Ok, it took a few days but here are some of the pics I took at the G8 unveiling which took place at 7:30AM Saturday at NAIAS before the doors opened to the public. Special thanks again to Bob Sellers Pontiac for setting up this event!

http://www.hammen.net/bowman/covered.jpg

G8 GT in Panther Black (metallic)
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/unveil.jpg

http://www.hammen.net/bowman/g8.jpg

http://www.hammen.net/bowman/GT_spoiler.jpg

The sedan V6 in Magnetic Grey Metallic
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/v6.jpg

The battery is on the left behind the sidewall
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/trunk.jpg

http://www.hammen.net/bowman/rear_armrest.jpg

Cupholders and flat surface on the rear passthru when it's folded down
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/pass_thru.jpg

Cupholder in the rear door. Note the center of the door is covered in leather including the handle. The hard plastic is below it. There is even a double stiched seam in the leather just below the door lever running parallel to the beltline (not pictured). I can't remember if the top of the door where you'd rest your arm with the windows open was vinyl or something else.
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/door.jpg

Notice the power port below the HVAC controls on the right
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/console.jpg

And another 12v power port in the center console. Also room for whatever goofy Australian coins you may have in your pockets
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/console2.jpg

A dead pedal, but still one pedal missing.....
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/gt_missing_pedal.jpg

The welcome screen
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/radio.jpg

One of the menu screens- navigate by pressing the round menu button to the right and rotating to scroll up or down. The Ipod port is just below and to the right of the Menu button
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/radio2.jpg

nice! i want!

woo hoo! awesome... I can't wait to get one.

Much thanks.. for the new pics.. Very nice. Some new images...

very very nice

I'm beginning to think I might like this car.

Its nice to see some of the close ups. thanks.

Great pics! Thanks BowdawG!

Nice recon mission, wish I coulda been there...

Nice pics, thanks, hopefully I'll get to see one in Houston next week.:yumyum:
hate having to wait for one with a clutch pedal though :whine:
I will be sure to take a VE SS with the M6 for a spin when I go home to Adelaide in march :gears:

Are the up/down window switches in the center and not on the door?

Are the up/down window switches in the center and not on the door?

There in the centre console.

Appreciate you posting the interior pics.
- Ray

Great pics

Nice square space in the trunk and not a bad size pass-through either. I've definitely seen worse. It'll do. Thanks for the pics!

What is that hanging below the rear window in the trunk?

http://www.hammen.net/bowman/trunk.jpg

Thanks for sharing. Every time I see more pictures of this car I really like it even better :)

What is that hanging below the rear window in the trunk?

http://www.hammen.net/bowman/trunk.jpg

Probably OnStar. They want it close to the non-crumple core of the vehicle to survive any incident. Same reason the battery is in trunk, even though they tell us its for weight distribution.


Anyone else notice that the interiors in all pics so far from Detropit look gray and not black? Is it just the lighting? To me, onyx is supposed to be blacker than black.

Nice pics, thanks, hopefully I'll get to see one in Houston next week.:yumyum:
hate having to wait for one with a clutch pedal though :whine:
I will be sure to take a VE SS with the M6 for a spin when I go home to Adelaide in march :gears:

If one shows at the Houston show, can you let us know? May drop over for a look if there...Thanks

Anyone else notice that the interiors in all pics so far from Detropit look gray and not black? Is it just the lighting? To me, onyx is supposed to be blacker than black.The color shift of black leather is typical with flash photography.

There was one photo of the black car interior where it was taken without flash, you can tell the color of the interior based on that photo is black (I used a photo editor to lighten it up, and it is easy to see it is black).

Here are a couple of shots (non-edited), the second one is the one I was originally referring to:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh283/lannedg8/Black%20G8%202008%20NAIAS/IMG_22891024x768.jpg

http://g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=337&d=1200872670

Anyone else notice that the interiors in all pics so far from Detropit look gray and not black? Is it just the lighting? To me, onyx is supposed to be blacker than black.

I'm pretty sure alot of that has to do with the bright flash. I doubt the color of the interior is much different than the GTO's black, I believe the correct term is anthrite(spelling?) interior. It's still dark and it will still show alot of dust. Just do what I do and keep a Swiffer duster under the drivers seat and occasionally wipe off the dash.

Awesome pics thanks! Now to wait till 2009! :cry:

I am guessing that only the surfaces touching the body are actually leather and everything else is vinyl. Most American cars are made this way and this one looks to be no different. Some are executed better than others.

PMD G8 That's funny you say that, I've already bought a new Swiffer duster already to go in my G8! Good thinking! : )

Here are a couple of shots (non-edited), the second one is the one I was originally referring to:



Can you post a larger version \ original sized version of the picture of the driver's seat?

Thanks!
- Ray
Interested the seat adjustmen(s) ....

Anyone else notice that the interiors in all pics so far from Detropit look gray and not black? Is it just the lighting? To me, onyx is supposed to be blacker than black.

Flash bounce back will cause that.

Nice pics. I'm surprised they let you inside the car.

Nice pics. I'm surprised they let you inside the car.


Why? It's not like it's a one off prototype? I'm going to be pissed if they don't let me sit in it in STL.

:cry:I'm pretty sure alot of that has to do with the bright flash. I doubt the color of the interior is much different than the GTO's black, I believe the correct term is anthrite(spelling?) interior. It's still dark and it will still show alot of dust. Just do what I do and keep a Swiffer duster under the drivers seat and occasionally wipe off the dash.
Uh...........WTF is dust? Oh, you men that stuff than floats around when the sun is out? Not something we have to deal with in Seattle. :cry:

Can you post a larger version \ original sized version of the picture of the driver's seat?

Thanks!
- Ray
Interested the seat adjustmen(s) ....Ray: sorry they were not my pictures, I reposted them here to show the black without flash.

Anyone else notice that the interiors in all pics so far from Detropit look gray and not black? Is it just the lighting? To me, onyx is supposed to be blacker than black.

It is a special "low gloss" interior. Don't be using armor all on this baby.

It is a special "low gloss" interior. Don't be using armor all on this baby.
Cool! I don't care for the way my Bonneville seats got so polished looking in the last few years.

Great pics... did you notice if there's a manual up/down (front/rear) of seat in addition to the power 6 way?

IMO, the cup holders in the center arm rest is kind of cheezy having to see a hole to your trunk.

Great pics... did you notice if there's a manual up/down (front/rear) of seat in addition to the power 6 way?

IMO, the cup holders in the center arm rest is kind of cheezy having to see a hole to your trunk.
The pass-thru door is shown open. You can close it.

IMO, the cup holders in the center arm rest is kind of cheezy having to see a hole to your trunk.
Car manufacturers apparently go to extremes to cram in cup holders. I mean, if the car only had, say, 4 cup holders, do you think you'd even consider it?! Personally, I need at LEAST one cup holder for each possible occupant. :eek2:

The pass-thru door is shown open. You can close it.
o rly? I can't see it in any of the photos (if you mean that there's a fold-down armrest, fold-down seat (with cup holders on the back) AND another membrane). :confused:

Yes, the pictures I took appear gray as the flash overly brightens the picture. In person it's much more like neeed4speed's bottom picture and the Athricate black GTO interiors.

You can sit in the Magnetic Grey Metallic sedan (v6 model) and the Liquid Red GT model, where all of my interior pictures came from. The Panther Black GT with the red/black leather is not available to sit in, as it's the car on the turntable with the models talking about it.

The seats are 6 way power (optional) which means you get Fwd-Rear, Front up/dwn, and rear up/dwn with a manual recline. The heat switch is in the center console.
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=350&stc=1&d=1201045514

Negative, there is no barrier to the trunk when the rear seat pass-thru is folded down :(

Here's another close-up crop of the driver's door:
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=349&stc=1&d=1201045514

Also the rear seat window switches are on the door next to the door latch lever, but the front passengers only have the center buttons where all 4 door switches are.

The seats are 6 way power (optional) which means you get Fwd-Rear, Front up/dwn, and rear up/dwn with a manual recline.



Thanks!!!!
- Ray

Just got back from the show, my 2 cents on the G8 is: I can't wait to get mine! The car looks great in person, very strong looking, smooth lines. I love the black metalic paint too, although the red is fantastic as well. The interior is very well put together and has plenty of leg room. At a price of 30k this car is a bargin, nothing comes close. Oh, can you tell I like the car?

"Negative, there is no barrier to the trunk when the rear seat pass-thru is folded down".

Very odd. Both my 96 Bonneville and the 2K SSEi had/have a latching door that sealed the pass-thru when the rear armrest was down.

Sometimes life is hard. :whine:

"Why is there never any rum"? :cursin:

There in the centre console.

That sucks, and reeks of cheapness IMO. Doesn't the PT Cruiser have the same setup?

That sucks, and reeks of cheapness IMO. Doesn't the PT Cruiser have the same setup?

What about center window switches makes a car cheap?

Holden has been using center window switches for years. Keeping the switches off of the doors helps keep costs down and simplifies it when converting the car from RHD to LHD.

"Negative, there is no barrier to the trunk when the rear seat pass-thru is folded down".

Very odd. Both my 96 Bonneville and the 2K SSEi had/have a latching door that sealed the pass-thru when the rear armrest was down.

Sometimes life is hard. :whine:

"Why is there never any rum"? :cursin:Actually on the premium package (read leather) there is a center arm rest that folds down independently from the pass through, but there are no cup holders in the center arm rest, only on the pass through. If you want other rear cup holders, there is one in each rear door (front door too),

There is no cover between the trunk and passenger compartment when the pass through is down (but isn't that what a pass through is?), but there are cup holders and a flat table on the back of the pass through. There is a center arm rest however on the premium package that does not open to the trunk when down.

Personally, I don't mind the switches in the center... reminds me of my first car... 77 Camaro LT! :)

"Negative, there is no barrier to the trunk when the rear seat pass-thru is folded down".

Very odd. Both my 96 Bonneville and the 2K SSEi had/have a latching door that sealed the pass-thru when the rear armrest was down.

Sometimes life is hard. :whine:

"Why is there never any rum"? :cursin:

You guys do realize that there are pictures of this on the first page right? :stickpoke:

And now they're on this page! :gr_jest:


Armrest
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/rear_armrest.jpg

Pass through folded down with cupholder exposed. :eek:
http://www.hammen.net/bowman/pass_thru.jpg

I hate to say it, but that armrest looks cheaply made. The material looks like crap and the top of it looks crooked in the seatback (could just be the angle of the pic).

Why not have the cupholders in the smaller fold down part? That appears as if it would get a lot more use than the larger part.

Why not have the cupholders in the smaller fold down part? That appears as if it would get a lot more use than the larger part.
You might be able to fit 2 12oz or maybe even 20oz in the armrest, but it couldn't fit any Big Gulps, etc. Oh, and you'd have no room for arms. It looks pretty thin, so I think they made the right call with arm-only.

I don't think those cup holders are ever going to be used, anyway, except maybe if kids are in the back, using the plastic table to draw or play a game on. Even then, they have cup holders on the door that they can use.

It does look kind of cheap. I hope it's just the lighting.

What about center window switches makes a car cheap?

Holden has been using center window switches for years. Keeping the switches off of the doors helps keep costs down and simplifies it when converting the car from RHD to LHD.

To me it totally counter-intuitive! Wouldn't also be cheaper and easier to put the door lock switch there as well?? And perhaps I'm just slow, but what difference does it make going from RHD to LHD, don't the windows go down the same way on both doors?

This is just my opinion, but the window switch position reminds me of a PT Cruiser (Neon) a vehicle that I despise. No Nav, no XM lame window swtiches. I'm still waiting for a test drive, but so far I'm pretty disappointed.

don't the windows go down the same way on both doors?


I think they go down differently in Australia... you know, the whole below the equator thing...

I think they go down differently in Australia... you know, the whole below the equator thing...

LOL, oh yeah I forgot about that! Windows are effected by the coriolis effect! Thanks for the reminder! :p

:err:

You might be able to fit 2 12oz or maybe even 20oz in the armrest, but it couldn't fit any Big Gulps, etc. Oh, and you'd have no room for arms. It looks pretty thin, so I think they made the right call with arm-only.

I don't think those cup holders are ever going to be used, anyway, except maybe if kids are in the back, using the plastic table to draw or play a game on. Even then, they have cup holders on the door that they can use.


Ooookay, we are worried about what size drink containers fit in the cupholders? Who's gonna have time to stop for passengers? Or drinks for that matter? We're gonna be driven the wheels off these things for at least the first six months!!!:boink:

Kids don't get to ride in it till Daddy has all the kinks wound out, about 10-12k miles should do it!:gr_jest:

That sucks, and reeks of cheapness IMO. Doesn't the PT Cruiser have the same setup?

Porsche 911s have their window switches in the center console. As does my friend's E46 M3.

I think they go down differently in Australia... you know, the whole below the equator thing...

LOL, oh yeah I forgot about that! Windows are effected by the coriolis effect! Thanks for the reminder! :p

Well, express down in Oz does work the right front, not the left window. :laugh:

Are there additional rear window controls on the rear doors? or do they have to lean forward to jam the buttons or bug the driver/passenger to do it?

Lol, it's funny cause I never even thought about the rear window controls, from the pics I've seen I can't see a window switch on the rear door panels (I'm sure there is one, just not sure where).

The less stuff in the doors the better IMO...

Switches don't work well in the cold wet doors... Many HIGH dollar cars have them in the middle. I like them there.

Who cares if the window switches are on the door or the console as long as they open the windows?

As long as I can lock the windows out is all I care about. Those with kids know what I am talking about. up,down,up,down,up,down,up,down,

Negative, there is no barrier to the trunk when the rear seat pass-thru is folded down :(

Also the rear seat window switches are on the door next to the door latch lever, but the front passengers only have the center buttons where all 4 door switches are.

Reposted for those of you who missed it... The rear seat windows can be operated from the front seat controls or a switch on the door panel next to the little chrome handle you grab to open the door (if the window lock is not turned on).

I've gotten used to the center window controls in the GTO but many of my friends have never seen it before. It's one of those quirks Australian and Euorpean cars have more commonly than in the US.

Bowdawg thanx for the pics they are sweet.

In the mid-late 80's I had a Chevy Monte Carlo SS rear wheel drive white with blue interior was a nice ride

don't forget the firebird/camaro had the window switches in the console in the 70s and 80's

As long as I can lock the windows out is all I care about. Those with kids know what I am talking about. up,down,up,down,up,down,up,down,

Amen to that! I like the switches in the center console, but really it's not a big deal either way. We're finally getting a nice RWD V8 powered sedan that is sporty, roomy, and reasonably priced. All the little details are secondary to me.

The only disadvantage I see with switches in the center is spilling beverages, but at least you don't have to dismantle the door to fix.

Who cares if the window switches are on the door or the console as long as they open the windows?

I care, that's why I mentioned it! It's just preference, but I have never owned a car with this setup, and I've owned about 15 different vehicles. Now some people are upset with the gas filler door being on the wrong side, but I couldn't care less about that.

Now some people are upset with the gas filler door being on the wrong side, but I couldn't care less about that.

Yeah... My Redline has the filler on the wrong side too... My truck has it on the "right" side...

To me it totally counter-intuitive! Wouldn't also be cheaper and easier to put the door lock switch there as well?? And perhaps I'm just slow, but what difference does it make going from RHD to LHD, don't the windows go down the same way on both doors?

The door lock switch is on the center console, along with the side mirror controls.

What difference does it make? Both LHD and RHD vehicles have the same door panels. Call me crazy but having center controls (windows, mirrors, doorlocks)I think would help when building both LHD and RHD vehicles on the same assembly line.

That's just nitpicking... Heck, Saab's has them for years, nobody is complaining.

Though I find the open hole with the cup holders down to be an afterthought, it won't be a problem since I don't let anyone eat, let alone drink in the car, unless its water. But GM should do something with it.

Having a MS6, I can nitpick all day... adjustable headlights, 4 window auto up/down with 2 stage window opening. OEM HID's, AWD, etc. etc. - But I won't.... you sacrifice somethings for other things.

I can use the extra space, nice grunt V8 with 6MT and RWD :D I'm really considering this car and I hope when I test drive one, I wont' be disappointed. Otherwise, I have the CTS and G35S to fall back on. But you can't beat this car bang for buck. ~ Impatiently waiting...

No Nav, no XM lame window swtiches. I'm still waiting for a test drive, but so far I'm pretty disappointed.
If those are the priorities, I'm sure there's a nice Kia or Hyundai out there for you with Nav, XM and non-lame switches. ;) ;)

If those are the priorities, I'm sure there's a nice Kia or Hyundai out there for you with Nav, XM and non-lame switches. ;) ;)

Well currently neither one of them makes a RWD V8, but you can bet your ass I will be looking at the Hyundai Genesis when it comes out this summer.

Well currently neither one of them makes a RWD V8, but you can bet your ass I will be looking at the Hyundai Genesis when it comes out this summer.

You would prefer this ugly Hyundai mix of BMW and Acura RL, Infiniti and Lexus:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/hyundai-genesis.html
like Hyundai does with all of their cars;
over a G8?

I suggest you take the Hyundai. Since the US gives South Korea all that money, we might as well help their economy. Plus, it provides one more G8 availability for the rest of us.

Sounds like this thread is headed towards a steep decline... :shiner:

That's just nitpicking... Heck, Saab's has them for years, nobody is complaining.

Though I find the open hole with the cup holders down to be an afterthought, it won't be a problem since I don't let anyone eat, let alone drink in the car, unless its water. But GM should do something with it.

Having a MS6, I can nitpick all day... adjustable headlights, 4 window auto up/down with 2 stage window opening. OEM HID's, AWD, etc. etc. - But I won't.... you sacrifice somethings for other things.

I can use the extra space, nice grunt V8 with 6MT and RWD :D I'm really considering this car and I hope when I test drive one, I wont' be disappointed. Otherwise, I have the CTS and G35S to fall back on. But you can't beat this car bang for buck. ~ Impatiently waiting...

How about that another MS6 owner. I think I have seen you on the mazda6 forum. The HUD is one thing I missed when I bought my MS6, but I have long forgot about it along with the other amenities when I buy the G8.

Sounds like this thread is headed towards a steep decline... :shiner:
like that one road-testing G8 :shiner:
http://jalopnik.com/cars/new-cars/aussie-engineer-dozes-off-crashes-pontiac-g8-on-test-drive-in-aspen-304955.php

like that one road-testing G8 :shiner:
http://jalopnik.com/cars/new-cars/aussie-engineer-dozes-off-crashes-pontiac-g8-on-test-drive-in-aspen-304955.php
WOW! That exciting to drive huh?:bomb:

How about that another MS6 owner. I think I have seen you on the mazda6 forum. The HUD is one thing I missed when I bought my MS6, but I have long forgot about it along with the other amenities when I buy the G8.

Well, small world it is :) Prior to the MS6 I had a Mazda SP23 Hatch, which had goodies like rain sensing wipers, LED tails.... So, it's like that with whatever car you buy. I'm looking forward to LED tails on the G8 GT, that would be hot :yumyum:

You would prefer this ugly Hyundai mix of BMW and Acura RL, Infiniti and Lexus:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/hyundai-genesis.html
like Hyundai does with all of their cars;
over a G8?

I suggest you take the Hyundai. Since the US gives South Korea all that money, we might as well help their economy. Plus, it provides one more G8 availability for the rest of us.

If the Hyundai is the better car I will buy it, simple as that. Thanks for playing.

Well, since its a Hyundai, I doubt it. :p

If the Hyundai is the better car I will buy it, simple as that. Thanks for playing.

Hyundai Genesis = :barf:
:bootyshake:

Lol, it's funny cause I never even thought about the rear window controls, from the pics I've seen I can't see a window switch on the rear door panels (I'm sure there is one, just not sure where).

rear window controls, next to the door handle

http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0802_08z+2008_pontiac_g8_sedan+rear_seat.jpg

Thanks for the pics. Fit and finish look great. Any word on optional interior colors, something like the concept.

You either get black or red and black.