SPY PHOTOS: Pontiac Grand Prix(G8)

GM's on-again off-again development of rear-wheel-drive sedans seems to be turned on again, as indicated by this prototype recently photographed in northern Australia. Why Australia? Because development of the rear-drive sedan is being done by Holden, GM's Australian branch. The new Pontiac sedan will likely be called the G8, in keeping with Pontiac's current model naming system. The G8 will replace the current Pontiac Grand Prix. Just as the Pontiac GTO was based on a Holden model, the Monaro, the new G8 will be based on an existing Holden vehicle, the rear-wheel-drive Holden VE Commodore sedan. This time, however, there will be much more extensive differences between the Holden and the Pontiac. The Pontiac G8 will have its own sheetmetal and its own interior, setting it apart from the Commodore. The G8 is expected to be produced in Australia, as was the Pontiac GTO. It will offer a choice of V6 or V8 engines. Introduction of the G8 is not expected until at least 2008.