Holden is shipping the Commodore over to us to be the new Pontiac G8 and that will be a sweet ride. There are 2 problems though

1. One we are talking about 2008
2. We get a 6.0L making only 362hp

Vauxhall is getting a copy of the Commodore called the VXR8 in July 2007. It will have a 6.0L engine producing 420hp with a supercharged version soon to follow with 500+hp.

Maybe some of you know more about why, but from the viewpoint of a normal car fan - that plain sucks.

The had one in studio on the last Top Gear, but they have not drivin yet. I am hoping the review a Zeta car in the Summer series starting in July.

Commodore


Pontiac G8


VXR8

 

Patience. The G8 GXP should do the trick nicely. I don't understand the gnashing of teeth about the G8 GT. It's the perfect formula for the GT car. It should outrun the 5.7 Hemi LX cars while doing so at a palatable price. I mean really, that's more than enough for the average guy. You want *****-out performance? Pay for it and get the GXP.

 

Will the GXP have 420hp or 500+hp and when will that come out??? The point is, it is already available just not here. I came close to buying a current CTS-V, because I would like to buy a powerful 4 door American sedan. I want an American car that will hang with AMG, M, RS and R; not POS hemis. However the CTS-V interior did not fly with me. Even the new CTS has wierd quirks, that I do not understand. GM is releasing it in europe with bluetooth, but bluetooth will come later in the states. Bluetooth would not be a dealbreaker for me, but why not launch it with bluetooth here as well???

I have no problem paying for it, I would just like the opportunity to.

 

I would say 420-450. Again, plenty good for even the biggest mid-life speed freak needing a family sedan.

It's amazing that a 400+ HP sedan for a great price still isn't good enough. I mean, you have to remember that this is a Pontiac. You want Pontiac to do a 500+ HP sedan? Are you ready to pay 50, $60,000 for a Pontiac sedan? Because I can tell you right now, there aren't many people who would.

How much is this supercharged Vauxhall going to cost in US dollars?

 

so the G8 doesn't use the 400hp LS2.. big deal.. 362hp is still a lot of power under the hood, plenty to be competitive in the market it is in.. the G8 also has active fuel management, which the LS2 doesn't have

 

only making 360 hp?

How much power do you NEED?

If you WANT more, just modify the engine. With just bolt-ons and a PCM tune, you could easily get another 70 hp without any penalty to fuel economy.

Would 430 hp then be enough for ya?

 

I think you guys are totally missing his point; it isn't a matter of how much HP does he want or need; what he's complaining about (and it seems like a valid complaint to me) is why does GM offer the more powerful versions elsewhere but not here?

If the car already exists (and it obvioiusly does); why doesn't the U.S. get it now?

You all seem to be saying he should just shut-up and "be happy" with whatever GM decides to offer him in the U.S.

 

maybe a gt, a gtp and a gxp ???
that would pretty cool, but not cost effective. I agree that the car would get pretty pricey with the supercharger, as heavy as it is, mileage would be terrible.

 

Robert has a good point. My guess is they decided to go with the fuel economy on the low level V8. Expect for the GXP to make up for it

 

That's how GM, and really most car makers are though when they release a new model. The M3 went on hiatus wit hthe new body style. The shelby wasn't out wit teh first year of the new mustang. The solstice GXP wasn't available the first year of production. The Z06 wasn't available first year. etc, etc.

It probably doesn't help that the last 'aspirational' 400hp pontiac is called a failure by so many people.

The big reason is probably because they know they will sell a boatload even without a top dog the first year. Then when you release the top dog a year later, you create new excitement for the car, only now your regular channels are filled up and ready to take orders rather than waiting for shipments like most of the US was in early 04.

 

I've been meaning to ask this. Why would they use the 6.0L Vortech engine? Isn't the LS2 cheaper to build, with larger production capacity? Isn't the Vortech an iron block? Unless I'm mistaken, I can seriously see no advantage to them using that engine instead of the LS2.

 

works for Mustang GT, base V8 car that offers good performance and style, want more, pay more.

 

the engine in the G8 isnt the Vortech engine.

 

If GM had moved quicker on the ball, perhaps the car would be here now. But there are technical issues like emissions testing, crash regulations, and insurance crap that has to happen - aside from where the cars are built to what side of the car the steering column is on (again, more time and money). Gm moved slowly and now it has to go through the paperwork. Also GMNA is known for moving slower than the rest of the company. Such is how it is I guess. All we can do is hope it gets better.

Why they give the Aussies 420hp and the Americans 360 is also easily explained. How many people in the US would rather have 60hp or a few mpg? Whats the cost difference? How is cafe effected?

I bet GM would rather have the mpg at this point - cause 360HP is a LOT for a family sedan no matter how you slice it, and more than most people are used to in any car. Also a lot of people that have the high end Audi or BMW machines that have that power dont even really use it.

 

Okay, then what 362hp V8 is it? And does my point not still stand?