Controls are mainly easy to manipulate, though the console-mounted window, lock and mirror switches require a huge change in habit as they're not fixed to the doors where they belong.
Heated leather seats are electrically adjustable fore, aft, up and down- but reclining and erecting is handled by repeatedly twisting an awkward knob that's jammed inconveniently between the seat and the door.
Finally, the speedometer only reads to 180 km/h, which is a bit laughable.
Six litres of punch
Given the specifications at play here, you may be a touch disappointed at the lack of sound effects when the L76 V8 fires up. There's no grumble, bark or burbly idle- and the engine is almost imperceptibly quiet unless prodded.
Opened up, acceleration is fierce though not intimidating or violent. Some may even call it refined. With 361 horsepower, the six-speed automatic never needs to downshift for hills with the cruise set, and G8 will blast past slower traffic in a jiffy with the briefest of throttle stabs. The gearbox features sport and manual modes, too.
Opened up, it lacks the aural sting of a Mustang or Charger, but sound levels are appropriate as a day to day driver. G8 also delivers a level of go-fast hooliganism that's unmatched for the price. Combined mileage averaged about 13.5L / 100km on my watch, which is in the same ballpark as your average V6 powered family SUV.
Drivers weak in the flesh will find themselves in a perpetual state of impending license revocation, as G8 will vaporize its rear tires and hang its tail out effortlessly when the traction control is turned off. Middle button, just ahead of the shifter.
A comfortable, sporty ride
Fitted with 19-inch wheels and a suspension stuck somewhere between comfort and handling, G8 delivers rewarding lateral performance. Steering feels a touch lightweight, though the ratio is pleasantly quick and the car feels solid and planted in any situation.
The ride can become a touch noisy on rougher surfaces, and wind-noise gets intrusive at higher speeds. A BMW it is not, but overall ride quality is appreciable given the power to price ratio available.
Pushed, G8's heavyset frame and wide stance work towards a predictable and un-intimidating dynamic backed up by powerful ABS brakes. These bite down with authority, though pedal travel is lengthy.
Cheap speed for the family
All said and done, G8 redefines the affordable family muscle car in numerous regards, dropping a big V8 into a playing field mainly occupied by V6's. Best off, it does it at a price that'll embarrass a number of popular front-drive 'sport' sedans currently on the market.
There's a V6 engine available, but if you're a performance buff after a 'jeans-and-a-T-shirt" sort of muscle sedan, the G8 GT is a near no-brainer.
photo:Justin Pritchard, GM
Heated leather seats are electrically adjustable fore, aft, up and down- but reclining and erecting is handled by repeatedly twisting an awkward knob that's jammed inconveniently between the seat and the door.
Finally, the speedometer only reads to 180 km/h, which is a bit laughable.
Six litres of punch
Given the specifications at play here, you may be a touch disappointed at the lack of sound effects when the L76 V8 fires up. There's no grumble, bark or burbly idle- and the engine is almost imperceptibly quiet unless prodded.
Opened up, acceleration is fierce though not intimidating or violent. Some may even call it refined. With 361 horsepower, the six-speed automatic never needs to downshift for hills with the cruise set, and G8 will blast past slower traffic in a jiffy with the briefest of throttle stabs. The gearbox features sport and manual modes, too.
 |
| Fitted a suspension stuck somewhere between comfort and handling, G8 delivers rewarding lateral performance. |
Opened up, it lacks the aural sting of a Mustang or Charger, but sound levels are appropriate as a day to day driver. G8 also delivers a level of go-fast hooliganism that's unmatched for the price. Combined mileage averaged about 13.5L / 100km on my watch, which is in the same ballpark as your average V6 powered family SUV.
Drivers weak in the flesh will find themselves in a perpetual state of impending license revocation, as G8 will vaporize its rear tires and hang its tail out effortlessly when the traction control is turned off. Middle button, just ahead of the shifter.
A comfortable, sporty ride
Fitted with 19-inch wheels and a suspension stuck somewhere between comfort and handling, G8 delivers rewarding lateral performance. Steering feels a touch lightweight, though the ratio is pleasantly quick and the car feels solid and planted in any situation.
The ride can become a touch noisy on rougher surfaces, and wind-noise gets intrusive at higher speeds. A BMW it is not, but overall ride quality is appreciable given the power to price ratio available.
Pushed, G8's heavyset frame and wide stance work towards a predictable and un-intimidating dynamic backed up by powerful ABS brakes. These bite down with authority, though pedal travel is lengthy.
Cheap speed for the family
All said and done, G8 redefines the affordable family muscle car in numerous regards, dropping a big V8 into a playing field mainly occupied by V6's. Best off, it does it at a price that'll embarrass a number of popular front-drive 'sport' sedans currently on the market.
There's a V6 engine available, but if you're a performance buff after a 'jeans-and-a-T-shirt" sort of muscle sedan, the G8 GT is a near no-brainer.
photo:Justin Pritchard, GM
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