2009 Pontiac G8 GXP Power Bumped to 415hp/415ftlbs

[RedVee8]

^ Gee, what a disappointment! Those calipers should be red!

[mikmak]

Nice pics menace. Where did you get them from?

[menace]

mwuhahahaha

LOL i got them off G8board. It's a GM engineer's test vehicle.

[mikmak]

I'll bet he's testing the freakin wheels off it too.

[BBDOS CV8]

I'm not sure why GM is going to Brembo for brakes unless the new PBR six-potters are NFG. Brembo are great brakes, I have a set of Goldline magnesium callipers and carriers on my MuZ which will lift the back wheel with two fingers on the brake lever, but god they wear fast, and are expensive for discs and pads.

A lot of Ford/FPV owners with the Brembo option are very upset to discover the discs wear as fast as the pads, and in 15,000km you can be up for $5K OEM to replace both! The Harrops HSV uses are a little better, but they aren't cheap, either! Same with the AP Lockheeds used on some earlier HSVs, very, very exxy hardware.

Plus Brembos are a typically Euro, hi-carbon, squeally brake at less than warp speeds. On the track or a quick drive you don't notice; on the road with the missus and dirt magnets on the way to your inlaws (oh joy) it gets a tad annoying.

[LSXd]

Originally Posted by sphinxrb

Thats great. I hope it has a Navigation system, otherwise, it's not for me. I currently have a '05 Grand Prix GXP, that would be the main option I would like on my next car.

For the G8 GT & GXP, according to a top publication: Hit the OnStar button on the rear view mirror, an operator comes on loud and clear and asks if you need driving directions. Tell him/her where you'd like to go and the driving directions get down-loaded to the car, with left/right/straight arrows and distance appearing on the small information center screen between the tachometer and speedometer, accompanied by equally clear audible directions. Plus side: Hands-free driving directions on the trot (no need to pull over and stop to access a touch screen); no time wasted fiddling with various levels on the navigation menus; savings of $2000-plus by not having to purchase a navigation system and/or an even more expensive luxury package. Minus: You must purchase the OnStar "Directions & Connections" subscription plan for $28.90/month or $299 annually (but $299 times several years is still less than $2000, isn't it?). Note to GM: Please try to incorporate this OnStar navigation with gauge cluster display in as many vehicles as possible.

[LiNx]

I drove a white GXP from the Tech. Center/Proving Grounds on Friday. The engineer that brought it up to the dealership that I worked at was demonstrating it to some of the sales people and sales managers. Then I, being a lowly service porter, mentioned to him that it was a beautiful machine, to which his wife agreed. Then he promptly asked if I had driven it yet. He quickly glanced at the manager he was talking with, who gave him the nod that I could drive it, and I was off.

The car was amazing. I've driven LS2/3/6/7 Corvettes, LS2 CTS-V/GTO, and many other cars, but this thing was powerful, smooth, and refined all at once. I dunno if I was just in the zone or what, but shifting from gear to gear was nearly effortless. Before I knew it, I had hit in excess of 120mph in a 55 zone. Whoops. (Yeah, yeah, reckless, I know). Did I mention that was *at most* 4th gear? Coming from someone who has never owned a V8 of their own, and most V8 experience comes from driving my dads Chevelle, I was amazed. Pulled around a turn-around on the divided highway to head back to the dealer, dumped the clutch a bit and the ass kicked around, and the tires even broke loose a bit going into second. Again with the driving like a jackass, but I couldn't resist.

I'm bound determined to get one once I land a full-time position after my internship. And no, I won't be quite as reckless

[ptviperz]

Originally Posted by LSXd

Hit the OnStar button on the rear view mirror

Blech, real Nav for me, thanks.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by ptviperz

Blech, real Nav for me, thanks.

I'd have a Garmin 880 integrated into the top of the dash (where the two useless guages were in '08 midels) by a reputable audio shop. That would give you Bluetooth, MSN Direct with live traffic and Windows Live Local, voice commands, custom POIs, speed limit display, etc., for the same or less than a factory system (much less without the custom full integration).

Creativity > Stock Limits

[ptviperz]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

Creativity > Stock Limits

Fo sho! My Max doesn't have stock Nav and I've thought about upgrading the HU to one of the Double Din garmin/bluetooth/etc HU's. You can do well aftermarket, but really, it just never looks as good as stock.

I just take the Infiniti if we need Nav, my Max is the ghetto sled

[Millefune]

So the guy who actually drove a production version, did it have gauges in the center stack, or that lame, ugly blank cubby hole?

[LiNx]

Originally Posted by Millefune

So the guy who actually drove a production version, did it have gauges in the center stack, or that lame, ugly blank cubby hole?

Sorry, checking out gauges was the least of my concerns, LOL. I did notices the GXP embroidery on the seats, and the logo on the gauge cluster, but that was about it. The rest was just me seeing how it drove/handled.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by ptviperz

Blech, real Nav for me, thanks.

Yea, they can stick the turn by turn. $300 a year and all you get is a voice prompt, I think I will just spend the $2k and get something superior.

Back on topic, what does the future hold for the G8 other than the GXP trim? Any changes, additions?

[BBDOS CV8]

As the G8 and Zeta in general is a dead-end from GM's perspective I doubt it will get any significant upgrades other than the Di V6 known to be in the pipeline. There is no sign the AWD or coupe versions have advanced. I'd suggest it'll keep selling in the current style until the VE changes sometime around 2010-2011 (which might be longer than Pontiac lasts). if the Ute isn't going over as the ST, then the wagon is no chance.

The current Global meltdown and CAFE concerns appear to have killed Holden as a supplier of next-gen vehicles for GM NA. Holden appears to be positioning itself for the post-Pontiac era. They are looking for fish to fry elsewhere. Holden will sell RWD local large cars and Korean and possible imported Opels. When/If GM goes bankrupt, I wouldn't be surprised to see Holden buy itself out.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

As the G8 and Zeta in general is a dead-end from GM's perspective I doubt it will get any significant upgrades other than the Di V6 known to be in the pipeline. There is no sign the AWD or coupe versions have advanced. I'd suggest it'll keep selling in the current style until the VE changes sometime around 2010-2011 (which might be longer than Pontiac lasts). if the Ute isn't going over as the ST, then the wagon is no chance.

The current Global meltdown and CAFE concerns appear to have killed Holden as a supplier of next-gen vehicles for GM NA. Holden appears to be positioning itself for the post-Pontiac era. They are looking for fish to fry elsewhere. Holden will sell RWD local large cars and Korean and possible imported Opels. When/If GM goes bankrupt, I wouldn't be surprised to see Holden buy itself out.

Damn I was still holding out hope for a G8 AWD V8. Maybe in the next generation?