Straightline
Pontiac
August 14, 2008
What, no clapping? Or guns-a-blazin'? Not even a parade announcing this momentous event?
Sorry guys. No, it's not a Nuevo-El Camino; nor is it a Neo-Caballero. Nope, it's just a Pontiac G8 ST, as in "Sport Truck."
Name Contest no contest
If you recall, Pontiac earlier this year requested names from all who were interested in this truck. They got 80,000 entries and 18,000 different names--and out of that the best they could come up with is G8 ST?
As to the truck... Pontiac claims the following:
• A sports car with truck-like cargo and towing capabilities
• 361 hp V8 engine with Active Fuel Management linked to six-speed automatic
• 74-inch cargo bed, 1000 pound payload and 3,500 lb towing capacity
• Estimated fuel economy near top of vehicles with comparable cargo/towing capacity
• Available in late 2009 as a 2010 model
Full story here.
Well folks, it's shortly after midnight as I'm posting this, and the name "G8
ST" is about as good a sleeping pill as I could ask for...
Here's Inside Line's take: El Camino Out as Sport Truck Is Christened the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST
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- Posted by: Bob Holland August 14, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Pontiac, Trucks
July 1, 2008
A bit over a week ago Staightline reported, via InsideGMNews.com, that GMC may be heading to the slaughter house (New rumors of a GM division axing). Now that same site is reporting that the next-gen Acadia may be canceled, as well as a GMC-badged pickup based on that platform, thus giving more credence that the GMC brand may be on the way out. Also being reported here that Pontiac too may be axed.
Now before any panic sets in here, remember that these are just rumors at this point...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 1, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: GMC, General Motors, Pontiac, SUVs, Trucks
June 21, 2008
The dramatic shift in consumer vehicle preferences have renewed rumors of a possible GM division being disbanded. This time, however, the smart money is saying that GMC could be the victim. Why GMC? Well GMC is all about trucks, and that's the market that's dying...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland June 21, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Auto Industry, Buick, GMC, General Motors, Pontiac, Trends
April 17, 2008
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...
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- Posted by: Donna Derosa April 17, 2008, 12:30 PM
- Categories: Pontiac, Sedans
March 24, 2008
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...
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March 19, 2008
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...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig March 19, 2008, 11:36 AM
- Categories: New York Auto Show, Pontiac, Sedans
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...
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- Posted by: Daniel Pund March 19, 2008, 9:16 AM
- Categories: New York Auto Show, Pontiac
March 15, 2008
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...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 15, 2008, 8:46 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, New York Auto Show, Pontiac, Sedans
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...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 15, 2008, 7:33 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, New York Auto Show, Pontiac, Trucks
March 12, 2008
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?
March 11, 2008
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...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 11, 2008, 7:05 AM
- Categories: Pontiac, Saturn, Sports Cars
February 22, 2008
The 2008 G8 GT is the Pontiac we've all been waiting for.
It's fast. It handles well. It's comfortable...
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- Posted by: Donna Derosa February 22, 2008, 4:00 PM
- Categories: Pontiac
February 8, 2008
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
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- Posted by: Donna Derosa February 8, 2008, 3:24 PM
- Categories: Pontiac
December 17, 2007
Automotive News has stated that the GMC Terrain, essentially a Saturn Vue sold in Kuwait, will replace the Pontiac Torrent. Expect to see this occur for the 2009 model year. From my standpoint I think this makes sense. CUVs seem better suited for GMC than Pontiac, so I have no problem with this move...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland December 17, 2007, 5:00 AM
- Categories: GMC, Pontiac, SUVs
October 30, 2007
We're happy to report that the Pontiac G8 GT looks substantially similar to the Holden Commodore SS we tested in Australia. And that's a good thing.
Interest in the car seems quite high. We gave up trying to take a clear shot...
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds October 30, 2007, 1:09 PM
- Categories: Future Vehicles, Pontiac, SEMA Show
October 23, 2007
GM is set to make a big splash at this year's SEMA show, which opens on October 30. One of which is this trick Pontiac Solstice SD-290 concept, pictured above. Expect to see a lot of eco-vehicles featuring bio-fuels, along with the usual and expected performance-oriented offerings; one of which is the 8.2L, 600 horsepower, E85-powered Corvette Z06 owned by Jay Leno.
Full story here at Motor Authority...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland October 23, 2007, 7:36 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, Ford, General Motors, Pontiac, SEMA Show
September 26, 2007
Our friends over at PickupTruck.com have put up an article on the Aussie Holden VE SS ute, which is rumored to come Stateside if Bob Lutz has his way. If it does come over (up?), rumor has it that it will be badged a Pontiac, or possibly a GMC, but not a Chevrolet.
The VE SS is powered by a 362 horsepower 6.0L V8, and is based on the Holden VE sedan. Power hits the ground via either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 26, 2007, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Chevrolet, Future Vehicles, GMC, Pontiac, Trucks
September 14, 2007
Pontiac is exploiting the serendipitous timing of the launches of the new Xbox 360 game, "Halo 3," and its own factory-tuned GXP version of the G6 car with a cross-promotional campaign that includes one of the new raft of TV spots for the GXP cars--plus events and interactive components touting the car and the game, which goes on sale midnight on Sept. 24.
The new ads this fall, via Leo Burnett, Detroit-based interactive agency Digitas and Hollywood, Calif.-based Stardust Productions, include a recently launched 60-second ad and two 30-second spots.
In the ads, the cars--the GXP versions of G6, Solstice and Torrent crossover--and the urban world through which they pass, are shot in black and white and appear in 2-D rendering...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 14, 2007, 8:10 AM
- Categories: Pontiac
May 23, 2007
Following the Chicago auto show announcement that the upcoming 2008 Pontiac G8 will be heavily based on Australia's Holden Commodore, we packed-up our test gear and headed down-under to see what all of the fuss was about. In addition to testing the freshly redesigned 2007 Holden Commodore SS, we also sampled its arch rival, the soon-to-be-refreshed 2007 Ford Falcon GT.
But wait, there's more. While in Australia, we saw the "ute" variants of both of these cars in great numbers...
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April 27, 2007
Alex Taylor III, a Fortune senior writer, is one more person calling for GM to trim its nameplates.
Here are his recommendations:
• Keep Chevrolet where it is - the volume brand that is the heartbeat of America.
• Maintain Cadillac at the top of the market and expand its product offerings with derivatives of the popular CTS.
• Continue to use Saturn, with its dedicated dealer channel and loyal buyers, as the brand for import intenders...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland April 27, 2007, 7:10 AM
- Categories: Auto Industry, Buick, HUMMER, Pontiac, Saab
February 8, 2007
Holy El Camino Batman! The Aussie-built Holden Ute, a car-based pickup a la the long-departed Chevy El Camino and Ford Ranchero, may be headed here!
It's also reported that it will be badged as a Pontiac G8. Well, I can see the Pontiac part, but since the G8 name has just been introduced, I suspect that part will change.
It does seem a bit ironic that GM would introduce such a vehicle just as Subaru discontinued their car-based Baja pickup...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland February 8, 2007, 7:48 AM
- Categories: General Motors, Pontiac, Subaru, Trucks
February 7, 2007
At 3:15 this afternoon, the Pontiac press conference was the place to be. Everybody wanted to see the new rear-wheel-drive G8 sedan. And we mean everybody. The Pontiac press conference was without a doubt the most crowded of the day...
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- Posted by: February 7, 2007, 3:26 PM
- Categories: Chicago Auto Show, Pontiac
January 8, 2007
Until today we'd never heard of a "hammerhead" spoiler. Honestly, after seeing the one on the 2008 Pontiac G6 GXP Street edition we still wish we were in the dark. It's an option, so we considered cutting Pontiac a little slack, but the grotesque nature of the offense eventually forced our hand. The taste police have been alerted and we understand GM's performance division will be paid a little visit...
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- Posted by: January 8, 2007, 4:18 PM
- Categories: Detroit Auto Show, Pontiac
Pontiac didn't have a press conference for the new Torrent GXP. But we'll tell you about it anyway.
It's the performance version of the brand's fairly innocuous crossover SUV and it's powered by GM’s new 3.6-liter V6. The engine, which is also used in the new Saturn Aura and Saturn Outlook, features double-overhead cams and variable valve timing to make 263 hp...
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- Posted by: January 8, 2007, 3:16 PM
- Categories: Detroit Auto Show, Pontiac
January 7, 2007
Stuffed in the back of the GM display is Pontiac. And stuffed in the back of the Pontiac section of the GM display is this G6 GXP.R racecar. Set to replace the championship winning GTO.R as Pontiac's entry in the GT class of the 2007 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, the GXP.R will debut on the racetrack later this month at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, where it will compete against factory teams from Porsche and BMW.
Built to the specifications of the Grand American GT class, the rear-wheel drive, tube chassis GXP.R is powered by a racing version of the pushrod LS2 V-8 engine that produces approximately 450 horsepower...
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- Posted by: January 7, 2007, 1:56 PM
- Categories: Detroit Auto Show, Motorsports, Pontiac
Just spent 20 minutes jabbering with Jim R. Hopson, the Communications Manager for Pontiac. You remember Pontiac don't you? It's GM's excitment division...
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- Posted by: January 7, 2007, 12:42 PM
- Categories: Detroit Auto Show, Pontiac
December 15, 2006
Despite being a little rough around the edges, the Pontiac Solstice over the last 11 months, has outsold the Zoom-Zoom Miata. To date Pontiac has moved 18,361 Solstices to Mazda's 15,873 Miatas. So stunning styling is a victor over a decade-plus of refinement.
So a big "Congrats!" goes to the Pontiac boys...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland December 15, 2006, 5:00 AM
- Categories: Mazda, Pontiac, Sports Cars, Trends
November 16, 2006
The folks at GM are sending their two sportscars off to finishing school. The duo of compact roadsters receive power door lock button and adjustable-height driver’s seat in response to customers’ requests
The Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice would be the perfect sunny day playthings but for a handful of frustrating shortcomings. Fortunately, the company is engaged in a program of continuous improvement which has already seen a reinforcing brace added between the transmission and differential, a more suitable third gear ratio and more effective sealing of the roof against wind noise.
Now the company has gone further, installing a power door lock button in the cockpit and a power seat height adjuster...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland November 16, 2006, 5:00 AM
- Categories: Pontiac, Saturn, Sports Cars, Trends
November 3, 2006
It was nearly impossible to walk by this Solstice without taking a closer look. Its unique finish is called called Cosmichrome. It's a spray plating that can be applied to just about anything and comes in just about any color you want. Goldtouch Inc...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig November 3, 2006, 9:11 AM
- Categories: Convertibles, Pontiac, SEMA Show
October 12, 2006
We haven't heard much of out of Pontiac lately, but it appears as though GM's performance division has been hard at work on a new version of its compact sport wagon. The 2008 Pontiac Vibe prototype caught in these recent spy photos looks a lot like the current model with its angular nose and sloping roofline. We expect it will stick with four-cylinder engines too, although an upgrade to something with more torque would be a welcome change. Expect to see this Vibe make its official debut in the spring with sales beginning next fall.
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig October 12, 2006, 8:36 AM
- Categories: Future Vehicles, Pontiac, Spy Photos
August 29, 2006
Inside Line reports that GMC will offer a minivan for model-year 2009.
Okay, the first question that will likely come screaming out of many mouths: WHY? Doesn't GM offer enough minivans already? The answer to that is that GM plans to discontinue the Saturn Relay, Buick Terraza and Pontiac Montana by 2009...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland August 29, 2006, 6:57 AM
- Categories: Buick, GMC, Minivans, Pontiac, Saturn, Trends
June 7, 2006
You can usually count on Jerry Flint for some thought-provoking comments. Here he comments on Pontiac's state of affairs.
Snippet: The problem today is that Pontiac is just a marketing arm, not a true automotive division. Pontiac does not have its own vice president...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland June 7, 2006, 12:00 AM
- Categories: Pontiac
June 1, 2006
Pontiac used to be known as GM's performance division, and the powers that be feel that image needs a boost. The feeling at GM is that the switch to FWD has hurt that image, hence the desire to switch back to RWD.
Snippet: Pontiac was once the performance minded division, but many industry pundits have found that GM may have lost its drive in recent years, putting out "understeering, generic-looking, front-drive blandmobiles."
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- Posted by: Bob Holland June 1, 2006, 5:49 AM
- Categories: Pontiac, Trends
February 21, 2006
Automotive News is reporting the death of the Pontiac GTO. According to the story, GM recently informed dealers that it will stop delivering the high performance coupe in September. According to a supplier close to the program, making the changes necessary to certify the Australian-built coupe to meet U.S. standards would cost too much for it to continue...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig February 21, 2006, 9:13 AM
- Categories: Coupes, Pontiac, Sports Cars
February 20, 2006
Last week we reported the possibility of Pontiac getting a version of the Chevrolet Cobalt to replace the discontinued Sunfire*. Now a report from Pontiac's dealer meeting at the recent NADA convention confirms it.
In a story by Automotive News, Pontiac General Manager John Larson says an entry-level coupe with a price of around $15,000 will start production this summer. We guessed it would be called the G4, but Larson said it would be called the Pontiac G5 instead...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig February 20, 2006, 11:56 AM
- Categories: Coupes, Pontiac
February 1, 2006
...and learn about Mazdas!
What seemed like a great idea by Ponitac marketing folks has come back to bite them, big time. It seems the guys over at Mazda bought the words "Pontiac" and "Pontiac Solstice" as search-engine terms in its advertising efforts around the launch of the redesigned Mazda MX-5 two-seater sports car. So in addition to providing Pontiac ads, a Google search for Pontiac also provides ads that compare MX-5, also known as Miata, with the all-new Solstice.
Oh well, it seemed like a good idea at the time...
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