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#1 (permalink) |
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GMI Staff Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 10,647
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GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
by BigAls87Z28 March 21, 2008 www.gminsidenews.com The introduction of the G8 GT brought to Pontiac a TRUE performance sedan, equipped with a V8 powering the rear wheels. Pontiac has never had a car like this, ever. A proper four door sedan, with a powerful engine that not only goes well in a line, but around turns...and well!! A product from our friends in Oz, Pontiac adopted the Commodore sedan from Holden. Holden has been GM's diamond in the rough, and has given us enthusiast in America some hope with giving us cars like the Pontiac GTO and now the G8. Now that the G8 GT has hit the American shores, car magazines are paying homage to the brute from down under. The G8 GT mimics the driving presence of a BMW 5 series, but with a unique twist. But there has always been some of us who want more. As we looked at more hard core versions of the G8 GT's sister car, enthusiasts wanted something with a bit more bang. Well, Pontiac is going to deliver. Introducing the 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP. Under the hood of the car is the Corvette's LS3, and mated behind the big 403hp mill is finally a six speed manual transmission for those that want to row their own. The six speed auto will be available for those who do not. At first, this car has an amazing orange paint that reflects light and scatters it everywhere almost like paint is being powered by the engine. Its visual enhancements over the GT model are minimal. Some front and rear lower fascia changes, larger wheels and brakes rounds out the now total performance package. The GXP bar has been raised. Inside the car, new seats with stiffer bolsters help keep you in. The GXP also gets a new steering wheel that makes you want to hold on for dear life as you hang the rear out, while the big 19 inch Bridgestone try to retain traction. Its interior space is still great, even for a car like this as everyone has enough room to enjoy the ride. The G8 GXP will become the top performing sedans in its price range, going head to head against the SRT8 twins from Chrysler and Dodge as well as other high performance sedans from Europe. This car is what Pontiac needed, a true flagship sedan that stands for everything Pontiac is about. Great performance for the dollar, great quality, taught design, and visceral soul is finally back in America. ![]() ![]() ![]()
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Alexander Villani GMInsideNews Editor Email Me @BigAl@GMInsidenews.com Tweet Me @Twitter.com/BigAls87Z28 2009 Malibu LT 2.4 : 1987 Camaro Z28 : 1972 Camaro RS Last edited by BigAls87Z28 : 03-22-2008 at 10:50 AM. |
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#2 (permalink) |
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6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Drives: 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero
Posts: 6,025
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Re: GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Sigh, Why didn't GM give us the HSV front fender, side fender vent and different taillights? Its too tame looking.
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![]() 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero |
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#3 (permalink) | |
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4.6 Liter Northstar V8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,832
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Re: GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Quote:
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#4 (permalink) |
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6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Drives: 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero
Posts: 6,025
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Re: GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Exactly, a set of rims shouldn't be the factor that distinguishes the two cars.
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![]() 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero |
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#6 (permalink) |
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GMI Staff Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: South Central NC
Drives: 2009 Pontiac G6 Convertible
2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Posts: 10,006
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Re: GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
You can tell them apart in person. The huge front fenders are part of the giveaway. I think more could have been done, but that's what I like about the base G8....it looks bad ass.
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#7 (permalink) |
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2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 465
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Re: GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
This is probably the best non Cadillac sedan GM has ever produced when you look at performance, room, quality and looks and what a value. For 2009, I would like to see the 3.6 get DI and the 6 speed auto. Who knows, maybe navigation will be an option. lol
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#8 (permalink) |
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6.2 Liter LS3 V8
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Indiana
Drives: 1996 Dodge 3500 CTD 4x4
1992 Camaro RS 305
Posts: 3,301
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Re: GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
It looks really nice, the fender flairs give it a real mean stance. But it still looks to much like the regular G8, the subtilty dosent do this car justice!
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#11 (permalink) | |
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6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA (formerly sunny New Mexico (y muchacho lo falto))
Drives: '02 Corvette Z06, '01 Silverado LT 4x4 Ext Cab, 19
Posts: 5,910
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Re: GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Quote:
So, according to 'Automobile' magazine, the base G8 was competitive with the 550i ...
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1979 Chevy Van 1978 Pontiac Firebird 1985 GMC S-15 Jimmy 1992 Pontiac Grand Am 1998 Oldmobile Intrigue 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 1972 Chevrolet C-10 P/U 1979 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2001 Chevrolet Silverado LT 4x4 Ext Cab "Sometimes you gotta say, 'What the *********'. "What the ********* gives you freedom, freedom creates opportunity, ... opportunity - makes your future." - 'Risky Business' 1983 |
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#12 (permalink) |
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Editor-in-Chief
Join Date: Jan 2003
Drives: 2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT
Posts: 17,722
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Re: GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
The 550i was the main target when the VE was in the making. I think they had success in their goals.
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#14 (permalink) |
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6.0 Liter L76 V8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: in a undisclosed bunker somewhere in the metro detroit area
Drives: 2001 Chevy Malibu LS
Posts: 2,284
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Re: GMI Preview: Pontiac G8 GXP
I'll admit I was impressed with the G8 GXP but I know Pontiac could've made the engine more than 403 horsepower. the LS2 in its most current form was making 400 even and IMO the LS3 should have made at least 410 to 420 horsepower. Other than that little gripe its a great looking car
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“The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair” "A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools". - Douglas Adams - Current ride: 2001 Chevy Malibu LS (happy 99,000 miles )
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#15 (permalink) |
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6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Drives: 2005 Cobalt SS
Posts: 5,907
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Re: GMI Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
looks like a nice car. It has the goods, give it 2 doors and call it a 'real' GTO! So I guess the reason GM will charge ~40 instead of 60k like a 550i is the badge on the front and the feature set that isn't in the GXP that is in the BMW?
CobaltSScrazy
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2005 Cobalt SS |
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