GM Didn't Call It: Pontiac G8 Sport Truck Will Have a V6
Back in March at the New York Auto Show, Brian Shipman of Pontiac told me that the G8 ST (Sport Truck) – a direct import of the Australian Holden Ute – would not offer a V6. It made sense, as this was a glamour truck rather than a work vehicle. Since they figured 40 – 50-year-old guys would just buy them fully loaded (the car, not the middle-aged buyers), it didn't make sense to offer cheaper, lower-spec versions. They'd never be as cheap as a two-wheel drive, four-cylinder compact truck. So a done deal – V8 only? Nope. GM confirmed today that they WILL be building a V6 version of the G8 ST for the American market, because of the whole gas price thing. Except that in the sedan, the V6 returns essentially the same mileage as the V8. So, uh… The good news: the V6 for both the ST and G8 sedan will be the 3.6-liter direct injection V6 with 304 horsepower from the Cadillac CTS and upcoming Camaro. That's really nice and all, but c'mon, I still want the V8. At least we know GM is still interested in driving any of its credibility into the ground by faking-out their remaining customers.
Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.
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A v-6 can be an economy engine. A 300 hp v-6? Not so much. They wont sell for 30 grand for long. Anyone remember another futile exercise with a bed? SSR anyone?
I hear that GM commissioned this model at the behest of Bill Clinton; make sure to tick the option "Astro-Turf Bed Liner". Yeah, they'd need a 15-20% improvement in MPG to justify the V6, and since it's a "high-tech" V6, it's probably not going to be that much cheaper than the "8".
Thanks to GM for taking a chance to offer something other than a 4-dr, 4cyl, Asian econobarge. The SSR was a cool vehicle. That retractable roof? Sweet! The only other thing you could get something like that on from competitors was that Lexus sport coupe thingy. Then the G6 and the XLR comes out with it.
That thing is going to be an utter failure... Just like the SSR chevy.