I finally got to see the Pontiac G8 in person & it is a very impressive sport sedan. My first impression of the car is that it really looks big. It is about the size of a Dodge Charger without the obnoxiously big front. The hood scoops on the car really aren't that bad, they mold into the hood, they look pretty good.

Pictures do not do this car justice! In person from the side view the car definitely looks like a cross between a BMW 5 series & a BMW 7 serious, no doubt. You need to see this car in person to make a fair judgement!

I took a total of 23 pictures, so I'm going to post a few now. If anyone has any questions, let me know. I'll check this thread.

They didn't have the car opened & it was a V6 version. This was in Midland, MI at the Northwood University Auto Show. A very good production, & it's all outside.

http://www.ls2g8.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=148&d=1191243814

http://www.ls2g8.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=149&d=1191243828

http://www.ls2g8.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=150&d=1191243840

http://www.ls2g8.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=151&d=1191243856

...

http://www.ls2g8.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=152&d=1191244072

http://www.ls2g8.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=153&d=1191244081

http://www.ls2g8.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=154&d=1191244094

http://www.ls2g8.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=155&d=1191244107

la la la :worthless:

...My first impression of the car is that it really looks big. It is about the size of a Dodge Charger without the obnoxiously big front.

Based on the pic in the current MT, I would think the G8 looks a lot more svelte than the Charger/300. The exterior dimensions may be very close, but the design of the G8 is more tightly drawn (like a BMW) vs. the upright, squared off Chrysler products.

I can't wait to see one in person (the concept at the Chicago Auto Show doesn't count because the pedestal view distorts the perspective and you can't stand right next to it for scale).

I'd also like to see you pics.

...

pics?

It's just the V6 pilot, there are pictures here already of it.

Hey Chris (White): Did you say that there is already tuning out for it? The 6.0 liter engine (in the US)?

The accessories are interesting...

dealer installed wheels

the high wing SS-V spoiler available in 2009...

personal audio link (bluetooth?) in 2009...

Headrest mounted DVD in 2009...

Air box and catback exhaust...

The poster says 2008 and 2009 model years. Does this mean that if it comes out in early 2008 it will still be a 2008 model versus 2009?

I see the little "GM" badge has appeared just in front of the front door cut line - it wasn't on the car that was at Woodward.

Those A-pilars sure look thick - I wonder how visibility is?

http://www.ls2g8.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=148&d=1191243814

http://www.ls2g8.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=149&d=1191243828

The poster says 2008 and 2009 model years. Does this mean that if it comes out in early 2008 it will still be a 2008 model versus 2009?

Current plans are for no early 2009 or skipping 2008. The mfgrs have done away with the 1/2 year nomenclature and GM usually changes over production model years during June/July - so expect 2008 models for at least 2 qtrs, to be followed by 2009 arriving around Aug/Sep of 2008. Accessories will be retrofittable, although the bluetooth would be a dash tear-apart. However official GM accessories ordered and installed after delivery only come wit ha 12 month warranty, whereas if installed by teh dealer at time of delivery they carry same warranty as rest of car.

2008 MY Accessories

Exterior Functional
*Roof Rack
*Molded Hood Protector
*Custom Molded Splash Guards
Exterior Style/Appearance
*Chrome Door Handles
*Chrome Mirror Caps
*Decal Stripe Package
*Grille Inserts
Interior Functional
*Cargo Area Tray
*Premium Carpet Floor Mats
*Rear Cargo Organizer
*Rear Park Assist
*Highway Emergency Safety Kit
*Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Interior Style/Appearance
*Front Seat Inserts
*Shift Knob
*Pedal Covers

2009 MY Accessories

Exterior Functional
*Air Box - V8 Only
*19" Wheels
*Performance Catback Exhaust - V8 ONly
Exterior Style/Appearance
*Chrome Fuel Door
*High Wing Spoiler
Interior Functional
*RSt Integrated Headrest DVD
*2-way Advanced Remote Start
*Personal Audio Link
Interior Style/Appearance
*Door Sill Plates
*Interior Trim Kit

Yes, there is tuning software for it but the E38 PCM used is alot more complicated then any other previous PCM's.
The only shop that's been able to extract a VE table from the complex formula used by the E38 to calculate VE is EFI-Live. I'm looking into purchasing one as the HPtuners I have doesn't cut it :(

you took 23 pics, i only see 8. i think thats a pretty simple equation. We want more.

Those A-pilars sure look thick - I wonder how visibility is?

...

The "A" pillars are "thick". You can almost "loose" a person on a street corner if they are blocked by the pillar

Mike

That gray looks much better in the pics than what's on the G8 site. Thanks for the pictures.

Mike:

Did you get a picture of the back seat? There is a question at GMI as to whether the center rear position has a shoulder belt.

Thanks!

Hey man, Great pics! Anymore left???:turbonaughtdy_1:

Holdens have a lap/sash centre belt as standard (have for at least 10 years), so I can't imagine they'd take that out.

Yes the A pillar is thick (gets mentioned in every test drive write up) but from the short drive I had of my brother's Calais, it is not really an issue.

My brothers Calais V for comparison:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b217/isszy/aicar2.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b217/isszy/aicar3.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b217/isszy/aicar1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b217/isszy/aicar4.jpg

Mike:

Did you get a picture of the back seat? There is a question at GMI as to whether the center rear position has a shoulder belt.

Thanks!

I didn't get a picture of the back seat. And I don't remember wheather the middle had a shoulder belt or not.

The interior was cloth, so it wasn't too interesting, but it was definitely the one of the best cloth interiors GM has ever put out.

Hey Chris (White): Did you say that there is already tuning out for it? The 6.0 liter engine (in the US)?

We have tuning for it, no one else does since the G8 got its own OS ;) People that think they can do it havent had thier hands on one yet, we have :D

Nice, the only thing I really don't like about the V6 models right now is they bear too strong a resemblance to the GT. I would just prefer a little more differentiation.

Thanks for the pics Isszy.

This car is really hard to get a scale on. By the measurements, its a touch shorter than a 300, but wider. Its also shorter than a Grand Prix, and wider than the now defunct Bonneville. When you see people next to it, however, it looks trim.

Chrome mirror caps. :barf:

We have tuning for it, no one else does since the G8 got its own OS ;) People that think they can do it havent had thier hands on one yet, we have :D

Yeah. Chris gets all of the good stuff before most of us can dream of it. So, when is your first drive of the "Super 'Vette"? :laugh:

I found out what "Personal Audio Link" means - this integrates an ipod to be controlled by the steering wheel buttons and stock radio (like other cars are doing).

My local dealer told me that GM is about to introduce this in the Arcadia under the same name.

So for those who want their ipod integrated, you may want to wait for 2009, however, the accessories are normally dealer installed, so it may be backwards compatible.

When you see people next to it, however, it looks trim.

I've seen and sat in it at the Dream Cruise, it isn't a small car but manages to appear that way thanks to the athletic styling.

You put a 3.4 pulley on a grand prix without the supporting mods? That's why you only ran 14s.

I saw the base and GT models at the Detroit auto show. They are sweet! I will be putting in an order :sneaky:

I seem to remember at the Detroit show there was a shoulder belt for the middle space on the back seat. That area didn't look too comfy, but it never is....

The Brochuer said the center is a lap belt.

The Brochuer said the center is a lap belt.Dealerworld said that for a while and was updated late in December, the brochure was printed in December, so it may not have been updated before printed.

All the VE's in Oz have a three point center belt, and all the photos from the current auto shows have a center three point belt, so I think the brochure is wrong.