I agree, a 10% reduction in power is trivial.

I still say that it is an appropriate power level for the price / intended market. Sure, 400 hp would be even better, but no one else is offering a 360 hp large/midsize sedan with sporting tendencies for ~$30k. Remember, the car may have come to be using a formula similar to the GTO (i.e. bring over a Holden), but it is effectively a Grand Prix replacement, not a GTO replacement.

 

Well, it's not bad, and you're right.

The killer is that it's that you know the 40hp can be had for FREE. (well, i honestly don't know the difference in costs between an LS2 & L76)

If the 400hp LS2 did not exist, we wouldn't know what we're missing, and I'd be real happy & excited for the G8.

 

Technically, that's true... the Charger R/T only has 340 or 350 hp (depending on options), at least for this year.

 

Right. And the Charger R/T is the most direct competitor I can think of for the G8. It's similar specs and price merely illustrate that the G8 is indeed pretty spot on for its intended market and price range.

Charger offers a similar package, of course. A bit down on power, behind in transmission options (5 speed auto only, vs. 6 speed auto OR manual in the G8), WAY behind in terms of styling...

Of course, the Charger will be a couple of years old by the time the G8 is actually in showrooms, so I'm sure it will be upgraded / redesigned before too long.

 

Don't forget, the L76 is tuned to run on REGULAR 87. This is a BIG consideration when shopping for a family sedan. I'm sure there's a lot of average Joes out there that would love to run this level of power, and gladly give up the extra 30 HP, to be able to run the cheap(est) stuff. I know it's hard, but you can't always think like a gearhead. Yeah, this is a performance-geared sedan, no doubt, but it is STILL a family sedan, regardless of its muscular tendencies, and the L76 no doubt delivers the goods for the average buyer.

In many ways, I think it's smarter to do the G8 GT with the L76. Give the GXP the higher compression, premium-burning LS2/LS3 for the guys who are really that discriminate. As an added bonus for GM, you can package it up and charge even more for it than you could if the LS2 was standard. Just like the SRT cars.

 

Now that's a valid point. . .

However, I noticed you rounded 38 down to 30, instead of up to 40. Is that because 40hp sounds like too much of a loss!

 

I will have to take a straw poll at the next meeting of the Joes.

 

Something else to consider. . .

I'd tend to think that guys looking to spend the extra cash on the optional V8 wouldn't care if it required premium.

Anything else in that range probably already requires premium. (I know the G35 & IS350 do, and I know the LX cars are dogs in the summer and I believe they run slow on 87, so it's probably required there also).

 

No. Honestly it's because I couldn't remember if the L76 was rated at 362 or 368.

Maybe, maybe not. Heck, we've got guys on this board who have said they'd rather buy a "base V8"-type 5th Gen Camaro that wasn't quite as bonzai with the power but drank regular unleaded. And that's V8 Camaro buyers we're talking about here.

Remember that this car is pretty much a direct replacement for the Grand Prix. The L76 with a stick and RWD is going to make this car feel like a rocket ship compared to the FWD, A4, torque-managed LS4 GP.

 

If I'm remembering right, Charger will get redesigned for MY10, with the heavily-revised 5.7 Hemi (VVT, etc., possibly a small displacement bump, 400ish hp) coming a year earlier, or so says the rumor mill.

 

The LSx aftermarket is so incredibly VAST and flexible , not having the LS2 would not be a concern to me AT ALL . I hope GM offers the L76 as a lower cost option in the Camaro , that would be the one I'd buy

This theory kind of screws you guys that dont want to mod right off the bat . For a guy like me though , killing LS2 #'s without killing an ounce of driveablity are as simple as a cam swap and a tune .

 

Not sure how the AFM would affect ease of cam swap. AFM killed some horsepower in the 2007 3.9 V6, so I would assume that this, combined with recommended regular fuel applicability, sucks 30 to 40 "peak" horsepower. I mention "peak" because I doubt there is any loss at all under 5,000 rpm. I think the vast majority of the target market would figure these compromises as worth it for significantly reduced fuel costs (both better mpg from AFM and regular instead of premium fuel).

 

Do you think the GT model will be the end of the line for the G8 when Pontiac has GTP and GXP models of the Grand Prix and the G6?

I wouldn't worry about that 40hp just yet.

I like the fact that it will run on 87 octane and has AFM. Besides, the Commodores down under have been getting 13.9 and 14.0 second 1/4s in the Australian mags, which are usually a little slower than our U.S. magazines, for various reasons that probably have nothing to do with driving skill. I'm expecting C&D/MT to get 13.8@101, though I won't be crushed with 14.1@99.

 

It might be a large car but trust me when I say it drives like a small car. It's so neutral and so easy to throw around corners... you'd think you should be racing cars for a living!

It even feels lighter on its feet than my VX SS (similar to VZ chassis), which weighs 250lb less!!!

PS The ESP really does make a good driver out of me.

 

Like I said, I'm comparing it to the other Gen IV 6.0L V8 that GM has, the LS2.

It would *REALLY* kill me if the GXP comes with the LS2 making 400hp. If we get a GXP with the LS3 (or something) making 420-450hp, that'd pretty much be awesome.

But, by that time, we might have 500hp 6.4L SRT8 LX cars available.

REGARDLESS of all my down talk, I still plan on test driving the car. I think it looks great, inside and out, and the platform is exciting.

Mike