Pontiac G8 GXP

If I were to tell you GM is the new BMW you’d probably laugh at me. But driving the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP just a couple of months after the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and Corvette ZR1, that’s exactly what I’m thinking. Equipped with a 6.3-liter, LS3 V8 making 415 HP and 415 lb-ft of torque, the G8 GXP isn’t just the fastest car Pontiac’s ever made, but based on GM’s new global rear wheel drive platform (the same one as the new Camaro) and fitted with lower, stiffer suspension and a six-speed manual gearbox it strikes the right balance between supercar performance and real world practicality. Think E39 M5, but with a Corvette engine and better steering.
Driving in LA is a strange mix of sitting still in hellish traffic and driving flat out on the best roads in the world. Get on one of the highways at the wrong time and it’ll take you three hours to go 30 miles, but hit the canyon roads to the North or East and it’s easy to forget that you’re within mere miles of the most populous metropolitan area in the country. The G8 GXP excels in both environments.
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Engine View
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Engine View
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Cockpit Interior View
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Cockpit Interior View
New, high-flow cylinder heads aid engine breathing and are based on the large port and valve design found on the LS7 engine and other GM L76 engines. The larger-capacity, straighter intake port-design optimizes intake flow to the combustion chamber, an effect augmented by large valves, measuring 2.16 inches (55.0 mm) on the intake side and 1.59 inches (40.4 mm) on the exhaust side.
“More than just raw power, the GXP delivers the sophisticated yet exciting driving experience that enthusiasts expect in a car costing far more than the GXP,” said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager.
The standard Hydra-Matic six-speed 6L80 automatic can be substituted for a a new six-speed Tremec TR6060 manual transmission. The manual gearbox features: a shorter throw; premium gear synchronizers; stronger gears, housing, and bell housing; a single-piece counter shaft; and machined gear teeth. The automatic has a generous 6.04:1 overall ratio that enables a “steep” first-gear. The result is strong launch acceleration along with “tall” overdrive ratios that lower engine rpms for better fuel economy and reduced noise. A limited-slip differential is standard.
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Front Seat View
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Front Seat View
Six on the floor
The GXP will be the first vehicle in the G8 family to offer an optional six-speed Tremec TR6060 manual transmission. This next-generation manual smoothly transfers the engine’s power and torque to the rear wheels with a shorter shift throw than previous models. The transmission features a host of refinements including premium gear synchronizers; stronger gears, housing, and bell housing; a single-piece counter shaft; and machined gear teeth.
Standard equipment on the GXP and shared with the G8 GT, the Hydra-Matic six-speed 6L80 automatic transmission is one of GM’s most technologically advanced and robust. It uses a clutch-to-clutch operation and an integrated 32-bit transmission controller to deliver smooth and precise shifts. The six-speed has a generous 6.04:1 overall ratio that enables a “steep” first-gear. The result is strong launch acceleration along with “tall” overdrive ratios that lower engine rpms for better fuel economy and reduced noise.
A 3.27 final drive ratio comes with automatic-equipped GXPs, and a 3.70 gear is matched with the manual transmission. A limited-slip differential is standard.
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Rear Side
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Rear Side
High-performance suspension
The G8 GXP rides on the G8′s 114.8-inch (2915 mm) wheelbase with wide front (62.7 inches / 1,592 mm) and rear (63.3 inches / 1,608 mm) tracks. The four-wheel independent suspension is fully adjustable and is tuned for the highest performance in the G8 family. The GXP’s ride and handling was developed and validated the famed Nurbergring, the first Pontiac ever to be tuned on the legendary course. It rewards the driver with sharp, immediate responses, as well as a well-balanced road feel even during more aggressive steering inputs.
The suspension employs a MacPherson strut design in the front and a four-link, coil-over-shock design in the rear. A direct-acting front stabilizer bar, decoupled rear stabilizer bar and lateral ball joints on the rear suspension deliver increased lateral stiffness for more responsive handling. The front suspension features fully adjustable caster, camber and toe; the rear suspension has fully adjustable camber and toe, for more precise tuning.
Steering and brakes
The steering rate for the GXP is tuned to provide immediate response with definitive driver feedback. Like the G8 sedan and GT, the GXP’s steering box is located ahead of the front axle line for a quicker, more direct feel.

Pontiac G8 ST

2010 Pontiac G8 ST
Long known for delivering performance of many kinds, Pontiac rolls into the 2008 SEMA Show with a trio of tuner-inspired concepts for enthusiasts of all stripes. Leading the pack is G8 GXP Street concept with a new LSX454 crate engine shoehorned under its hood, followed by an accessorized G8 ST and a performance-enhanced Solstice GXP coupe.
‘Pontiacs have always strived to provide unexpected levels of performance, regardless of the model,’ said Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. ‘But these concepts raise the bar even higher, taking style and sportiness to the highest levels.’
None of the four Pontiac concepts is intended for production, but they use many components from GM Accessories and GM Performance Parts, as well as other aftermarket components, that are already on the market. Some new GM components are being evaluated for possible production as accessories.
All of the concepts share the spirit of late-model tuner vehicles, with enhancements and modifications that contribute as much to styling and presence as they do performance. It is a spirit carried forward from the hit of the 2007 SEMA Show, hip-hop star 50 Cent’s customized G8.
G8 ST concept
The 2010 Pontiac G8 ST is a dramatically different vehicle that blends the performance of the G8 sports sedan with the cargo capabilities of a light truck. It significantly stretches Pontiac’s commitment to style and performance and is expected to arrive in dealers’ showrooms in late 2009.
Pontiac ramps up the excitement for the production model with a concept vehicle upgraded with accessories that inspire enthusiasts about the possibilities of this distinctive vehicle. In fact, this concept incorporates many parts that will likely be offered by GM Accessories when the G8 ST hits dealerships.
Highlights of the concept vehicle include:
• Liquid Hot exterior color with enhanced clear coat
• Lowered ride height
• Custom 20-inch wheels
• Leather-trimmed seats with red inserts
• G8 GXP steering wheel with red inserts
• G8 GXP shift knob with red inserts
• Custom interior trim kit (proposed GM Accessories part)
• Hard tonneau cover (proposed GM Accessories part)
The G8 ST concept is powered by a uniquely configured 6.0L small-block V-8, rated at 361 horsepower (269 kW) and 385 lb.-ft. of torque (522 Nm). It features GM’s Active Fuel Management technology, which allows the engine to switch from V-8 power to four-cylinder operation during light-load driving conditions, enhancing fuel economy. The transmission is a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic.