Pontiac G8

Awe-inspiring performance sedan

By Dan Jensen

The all-new 2009 Pontiac G8 has arrived at Norseman Pontiac Buick GMC in Camrose.

The G8 offers stunning looks, an advanced rear-wheel-drive architecture, a choice of high output engines, and some of the industry's most up-to-the-minute technology. If you're in the market for an awe-inspiring performance sedan, this car belongs at the top of your list.

"Delivering driving character and performance typical of more expensive cars, the new Pontiac G8 will definitely punch above its weight," said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service and marketing for GM of Canada. "With its bold styling, dynamic design and sport-biased set-up, the G8 will be sure to put a smile on the face of driving enthusiasts."

Hot design

All G8 models share a progressive styling package highlighted by strong Pontiac design cues, such as a dual-port grille, fog lamps, bold wheels and a confident, wheels-at-the-corner stance. The design accents the car's performance lineage, with fenders that flare over the wheels, seemingly hugging the wide tires and enhancing the sporty stance. Distinctive elements include hood scoops and front fender vents, as well as projector beam headlamps housed in crystal-clear lenses. At the rear, the taillamps feature bright detail work surrounding the red lighting elements. Pontiac G8 models have red taillamp lenses and twin polished stainless steel outlets, while G8 GT models feature clear taillamp lenses and quad polished stainless steel exhaust tips. All models have an antenna mounted at the rear of the roof.

Interior

Designed to meld form and function with world-class fit and finish, the G8's interior delivers both comfort and convenience, packaged in a level of sophistication not often found in its price range.

Attention to detail includes selective use of satin and chrome trim, and rich-feeling, grained textures throughout. The instrument cluster glows with crisp, white light on the primary instruments and Pontiac's signature red lighting illuminates the rest of the instrument panel cluster.

The seats offer firm support to hold occupants in place during aggressive cornering; all seats were designed to deliver excellent comfort during long drives. Cloth seating surfaces are standard, with heated leather seating available. G8 models also offer an optional two-tone cloth or leather combination that pairs black with red inserts and colour-matched instrument faces on certain exterior colour combinations.

Two hot powertrains

The G8 sedan comes equipped with a 3.6 litre DOHC V-6, generating 256 horsepower (190 kW) and 248 lb.-ft. of torque in a wide power band beginning at a very low 2,100 rpm. Linked to a five-speed Hydra-Matic 5L40E automatic transmission, the V-6 powered G8 is capable of zero-to-100 km/h times of approximately seven seconds.

The GT model ups the ante with the introduction of the 6.0 litre small-block V-8, with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology, producing 361 horsepower (268 kW) and 385 lb.-ft. of torque. Zero-to-100 km/h times of 5.3 seconds are possible with the six-speed Hydra-Matic 6L80E automatic transmission lined to a standard limited-slip differential.

G8 architecture

Built on GM's global rear-wheel-drive architecture, the G8 is designed to deliver world-class levels of strength and refinement, along with crisp driving dynamics. Among the architecture's design attributes is a layout that promotes a nearly 50/50 front-to-rear weight balance ratio, thanks to design features that include a steering rack mounted ahead of the front axle, engines mounted low and rearward in the front chassis cradle, and a trunk-mounted battery.

GM's rear-drive architecture also has an exceptionally strong unitized chassis/body structure, including advanced-strength steel used in more than 80 per cent of its construction. This strong foundation enables several factors that benefit the G8's driving experience, including smoother, more solid ride characteristics, and more precise suspension tuning.

The G8 rides on a long, 2,915 mm wheelbase, with the wheels set wide at 1,592 mm front and 1,608 mm rear tracks. The front suspension features a multi-link MacPherson strut design that incorporates a direct-acting stabilizer bar, while the rear suspension uses a four-link independent design, with progressive-rate coil springs over shocks and a decoupled stabilizer bar.

With the rear suspension, a high degree of lateral stiffness is achieved with the use of two lateral ball joints per side. A rubber-damped suspension frame further isolates the body structure from noise, vibration and road harshness.

Safety

The G8 offers six standard air bags, including dual-stage frontal air bags, side thorax air bags for front-seat passengers, and roof rail-mounted head curtain air bags for both seating rows. Other safety features include four-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS, the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, all-speed traction control, and a ride-down steering column and breakaway pedal system.

See the 2009 Pontiac G8 at Norseman Pontiac Buick, 3760-48 Avenue, Camrose. Phone 672-0121 and ask for one of the friendly sales professionals.

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