When the Pontiac G8 launched at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, I have to admit I was skeptical. My male colleagues were salivating around the turntable, and I just rolled my eyes. I had visions of the GTO debacle dancing in my head.
The recent press preview of the G8 in San Diego knocked any doubt out of my head. This is an incredibly likeable large sedan.
2008 Pontiac G8
- Base price for the G8 with a V-6 is $27,595. The GT bases at $29,995.
- The base engine is a 3.6-literV-6 that delivers 256 horsepower.
- Up-level GT model sports a 6.0-liter V-8 that delivers 361 horsepower.
- G8 is built on a rear-wheel drive platform.
- Just announced: Later this year, the G8 will be available as a GXP model with an available six-speed manual transmission and a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that delivers 402 horsepower.
And I had to keep reminding myself that this is a large sedan. The G8 sits on a 114.8-inch wheelbase and has an overall length of 196.1 inches. That puts it about 4 inches shorter than the new Ford Taurus, but it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds more at 3,885 for the base model and 3,995 for the GT.
Legroom is 42.2 inches in the front and 39.4 inches in the back. EPA interior volume is 124.5 cubic-feet, and even better, the trunk has a cargo capacity of 17.5 cubic-feet.
With these numbers you might think the G8 would feel heavy and oversized, but for the most part it does not. The rear-wheel drive powertrain combined with some excellent horsepower and torque ratings make the G8 drive more like a sports car.
The base G8 model comes with a well-mannered 3.6-liter V-6 engine that delivers 256 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. The GT model comes with a 6.0-liter (yikes!) V-8 engine that delivers 361 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. As Pontiac was fond of saying during the preview: That’s the most horsepower you can get for under $30K.
During the 6-hour test drive, my driving partner and I managed to get into both the base G8 and the up-level GT models for good, long stretches. The drive route included a heavily hilled terrain, with a few blind, no-shoulder curves thrown in for good measure.
I did most of the uphill driving and was impressed by the ability of the G8 with the V-6 to climb at a quick clip. It handled well around the corners, and I felt relatively confident during the drive that I wasn’t going to oversteer and end up down the side of a mountain. My driving partner, who did the downhill driving, said that he didn’t feel as confident and that he could definitely feel the weight as he was taking a curve on a decline.
When we switched into the GT, there was not only a noticeable difference in power, but the confidence level also went up for me and my partner. While the base model provided a nice loping ride, the GT was just plain fun. It was almost light around the corners and really dug in when you reached for the extra power. It’ll cost about $2,500 to upgrade to the GT model, and all I have to say is: It’s worth it.
Because of the horsepower ratings, the G8 is not going to be one of your 30 mpg drivers. City/highway fuel estimates for the V-6 are 17/25 mpg. Amazingly, though the V-8 adds almost 100 horsepower, it only knocks 1 mpg off the highway mileage, and fuel estimates ring in at 15/24. Much of this is due to the V-8’s Active Fuel Management, which shuts down four out of eight cylinders when you are cruising at a steady speed.
The up side to the fuel dilemma: The recommended fuel for the G8 is just regular unleaded. You can put premium fuel in for maximum performance, but you don’t have to.
The G8 styling is instantly recognizable as a Pontiac with the split grille and large Pontiac emblem blazing the way at the front. It’s the hood scoops, however, that blow the design out of the water. In a picture they look a bit flat and overdone to me. But when I saw them coming up on me in my rearview mirror, my first reaction was to get out of the way. The G8 behind me looked fast, mean and ready to drive right over me.
The tail end of the G8 is a departure from the norm. My driving partner and I were trying to place the upscale lines surrounding the trunk, and we came up with a cross between a BMW 3 and an Acura TL. The tailored lines and well-styled taillights hint at a price tag that could easily top $40K, yet the base price for the top-of-the-line GT model is just $29,995. If you really want to load it up, adding the Premium Package, sunroof and all-season tires, you’ll top out at $32,295.
The G8's interior is pleasantly simple. It doesn’t have a lot of buttons and doodads to distract the driver, and everything is well placed and easy to reach. The white numbers on the gauges were clean and uncluttered looking, and the slight slant to the font used showed forward momentum for a car that’s meant to be driven fast. The red backlighting on the gauges, buttons and dials is reminiscent of Audi, bringing the upscale look inside.
The base cloth seating surfaces are attractive and relatively comfortable, but the bolsters are not made to grip the body and hold it in place. The odd thing I noticed, however, is that the seats were kind of stiff. Plus, when I moved around and pressed into the seats, they made a crunching sound. The up-level leather seats included with the premium package are really nice, and definitely worth the extra money it’ll take to get them.
I got an excellent driving position, and the seats felt neither too large nor too small. The interior was quiet, and driving for long stretches was comfortable. The tilt/telescoping steering wheel was standard as were the steering wheel audio controls.
The one disappointing interior feature centers around the oil and battery gauges. They are located at the top of the center stack, depicted by a digital bar graph. I kept thinking this was just one of many screens you could scroll through. But after pushing every button and finally consulting the manual, I couldn’t make the screen go away. First, it seems like an odd place for this gauge, and second, it’s not very attractive.
Oil/battery gauge aside, I really enjoyed my brief time in the G8, but I still can’t say that I’d see myself losing any drool over it. It’s a nice compromise for the family oriented driver who wants a little spice in the daily commute.
Something that would make it spicier? A six-speed manual transmission. The V-6 engine is mated to a five-speed automatic and the V-8 is mated to a six-speed automatic. But wait! GM just announced they are introducing a G8 GXP model at the New York Auto Show this week, and you guessed it, it will have an optional six-speed manual transmission. Well, that and a 6.2-liter V-8 engine delivering 402 horsepower and 0-to-60-mph times of 4.7 seconds.
That I can’t wait to get my hands on. And, OK, there might be a little drool involved.
DriveLive around Chicago in a VW Eos
