Pontiac G8 ST to get 3.6 di V6

[ConcordeNick]

This is kind of good news. I'm still opposed to the idea of a "truck" in the Pontiac lineup. However, the DI V6 will also make it into the base G8 sedan so that is excellent news. It will improve fuel economy and increase power! What's not to love??? Now....if there was a coupe instead of this truck.... I'd be there. Make mine Pacific Slate Metallic please! While you are at it, how about some other interior colour choices too? Not everyone wants a black interior or the black/red combo.

Nick

[Dukeboy01]

Good move. Should help them move a lot more of these.

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by Rick_VT

Im curious, what makes you think that just because building it over there will make it a better car?? And where are these Camaro weight loss moves?? that car isnt even out yet, its smaller than the G8 so it should be lighter, besides Holden has already started lookin at things to make the Commodore lots more efficient, so why should Holden lose out on sales just cause GM need to fill there plants cause they stuffed up there business??

I dont think I said it will make the car better, but will be better overall for American consumption since they can be made at a lower cost here in Canada then having them made in Oz, shipped here, and not with all the equipment and options that would be nessessary for a car or cars in this segment.
Not to mention we have a big plant ready to make 500k units of something, and all we have is 100k Camaros and a 200-250 Impala's that will go on till 2012.
Camaro weight was added when they took the full size platform and extended the axle to dash length, which added structure and therefor added weight. Camaro was slimmed down to within limits, and has such things as an Aluminum hood.
Using aluminum in places were stamping and strength arent a huge issue (hood, deck lid, roof) would be a good place to start. Id also look into the use of aluminum compontents for the front and rear subframe, that could be done between GM NA and Holden.
Holden losing out on a few thousand units is big, but not as big as having yet another plant under capacity. Just becaues GM made mistakes before doesnt mean they should just live with them. But then again, a few thousand Ute's arent going to fill up the plant. A combined producton of Camaro, Ute and G8 would get you maybe 250k units. Still would need another 250k of another car to keep the plant happy.

Having a V6 model is silly?? Why is that?? why shouldnt someone be able to buy a vehicle with a decent V6 motor, just cause its supposed to be sporty doesnt mean it has to have a V8, its that kind of thought process thats got GM into the probs its got now, your idea of 1 expensive model just kills potential sales from people who dont want a V8

G8 ST will sell less units then the GTO did, you can bank on that. So why should GM NA spend the millions to cert this new Ute with more engines?
Sure, people want a sporty V6 car, but the Ute aint it. The Ute will sell to enthusiasts only, if that. As much as I really really really dig the Ute, it wont sell in nearly the same numbers.
At least Pontaic should try and make it the baddest truck int he West. GXP package should be standard and only option. I dont see the need to put a V6 in it, a V8 in it, etc etc. Its not like we are getting several variants of cabs, beds, wheel bases, drive trains....its a 2 door, 2 seater sports car with a bed.
Its gunna be a tough sell, the G8 ST will sell to enthusiasts in very low numbers.

Now, a G8 sedan should be getting this DI V6 and a regular production thing, something that can make the G8 a versitle vehicle vs the others in its class. Entry for V6 powerd sedans in the G8's class is now 270hp or more.
Id still argue that if the G8 was built along side Camaro, that would/could be a third engine available for people who want a V8, but dont want the LS3.

[from oz]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

I dont think I said it will make the car better, but will be better overall for American consumption since they can be made at a lower cost here in Canada then having them made in Oz, shipped here, and not with all the equipment and options that would be nessessary for a car or cars in this segment.
Not to mention we have a big plant ready to make 500k units of something, and all we have is 100k Camaros and a 200-250 Impala's that will go on till 2012.
Camaro weight was added when they took the full size platform and extended the axle to dash length, which added structure and therefor added weight. Camaro was slimmed down to within limits, and has such things as an Aluminum hood.
Using aluminum in places were stamping and strength arent a huge issue (hood, deck lid, roof) would be a good place to start. Id also look into the use of aluminum compontents for the front and rear subframe, that could be done between GM NA and Holden.
Holden losing out on a few thousand units is big, but not as big as having yet another plant under capacity. Just becaues GM made mistakes before doesnt mean they should just live with them. But then again, a few thousand Ute's arent going to fill up the plant. A combined producton of Camaro, Ute and G8 would get you maybe 250k units. Still would need another 250k of another car to keep the plant happy.

.

If Holden lost its US G8 contract it would be devestating! Tens of thousands of units per year is what we are talking here. Leave all commodore product in Australia. At least until Holden as a viable domestic solution.

[mikmak]

Just thought I should add that the SS Ute came second in MOTOR magazines latest "Bang For Your Buck" comparison, which, as the name would indicate, is a comparison of how much performance fun you can get for the money. The SS Sedan had won this comparison for the last 2 years. This years winner?

Ford Falcon XR6T Ute (with a live rear Axle!)


An additional note: The V6 has a higher towing capacity than the V8

[Puzzel]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

I think money would be better spent on certifiying a TR6060 with the L76, or just making the G8 ST in GXP trim only with both 6spd auto or manual.

36k, 405hp, 6spd auto or manual, 14 inch brakes, 4 piston calipers, 19 inch summer tires....Pontiac G8 ST.

That is exactly what I would buy to replace my Colorado -- unless they offer the turbo diesel & manual in the Crew Cab GMT355 in the US first.

[BBDOS CV8]

With the $Oz tanking at present (US84c at present, down from 98), and tipped to settle longterm at $US0.77 I'd say the affordability scales just got tipped back into the black for GM. (Is that a mixed metaphor or what?)

A while back we were looking at Oz-US $ parity. Now it's looking rosier for the G8, and more worthwile for GM to offer more variations. The VE wagon is proving a hit so far, it may even make it there. The wagon is not much if any heavier than the sedan, and available in a multitiude of trims including SS (G8 GT) with V8 manual, which should make it a monty for the US.

The DI is coming because Holden is changing over to it as the standard engine. Not before time.

I don't understand why GM doesn't do with the G8 GT what it is doing with the Camaro and offer a manual with no cylinder deactivation.

Similarly, not offering the V6 with manual is silly - it gets about 2mpg better, and is the most part of a second quicker 0-100 and in the quarter, not to mention much more involving to drive. Even if it doesn's sell many, the perception is it's a lesser car for not offering it.

[demonv8]

Is GM saving money for not allowing a manual version of the G8 in NA? Most car enthusiasts want to manually drive (like me!) and not offering a manual seems half@ssed to me and another reason why the G8 isn't selling as well as it should be. The V6 version of the G8 is also overpriced which doesn't help.

If the Aussie dollar continues to go down (why is it going down anyway??) they should offer the FULL complement of G8 cars, sedan, ute, wagon and coupe and is they don't sell, then GM should never bother importing cars from down under again. Perhaps only we 'Aussies' understand the performance bargain (in V8 form) these cars are.

[mikmak]

The G8 adheres to the concept and to the US pipe dream, but it seems that when it comes time to ante up, FWD comes back into the mix.

The G8 is cheaper and faster than its competition, with better handling....oh that's right, it doesn't have Nav (clearly a performance car requirement). **** it; send over the Calais for Buick and give Pontiac the lead injection its so called supporters are calling for. "It's not a real Pontiac" *rubbing teary eyes with little hands*.

j/k ...no really.

[asylum]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

I don't understand why GM doesn't do with the G8 GT what it is doing with the Camaro and offer a manual with no cylinder deactivation.

i agree.

just use the L98 thats already fitted to the commodore, and all the LHD components are all ready to go! The GXP will be offered with a manual so i guess they thought that will make do.

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

Similarly, not offering the V6 with manual is silly - it gets about 2mpg better, and is the most part of a second quicker 0-100 and in the quarter, not to mention much more involving to drive. Even if it doesn's sell many, the perception is it's a lesser car for not offering it.

thats one is slightly different.

there is no LHD V6 version built for any market. The middle-east Lumina S is automatic only, so that would involve developing the different hardware just for one small export model..

i guess if it does stay as a viable long term model it could be considered, but i doubt it in the near future

[BBDOS CV8]

Originally Posted by asylum

there is no LHD V6 version built for any market. The middle-east Lumina S is automatic only, so that would involve developing the different hardware just for one small export model..

Ah, OK - if they don't make a LHD console/trim I suppose that's an issue. I wouldn't have thought there'd be any difference in the shifter and I suppose you'd probably be talking about an uptake of cars in the low thousands, whereas most of the competing manual cars from companies like Nissan and co. are LHD first off so there's many more. Holden's probably also had plenty on their new-products plate recently having just released the full wagon lineup.

[asylum]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

Ah, OK - if they don't make a LHD console/trim I suppose that's an issue. I wouldn't have thought there'd be any difference in the shifter

nah i was thinking about the little things you don't see, eg. clutch cylinders and lines. i don't know how much of that carries over on RHD between the manual 6 & 8's but surely there would be some small differences that would mean its not just a straight fitment using parts already available

[Desert Rat]

Well, now it seems like forever since it was initially announced... I haven't really lost interest in the ST, but the excitement of the vehicle is gone. Will I still get one? I don't know... it is taking GM forever to get an already existing vehicle to market that, alot of us that were anxious, will just get something else.

My Charger is only 3 years old (06 bought in 05), and it is in great condition, has been a great car, ride, reliability, fun.... but I need something with a bed, be it a pick-up or the G8 ST. But with the wait, I may just say screw it and buy another truck.

Seeing as it will be used only on weekends and vacations, as through the week I have a company vehicle... not really concerned about MPG of a truck or a GXP version of the ST.

I've driven the G8 GT sedan a couple times to get an idea of the interior and feel of the car, and granted it is a great car, but it blends in where it goes unnoticed on the road or in a parking lot, the interior is nice, but not segment changing. I wouldn't get rid of the Charger for one, but if I didn't own the Charger, it would be a consideration. I just worry that when the ST comes out... It will have the same effect on me, kinda ho-hum, livable, but not a need to have it feeling anymore.

GM is known for bringing out concepts people want, producing vehicles people don't, and when they have a vehicle people want, they take so long to get it to market, people buy something else cause they are tired of waiting for it. (especially performance versions).

[ponchoman49]

I would like to see at least 27 MPH highway with this engine setup.

[Joe in T.O.]

I really love Pontiacs but I don't think this ST should be a Pontiac. Chevrolet tried the SSR and it was a sales disappointment. I think the ST won't do well for Pontiac.