2009 Pontiac G8 GXP: 2008 New York Auto Show

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

Permalink | Comments (4)
Posted by: Ed Hellwig March 19, 2008, 11:36 AM
Categories: New York Auto Show, Pontiac, Sedans

4 Comments

By daytona_500 on March 19, 2008 1:11 PM

Hideous shade of orange? For crying out loud, orange is the best color for this car! Don't Lamborghinis comes in shades of orange as well?

When was the last time you saw a Pontiac with a foot tall spoiler on the trunk? The only car that comes to mind is the WRX STi and the Evo.

By ewilfong on March 19, 2008 2:39 PM

I think daytona's right about the spoiler comment. I recall discussing their uber-dorkiness attached to various Japanese cars. I don't remember huge spoilers on Pontiacs.

Regarding the orange...well, sorry. I know it's subjective, but here's another vote for hideous. It's ugly on Lamborghinis and it's ugly on Pontiacs. At least this particular shade beats the citrus disaster below.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/jkl/Lamborghini-Diablo-Orange-FA.htm

By ateixeira on March 20, 2008 8:39 AM

I think they got the styling just right.

Not tacky like the GTPP plastic packages or the old Grand Ams, so not overdone.

Yet it's not boring looking like the first-year GTO, either. So not underdone.

They got it just right.

Unfortunately, the timing may be off, given current oil prices. I still think the G8 will do well. The GXP model will be a halo car for the lesser V6s, which is what most people will actually buy.