SEMA 08: Pontiac G8 ST Concept

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SEMA 08: Pontiac G8 ST Concept
www.gminsidenews.com

G8 ST concept

The 2010 Pontiac G8 ST is a dramatically different vehicle that blends the performance of the G8 sports sedan with the cargo capabilities of a light truck. It significantly stretches Pontiac’s commitment to style and performance and is expected to arrive in dealers’ showrooms in late 2009.

Pontiac ramps up the excitement for the production model with a concept vehicle upgraded with accessories that inspire enthusiasts about the possibilities of this distinctive vehicle. In fact, this concept incorporates many parts that will likely be offered by GM Accessories when the G8 ST hits dealerships.

Highlights of the concept vehicle include:

* Liquid Hot exterior color with enhanced clear coat
* Lowered ride height
* Custom 20-inch wheels
* Leather-trimmed seats with red inserts
* G8 GXP steering wheel with red inserts
* G8 GXP shift knob with red inserts
* Custom interior trim kit (proposed GM Accessories part)
* Hard tonneau cover (proposed GM Accessories part)

The G8 ST concept is powered by a uniquely configured 6.0L small-block V-8, rated at 361 horsepower (269 kW) and 385 lb.-ft. of torque (522 Nm). It features GM’s Active Fuel Management technology, which allows the engine to switch from V-8 power to four-cylinder operation during light-load driving conditions, enhancing fuel economy. The transmission is a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic.

[stevecmh]

im sorry..

am i the only one that thinks bring this to America is a bad idea.

i do not think it is the time for it.. i think it will not sell good

[killerrd2]

Meh...

...Do you think the average redneck would treat this like a truck??

I just don't think it will appeal to a big enough audience.

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by killerrd2

Meh...

...Do you think the average redneck would treat this like a truck??

I just don't think it will appeal to a big enough audience.

good point.. (redneck)

i really dont think it will .. it could be embarrassing

[FenwickHockey65]

This thing needed to be a Chevy and marketed as an alternative to a full size or midsize work truck from the start...

[BBDOS CV8]

They're not planning to sell tens of thousands of these. If they sell 2-3,000 of these a year, and 2-3000 GXPs you're up to 25,000 G8s a year. I think that's all they're ever intending to sell.

Nothing is as much fun to screw around on a dry road with as a Ute. All that power, no weight in the back and RWD with an LSD, traction/stability control off - tons of fun. Starting to appear in Drift events, childsplay to go sideways.


I'd say there'd be plenty of people, maybe young, outdoorsy and single, maybe as a second vehicle for family guys who'd buy it, rather than have something that struggles to get double-digit fuel economy and has the driving - and parking - dynamics of a whale.

Yesterday on the news they were saying due to a fall in demand for commodities like steel, aluminium, iron, coal from China the Oz dollar may fall as low as 40c US, where it hasn't been in ten years. All of a sudden, the G8 looks like a much better propostion for Pontiac - earlier this year we were almost at parity, for the first time since the 1970s.

You never know - the Sportwagon is selling 1 in 4 and getting very good reviews as an alternative to small SUVs here. That might even end up over there. There's another potential few thou a year.

Good thing about all of them, they drive almost like the G8 (i.e. very nicely, sedan like) and common parts and servicing means no special arrangements. Anyone who can support a G8, can support the whole range. Underneath on a hoist they all look pretty much the same, V6-V6, V8-V8.

And the customising possibilities are endless - GXP bits on ute, wagon. Lotsa small service joints here run a V8 ute as their gofer vehicle, and use the same vehicle as a rolling advertisement for their services. Hence things like the 1000hp - 1022hp at the treads - CAPA VE (G8) Ute.


HSV has versions of both - the Clubsport R8 Tourer (basically a G8 GXP wagon) is only just released but the Maloo is their biggest seller.



A pair of haulers that will dust most 'sports' cars on the road - not just in a straight line!

[stevecmh]

dont get me wrong the HSV version looks sweet.. i just dont think its the best idea right now

[powervette]

so where is the aftermarket company that offers Chevy kit & El Camino badges for it?
Ordering those parts would be the first thing I did, if I bought this cool truck.

[hotrod1949]

Cool, I can replace my two Fords with a single vehicle, it would combine the attributes of my Mustang GT, and my Ranger.

[tholland]

It's basically stock. Couldn't they have at least raided the HSV parts bin for SEMA?

[Aych Es Vee]

Originally Posted by powervette

so where is the aftermarket company that offers Chevy kit & El Camino badges for it?
Ordering those parts would be the first thing I did, if I bought this cool truck.

You dont need an aftermarket company, Holden makes them themselves:


Well first you buy the Holden front bar:
Ebay link 1

and then you buy the South African chev badges:
Ebay link 2

Ebay link 3

Ebay link 4

wheel caps:
Ebay link 5

steering wheel cap:
Ebay link 6




.............and then you're pretty much set.

[JerryL]

The Aussies sure like some wild colors..........thanks for posting the pictures from down
under.

[StormHunter77]

I too think this is a vehicle that is just not timed right. Who needs a two seater sports coupe pickup? Are G8 sedans flying off the shelves? I feel like this is going to be one of the cars people will point to IF GM or Pontiac fails. They'll point to it and say, "See? They built that now but the Cruze won't be here for years." And they'd be right!

[BigEnos]

I think they'll easily sell the relative few they bring here. People need something that can haul stuff, but not necessarily heavy stuff. Dirtbikes, shifter karts, etc. And this way they'll use a lot less gas in the process, less than even small pickup trucks. I think it's a vehicle that could find a following.

And what's this "redneck" thing? I'm a college-educated computer geek but I also own a home and I need something that can get 2X4s from the lumber yard. I happen to have a 3/4 ton truck for other reasons, but if I didn't I would consider one of these.

[FierySolstice]

This car/truck is a joke. They should of brought the coupe and wagon over. I think the wagon looks badass. People like SUV's, the space to put people and other cargo. The people that like trucks still like trucks. They will continue to buy pickups. The wagon would of sold better. But GM's management really doesn't know how to manage so we get the Pontiac El Camino. What a joke this car will be.