If complaints about the unavailability of the modern-day GTO in Canada were any indication, shoppers here wanted a V8 powered rear-drive car from Pontiac. Thanks to the universal bumper law, used GTO's are now allowed into our country- though Pontiac has just launched their new G8 lineup to replace it.
Cheap family thrills
Simple premise, really. Bring $36,495 to your Pontiac dealer, and you'll leave with a six-liter, 361 horsepower V8 engine that spins the rear wheels, as well as a sporty and spacious four-door wrapped around it.
The tester came in at $40,530 with the sunroof, sport package and premium package. That's not a lot of cash for a whole lot of sauce. Base for base, even a HEMI Charger is nearly $2000 more.
Handsome and discreet
G8 is distinctively Pontiac- with a blocky fascia, fog-lamps, hood-scoops and a wide, dug-in stance. There's no flashy stuff on the body- just a muscular and sculpted shape with a distinctive pseudo-Euro appearance.
Though G8 looks completely capable of chewing lesser machines into bits, it doesn't make a tremendous fuss about it visually.
Despite the lack of a V8 badge, everyone knows it's packing heat, too. You'll get nods and thumbs up everywhere, and G8's styling makes passing teenagers use their very best vocabulary.
Simple sportiness inside
The interior is far from setting new standards for build quality or materials selection, and like the exterior, there's nothing much showy going on.
Entry and exit to each seat is very easy, and there's plenty of room and decent storage space. Black or faux-aluminum are the colors of choice, though the instruments and red console-lighting light up nicely after dark. It's a focused and uncluttered environment.
Auto climate control, a Blaupunkt stereo system, heated leather seats, and an Audi-esque multifunction computer were included. The G8's European roots are apparent in the cabin, as most controls, dials, readouts and switches are unfamiliar to the Pontiac brand.
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| My tester came in at $40,530 with the sunroof, sport package and premium package. |
Cheap family thrills
Simple premise, really. Bring $36,495 to your Pontiac dealer, and you'll leave with a six-liter, 361 horsepower V8 engine that spins the rear wheels, as well as a sporty and spacious four-door wrapped around it.
The tester came in at $40,530 with the sunroof, sport package and premium package. That's not a lot of cash for a whole lot of sauce. Base for base, even a HEMI Charger is nearly $2000 more.
Handsome and discreet
G8 is distinctively Pontiac- with a blocky fascia, fog-lamps, hood-scoops and a wide, dug-in stance. There's no flashy stuff on the body- just a muscular and sculpted shape with a distinctive pseudo-Euro appearance.
Though G8 looks completely capable of chewing lesser machines into bits, it doesn't make a tremendous fuss about it visually.
Despite the lack of a V8 badge, everyone knows it's packing heat, too. You'll get nods and thumbs up everywhere, and G8's styling makes passing teenagers use their very best vocabulary.
Simple sportiness inside
The interior is far from setting new standards for build quality or materials selection, and like the exterior, there's nothing much showy going on.
Entry and exit to each seat is very easy, and there's plenty of room and decent storage space. Black or faux-aluminum are the colors of choice, though the instruments and red console-lighting light up nicely after dark. It's a focused and uncluttered environment.
Auto climate control, a Blaupunkt stereo system, heated leather seats, and an Audi-esque multifunction computer were included. The G8's European roots are apparent in the cabin, as most controls, dials, readouts and switches are unfamiliar to the Pontiac brand.
 |
| The instruments and red console-lighting light up nicely after dark. |