2008 Pontiac G8 Showcar Debuts

CHICAGO — Pontiac rolled out a showcar version of the new 2008 Pontiac G8, noting that it is "representative of the production GT model" that will hit showrooms early next year. The GM brand also released information about the G8 — which is poised to become the new Pontiac flagship sedan — including the fact that it will be built in Adelaide, Australia.

The five-passenger G8 is the first North American application of GM's new global rear-wheel-drive architecture developed by Holden, GM's Australian subsidiary. The G8 is noteworthy not only because of its importance to Pontiac, but because it is the sister vehicle of the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro.

Pontiac says the G8 lineup will have two models: G8 and G8 GT. The base G8 is outfitted with a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 rated at 261 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 250 pound-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm. It is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift model.

The G8 GT is powered by a 6.0-liter small-block V8 rated at 362 hp at 5,700 rpm and 391 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode is standard. An optional six-speed manual transmission will be available soon after launch, Pontiac said. Fuel-economy numbers are not yet available for either model.

The G8 will ride on a 114.8-inch wheelbase with a 196.1-inch overall length. The base G8 has a curb weight of 3,885 pounds and the G8 GT weighs 3,995 pounds. GM says the G8 has a nearly 50/50 front-to-rear weight balance ratio thanks to the new architecture.

The global architecture for the G8 is designed to accommodate production for both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive markets around the world, the automaker said.

Pontiac said the two production G8s will include four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control, electronic stability control, 18-inch aluminum wheels, power-adjustable front seats and foglamps. Cloth seating is standard, with heated leather seating available as an option. A sport package will be available and adds 19-inch aluminum wheels and performance tires on the GT, as well as a rear wing spoiler, leather shift knob, leather-wrapped steering wheel and alloy pedals.

The two production models are differentiated through styling. The G8 models have red taillamp lenses and twin chrome exhaust outlets; the G8 GT models feature clear taillamp lenses and quad chrome exhaust tips. In the cabin, G8 GT models will have an optional two-tone cloth or leather combination that pairs black with red or blue inserts and color-matched instrument faces on certain exterior color combinations.

The G8 showcar has the 362-hp V8 and optional six-speed manual transmission. It also includes items not found on the production model, including 20-inch "shadow chrome" wheels and performance tires, a ride height lowered by about a half-inch, high-performance brake rotors with painted brake calipers, custom interior trim color with a leather-wrapped dash and "phantom gray" exterior paint. Pontiac has included a concept of a monochromatic "modernized" Pontiac badge to "gauge public opinion."

Pontiac said the G8's key competitors are the Dodge Charger and Nissan Maxima.

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