Chicago: 2008 Pontiac G8

UPDATE: Official press release added.

Today, Road&Track spilled the beans on the highly-anticipated Pontiac G8 rear-wheel drive sedan. No official information has been released yet, but we can confirm that this is a Holden Commodore VE SS-V with a Pontiac grille.

The base model will get the 3.6L 261-bhp 250lb.ft V6 engine. The GT model will receive the 6.0L 362-bhp V8 engine which produces 391-lb.ft of torque. GT buyers will be able to select from either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, although the manual option will be added after the car is launched.

Riding on 114.8-in. wheelbase, the G8 has a fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. Curb weight on the V-6 models is 3885 lb., while the V-8 GT tips the scales at 3995 lb. Unlike the GTO, which was a four-passenger vehicle, the GT has seating for five thanks to the three-passenger rear seat. The G8 has Pontiac's trademark split grille and rides on standard 18-in. wheels. The GT offers optional 19-in. alloys. A sport package that includes a rear wing is available across the board. The G8 is slated to go on sale in August as a 2008 model.

Stay tuned for more images and the official press release when it is officially announced tomorrow in Chicago.

Follow the jump for more images and the official press release.









PRESS RELEASES:

ALL-NEW G8 ACCELERATES NEW ERA OF REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE PERFORMANCE AT PONTIAC

CHICAGO – Confirming its commitment to style and performance, Pontiac introduced a show car version of an all-new, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan at the Chicago Auto Show. The 2008 Pontiac G8 will be available in dealerships early next year.

"With the balance of rear-wheel drive and the availability of V-8 power, the G8 represents another step in Pontiac 's commitment to its performance DNA," said John Larson, Pontiac general manager. "Added to the Solstice and the recently announced additions of the G6 and Torrent to the GXP series, the G8 demonstrates that Pontiac has never been more serious about the business of performance – and we expect this vehicle to be very competitive in the segment, even against cars that cost far more."

The G8 is the first North American application of GM's new global rear-wheel-drive architecture developed by Holden, GM's Australian subsidiary.

G8 GT show car details

The G8 show car unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show is representative of the production GT model, including use of the 362-horsepower (270 kW) 6.0L V-8 engine and optional six-speed manual transmission. The show car also features some unique items not found on the production model, including:

* Twenty-inch "shadow chrome" wheels and performance tires
* Ride height lowered approximately half-inch
* High-performance brake rotors with painted brake calipers
* Custom interior trim color, including a leather-wrapped dash
* Exclusive exterior paint color: Phantom Grey
* Concept of "modernized" Pontiac badge, to gauge public opinion.

Production model details

The 2008 Pontiac G8 lineup will offer two models: G8 and G8 GT. Each will come with a host of standard performance, convenience and safety features, including:

*Four-wheel independent suspension
*Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control
*Electronic stability control
*18-inch aluminum wheels (19-inch wheels available with sport package)
*Seat-mounted thorax air bags and dual-stage frontal air bags for front passengers, with automatic passenger sensing system
*Roof rail side-impact air bags for both seating rows
*OnStar
*XM Satellite Radio
*Power-adjustable front seats
*Fog lamps
*Chrome exhaust tips
*Rear lip spoiler

A sport package will be available for both models and adds features such as specific wheels – including 19-inch aluminum wheels and performance tires on GT – a rear wing spoiler, leather shift knob, leather-wrapped steering wheel and alloy pedals.

Design

The G8 has a progressive styling package highlighted by strong Pontiac design cues, such as a dual-port grille, fog lamps, bold wheels and a confident, wheels-at-the-corners stance. The design accents the car's performance lineage, with fenders that flare over the wheels, seemingly hugging the wide tires and enhancing the sporting stance.

Distinctive elements include hood scoops and front fender vents, as well as projector-beam headlamps housed in crystal-clear lenses. At the rear, jewel-like taillamps also are mounted in housings and feature bright detail work surrounding the red lighting elements. G8 models have red taillamp lenses and twin chrome exhaust outlets, while G8 GT models feature clear taillamp lenses and quad chrome exhaust tips. All models have an antenna mounted at the rear of the roof.

Powertrain

The base G8 model receives a 3.6L DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing, rated at 261 horsepower (194 kW). It is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode.

The G8 GT is powered by a uniquely configured 6.0L small-block V-8, rated at 362 horsepower (270 kW) and 391 lb.-ft. of torque (530 Nm). A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode is standard and features the fuel-saving Active Fuel Management system, which enhances fuel economy by alternating between eight- and four-cylinder power. An optional six-speed manual transmission will be available soon after launch.

A limited-slip rear differential is standard with GT models.

Suspension system

A 114.8-inch (2915 mm) wheelbase, wide front ( 62.7 inches / 1592 mm) and rear ( 63.3 inches / 1608 mm) tracks, and a fully adjustable, four-wheel independent suspension system combine to give the G8 a confident, sharp driving experience.

The four-wheel independent suspension system employs a MacPherson strut design in the front and a four-link coil-over-shock design in the rear. Tuning is specific between the base and GT models, but both models use a direct-acting front stabilizer bar, decoupled rear stabilizer bar and lateral ball joints on the rear suspension. This system delivers increased lateral stiffness for enhanced handling.

The front suspension features fully adjustable caster, camber and toe; the rear suspension has fully adjustable camber and toe, which enables more precise, tailored suspension tuning.

Brake system

A four-wheel disc brake system includes standard anti-lock and traction control features and is partnered with a standard electronic stability control system. Both the base and GT models feature vented front and rear disc rotors, with twin-piston alloy calipers in front; the rear brakes feature alloy calipers with single-piston actuation. The brakes are approximately one-inch larger on the higher-performance GT model.

Interior

Designed to meld form and function with world-class fit and finish, the G8's interior delivers both comfort and convenience, packaged in a level of sophistication not often found in its price range. A driver-oriented instrument cluster positions the gauges for easy, direct line of sight; an electronic driver information center is located between the large, round tachometer and speedometer.

Attention to detail includes jewel-like instruments, selective use of satin and chrome trim and rich-feeling, grained textures throughout. The instrument cluster glows with crisp, white light on the primary instruments and Pontiac 's signature red lighting illuminates the rest of the instrument panel cluster.

The seats offer firm support to hold occupants in place during aggressive cornering; all seats were designed to deliver excellent comfort during long drives. Cloth seating surfaces are standard, with heated leather seating available. G8 GT models will also offer an optional two-tone cloth or leather combination that pairs black with either red or blue inserts and color-matched instrument faces on certain exterior color combinations.

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NEW GLOBAL REAR-DRIVE ARCHITECTURE IS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE ALL-NEW PONTIAC G8

CHICAGO – The 2008 Pontiac G8 performance sedan is built on GM's new, global rear-wheel-drive architecture. With the input of Pontiac and GM North America, the G8 was developed in Australia, under the direction of Holden's engineering department.

Taking advantage of GM's global centers of engineering expertise, a series of vehicle architectures are being developed that can be easily adapted to the unique vehicle requirements of various regions. For example, global truck architectures are being developed in North America while midsize vehicle architectures are created in Europe .

"The rear-wheel drive engineering team has put together a simply spectacular car that captures the essence of Pontiac," said John Larson, Pontiac general manager. "We believe that the Pontiac G8 will rival competitors costing far more."

The Holden-engineered global rear-wheel drive architecture was designed to deliver world-class levels of strength and refinement, along with crisp driving dynamics, while serving as the foundation for vehicles sold in a wide variety of climates and road conditions around the world – from the desert-like desolation of Australia 's Outback to the frost-heaved highways of North America 's cold regions.

"We set out to lift the bar on what could be achieved with quality and refinement," said Tony Hyde, Holden executive director of engineering. "We have gone over this car time and time again to reduce gaps and margins, ensuring that every fit is crisp and tight."

For North American customers, the result is a tautly-designed rear-wheel-drive performance sedan that is ideally suited for Pontiac customers.

"We spent many hours refining the chassis to create that unique blend of steering precision, vehicle balance and handling that we believe driving enthusiasts will love," said Doug Houlihan, G8 chief engineer.

Global, balanced architecture

The new global rear-wheel-drive architecture used for the G8 was designed to accommodate production for both left-hand drive and right-hand drive markets around the world. To ensure durability for the vast array of driving conditions and climates, the new architecture was designed with a robust, protected electrical system, superior climate control system and noise/vibration-isolating suspension systems.

Among the new architecture's design attributes is a layout that promotes a nearly 50/50 front-to-rear weight balance ratio, thanks to design features that include a steering rack mounted ahead of the front axle, engines mounted low and rearward in the front chassis cradle and a rear-mounted battery.

Stiff structure

GM's new rear-drive architecture has an exceptionally strong unitized chassis/body structure, including advanced-strength steel used in more than 80 percent of its construction. This strong foundation enables several factors than benefit the G8's driving experience, including smoother, more solid ride characteristics and more precise suspension tuning, as the stiffer structure allows engineers to tune the suspension without having to account for chassis flex.

The stiff structure also enhances safety, as it helps absorb crash energy through a multiple load path strategy that includes optimized front-end and rear-end deformation zones. (See safety section below.)

Chassis and suspension

A unique, four-wheel independent suspension system is integrated with the G8's structure, and is the result of eight years of development. It uses the strength of the body structure to enhance the driving experience through optimized steering, handling and driving control.

The G8 rides on a long, 114.8-inch (2,915 mm) wheelbase, with the wheels set wide on 62.7-inch (1,592 mm) front and 63.3-inch (1,608 mm) rear tracks. The front suspension features a multi-link, strut-type design that incorporates a direct-acting stabilizer bar, while the rear suspension uses a four-link independent design, with coil springs over shocks and a decoupled stabilizer bar.

The front suspension uses a hydraulically damped bushing on the forward end of the tension link for improved ride isolation. The lateral link feature a rubber spherical joint that enhances lateral stiffness. Camber, caster and toe are fully adjustable.

With the rear suspension, a high degree of lateral stiffness is achieved with the use of two lateral ball joints per side. A rubber-damped suspension frame further isolates the body structure from noise, vibration and road harshness.

Steering and braking

The steering rack is mounted forward of the front axle centerline – with dual lower links and individual ball joints at the outer ends – which enhances the balanced feel of the car while also contributing to a more direct steering feel. Steering rates are tuned specifically for the V-6-powered base and V-8-powered GT models.

Matching the vehicle's handling and steering agility is a carefully tailored brake system that uses four-wheel discs sized to match each model's performance. The higher-performance capability of the V-8-powered GT, for example, has larger brakes than the V-6 base model. The brakes are integrated with a standard electronic stability control system.

The basic brake design for all models includes twin-piston front alloy calipers and vented disc rotors, and single-piston, alloy rear calipers with vented disc rotors. ABS is standard.

Safety

Safety was one of the foremost goals in the design of the G8's architecture. It combines a sturdy, crash-absorbing body structure and state-of-the-art passenger protection technology. Examples of these elements include:


*Efficient, energy-absorbing front structure and a strong occupant safety cage
*Six standard air bags, including dual-stage frontal air bags, thorax air bags for front-seat passengers and roof rail-mounted head curtain air bags for both seating rows
*Multiple air bag sensors: two electronic front sensors and two side-impact sensors, all connected to a sensing diagnostic module
*Front safety belts with load limiters and dual pretensioners
*Ride-down steering column and breakaway pedal system
*Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

An electronic stability control system is standard on all models, as is full-function traction control. These features bolster driver control during certain driving conditions, which can help avoid a crash.

Safety development included tests that represented occupants ranging in size from a six-month-old baby to a 95 th percentile adult male. Sixty-one physical vehicle safety tests were performed with the variety of test dummies, which helped optimize the structure's front and rear crush zones.

Validation

GM's global rear-wheel-drive architecture underwent some of the longest and most stringent testing and validation procedures undertaken by General Motors, which helped ensure its strength, safety and reliability in markets around the world. These procedures included:

*More than 2.1 million miles (3.4 million km) of equivalent road evaluation
*Approximately 5,000 hours of virtual safety tests
*Seventy-nine physical safety tests
*Approximately 41,000 hours of electrical system tests
*Approximately 11,000 subsystem validation tests and activities

Additional details

The G8's new rear-drive architecture also incorporates a host of design and technology details that bolster comfort, convenience and quality. They include:

*A new electrical system that supports OnStar and XM Satellite Radio
*A rear-mounted battery that offers increased protection from the elements and improves vehicle weight distribution
*A contemporary "down and forward" instrument panel design that enhances outward visibility and provides a roomier, airy cabin environment
*An all-new climate control system with multiple heating/cooling ducts, up to 20 fan speeds in the base configuration, and infinite speed settings in the optional dual zone climate system
*A new family of premium radio systems with available color screen display
*A unique four-bar deck lid hinge design reduces trunk space intrusion for increased cargo capacity.

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