G8 coming early '08; replaces Grand Prix

Link to Original Article @ Autonews

Pontiac will reveal its new rear-wheel-drive flagship sedan. The car, likely dubbed the G8, goes on sale early in 2008 and eventually replaces the Grand Prix.

The car is developed on General Motors' new global rear-drive architecture that also will be shared with the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro. That car is expected in 2009.

The Pontiac model will be assembled by GM's Australian subsidiary, Holden. A 360-hp V-8 will be offered.

"The intent is for this to be a go-fast program, so we're talking months rather than years for production," says one source close to Pontiac and familiar with the program.

The Grand Prix will be offered for the 2008 model year. It is unknown whether a 2009 model is planned.

GM has not set pricing for the G8 yet, but sources say it probably will be priced just above the Grand Prix's starting price. The Grand Prix starts at $22,315, including shipping.

There's no way that we're getting it for $22k and change with a V8, but I could see it coming in at GP GXP levels ($29k-2750 = ~$26k). Lutz also said it would be priced at around $25.5k. Whether that is with the V8 or not, we shall see.

I would expect the 3.6HF as the base engine.

Fu&%in' awsome!

If this replaces the GP and not Bonneville then that means that

we'll probably see a LWB version as a Bonneville replacemenet.

Perhaps "Catalina" or "Chieftan"

Fu&%in' awsome!

If this replaces the GP and not Bonneville then that means that

we'll probably see a LWB version as a Bonneville replacemenet.

Perhaps "Catalina" or "Chieftan"

As cool as that would be... I think the G8 replaces both.

Plus, G10 would be a crappy name...

Perhaps "Catalina" or "Chieftan"

perhaps "Keep Dreaming" would be a better name...

perhaps "Keep Dreaming" would be a better name...

That's what 99% of you guys said when I used to go on tangents

about how eventually an all new 5th gen. Camaro was going to

be a reality and it would be 1st gen. retro. :AH-HA_wink:

Okay so maybe Chieftan is archane and non-P.C. but it's still

better than "G8" what the hell is a G8? Prototype Mac computer?

There's plenty of awsome Pontiac names they could resurect.

How about Catalina? Or Tempest, LeMan, Granville, Parissanne?

Grandville was the single dumbest name ever to grace a Pontiac aside from Aztek. Seriously. Yuck. Parisienne is also...yeah. G8 is better than those!

In any case, the alphnumeric name-game is trite and meaningless. That established, I've moved on to care about the actual car, which will kick copious amounts of ass.

As far as pricing goes, Northie is right. Lutz said it would base for "mid-$25k," whatever that means. If it follows the Bonneville price structure, it'll be beautiful.

SE = G8 base ~ $28k

SLE = G8 GT ~ $33k

SSEi/GXP = GP GXP ~ $37k

That's what 99% of you guys said when I used to go on tangents

about how eventually an all new 5th gen. Camaro was going to

be a reality and it would be 1st gen. retro. :AH-HA_wink:

Okay so maybe Chieftan is archane and non-P.C. but it's still

better than "G8" what the hell is a G8? Prototype Mac computer?

There's plenty of awsome Pontiac names they could resurect.

How about Catalina? Or Tempest, LeMan, Granville, Parissanne?

I never said you were wrong about the Camaro. Guessing about if the Camaro would be retro or modern was about as hard as guessing the Superbowl winner being the Colts or the Bears. You had a 50/50 chance and you got it right.

Buick needs a Zeta based Lucerne before Pontiac needs a LWB G8. You seem to forget that it takes money/effort/time to put new cars out. Money isn't something GM has a lot of right now.

Edited February 6, 200719 yr by Oldsmoboi

If it is meant to replace the GP why would it be V8 only and priced to replace the Bonnie???

If it is meant to replace the GP why would it be V8 only and priced to replace the Bonnie???

G6 replaces Grand Prix on price, G8 replace Grand Prix and Bonneville in size and performance and high-end price (SSEi, GTP, GXPs). As someone pointed out in another thread, the transaction prices for V6 G6s are as high/higher than Grand Prixs.

This sounds fine. The details aren't so important considering this car is quite low volume.

If it is meant to replace the GP why would it be V8 only and priced to replace the Bonnie???

Who said it's V8 only?

Info from Road and Track indicates a base V6 GT model and a tope V8 model arriving in August 2007, not early 2008. Expect a healthy premium over the 3.6 L G6.

Actually this fits the picture. Grand Prix goes well into MY2008, which allows time for the G8 to ramp up. The Grand Prix can act as the lower end, awaiting the V6 G8 to arrive, and at the same time clearing out the Grand Prix stock.

Production of the Grand Prix ends this fall /Nov.07

Production of the Grand Prix ends this fall /Nov.07

MY2008 production of the Grand Prix starts April 30, 2007. Within those few months it should be enough to sustain MY2008, till the full G8 lineup arrives.