Pontiac G8

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Pontiac G8

Manufacturer	General Motors/Holden
Production	2008–
Assembly	Elizabeth, South Australia, Australia
Predecessor	Pontiac Grand Prix Pontiac Bonneville
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	GM Zeta platform
Engine	3.6 L LY7 V6 6.0 L Gen IV L76 V8
Transmission	5-speed 5L40-E automatic 6-speed 6L80-E automatic 6-speed TR-6060 manual
Wheelbase	114.7 in
Length	196.1 in
Width	74.8 in
Height	57.7 in
Related	Holden VE Commodore
Similar	Dodge Charger Hyundai Genesis

The Pontiac G8 is a rear-wheel drive sedan created by General Motors division Holden to be released for the 2008 model year under the Pontiac name. It is a replacement for the Pontiac Grand Prix, which ceases production after the 2008 model year with one year of overlapping. The G8 will be Pontiac's first full-size car since the Bonneville was discontinued in 2005.

The G8 will be based on the GM Zeta platform which was created by Holden for the Holden VE Commodore in the Australian market. At the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, GM chairman Bob Lutz confirmed that GM intends to import Holden Commodores into North America as G8s.^[1] The news was not planned to be officially announced until the Chicago Auto Show in February. The G8 will become GM's first North American Zeta vehicle. The G8 shares much of its design with the Commodore and it is certain that it will share the Zeta platform with two (possibly three) other American cars, the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, 2009 Chevrolet Camaro, and possibly a 2010 or later Pontiac GTO. This will be the first rear-wheel-drive Pontiac sedan sold in North America since the 1986 Bonneville and Parisienne, however there are several rear-wheel-drive offerings on the road already as the Solstice and the outgoing GTO. The size of the car is around the size of many German large cars such as the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A6 but is comparable to the Dodge Charger for performance and the new Buick Lucerne for practicality. The G8 debuted at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show.^[2]

The G8 will be available in two forms: base G8 and the G8 GT. the base G8 will be available with a 261 hp (194 kW) 3.6 liter DOHC VVT V6 engine, standard with a 5-speed automatic. The GT will come with a 362 hp (270 kW) 6.0 liter Generation IV V8, featuring a 6-speed automatic and Active Fuel Management as standard, capable of reaching 100km (60 miles) in under 5 seconds. A 6-speed manual will be made optional on the GT. The cars will come standard with 6-airbags, including full-length curtain airbags, 18 inch alloy wheels, sports body kit, power-adjustable front seats, cloth seats and a 7-speaker audio system, featuring a Satellite Radio system. An optional sports package will be available, containing 19 inch alloys with performance tires, upgraded sports suspension, 11-speaker stereo with six-stacker CD system, colour display screen featuring climate-control & audio functions, leather-bound steering wheel and alloy pedals. G8 GT interiors will be available with the choice of a two-tone interior that will match black with either red or blue.

Holden chairman Denny Mooney announced that the G8 will be imported from the Australian Elizabeth plant for the life cycle of the car, but refused to comment on possible future production at GM's Oshawa, Ontario facility.^[3]At the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, GM Global Chairman Bob Lutz announced that the G8 are expected in US Pontiac dealerships in "early 2008".^[4] GM leads all other automakers in Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index (TQI).^[5]