79VetteZ06

G8 GXP Edmunds Test Link Corvette Power, Mad Max Mojo By Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing Email | Blog Date posted: 11-20-2008 About 19 months ago, we sent operatives with a briefcase bristling with test equipment to Australia. The mission: Get an early peek at the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT by test-driving its stablemate, the then-new 2007 Holden Commodore SS. The residual jet lag was magically wiped away by the Commodore SS's thrilling combination of rear-wheel drive, independent rear suspension, a six-speed manual transmission and a 6.0-liter V8. Or maybe it was the Mad Max flashbacks and the Vegemite. Yet even though we loved the 2008 Pontiac G8 when it hit the streets in the U.S. eight months ago, we knew that the Aussie mojo from the Commodore SS hadn't made the trip from the Land of Oz. Turns out that Pontiac was holding a few aces up its sleeve, and now the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP puts them all on the table. The Most Powerful Production Pontiac...Ever? Ace No. 1 is the 2009 Pontiac GXP's LS3 V8, the base engine found under the hood of the 2008 Corvette. Displacing 6.2 liters (376 cubic inches), the G8 GXP version makes 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, some 54 hp and 30 lb-ft more than the G8 GT's V8 engine. The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP is the most powerful production Pontiac built to date. Really. You could argue that the 1970 Pontiac Trans Am could be equipped with a 400-cubic-inch Ram Air V, which was rated at 500 hp. But this special-order engine was a dealer-installed item, and it would never withstand a grocery run on 91 octane gasoline or live long enough to meet a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and hooking one up for a 2008 smog test would be, um, futile. Moreover, the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP's 415-hp rating is certified as an SAE net output, which means it was produced under tightly controlled test procedures that include the presence of an independent observer. Twisting the key brings this engine to life with a burbling idle that the 6.0-liter V8 of our 2008 Pontiac G8 GT long-term test car can't match. There's plenty of life under the throttle pedal, as the GXP responds with the kind of healthy shove to the backside you'd get if someone put a sign on the back of your jacket that said, "Kick me." The exhaust note that comes from the GXP's low-restriction exhaust system contains just enough of that high-school rock-and-roll soundtrack to make us want to stand on the power pedal whenever possible, yet it's not offensive enough that the old guy down the street will shake his cane at us. And did we mention the off-throttle burble? But there is a dark side. The GXP's fuel consumption figures are expected to settle near those of the ZR1 Corvette, which are 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Plus the Corvette gets slapped with a $1,700 gas-guzzler tax, so it's likely the GXP will, too. Shift Change When it comes time to grab the next gear, we actually can. Ace No. 2 in Pontiac's program for the GXP is the same Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission we experienced in the Holden Commodore SS. Except here the shift lever is under our right hand, where it belongs. There is one little catch, however. In a reversal of usual practice, the same Hydra-matic six-speed automatic found in our G8 GT is the GXP's standard offering. You have to fork over $695 extra to get the six-speed manual. At least it's a good one. The lever action is sure and the gates are well-defined. And having full command of the transmission makes the LS3 much more of a willing partner, especially when corners are thrown into the mix. We're not as convinced about the clutch, however. The engagement point is easy enough to detect, but the pedal effort is too light. The Luk single-disc clutch and single-mass flywheel are the same found in the bell housing of the 361-hp Holden Commodore SS, but we're assured there's more than enough capacity to deal with the LS3. The same limited-slip rear end found in the G8 GT and Commodore SS is fitted to the GXP, but with a couple of important changes. The GXP's final-drive ratio is shorter, as the Holden's 3.45:1 rear end is changed to 3.70 here when the manual transmission is in place. The automatic variant enjoys a 3.27 rear end instead of the G8 GT's 2.92 gears. And the GXP's ring-and-pinion gears are shot-peened and phosphate-coated for enhanced wear and durability, something that can't be said of the rear ends of some other high-output cars. Rubber Meets the Track Our instrumented acceleration test runs peg the performance of the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP with its six-speed manual transmission at 5.2 seconds to 60 mph (4.9 with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) and 13.4 seconds at 105.9 mph in the quarter-mile. That's about 0.4 to 0.6 second quicker than the G8 GT and Commodore SS. Pontiac points out that the automatic-equipped GXP will do 0.2 second quicker still. The most obvious change to the chassis is the fitment of larger 14-inch ventilated brake rotors with Brembo four-piston fixed calipers in front. Bigger brakes mean the 19-inch tires are now standard, and they're the same 245/40R19 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A summer performance tires that are optional for the GT. Here they're mounted on unique forged-aluminum wheels that weigh about 1 pound less apiece than the GT's optional wheels. The GXP's stopping distance from 60 mph comes in at 110 feet — the same result as the G8 GT with the same tires, but smaller brakes. The benefit from the new brake package expresses itself as increased fade resistance after numerous hard stops, and excellent pedal feel. The GXP carries the so-called FE3 suspension package with sport-tuned struts and shocks that feature firmer damping rates, which replaces the FE2 setup found in the GT. No further changes apply to the front suspension, but the rear gets a 2mm-larger stabilizer bar (from 18mm to 20), a lower control arm with an outer ball joint instead of a rubber bushing, and a revised toe link. There are no specific steering system changes, but these mods alone give the GXP better turn-in response and precision along with a reduced tendency toward understeer. The car's ride quality doesn't suffer much at all from the extra damping control, either. In fact, we like the way the GXP deals with uneven asphalt better than the sometimes soggy feel of our G8 GT. None of this adds up to a measurable benefit at our test track, presumably because our G8 GT features identical tires. The GXP's 0.84g effort on the skid pad is on par with our GT, but its slalom time of 63.6 mph is actually slightly slower. Our test pilot theorizes that the GXP's stiffer rear stabilizer bar that helps reduce understeer in corners might be making this 4,010-pound sedan a little pendulous through the slalom as the tires heat up after four or five consecutive cones with the stability control shut off. Visually Similar Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP is its visual similarity to the G8 GT. Apart from the wheel differences between the two cars, the GXP's handsome front and rear fascias aren't distinctive enough to get your attention unless you park a GT alongside. And you have to brandish a ruler to confirm that the quad exhaust tips are, in fact, a half-inch bigger. But perhaps that's the point after decades of Pontiac scoop-and-cladding excess. Still, we think the ready-made stand-up wing from the 2007 Holden Commodore SS is just the thing for this car if you can get one, as the GXP's spoiler seems a flaccid carry-over from the GT. Inside the cabin, you'll find that the optional leather-upholstered seats are now standard, but with large GXP logos embroidered into them. A heavily sculpted steering wheel from the Holden Commodore SS-V makes its first appearance. We'd rather it didn't, because its cartoonish contours don't fit our hands. Everything else inside is pure GT fare, including new-for-2009 Bluetooth connectivity. Now How Much Would You Pay? The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP is expected to start at just over $39,000, including destination and the compulsory gas-guzzler tax. Our test car has the two most significant options, the six-speed manual and a $900 sunroof. We figure the as-tested price of our particular GXP settles just below the $41,000 mark. If this holds true, the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP will be cheaper than the similarly optioned SRT8 versions of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. And you can't opt for a manual in either one of those cars at any price. Pontiac has been building up to the GXP for a long time and this time it's got some serious wide-track excitement to sell. You could argue that the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP is more like a four-door Trans Am than a regular G8. But the question is, has Pontiac held onto its best cards too long? Can the GXP show everyone that the G8 is good enough to make Pontiac a brand to be proud of?

Sorry about the job loss Mike and it is great to know you have a back up plan. Work hard on that one. Recession brings gloom but also a chance to make merry long term if you hang in there. Except their own spending. Look at the Congress, they are asking executives to not to fly jets, yet their spending is way of and significantly more than the CEO's. A good strong educational program means a strong, competent future for a country. Medical Services, Civil Engineering - infrastructure, and Teaching form backbone of a country, and none of them are doing fine currently. I think it is time to treat politicians abysmally.

What is the occasion - Car and Driver's 10 best?

Now Prius on the other hand would make a good mouse. They should think of that.

Both are airheads.

What is Nu-Kilear? Is it like a Kling On?

Yes a lot has to do with lack of inventory. I test drove a CTS (late August when GM opened the Employee Pricing) hoping to find one with Manual Transmission to buy it using Employee pricing. The guy told me that he had only 4 2008 model cars left and only 16 2009 model year cars. He was expecting to get the vehicles towards the end of the month. Seems like the switchover did not take place at a fast pace for the CTS.

I'd say $5-6K too much.

Yes

4x4 LTZ Crew Cabs get it too provided you choose 20" wheels.

The Real Hypocrisy Synopsis :rotflmao:

You mean Naked Porn Handler?

Saaburuntiac in a good way.

+ 1. That thing is hideous. I mean come on what were they thinking? Agree with 68, the 1938 Buick is mother/ father of concepts. No one can take that claim away from Y-job. Here is one (a couple) things from me

Realistically do you think the gang-banging is gonna go if either of the candidate comes victorious? Four years ago after Bush got elected there was a fine piece of cover page write up in Economist saying, "Now unite US." We are back at the same point. The entire system needs a overhaul, we are 332 years into the system. That is stone age compared to car platform overhaul (well neophite when it comes to compare with W-body) and Jurassic era compared to computers.

I guess one less dealer GM has to work against if it decides to close the brand.

Go with an additional fifty dollars in the morning and call it even.

GM please make the future Lambda RWD if you want at least something out of the vehicles.

Don't say that we will miss ZL-1 and PCS and smk shall not have any vehicles to compare "faulty" GM brand to.

Cannot find any counter argument there. A good and thorough write up, as Mr. Earl said you need to be an unbiased reporter. Undoubtedly Hondas have the best shift linkage in the business, better than Porsche (that is quite a bit of accomplishment) and much better than the BMWs.

To all those Liberals and Conservatives on this forum, the one thing I am going to make clear regarding Bush and Iraq once and for all is that the REAL reason why Bush attacked Iraq was not for WMD, not for Oil, not for revenge on Saddam because he attacked Bush Sr., not as a preemptive strike (which although may be partially true) to prevent a direct attack on our soil and certainly not for democracy but one and only one purpose, supremacy through the pawn of MONEY. That is right. Iraq is world's #2 oil producer while #1 in estimated oil reserves. Starting late 2003 Saddam wanted to use Euro as a chief currency for trading oil (does it make sense why Germany and France were so much unenthusiastic about war?). A strong Euro would have benefitted stronger European nations which start from G and F. A weaker Euro would have made case for England to cry for failure of the currency,(explains why Mr. Blair was our sacred ally). This would have not only made US lose revenue but would have also triggered in the sale of US currency. The result? A further degradation of US wealth, that is right the mortgage crisis and economic downturn you are seeing now would have been seen 5 years ago, may be in some other forms. Which means our economy would have had crashed. Crashed economy means loss of purchasing power and hence loss of the Unipolar Superpower status. Bush changed the perspective by making our problems in some ways seem global and thus lessened the brunt faced directly by the US economy. The preemptive strike of not making a chain reaction for sale of Dollar worked. The Iraq attack not only cause other economies to buy Dollar but it borrowed time for the economy against slowing and in fact in some ways may have prevented a crash landing of the economy. It was estimated that on an average the crash in Dollar would have cost 7-8 Trillion (that is right) annually to the United States. Suddenly the total cost of war till now (4-5 Trillion seems to be fruit cake in comparison). What this current administration failed is in giving honest answers and it also failed in making people gear up for the truth about the economy's landfall and also being near sighted regarding Social Security and Medicare. The decelerators of slowing economy started in the Clinton era, 911 only accelerated them. Part of the major impetus for the economy during Clinton era was compliance with Y2K. That spur forced a lot of money getting exchanged, but the slowing started late in 1999 when most of the companies started becoming compliant. According to some thinkers from east Bush's strategy was brilliant (yeah Bush and brilliant cannot be uttered in the same breath). But his whacko persona helped in shielding the real cause. He did alienate a few countries, but in long run, his foreign policies have not been bad. Take an example his policy of handling nukes with India, another good path. His handling of China has been good if not spectacular. Clinton did have surplus, but he did smart book keeping too, by advancing the cash deficit of Social Security and Medicare into a future returnable investment he just made the deficit look like surplus. I am not an accountant, but folks like ZL-1 can help me in that respect. US people in general like to live in a Matrix, with none of them wanting to be Neo or Morpheus. How many common people turn on CSpan or BBC to see what is happening around the world, instead of watching local News on 13? They would rather care for Natalie Hallaway and Scott Peterson than comprehend how the global dynamics change which are crucial in understanding how the global economy, politics and social life works. Most of the bigger news channels take around the world in 80 seconds, mostly showing floods and famines, or some one with longest hair in South Africa. I mean come on, Really? Is the world that insignificant? This very negligence has lead politicians take advantage of "sentiments" not thoughts thus making us feel excited for a cause, when in general they are offering nothing but smoke screens. Do you think top echelon of both parties are that ignorant about the real causes of the war? Based on Obama's recent ambivalence about ending war (listen to his interview with Bill O'reilly) I think none of the candidates will end war soon. In some ways at least McCain comes out straight in that respect. And if I was them chances are I will not end the war soon too, considering that the economy is still in fragile state. The recent need of change Democrats are cashing on is just an opportunity to gain power. The status quo shall stay the same with some fine prints. This is coming from a person who is neither Liberal nor Conservative, hell not even a US citizen. I can talk about both the teams without getting emotional and thus making an attempt to present unbiased facts. Thus, I would like to tell you, Bush is not as bad as he himself or the the Democrats portray him to be. As much simple minded he comes out to be to me he has been one complex figure to analyze. So much as I wanted to stay out of this discussion, that I thought credit should be given where it is due and taken away from where it is not.

They might not have EP but they have $11K on the hood.

Like I have mentioned earlier, I hate political talks. All I gotta say is only two parts are needed to divide and disintegrate a nation, a forum, a blog, etc. and make sure it is not to be one again.

Are you planning to have double doctorate in law or you want to be Van Wilder?

There is always the son got diarrhea on that day or car broke down on your way to the wedding excuses. BTW, you have absolutely nothing on schedule between 09/04/2008 through 31/12/2009?