Pontiac G8 GT Ultimate Test: Complete two-part review

DESIGN & INTERIOR
Pontiac has a dilemma. It's a problem that other, younger manufacturers might wish they had. You see, Pontiac has too much brand design equity. It's a problem because that equity isn't all positive. In fact, recently, some of it is negative.

With a few notable exceptions, Pontiac seemed to take a wrong turn with its design beginning in the early 1970s, just as the fuel crisis was neutering the performance of its cars. Things continued to get worse throughout the 70s and the early 80s as safety, economy, and luxury took precedence over what the brand had stood for in its 1960s hay day; performance.

This affected the design of Pontiacs as the shift away from performance gave us more and more front wheel drive models with their awkward proportions. Wire wheel covers replaced performance mags, and vinyl roofs became optional on almost every model.

Fast forward to present day and we find a resurgent Pontiac. With the gorgeous Solstice as its spark, the brand is actually cleaning up its design image. We are seeing a brand that was previously known for fake vents and tacked-on body cladding starting to offer clean, functional, well thought-out designs.

I give you as evidence, the Pontiac G8 GT. The G8 is an Australian built Holden Commodore reconfigured and face lifted as a Pontiac. It follows in the ashes of the ill-fated GTO, but unlike the GTO with its soft, bloated styling, the G8 features taut, clean lines with crisp detailing.

One word you'd never think of with past Pontiacs comes to mind when you take a look at the G8: understated. Our test car in Liquid Red isn't the best example of this, true, but it still shows off how clean the car is from a design standpoint.

Starting with the side view, we find a crisp line that begins at the fender vent and runs up toward the taillight. It adds a dynamic element to the car that's in keeping with its underlying performance.

The DLO - which stands for Day Light Opening and is basically design-speak for side window graphic - wouldn't be out of place on a BMW given it's little Hofmeister kink. (The low forward bend in the C-pillar that debuted on the iconic BMW 1500 in 1961. It was named after BMW's then director of design Wilhelm Hofmeister.) We also see this element borrowed from BMW by other manufacturers, and in this case it works well as it ties into the door part-line very nicely.

At the back of the car we see restraint once again. Taillight clusters are simple and clean, resisting the hideous trend to go chrome - Thank you Pontiac. There is a discreet, very BMW M-like trunk lid spoiler. And the whole thing is finished off by quad tail pipes that once again mimic Munich's best.

Finishing up the design review at the front - the cars best angle - we find a face that is serious and purposeful without being overly aggressive. Three pairs of intakes are nicely integrated and are all functional - as they should be. And finally, the best part of the car - the big fender flares - are best seen from the direct front and front - angles. These flares, and the other aforementioned elements, make a serious statement about the G8 GTs intent and suggest that a driver looking in his or her rearview mirror should get out of the way.

Inside the car we find a well-executed passenger compartment with comfortable seats, tons of space, and a clean instrument panel with all the vital information. The only negative in the interior is the Atari 2600 style battery voltage and oil pressure digital display on the upper center console. It's the only cheap-feeling element in an otherwise purposeful and functional - if a little uninspiring - interior. So Pontiac is back on form. And if the trend toward clean and purposeful design started by the Solstice and carried on by the G8 is to be continued by upcoming models, then it's safe to say that the brand is once again building positive design equity.

PERFORMANCE
Remember the taste-test wars between Coke and Pepsi? People would be blindfolded so that they couldn't see the cans, and then they would take a drink from each can and assert which one they thought was their favorite. Next, low and behold, the blindfold would come off to the shock of the tester, "OH MY GOD, I THOUGHT I LIKED PEPSI BETTER!"

It's too bad Pontiac can't reproduce that test with their new G8 GT. Because this car would raise more than a few eyebrows if compared in a blind test to some European cars costing twice as much.

An Australian import, the G8 is essentially a Holden Commodore that has received a mild facelift, turning it into a Pontiac. Now, I know what you're thinking. This formula has been tried before with the GTO, and it hasn't exactly worked wonders for GM. But before you throw out the baby with the bathwater, let me tell you why this time GM got it right.

The GTO was priced higher than it's most obvious competitors and didn't really offer too much of a performance advantage. With this car, the exact opposite is true. Priced at just under thirty grand - that's right, thirty thousand dollars - the G8 GT is an absolute bargain.

If you don't agree, try this: name any other mid-size 4-door sedan that is rear drive, has nearly perfect 50/50 front to rear weight distribution, a multi-link independent rear suspension, and is powered by a V8 with at least 360 hp.

If you said anything other than a BMW, or maybe a Mercedes-Benz, you may want to go back and check your specs. Pretty nice company. And lets not forget, those cars cost $60k - twice as much as the G8 GT. There are a couple other cars that fit the bill of course. And those are the SRT-8 versions of the Chrysler LX cars - the Charger, 300, and the now-discontinued Magnum. All base priced around $10k over the G8 GT.

Then, out of those cars, how many offer a true limited slip differential? Only the Pontiac G8 GT and the Chrysler SRT-8s. To get a limited slip diff in the BMW, you'd have to step up to the M5 at $90K.

Also contributing to the G8 GTs ability to do big slides relatively easily is the standard FE2 suspension with anti-roll bars front and rear - standard on all G8s. It's surprisingly firm out here on our track, and yet very complaint on the road. Very much like those German sedans.

We can't sum up the G8s performance story without mentioning that stonkin' V8 under the hood. At 6 liters, it doesn't suffer size envy to many cars out there. Making 361 HP and 385 lb.-ft of torque, this thing pulls the G8s near 4000 lbs with authority. And it makes a great American V8 noise all the way - even though it's actually assembled in Mexico.

The performance story for the G8 GT is a good one. It's got a lot of go, it corners well, and the brakes do a decent job of hauling it down. And with this Global Rear Drive platform also underpinning the upcoming Camaro, the future looks bright for GM performance fans.

Watch the video

Pontiac G8 GT

Performance
- Acceleration: Awesome V8 noise all the way - great traction
- Handling: Softly sprung so it moves a lot - limited slip makes up for it though
- Braking: Effective, although there is a ton of car to slow - two tons actually

Design - Exterior: Pontiac shows restraint - very clean and purposeful
- Interior: A bit plain, but well put together with loads of content

Utility - Comfort: Great handling/ride compromise for the real world - lots of room
- Space: Large and in charge

Safety - Dynamics: Softly sprung -- doesn't help when making quick evasive maneuvers -- Great balance makes up for it
- Technology: All the airbags you could want plus stability control (defeatable) and ABS

Value - Price: Could get away with costing $10k more
- Mileage: Tall final drive means low revs at highway speeds - cylinder deactivation helps as well

Emotional Appeal - Heart thumpin" ' factor: Styling a bit conservative to really move you - could end up a well-kept secret unfortunately
- Fun to spank: Three letters: LSD

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Rear wheel drive
Engine: 6.0 liter, V8
Power (SAE): 361 hp @ 5300 rpm
Torque: 385 lbs-ft @ 4400 rpm
Redline: 6000 rpm
Gearbox: 6 speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3995 lbs.
0-60 mph: 5.3 sec.
1/4 mile: 13.8 sec.
Top Speed: 139 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 15 city / 24 highway
Base Price: $29,310
Competitors: Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300C, Infiniti G35