I picked up a U.S. dealer spec sheet on the G8 yesterday (dated Jan 11, 2008) and looked over some of the literature that has too many nice pictures and insufficient information, IMHO. Here are a couple of things I found that I haven't seen elsewhere:

1) battery is in the trunk. I suspect this speaks to weight distribution issues to approach the magic 50/50.

2) The dual climate control (GT and optional sedan) has an outside temp display on the LCD screen by pressing a button.

3) Blaupunkt radio and nice speakers on the GT (optional of sedan) with. The official description is "AM/FM stereo with 6-disc CD changer and MP3 playback, 6.5" color LCD multi-function display, seek and scan, speed compensated volume, TheftLock, equalizer, available help menu and input jack for iPod/MP3 player." This sounds like an upscale version of my GTO radio. NO MENTION OF XM Satellite Radio capability!??! I guess the Germans don't have such? Jeez, what an oversight in a U.S.-bound car. But I can live w/o it. But I digress.... "Blaupunkt premium 11-speaker system, 230 watt with amplifier and subwoofers. Center mid-range and 2 8-inch rear mounted subwoofers." Again, this is the GT or optional on sedan.

4) Front and side curtain airbags are standard

5) Same anti-theft setup as the GTO with the "stick" key and embedded microchip that disables the car. This really helps on insurance rates, too.

6) OnStar. I don't get excited about it, but some GTO owners griped about not having it. If they can install OnStar, why not XM Satellite radio?

7) Remote vehicle starter on key (whoopie!....:bubbrubb: ... NOT)

8) Fold down rear seats

9) Tire pressure monitoring system. I asked how they did that and it seems to be a sensor in the valve stems read by the DIC.

10) Euro-style turn signals with 3-flash on press

11) No spare tire/wheel on GT -- just an inflation kit. I guess this is because of weight and different tire/wheel combos front/rear.

12) Speed sensitive wipers

13) Premium package, sport package, sunroof and colors are the only options on GT. The premium package adds heated leather seats, 6-way (instead of 4-way) seats. Sport package adds sport metallic pedals, machine faced 19" wheels with P245/40R19-94W tires and a special sport steering wheel.

14) Steering wheel has radio, DIC and cruise control buttons (illuminated).

Did you search? We have known all this for a while. It has a pass though not folding seats.

Yep, nothing new here.

6) OnStar. I don't get excited about it, but some GTO owners griped about not having it. If they can install OnStar, why not XM Satellite radio?

I don't remember the official word, but some of the stuff fell victim to software/hardware conflicts. Its like any computer or equipment such as this; sometimes it won't recognize conflicting hardware. Its kind of like an "IRQ" error, when your computer sees two pieces of hardware attempting to access the same port/address. In a computer, its an easy fix.

But car equipment is not the same as a home computer, so the extra effort didn't go into the short model year. I believe the 09 model year includes some of the stuff that was left out, like Bluetooth and XM.

I know this is still early, but what are the chances that the '08's head unit/system will be "upgradeable" or whatever to the '09 so we can get Bluetooth and XM? I just don't think I can go another summer in Chicago without A/C and my dealer has an '08 lined up for me, ETA late March. The buttons are already on the steering wheel...seems like we should be able to do something there.

Mike