Will Pontiac G8 become a Chevy or Buick?
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,748
From: New England
weren't you listening to him at his press conference?
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,712
From: Ontario
I never really liked the look of the front end on middle east Lumina, it's looks too much like they just stuck a Chevy symbol on the Commodore (which is what they obviously did). I hope if they turn the G8 into a Chevy they do more than what they did with the middle east Lumina.
I did this quick photoshop to see what the G8 would look like with Chevrolet's new grill on it and I think it would look pretty good on the G8.
I did this quick photoshop to see what the G8 would look like with Chevrolet's new grill on it and I think it would look pretty good on the G8.
. And I have to say that's one of the best interpretations of the Chevy 'face' I've seen on any car, period. I'd love to the G8 live on as that.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 632
From: NC
I think the most appropriate name for the car (if it becomes a Chevrolet - I still believe we won't see it here period) is Chevelle
It doesn't matter that MOST Chevelles were grocery getters. What matters is the image that pop culture holds for the car.
Therefore, Chevelle (which pop culture has a VERY positive image of) is an excellent name.
Lumina would be a joke... Again, it doesn't matter what we as gear heads know about the car or the history of the name. The average person sees "Lumina" and thinks "80s-90s GM crap". (BTW, I owned a Lumina and it was an excellent car)
Caprice is largely the same way, albeit probably not as bad... But then again, it didn't share as much limelight as Lumina (in it's later years)
Impala would be nice, so long as GM cans the FWD Impala. But even then, the Impala's image is good, but does it necessarily still fit in with what this car would be? A lot of people know what Impala REALLY means. But then, a lot of people connote Impala with "Avis" as well.
As much as I would LOVE to see Bel Air reused, I think that's a bit risky. Bel Air is "The quintessential CHevy" to a lot of people, so the G8 (as it were) might be set up for failure much like the GTO was set up for failure from the beginning (image-wise)
Me vote goes with Chevelle... Big, subtle, classy, useful and MEAN if it needs to be. That pretty much sums up what this car is all about.
It doesn't matter that MOST Chevelles were grocery getters. What matters is the image that pop culture holds for the car.
Therefore, Chevelle (which pop culture has a VERY positive image of) is an excellent name.
Lumina would be a joke... Again, it doesn't matter what we as gear heads know about the car or the history of the name. The average person sees "Lumina" and thinks "80s-90s GM crap". (BTW, I owned a Lumina and it was an excellent car)
Caprice is largely the same way, albeit probably not as bad... But then again, it didn't share as much limelight as Lumina (in it's later years)
Impala would be nice, so long as GM cans the FWD Impala. But even then, the Impala's image is good, but does it necessarily still fit in with what this car would be? A lot of people know what Impala REALLY means. But then, a lot of people connote Impala with "Avis" as well.
As much as I would LOVE to see Bel Air reused, I think that's a bit risky. Bel Air is "The quintessential CHevy" to a lot of people, so the G8 (as it were) might be set up for failure much like the GTO was set up for failure from the beginning (image-wise)
Me vote goes with Chevelle... Big, subtle, classy, useful and MEAN if it needs to be. That pretty much sums up what this car is all about.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 632
From: NC
I LOVE the G8, but I can tell you that if GM we're to just "bring the ME Lumina over here unchanged" I would not be happy. We need something MORE aggressive.
The sheep can all buy Malibus, Cruzes and Impalas. This car should be for US (GM owes us that now that Pontiac has been squandered) And GM should work to build a trifecta of performance in Camaro, Corvette and Chevelle (G8) while the iron is HOT from the Camaro intro.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,712
From: Ontario
I think "Impala" still has a positive image, especially for those who remember the B-body SS. It could carry right on at the top of Chevy's sedan hierarchy when the W-body is retired.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,371
From: Kilgore TX 75662
the Chevelle name would work well enough. Didn't some models have a 115" wheelbase? That's just a hair longer than the G8's 114.8" WB. But back in the day, that was only a midsize car.
I still think that the names Del Ray, Biscayne, Bel Air, and Caprice would be very good names to use. Despite what position they held when they were produced, people typically remember positive things about those cars. The Bel Airs were available as a coupe, sedan, convertible, and wagon. Heck, the Bel Air was even once built in Oshawa...
I still think that the names Del Ray, Biscayne, Bel Air, and Caprice would be very good names to use. Despite what position they held when they were produced, people typically remember positive things about those cars. The Bel Airs were available as a coupe, sedan, convertible, and wagon. Heck, the Bel Air was even once built in Oshawa...
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 632
From: NC
I understand your reasoning, but still don't think Chevelle is right. As mentioned above, regardless of the facts, most people (myself included) think of Chevelle as a large 2-door muscle car. Also, it feels like an 'old' name.
I think "Impala" still has a positive image, especially for those who remember the B-body SS. It could carry right on at the top of Chevy's sedan hierarchy when the W-body is retired.
I think "Impala" still has a positive image, especially for those who remember the B-body SS. It could carry right on at the top of Chevy's sedan hierarchy when the W-body is retired.
I'd love to see it called Impala. What I'm NOT okay with is having a W-Body Impala in the showroom along side the rumored "Impala SS" G8.
I think Impala still has a great image with the public. But that image now consists of cheap, reliable, solid (READ: mundane but positive) transportation.
To introduce a new fire breathing Impala that sells in limited numbers is going to confuse people. To introduce an "Impala SS" along side the W-Body Impala is going to confuse people even more.
But I do think Chevelle or Impala would be the best name.