We've added a Pontiac G8 to our long-term fleet.

A full-size, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered American sedan is always welcome in our garage.

We opted for the G8 GT which packs a 6.0-liter engine capable of 361 horsepower.

Read the Introduction on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

 

This sort of fell between the cracks in our Geneva show coverage. It's an Opel GT with a V8 of unspecified origin by performance enhancer Irmscher, and is called the Irmscher GT i40.

Now we know there's a 6.0L GM V8, and I wonder if it could fit under the hood of the Pontiac Solstice? Mr. Lutz, are you reading this? ...And thanks for the tip estreka. :)

Full story here.

When three new cars are introduced simultaneously, one of them is bound to get overlooked. Today, it was the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP that got the cold shoulder as the oddball Sport Truck and low-slung Solstice Coupe sucked up most of the crowd's attention. It's a shame really, as the G8 GXP is the one car out of the three that has the best chance of reviving Pontiac's performance reputation. It's the only G8 that will offer a manual transmission, an announcement that drew unsolicited applause from the crowd, and its 402-horsepower LS3 V8 should deliver low 13-second quarter-mile times. Hopefully, it will come in colors other than the hideous shade of orange shown today. Then again, this is Pontiac, so we should just be glad that it doesn't have a foot-tall spoiler on the trunk and leave it at that. -- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line

It makes sense that Pontiac should produce a coupe version of the Solstice. It was a sketch of a coupe that designer Franz von Holzhausen sent to Bob Lutz when the then-new product honcho solicited design ideas for a Pontiac two-seater.

The coupe looked better back then and it still looks better now as the company works toward getting it into Pontiac dealers early next year. Much of the character of the original coupe concept has been retained, including the odd but interestingly shaped backlight. The company has added a more prominent ducktail-style rear spoiler, which gives the Solstice Coupe just a faint resemblance to the BMW Z4 coupe. And all coupes come with a removable roof section, making the car more of a targa than a coupe, we suppose.

The mechanical bits are identical to those of the convertible. The price should be pretty much the same as the convertible as well, although we'll have to wait awhile to get real pricing.

Pontiac expects to sell about 10,000-12,000 coupes per year. There are a limited number of people willing to drive such an impractical vehicle without the ability to take the top down. But we would be among them. It looks great. We really wish GM would get over its fascination with mounting chrome wheels to performance cars, though. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

Pontiac will show a hot-rod G8 GXP powered by a version of the 6.2L Corvette LS3 engine, and putting out 430 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque.

All this power is harnessed by either a 6-speed automatic or a Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual. The GXP will ride on 245/40R19 performance tires and 19-inch polished aluminum wheels. Brembo brakes are part of the package. Expect a 0-60 in about 4.7 seconds. Price? Just under $40K.

Here's Inside Line's take: New York Auto Show Preview: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

That's right, this truck is at the moment unnamed—but you, dear viewer, can name it here! The El-Camino-like vehicle is based on the G8 sedan, which means lots of fun, along with a bit work capability.

As you might expect, this 2010 Holden VE-based Ute funster is powered by a big honkin' Gen-IV 6.0L V8 putting out 361 hp. A 5.4 sec 0-60 is expected when it hits the streets in 2009. Even with a unibody and IRS, payload will be 1316 pounds, and can tow 3500 pounds. Expected MSRP will be around $31K.

As to a name? Since it's clearly being marketed as a fun utility vehicle and is based on the G8, how 'bout "8isEnuf-ster?"

Full story here and here, along with videos by PickupTruck.com. and Jalopnik.

Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 New York Auto Show Preview: 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

Just a quick tease here as to some of what GM is planning on showing at NewYork next week:

• Pontiac will debut 3 new production models

• Saab's 9-x BioHybrid will make its North American debut.

• Buick reportedly to have some surprises—one of which is that their news will also be available in Chinese on the GM media site. Now that may not mean much to those not in the auto news business, but it just goes to show just how important Buick has become to China, and vice-versa. But you already knew that, right?

NHTSA have launched a probe into Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice brakes, as there have been 40 complaints, one involving a crash. It should be noted the vehicles in question are the turbocharged Solstice GXP and Sky Red Line. There have been no complaints on non-turbo models from either brand.

This is not good news, especially since Consumer Reports has just recently given the Solstice and Sky only a so-so rating. It's a real shame as these vehicles offered so much promise.

Full story here.

The 2008 G8 GT is the Pontiac we've all been waiting for.
 
It's fast. It handles well. It's comfortable. The Pontiac G8 is also a good value.

What do you think? Is it the best Pontiac ever?

Read the Pontiac G8 Full Test on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

 

Pontiac's redesigned little wagon has a 2.4-liter inline-4 capable of 158 horsepower and comes with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Read the Vibe First Drive on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor