and hold it untill the engine turns over.

I really enjoyed driving a 3 on the tree with no power or automatic anything. And you really have to think, EVERYONE HAD to learn how to drive that way back then.

Everyone's spoiled rotten today with automatic transmissions

Dude, I could not agree with you more. And these so-called "manumatics" -- they can have them as far as I am concerned. I briefly drove a sister-in-law's convertible Sebring with the AutoStick, and finally just put the damned thing in Drive after a few flicks of the wrist. Pretenders...that's all they'll be for me.

Although...there is ONE exception. Dad bought a new 1974 Trans Am and ordered it with the auto, as my Mom would be driving it and had knee problems. For many years I noticed that the shifter would move to the right about half an inch and would return to the original position as it was spring-loaded. Never understood why, until years later I was reading an article in High Performance Pontiac magazine about GM building its own version of a Hurst dual-gate shifter. OMG, I thought! I have this shifter! Just pop the tranny into low gear, and when you were ready to shift, push the shifter to the right and then up to 2nd gear; the mechanism locked out 3rd gear. Let the shifter move back to the original position, and then do the same to get 3rd. Thus you could manually shift without accidentally skipping a shift, or hitting neutral or reverse.

So this was likely one of the first factory-produced "manumatic" shifters; yes, the Sebring was boring as hell to drive, but that 400 cube engine in the T/A (with the hood scoop opened up) that would bark the tires in the 1-2 shift kind of made up for it.

[eb110americana]

Originally Posted by Lichtronamo

Which model Commodore is the top picture from? I think this is the new 2009 center stack from the GMI thread "Meet your 2009 Pontiac Lineup":

The top interior photo is from the Holden Calais.



Holden makes that one VE platform go the distance in some impressive ways. I've never seen 1 chassis spread across so many models that I've lost track of all the names. Some of our brothers and sisters from down under could probably give you a better breakdown of the lineup, but the Calais is not the equivalent model to our G8. It's more everyday luxury (as opposed to the long wheelbase models) and less performance oriented. Their SS models are more along the lines of our G8 and have a nearly mirror image interior--but with some color options.

Originally Posted by MaxLegroom

I'm finding this good for a laugh. So we lost the bin cover at the bottom of the console, and gained gauges at the top of the center stack. The biggest difference between the two is the interior color, and I could go for something to lighten up the blackness of the Pontiac myself. I do agree about the nav and such. Being able to drive a 6 speed GT with nav and bluetooth would just about be the limit...

I hope you mean that in a good way. At first, all I noticed was the lack of the lower bin cover, and thought it just might be open in photos. If you look closer, you'll notice that the dash actually flows down into the center console between the seats on either side of the center stack in a waterfall, whereas the G8 simply breaks sharply. Also, the center vents in the Calais are moved upwards to make room for the metal accent strip that spans the full width of the dash. The two tone makes a big difference, but I would also like to see a few more interior color combos available with color-keyed stitching (black & charcoal, cocoa & cashmere, etc.). Finally, the seat leather is perforated with large, spaced, square holes--although I do not like the effect.

[BBDOS CV8]

The Holden lineup is simple: instead of five brands Holden sells model trims of Commodore. In fact, there are no 'Holden' namebadges or Commodore badges to be seen. The Lion and Globe is all they use.

Omega is the entry and fleet car, offered in sedan, ute and shortly wagon. Basic inside and out, steel wheels, nothing special except it's still large, roomy and comfortable enough to drive distances while pretty frugal. The LPG version costs about what a 2 litre 4 does to run. 230hp 3.6/4-speed auto

Berlina is the basic family starter in sedan and shortly wagon - probably about equal to a mid-level Impala. Little bit of extra chrome, alloys, nicer seats and interior. You can option the 6.0/six speed auto. You can start to option nice things like leather and better sound, Holden by Design bits.

SV6 is the G8, basically, with six-speed manual option.

SS is the G8 GT with manual option with cloth interior and 18" wheels, SS-V is basically the G8 loaded, leather, 19" wheels, bigger brakes and more stuff.

Calais is entry level luxury similar in spec to a base CTS. Calais V is the personal luxury express with bigger wheels, dualzone aircon, DVD player, better sound, nicer leather interior. Probably similar to the CTS with a luxury interior.

They actually have (I think) four different interior facias, the luxury models get real alloy trim (not chromed plastic) and the seats - perforated leather in the Calais, soft-touch nappa leather in the Caprice. The Caprice also gets dual DVD screens, bi-xenon lights, weather-sensing wipers/auto lights, tri-zone aircon etc. Each of them has their own front, sideskirts, wings or spoiler lip, trim.

The other way Holden differentiates them is by colour: the sports models get the brighter colours like Atomic (the metallic goldy-green) and the luxury models get the classier colours like Sandstorm. You can't get the flash colours on the base cars, although their pallette isn't bad.

You can get nav and bluetooth is integrated as well as Holden Assist (like Onstar)



The Omega/Berlina is competitive with things like the Camry in the base and family models, SV6 and SS more than competitive in the sports sedan category. Calais V genuinely needs few excuses in comparison to German 5-series V8s costing more than double, plus the Ute and LPG sedan/wagon makes a hot-selling light commercial and the Caprice/Statesman (Park Avenue) a more-than adequate luxury limo used by our heads of state and industry captains.

It just highlights how Holden makes a lot out of a little. Some of them aren't the best in class or best sellers in class, but they do OK and often offer a compelling value case. The whole VE lineup, including Ute and Wagon, luxo-barges, including new tooling and production engineering, probably cost less than the CTS to engineer.

Then HSV takes the SS, Calais and Caprice and makes them all another level with supertuning that also rules it's market niche.

Put it this way: Mercedes sold 20,000 cars in Oz last year, probably 1/2 four-cyls, and a majority of the rest sixes.

HSV (a niche maker) alone sold 5,000 cars, nearly all vee-eights apart from a handful of OPC Astras. And despite sending VXR Vauxhalls to England and CSV Chevs to the Middle East they are likely to break their record again this year. On top of that, Holden sold 60,000 sedans and Utes (and are about to add a wagon which traditionally counts for 20% of sales). And a record 20+% of sales are V8s, despite fuel prices.

Clash with the Teutons