Gm Soon to Produce the Pontiac G8

There’s lots of energy inside General Motors today and this renewed optimism is brought about by the recent report of profit which the company earned for the end of the fourth quarter of 2006. General Motors was also able to release some very good products and these made people to once again take notice of the automaker.

To maintain its line of new vehicles the world’s number one automaker has announced that the Pontiac G8 is scheduled for production on 2008. The G8 is expected to replace the Grand Prix and will have the first application of GM’s rear drive Zeta platform. This same platform will be used as the basis for the next generation Impala and the Camaro. Driving purists will surely rejoice with made even cooler rear-wheel drive.

The trim levels for the G8 will range from mild to wild with the base model powered by a 261hp 3.6 liter V6 with 250 ft. lbs. of torque. Those are not bad numbers for a base engine and most GM fanatics will surely recognize that the engine is one of those Cadillac engine lineage. From among the Cadillac lines of engine, the GT is considered to be the wild one, powered by a 6.0 liter V8 churning out 363 horsepower and 391 foot pounds of torque delivering 0 to 100 km/h sprints in a matter of 5.5 seconds.

And since the Pontiac GTO was never launched at the Great White North then the G8 is viewed to be much better looking than the GT which is considered to be a more practical successor. The G8 is a four-door vehicle and suitable for families as well as enthusiasts. The G8 will be imported from Australia but will still make use of genuine GM components like for its GM window motors and others.

Aussies may see the G8 as a variant of the Holden Commodore but folks from the Great White North will see only see a remarkably powerful car. The earlier GM vehicle brought to the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year possess sexy, inflated body work with an intimidating fender flares. The package includes 20-inch wheels and huge brake discs. Unfortunately it is not yet sure if some of these remarkable components will make it to production but with the G8 hitting dealerships then would finally remove all doubts.

Also to be included in the G8 are 5 and 6 speed automatics for the base which will also be offered for the GT. Similarly, a 6-speed manual for the GT will be offered later. The G8 will also feature a four wheel independent suspension, and it’s been reported to obtain a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. And as an option a limited-slip differential will also be offered for the G8.

The interior of the G8 make use of high quality plastics and assembly. The dash has also improved remarkably and evades from the garish orange lightning scheme of yesteryears. The G8 reflects a level of quality and driving dynamics that shows the technological evolution that GM has undergone.