2008 Pontiac G8 GT Part 1: Quick Test

With a few notable exceptions, Pontiac seemed to take a design wrong turn beginning in the early 1970s as, for the next 30 years, safety, fuel economy and brand-engineering all took precedence over what the Pontiac brand stood for in its heyday: performance.

Fast forward to the present, though, to find a resurgent nameplate. With the gorgeous Solstice as its spark, the Pontiac brand is re-emerging, as evidenced by the Pontiac G8 GT, an Australian-built Holden Commodore reconfigured and face-lifted as a new Pontiac.

True, the G8 GT follows in the footprints of the ill-fated GTO, but unlike that bloated coupe, the G8's taut, clean lines suggest both "serious" and "purposeful" without the flabby mid-section.

Up front, air intakes are well-integrated and functional, while the big fender flares make a serious statement about the G8 GT's intent: Drivers ahead should get the hell out of the way...

The passenger compartment is very well executed, with comfortable seats, tons of space and an instrument panel cleanly displaying all the vital information.

It's really too bad Pontiac marketers can't somehow reproduce the old "Coke vs. Pepsi Blind Taste Test" with this new car because it definitely would raise eyebrows in a blind comparison test against a handful of European cars costing twice as much.

Start talking mid-size four-door sedans with rear drive, nearly perfect 50/50 front to rear weight distribution, a multi-link independent rear suspension and more than 350 hp - all Pontiac G8 GT attributes - and you're in the rarified air of $60,000 German sedans.

Priced at just under thirty grand - half as much - the G8 GT is an absolute bargain.

Headlining the G8's performance story is a stonkin' six-liter V8 which makes 361 hp and 385 lb.-ft of torque, hustling the nearly two-ton Pontiac sedan with authority. Along the way, it makes a great American V8 noise (even though it's actually assembled in Mexico).

The G8 GT has a lot of "go" with 0-60 times just over five seconds. And it corners well thanks to its FE3 suspension and standard limited-slip differential.

Brakes, meanwhile, do a commendable job of hauling down the nearly two-ton sedan over and over, with great stability to boot.

This capable new Pontiac is a world-class performance sedan. And with its Global Rear Drive platform also underpinning the upcoming Camaro, the future looks bright for GM performance fans.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Performance

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