A few weeks ago we brought you news that GM was preparing to introduce a GXP variant for the Pontiac G8 sedan. Now the company has officially released information regarding the model ahead of its New York Auto Show debut.
Power comes from a slightly detuned version of the LS3 6.2L V8 engine found in the Corvette. Producing 402hp and 402 ft-lbs of torque in the GXP, the car has a healthy increase of 41 hp and 16 ft-lbs of toque over the GT version. GM estimates a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a quarter mile time of 13 seconds flat at 108 mph.
Making an appearance on the G8 options list for the first time is a six speed manual transmission. Both automatic and manual versions will come with a limited-slip differential. A Nürburgring tuned sport suspension and powerful Brembo brakes ensure the GXP has more sporting potential than anything Pontiac has made in decades.
Exterior differences include new polished aluminum 19-inch wheels, a unique front fascia and a distinctive rear diffuser. The interior comes standard with two-tone sport seats with color-coordinated gauge cluster and GXP embroidery, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter, and alloy sport pedals.
PONTIAC ANNOUNCES THE 2009 G8 GXP
High-Performance Flagship Combines Progressive Design and Powerful Performance
NEW YORK - Today Pontiac announced the flagship of its GXP performance series, the G8 GXP high-performance sedan, at the New York Auto Show. This 2009 model will join the Solstice, G6 and Torrent GXP models in Pontiac dealerships in late 2008. The G8 GXP takes the G8's responsive driving experience, refined passenger environment and aggressive good looks to a new level. It also delivers an enjoyable driving experience, thanks to a 6.2L V-8 that produces in excess of 400 horsepower.
"More than just raw power, the GXP delivers the sophisticated yet exciting driving experience that enthusiasts expect in a car costing far more than the GXP," said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager
Engine performance
The heart of the G8 GXP is the 6.2L LS3 small-block V-8, currently rated at 402 horsepower (300 kW)* and 402 lb.-ft. of torque (546 Nm)* pending final SAE certification. This engine is the newest member of GM's small-block V-8 family. It features a revised, larger-bore cylinder block, high-flow, L92-style cylinder heads; larger-diameter pistons; unique camshaft and camshaft timing; revised valvetrain with offset intake rocker arms; high-flow intake manifold; and high-flow fuel injectors.
The LS3 engine has an aluminum cylinder block with cast-in-place iron cylinder liners. Larger bores help create a 376-cubic-inch displacement. The block casting also features revisions and machining in the bulkheads to enhance its strength and improve bay-to-bay breathing. New pistons were designed for high-rpm performance.
New, high-flow cylinder heads aid engine breathing and are based on the large port and valve design found on the LS7 engine and other GM L76 engines. The larger-capacity, straighter intake port-design optimizes intake flow to the combustion chamber, an effect augmented by large valves, measuring 2.16 inches (55.0 mm) on the intake side and 1.59 inches (40.4 mm) on the exhaust side.
Pending final testing, the G8 GXP is expected to deliver 0-to-60 mph performance of about 4.7 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 13.0 seconds at 108 mph.
Six on the floor
A new six-speed Tremec TR6060 manual transmission is optional on the G8 GXP. This next-generation manual smoothly transfers the engine's power and torque to the rear wheels with a reduction in shift throw. The transmission features a host of refinements including premium gear synchronizers; stronger gears, housing, and bell housing; a single-piece counter shaft; and machined gear teeth.
The standard Hydra-Matic six-speed 6L80 automatic transmission is technologically advanced and robust. It uses a clutch-to-clutch operation and an integrated 32-bit transmission controller to deliver smooth and precise shifts. The six-speed has a generous 6.04:1 overall ratio that enables a "steep" first-gear. The result is strong launch acceleration along with "tall" overdrive ratios that lower engine rpms for better fuel economy and reduced noise.
A 3.27 final drive ratio comes with automatic-equipped GXPs, and a 3.70 gear is matched with the manual transmission. A limited-slip differential is standard.
High-performance suspension
The G8 GXP rides on the G8's 114.8-inch (2915 mm) wheelbase with wide front ( 62.7 inches / 1,592 mm) and rear ( 63.3 inches / 1,608 mm) tracks. The four-wheel independent suspension is fully adjustable and is tuned for the highest performance in the G8 family. The GXP's ride and handling was developed and validated on racetracks and highways around the world, including the famed Nürburgring racing circuit. It rewards the driver with sharp, immediate responses, as well as a well-balanced road feel during spirited driving.
The suspension employs a MacPherson strut design in the front and a four-link, coil-over-shock design in the rear. A direct-acting front stabilizer bar, decoupled rear stabilizer bar and lateral ball joints on the rear suspension deliver increased lateral stiffness for more responsive handling. The front suspension features fully adjustable caster, camber and toe; the rear suspension has fully adjustable camber and toe, for more precise tuning.
Steering and brakes
The steering rate for the GXP is tuned to provide immediate response with definitive driver feedback. Like the G8 sedan and GT, the GXP's steering box is located ahead of the front axle line for a quicker, more direct feel.
The Brembo braking system matches the GXP's boost in performance with an equivalent increase in stopping power. The system includes 14-inch (355 mm) vented front and 12.76-inch (324 mm) rear disc rotors, with special quad-piston alloy calipers in front. The alloy calipers on the rear brakes have single-piston actuation. The four-wheel disc brake system includes standard anti-lock brakes and traction control.
Wheels and tires
The GXP rides on 19-inch polished aluminum wheels with a special machined face. Performance-oriented summer P245/40R19 tires are standard, and a comparable all-season tire is available. Combined with the suspension and steering enhancements, this setup gives the GXP exceptional cornering grip.
Exterior styling
The G8 GXP exhibits strong Pontiac design cues. A unique front fascia with a lower splitter and a distinctive rear fascia diffuser contribute to its sporty look. The dual-port grille, fog lamps, bold wheels and confident, wheels-at-the-corners stance are all unmistakably Pontiac traits.
Interior amenities and comfort
The G8 GXP's interior is driver-oriented with aesthetic and tactile details like instruments with a sporty appearance that match the car's performance. Interior materials consist of satin and chrome trim and high-quality textured materials throughout. The instrument cluster glows with crisp, white light on the primary instruments. Pontiac's signature red lighting illuminates the rest of the instrument panel cluster.
Standard comfort and convenience amenities include:
* Highly bolstered two-tone sport seats with color-coordinated gauge cluster and GXP embroidery
* Leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter
* Power-adjustable front seats
* Fog lamps
* Alloy sport pedals
* A 230-watt Blaupunkt audio system
* XM Satellite Radio
The seats offer firm support to hold occupants in place during aggressive cornering. The standard heated leather seats were designed to deliver excellent comfort during long drives. They are available in Ebony or an Ebony/Red two-tone.
Safety
Maintaining the G8's tradition of a full suite of standard safety features, the G8 GXP includes:
* Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control
* Electronic stability control
* Seat-mounted thorax air bags and dual-stage frontal air bags for front passengers, with automatic passenger sensing system
* Roof rail side-impact air bags for both seating rows
* OnStar
carcrazy1234
March 15, 2008 10:29:27 PM
this thing cannot handle lol... watch fifth gear where they test this thing out.. over steers and slides around everywhere... the smokes good though :P
If someone cared about buying a car that could handle around a track, they would buy a track car. This thing is built for cities. Stop light racing. With your family in the back.
The reason this car does not handle well is because it is an american POS the american manufactures can't engineer a car if there lives depended on it. It might make 402 hp but definatly gets under 10 mpg city; defiantly not a city car. Dont race this car with your family in it unless you do not value their lives. Death trap!
um fyi this thing CAN handle, i watched fifth gear and top gear both. it's just like german cars, if you turn the esp and traction contol off, it won't control well, like what jeremy clarkson said on the c63 "an axe murderer with headlights". p.s. the g8 is australian, and i drove the hsv version and it handles good.
Altho i also think that american cars are a big POS, joe_limon is right.It doesn't really matter If the car can go around corners in a track since nobody lives in a track.What does matter its the way the car feel, and I know that this car feels like every other american POS car but Its cheap as hell and also fast as hell.
So thats why I would buy It.Its fast and rediculously cheap.
fifth gear must learn to drive first. this is how a muscle car shuld look always, but Ive never seen an american car made for circuits like Nürburgring, sorry.
You obliviously haven't been paying attention to where GM has been testing a lot of their cars. I don't get why people on this site ramble on and on about stuff went they don't know what their talking about. I makes no sense.
It really is offensive for you to characterize the entire American automobile industry as inept. I know for too long the American Car companies were asleep at the wheel but that time if not over is almost gone. American Automobile companies are producing some of the best cars available today...such as the Corvette, Viper,Cadillac CTS, Cadillac V series to name a few. By the way as you obviously do not know - the platform the G8 was built on came courtesy of GM's Holden division which is Australian...I guess that about sums it up. You should know what you are talking about rather than just spout off nonsense...
"American Automobile companies are producing some of the best cars available today...such as the Corvette, Viper,Cadillac CTS, Cadillac V"
Too bad none of those cars are the best in their category nor do they sell the best. The GT-R puts the vette and viper to shame in every sector, too many cars to list that are better than the CTS, and the V series is overshadowed by AMG and M or lexus F.
No radmeister, they're not better than there German & Japanese competition. And they don't sell as well. But they're at least as good, and when in the last 30 somthing years has GM ever even come close? I haven't driven a G8, but if the quality of recent GM merchandise is any indication to its return to engineering legitimacy, then I think the G8 will be just what the General ordered. Credible competition! Oh yeah: The ZR1 shi*s circles around the GT-R, for the same price.
ZR1 is not same price as the GT-R it is about 30-50K more, the GTR is roughly 76K the ZR1 will be close to 120K. For 120K you can get a fully carbon fiber 570hp Spec GT-R that will put the ZR1 to shame.
finally, this car is a step in the right direction for Pontiac. it looks good and it goes fast. lets see it in AWD. it'll blow away the 335's and it'll be $20,000 cheaper.
agreed, but you can probably buy 2 and a 1/2 G8 GXPs for the price of 1 M5. get the G8 chipped and you could probably get to within 0.5 second of the M5 in the 1/4 mile and equal the M3. I know, you cant compare the G8 to an M but this 'Holden' will be a lot of bang for the buck and I'll have $50,000 left over to.....well, $50,000 I wont have to borrow!
Way to discredit your own argument by citing some blatantly incorrect BASIC information about this car. The car is Australian!!! Please do us all a favor and do some homework before you start bad-mouthing something. It makes you look really ignornant!
this thing cannot handle lol... watch fifth gear where they test this thing out.. over steers and slides around everywhere... the smokes good though :P