Pontiac G8 Sport Truck (2010)

[Rich]

http://www.netcarshow.com/pontiac/2010-g8_sport_truck/

The 2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck blurs the line between cars and trucks and is creating an all-new segment in the North American car market. This dramatically different vehicle blends the sporty handling of a performance coupe with the cargo capabilities of a light truck.

Based on the all-new Pontiac G8 performance sedan, the newest member of the G8 family has a longer wheelbase and a cargo bed suitable for either work or recreation. The Pontiac G8 sport truck significantly stretches Pontiac's commitment to style and performance and is expected to arrive in dealers' showrooms in late 2009.

"Pontiac has never shied away from offering segment-defining vehicles, going back to the original GTO," said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager. "There's simply nothing else like the Pontiac G8 sport truck on the road today, and we definitely believe that there are customers who will be excited by its distinctive design, performance and cargo capabilities."

Consumer named

Another unique aspect of this new vehicle is the fact that it will be named by a consumer. Consumers can visit http://www.pontiac.com/namethiscar and submit their name ideas. "As an important part of the G8 family, we know that 'sport truck' doesn't fully describe the vehicle's ability to blur the lines between sports car and truck," said Craig Bierley, Pontiac marketing director. "Because its fans will surely be as unique as the vehicle itself, we're giving them a voice in selecting a name that reflects its appeal." The winning entry will be announced April 15, 2008.

Design

The Pontiac G8 sport truck maintains the same sporty exterior design as its namesake sedan. Flared fenders wrap around the 18-inch wheels and give it a wide, confident stance. The roofline has a coupe-like profile that reflects the vehicle's performance pedigree.

The doors, roof and exterior panels aft of the B-pillars are unique from the G8 sedan. One-piece outer body panels give the vehicle a sleek appearance. Wrap-around taillamps and fully concealed tailgate hinges add to the sculpted look. A color-coordinated, soft tonneau cover conceals and protects items in the cargo bed from the weather.

Performance

The sport truck draws its strength from the same powerful 6.0L V-8 engine used in the G8 GT. It puts out 361 horsepower (270 kW) and 385 lb.-ft. (522 Nm) of torque. The combination of a six-speed automatic transmission and Active Fuel Management technology provides both car-like fuel economy and an unexpected 0-to-60 time of 5.4 seconds.

While these performance numbers are respectable by sports car standards, the Pontiac G8 sport truck offers flexibility unlike that of a sports car. A 73.9-inch (1878 mm) cargo bed has 42.7 cubic feet (1208 L) of cargo space and a durable composite bed liner. It also can carry a payload of more than 1,074 pounds (488 kg) and tow a 3,500-pound (1,600 kg) trailer.

Structure

The Pontiac G8 sport truck is based on the same rear-wheel-drive architecture as the G8 performance sedan. However, the sport truck's body structure was reinforced in key areas to support its cargo and towing duties. More than 60 new components were added to strengthen the structure. Compared to the sedan, the 118.5-inch (3,009 mm) wheelbase is approximately four inches longer and the overall length is six inches longer.

Suspension and wheels

A four-wheel independent suspension with electronic stability control delivers confident handling, whether loaded with weekend home-improvement supplies or towing a pair of personal watercraft to the lake.

The steering box is located ahead of the front axle line for a quick, direct feel. The sport truck's front stabilizer bar is one mm larger than the sedan, and the rear suspension has been enhanced to support payloads without adversely affecting handling.

The Pontiac G8 sport truck rides on 18-inch machine-faced aluminum wheels with a P245/45R18 summer performance tire. All-season tires are available. An optional Sports Package includes 19-inch machine-faced aluminum wheels with P245/40R19 summer performance tires.

Brakes and steering

The sport truck shares the G8 GT's four-wheel disc brake system, featuring 12.64-inch front and 12.76-inch rear rotors. Front rotor thickness is 1.0 inch, while the rear rotors are 0.87-inch thick. Twin-piston, front alloy calipers and vented rotors and single-piston, alloy rear calipers with vented rotors are standard, as is ABS.

Comfort and convenience

Given its heritage, it's not surprising that the Pontiac G8 sport truck offers many of the same creature comforts as the G8 GT, such as:

* Air conditioning with electronic dual-zone climate control
* Cruise control
* Driver Information Center
* Bluetooth connectivity
* Tilt/telescoping steering wheel with DIC and radio controls
* Power windows/locks/mirrors
* Remote keyless entry and remote start
* Theft-deterrent alarm system

Fully-bolstered, four-way adjustable cloth seats are standard. Heated, six-way leather seats are available. They can be customized with two-tone, black-and-red inserts and a coordinating gauge cluster.

Behind the seats is a surprisingly large interior cargo area with more than 8.5 cubic feet (245 liters) of storage space. There are two covered storage compartments beneath the load floor and a pair of cargo nets.

Sound system

The Pontiac G8 sport truck's 230-watt Blaupunkt AM/FM/six-disc CD changer has an MP3 input and five speakers. The 6.5-inch audio display controls both the sound and climate control systems.

Safety and security

A full list of safety features are standard, including:

* StabiliTrak electronic vehicle stability system
* Tire pressure monitoring system
* Dual-stage frontal air bags with a passenger sensing system
* Head-curtain side air bags
* Side thorax air bags
* Three-point safety belts in all seating positions
* Safety belt pretensioners
* OnStar

you can name it if you missed the bold part.

[ramair4thesoul]

I know this guy that buys cars that have been hit in the rear and makes truck looking things out of them. I think it looks like that is what happened to a G8.

[FuriousG]

The El Camino LIVES!!!

Meh, I'll stick to the G8 GXP as my next purchase...

[PhantomLover007]

Originally Posted by FuriousG

The El Camino LIVES!!!

Pretty cool looking though.

[AMRAAM4]

I really hope GM and the Pontiac division have already set aside enough money and excuses to handle the loss they are going to take on this vehicle. They'll be lucky to sell 10,000 annually.

Cool idea, but major failure for the marketplace.

[AJules8]

wow, talk about making the same mistake twice

why didn't they learn when the SSR failed?

nobody is going to buy this thing

the only thing that gives this truck hope is what's under the hood, it's not underpowered like the SSR was when it first came out

I just don't think there are people who want an El Camino anymore. There are people who are in the market for small cars, and there are people who are looking for trucks, I don't think there are many who need both at the same time and need a compromise

[silvergtjrad]

Cool idea, but major failure for the marketplace.

Nail on the head right there. Only enthusiasts are looking for a car like this.

[Pinnacle]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

I really hope GM and the Pontiac division have already set aside enough money and excuses to handle the loss they are going to take on this vehicle. They'll be lucky to sell 10,000 annually.

Cool idea, but major failure for the marketplace.

Right on!

What a Facking joke this is! I really dont know what image Pontiac is trying to give off nowadays.

[Falke401]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

I really hope GM and the Pontiac division have already set aside enough money and excuses to handle the loss they are going to take on this vehicle. They'll be lucky to sell 10,000 annually.

Cool idea, but major failure for the marketplace.

+2 And all the american car companies wander why they are not selling any cars. You dont see honda, toyota, or any other manufacturs making a new el camino

[XMBlackGT1]

I would be willing to bet that once the G8 sport truck hits the market, that is the end of Pontiac. That truckster is going to kill Pontiac.

[RAZE]

As already stated above, this truck will not sell.

[ramair4thesoul]

In Australia this "thing" is actually a hit. So, you never know. It might fool us all.

[Ajaxus]

Originally Posted by RAZE

As already stated above, this truck will not sell.

The PT Cruiser shouldn't have sold either, yet I see dozens of them each day.

What you have to remember is that there is a difference between the car enthusiast and the common consumer. Consumer's don't think the same way we do, if it's new they'll buy it for the perceived "status" it gives them..

[Grreen99GT]

i saw the front end and thought it looked good, then i saw the side and rear view and closed the page immediately

[Bryan]

Uggly.

[Cormaster]

I'll give it some credit. it looks a HELL of a lot better than the ugly SSR. Honestly it looks really cool, and I like it but...

there is just no practicality to this vehicle. Your not going to be able to haul 1 1/2 to 3 tons with this thing, in fact I imagine seeing how its a truck based off a full size family sedan, the only think it'll be good for is those occasional times you gotta move, or if you wanna go buy a piece of furniture. And then as a car, well its only got 2 seats, so its not a very practical car either.

Its a vehicle with a total identity crisis! Its almost a sports car with a bed! I just don't see it selling. I'd much rather have them send the coupe over here and call it a GTO than send us a UTE. It might work in Austraila but its not going to work in the US

[Cormaster]

Originally Posted by XMBlackGT1

I would be willing to bet that once the G8 sport truck hits the market, that is the end of Pontiac. That truckster is going to kill Pontiac.

Pontiac has always been my favorite division of GM but you're probably right, and that being said Pontiac is starting to become a joke in comparison to Chevy and Saturn, GM's probably 2 biggest divisions. Sure they gave Pontiac the G6, but they gave Chevy a better looking malbiu, and Saturn an Aura. Sure Pontiac got the solstice, but Saturn got the sky. Sure Pontiac's getting a G8, but Chevy's getting a camaro. Chevy gets a Colbalt SS turbo, Pontiac gets a horribly badge engineered clone called "G5" with no turbo option or even a sedan version. Theres almost nothing anymore that sets the division apart from the rest of GM. The only reason I think Pontiac is even still around is because of the stock market hit GM took when they canceled Oldsmobile.

And really all they'd have to do to bring the G8 to Chevy is to call it "impala" and give it a chevy front end.

[Ajaxus]

Originally Posted by Cormaster

I'll give it some credit. it looks a HELL of a lot better than the ugly SSR. Honestly it looks really cool, and I like it but...

there is just no practicality to this vehicle. Your not going to be able to haul 1 1/2 to 3 tons with this thing, in fact I imagine seeing how its a truck based off a full size family sedan, the only think it'll be good for is those occasional times you gotta move, or if you wanna go buy a piece of furniture. And then as a car, well its only got 2 seats, so its not a very practical car either.

Its a vehicle with a total identity crisis! Its almost a sports car with a bed! I just don't see it selling. I'd much rather have them send the coupe over here and call it a GTO than send us a UTE. It might work in Austraila but its not going to work in the US

I swear I saw a car like this before..it even was popular and people got a lot of use out of it..what was it?


Oh yeah..



It isn't about hauling tons of stuff or hauling people, it's about the versatility of having a small sports car but with the ability to carry a lot of things like a truck. Hybrid/Crossover vehicles are the new rage right now. Minivan's are getting kicked to the dirt along with SUV's because of this.

With the pressure to improve mileage, a crossover with a truck was inevitable. Sure this can't do the same work a truck can, but for those people that buy a truck for the status but never really use it, this is a great alternative. And there are TONS of people out there that fit that.

So like I said, it doesn't matter what car enthusiasts think. There's a niche in the market for this vehicle and it WILL sell.

[ramair4thesoul]

Another thing to think about is the death of the mini truck. The Ford Ranger is the only mini truck you can buy right now. Everyone else has gone to the midsize truck. People who like the smaller trucks may very well be interested in this.

[GregFarz78]

Originally Posted by Ajaxus

The PT Cruiser shouldn't have sold either, yet I see dozens of them each day.

What you have to remember is that there is a difference between the car enthusiast and the common consumer. Consumer's don't think the same way we do, if it's new they'll buy it for the perceived "status" it gives them..

Apples and oranges man the PT cruiser is at least practical albeit ugly as hell. This truck (if you can even call it that) won't sell and they'll discontinue it after 2-3 years just like they did with the SSR. What is going to make this sell? Its not a truck its useless you can carry and tow just as much with a car.