2008 Pontiac G8 GT Part 2: Performance Review

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 G8’s 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
Read Part 1: Design & Interior

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 words: Limited-slip differential

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