The Last Great Pontiac?
Earlier this week GM announced that it would shut down its Pontiac brand. This is gut-wrenching news for many fans of the performance car line, which has made several memorable models during its 83 year existence. Perhaps its most famous model is the 1964 GTO, considered the first muscle car.
My father bought several Pontiacs over the years, the first one being a 1983 Firebird, painted charcoal metallic. It was a gorgeous car and very fun to drive. The engine certainly wasn’t one of the best GM ever manufactured, a 2.8 liter V6, but the car certainly had a lot of zest. I eventually inherited it my last year in high school and drove it all throughout college. It wasn’t until 1995 when I parted ways with the Firebird to purchase something with significantly more power, but in retrospect I should have held on to it a little longer.
Now GM made a decision that will prove to be absurd–to kill the Pontiac. It’s no secret that the division released some terrible, ill-performing cars over the years. The 2002 Bonneville that my father bought for instance is a design nightmare. It’s probably the least ergonomic vehicle I have ever sat in and for a large sedan it perplexingly has very little leg room for the driver. It certainly fares as being one of the worst cars I’ve ever driven.
Despite Pontiac’s past foibles, its going out with a bang. The Pontiac G8 GXP is considered one of the greatest performance sedans that the division has ever produced with very high vehicle ratings. Some people find it comparable to the finesse and handling of the BMW M5, which fetches $80,000. The G8 GXP on the other hand sells for only half that much.
Okay, so what makes the Pontiac G8 GXP so special? Well for starters, how about a 6.2 liter V8 engine that yields 415 horsepower taken from a Chevy Corvette? Couple that with a 6-speed manual transmission and be prepared for all hell breaking loose while driving this thing across town. Other perks include power rack-and-pinion steering, 19-inch wheels, a high rear spoiler, and three automatic driving modes. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the G8 GXP goes 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
Motor Trend wrapped up its review of the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP with the strongest words I’ve read about the value and performance of this car:
Pontiac’s maximum strength G8 is a few details shy of legend, but that doesn’t diminish its huge appeal and sophisticated, capable performance. The G8 GXP is a terrific, all-around sport sedan that runs with high-priced Germans. Its strong value message isn’t a qualifier either, just a bonus. You could also think of the G8 GXP as a four-door Corvette of sorts. No matter, it is the best-performing, most well-balanced production Pontiac ever. That tells you all you need to know.
The six cylinder base G8 is also an impressive vehicle. In terms of automobile performance it has a 3.6 liter 256 horsepower V6 engine that can go from 0-60 in an impressive 5.3 seconds. Gas mileage isn’t too bad with 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. Then there’s the G8 GT model, which has a 6.0 V8 engine that outputs 361 horsepower.
No matter what G8 model you consider, it comes standard with ABS brakes, traction control, stability control, and front as well as side airbags.
The G’s interior is very roomy for both front and rear passengers. Standard features include four-way power seats, a tilting-telescoping steering wheel and a sound system with seven speakers that can receive XM Satellite Radio.
I should mention one other Pontiac for the record, the two-seater convertible Solstice, which apparently is one of the best-selling convertibles in the US. The Pontiac Solstice is very attractive and can be exhilarating to drive, like along the West Coast on Route 1. You have your choice of a five-speed automatic or manual transmission. It’s powered by a 2.4 liter four cylinder engine that puts out 173 horsepower. The Solstice granted is not the zippiest car in the world but it’s a blast to drive. Though keep in mind that it may not be suitable for tall drivers. It’s only 50 inches tall, 71 inches wide and 157 inches long. There’s also a coupe version with a removable hard top, new for 2009.
Pontiac will be phased out in 2010, so you still have some time to make a purchasing decision. But don’t wait too long. The G8 GXP may not be around as a 2010 production model.
Photo © hobbes8calvin , Jeff Glucker
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