2008 Pontiac G8 Preview

General Motors will showcase the Pontiac G8 in early 2008. The G8 is definitely an eye catcher. GM has uniquely blended four doors, a nice wide stance and a serious look that the muscle cars of yesteryear possessed. The interior of the G8 is just as stunning as the exterior, providing an inviting and comfortable look that undoubtedly will make you want to drive this car. The Pontiac G8 will be produced in the GM Holden factory in Australia. The weight distribution of the Pontiac G8 is an almost perfect 50-50 ratio. The front suspension, twin-pivoted MacPherson struts with ample caster combined with proper weight distribution gives the G8 Superior road handling abilities as well. GM has taken a new direction here offering affordable performance in an irresistible auto. A few notable attributes include quad exhaust, clear taillights and chopped window lines just to name a few.

The Pontiac G8 GT model is powered by a hefty 6.0-liter V8 engine, pumping out 361 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. The power from this hefty engine is delivered to the pavement through a six-speed automatic transmission with shift control and a sport mode. The next part is very impressive. The transmission is backed up by rear wheel drive and topped off with a limited slip differential. A manual transmission is not available in the G8's initial debut in 2008. Rumor has it that a manual transmission could become available in the 2009 models. Predictions suggest that the GT model should run from zero to 60 mph in around 5.3 seconds and around 14.1 seconds in the quarter-mile. The 2008 Pontiac G8 offers all of this and more for under $30,000.

GM also offers the Pontiac G8 sedan, sporting a 3.6-liter dual overhead cam V6 engine pumping out 256 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is backed up by a five-speed automatic transmission with driver shift control and a sport mode. Both models have an impressive wheelbase of 114.8 inches, four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electric assist and electric brake force distribution. The sedan comes in around $27,595 and the GT at around $29,995. For the money it seems like a no-brainer to go with the GT. The sedan runs from zero to 60 mph in an estimated 7.5 seconds. Both the sedan and GT come equipped with 18-inch wheels and the GT has 19-inch wheels as an option.

The interior is quite possibly the best I have ever seen offered from GM. Pontiac's slogan that it builds excitement has undoubtedly proven true. The sound system in the GT includes a six-disc CD changer, MP3 playback, 6.5-inch color LCD with multifunction display, seek and scan, speed compensated volume, theft lock, equalizer, auxiliary input jack for iPods and MP3s and an 11-speaker Blaupunkt premium sound system. The sound system in the sedan consist of AM/FM, CD, 5-inch multifunction display, seek and scan, speed compensated volume, theft lock, equalizer, auxiliary jack for iPods and MP3s and a seven-speaker Blaupunkt sound system.

General Motors is back in the game! To say that it has anything less than an absolute winner with the Pontiac G8 would be an absolute injustice. The Pontiac G8 GT also offers 22 more horsepower than the Dodge Charger RT. Quite possibly, we may have another horsepower war on our hands among the big three American automakers. On a scale of one to 10, I give the Pontiac G8 a 9.5. The only thing that held me back from giving it a perfect score of 10 is the fact that I would love to see the GT model offered with a manual transmission. I suppose GM has to give us something to look forward to. As long as the dealers don't do any price gouging, they should sell as many of these as they can get their hands on.