After 83 years of vehicle production, General Motors is closing down the Pontiac division in 2010. While Pontiac has certainly struggled for an identity for the last decade, it was poised for a comeback with some exciting vehicles that would have helped restart the engine of this sleepy carmaker.

Bringing back V-8 power plants, rear-wheel drive and sporty two-door convertible/coupes seemed like the right plan, and if it required a little help from Down Under so be it. GM tried it before with the short-lived (2004-06) Pontiac GTO (rebadged as the Australian Holden Monaro), but this time Pontiac got it right.

I recently tested a 2009 G8 GXP sedan, and if this is to be the last performance Pontiac then it is a fitting send off. Going the GXP route means you receive more than just a “pumped up” engine. All the important performance components are upgraded, including suspension, tires and brakes.

I recently tested a 2009 G8 GXP sedan, and if this is to be the last performance Pontiac then it is a fitting send off. Going the GXP route means you receive more than just a “pumped up” engine. All the important performance components are upgraded, including suspension, tires and brakes.

The exterior also gets a little boost, but only the real car spotters in the crowd will notice the difference between a G8 GXP and a G8 GT. The nose and tail are exclusive to the GXP. The enhancements look nice but they’re purely cosmetic. The hood scoops are more aggressive than the G8 GT’s but are still nonfunctional, the fender gills are basically stick-on items, and the rear diffuser is also for looks.

These aesthetics do not mean the car isn’t sexy; quite the contrary. I received many admiring glances and several people commented that they liked the muscular performance looks.

Under those fake dual-hood scoops is some real “thunder from Down Under,” courtesy of a 6.2-liter V-8 (LS3) that produces 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.

The engine is backed with a standard Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic, but a six-speed Tremec TR6060 manual transmission is available. This advanced manual smoothly transfers the engine’s power and torque to the rear wheels with an even shift throw.

In my testing I noted that the dreaded skip shift (first to fourth) is present unless you keep the rpms up and then you can row through the evenly spaced gears naturally. The shifter is stubby but really had a direct connection to the transmission without any slop. I like a mild effort clutch but the GXP’s felt a little light. The initial launches are strong but the longer you keep your foot in it the powerful feeling dissipates.

Together, the drivetrain combination achieves 13 city and 20 highway Environmental Protection Agency mileage figures. Fat chance. I had my heavy shoes on that week, and I filled the 19.2 gallon tank twice. High-performance blasts were the norm and hard to avoid – ditto for the big grins.

A 3.70 final drive ratio comes with the manual-equipped GXPs, and a limited-slip differential is standard. Pontiac indicates this powertrain combination delivers a 0-to-60 mph performance time of about 4.7 seconds (I only managed to get the G8 into the high fives), and the quarter-mile flies by in approximately 13.0 seconds at 108 mph. Those numbers easily best most of Pontiac’s top performance cars from the last three decades, and there is a nice performance exhaust note while you hit the afterburners.

The GXP’s on-road ride is tuned to the firm side so if you or your family members aren’t accustomed to a firm-riding vehicle, I would advise going with a softer G8 GT. The handling is just spot on and was developed and validated on racetracks and highways around the world, including the famed Nürburgring racing circuit. I didn’t find much wrong with the package that Pontiac put together. I like that Pontiac balanced power and performance with a solid, quiet machine that is devoid of wind noise, tire slap or other exterior nuisances.

A Brembo braking system matches the GXP’s boost in engine performance with an increase in stopping power. The upgraded system includes 14-inch vented front and 12.76-inch rear disc rotors, with special quad-piston alloy calipers in front. The alloy calipers on the rear brakes have single-piston actuation. The four-wheel disc brake system includes standard anti-lock brakes and all-speed traction control, which is easily defeated with a push of a button.

The GXP’s connection to the road is accomplished with unique 19-inch polished aluminum wheels with a special machined face. Meaty, performance-oriented summer P245/40R19 tires are standard, and a comparable all-season tire is available.

Inside the G8 features modest upgrades to the G8 GT package. The first noticeable difference is the aggressive-looking, thickly bolstered sport seats. I like these seats as they really hold you in place but they will not fit everyone. I didn’t like the squared-off steering wheel; it felt clumsy and lumpy. Pontiac cleaned up the dash by removing the oil life monitor and replacing it with a storage binnacle, but it still needs something else. Speaking of missing in action, where’s the redline on the tac? It reads up to 8,000 – and that’s it?

Usually rear passengers lose out in a performance sedan such as this, but the Holden-designed G8 provides rear passengers with a comfortable environment. There is plenty of room for tall passengers, and behind the seats is 17.5 cubic-feet of flat, usable trunk space.

GM has raided Holden’s product line to snatch the Commodore sedan and blend it with some American performance tuning and handling upgrades. Pontiac has created a nice BMW 5-Series fighter for $37,610, actually $39,310 with mandatory $1,700 “gas guzzler” tax. Pontiac lists it as an option (like you had any choice). The only true option on my tester was the six-speed manual for $695, so the as-tested price came to a reasonable $40,690.

Cars like the GTO, Grand Prix, Firebird Trans Am and Bonneville will be missed, but you can add the G8 GXP to the list of Pontiac performance greats.

2009 PONTIAC G8 GXP SEDAN

ENGINE: 415-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8

TRANSMISSION: Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN: rear-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway

BASE PRICE: $39,310

AS-TESTED: $40,690

WEB SITE: www.pontiac.com