GM's yet to be named Pontiac G8 Sport Truck has yet to receive an official name, but Pontiac is already discussing the idea of offering a V6 in the spiritual successor to the El Camino.
When GM unveiled the G8 Sport Truck earlier this year the automaker unveiled it with the 361 horsepower 6.0L V8 under its hood. Of course this was before gas prices hit way over $4 bucks a gallon. Now Pontiac is rumored to be considering a six-cylinder option in the Sport Truck. This would be the same 256 horsepower 3.6L six-cylinder that is currently offered in the G8 sedan. Seems like a no brainer.
Full Story: Autoblog
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Comments (48)
i wonder if it will tow a jet ski?
Posted by dennisil | July 2, 2008 2:05 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 14:05
I'm still hoping that this dies prematurely so I don't have to see it on the road.
Posted by gm0n3y | July 2, 2008 2:31 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 14:31
I hate these things....
Posted by bc | July 2, 2008 2:35 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 14:35
Of course it will tow a jet ski, in fact you can tow a boat with it. What you yanks think because its car based not truck based that it can't tow stuff. I wonder if they'll give you the otion of sports or load carrying suspension, sports you can carry 600kg with 18inch rims in the back while load bearing suspension will do 800kg on 16inch rims. Oh but it you get it with 19inch rims it drops to 500kg. Twoing capacity is 1600kg with a towball down weight of 160kg.
And all this with normal Independent rear suspension, o wait thats not normal in the US, you guys still use leaf spring and live axels!
And gm0n3y why do you want it to die, would you rather people driving giant F-series and Silverado's instead when they don't need a car that big?
And it not a sport truck, it's a utility, it has 0 truck parts, all heavy duty car parts only!
Actually go back 50 years and it would be probably called a coupe utility.
Posted by Luke | July 2, 2008 2:46 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 14:46
come on guys this thing is actually perty usefull you like sports cars but need to drive your pig to the county fair before the blue ribbon award goes to Jethros swine. "hang on back there porky, this is a sharp turn!!!"
Posted by dennisil | July 2, 2008 2:47 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 14:47
come on guys this thing is actually perty usefull you like sports cars but need to drive your pig to the county fair before the blue ribbon award goes to Jethros swine. "hang on back there porky, this is a sharp turn!!!"
Posted by dennisil | July 2, 2008 2:47 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 14:47
come on guys this thing is actually perty usefull you like sports cars but need to drive your pig to the county fair before the blue ribbon award goes to Jethros swine. "hang on back there porky, this is a sharp turn!!!"
Posted by dennisil | July 2, 2008 2:48 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 14:48
I don't think I would own one but it look pretty good for what it is.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | July 2, 2008 3:00 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 15:00
Ha Ha!
Posted by Jung | July 2, 2008 4:19 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 16:19
Being an Aussie, I can't step out the door without seeing a number of these, and if I had to guess, the V6 version is just as popular as the V8 ones, maybe more so.
I'm intrigued at the American commenters response to this ute. Over here, the F-trucks and Silverado-esque vehicles are a rare sight, and would have most people asking 'why the hell do you need something so massive!?'
I can't wait to see how it goes over there, amongst the every day citizens, and not the more 'fickle' Torque Report crowd =P
Posted by Stve | July 2, 2008 5:57 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 17:57
this is agood example of the lateral thinking, which is no substitute for real thinking, of GM Inc.
GM, GM THINK, THINK about the REAL reasons for buying trucks.
Driving height, towing capacity, off-road capability etc.
With this El G8, you might better make a closed 3-door station wagon....
Posted by waldorf and statler | July 2, 2008 6:24 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 18:24
If GM had brought back the Ute version of the El Camino a few years ago when they dipped into the Holden vat, it probably would have been accepted back into the loop easier than if GM does it in the next model year. Now with the spike in gas prices here, whatever engine they flop in there had better be able to put out 30mpg
Not sure why they are forcing the Pontiac trim/logo on it either. I think it should have remained in Holden trim, it looks so much better. Dunno why, but even approaching 2010, these new Pontiac noses still remind me of the 90's.
Posted by Trooper Bri | July 2, 2008 6:56 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 18:56
Some of you negative posters wouldn't complain if Honda or Toyota made this vehicle.
Just because GM is attempting to bring other successful vehicles from around the world to the US you think it sucks...
I like the way it looks, I might not purchase one because I do not have a use for it, but someone might.
Posted by Andrew | July 2, 2008 7:00 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 19:00
GM is shamelessly ripping off the phenomenal success story that was the Subaru Baja.
Posted by Tommy Boy | July 2, 2008 7:34 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 19:34
haha subaru baja. i think the avalanche came out first then honda with its pig of a truck then the baja. lets not forget the original el camino was from like the late 1950s. plus id rather not call the baja a success since it isnt made anymore (03-06).
Posted by dark | July 2, 2008 7:49 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 19:49
I don't think it looks that great, actually i think it's ugly but that's just my opintion. If they could offer this with AWD and a reasonable towing capacity it could be the best small pickup type vehicle available with gas where it is. What's the point of a compact pickup that only gets 22mpg on the highway? They really can't tow that much, and their beds are so small and suspensions so weak that their utility is limited for professional use. For a homeowner that needs to make weekend trips to home depot or tailgating during football season this would be a great option, at least until someone offers a hybrid light truck.
Posted by thetruth | July 2, 2008 8:08 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 20:08
Wow, I guess GM is completely out of ideas.
Posted by holycow | July 2, 2008 8:16 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 20:16
Who cares if it's Japanese or American. Ridgeline, Baja, Avalanche, Sport Truck, etc; they're all ugly. But I see people still driving around in Azteks with 16" chrome rims and plastic spinners. It's their money. Let them waste it on whatever they want.
But at this rate, how many of the current American auto makers will be around in 10 years? 15 years? 20 years? So let Pontiac waste their R&D dollars on things like this, and let them go the way of Oldsmobile (which I loved--my first car was an Olds--and was so sad to see how their decline and ultimate death transpired). Perhaps when we see the loss of a couple more U.S. brands then SERIOUS change will come about in the U.S. auto industry.
Posted by Jim | July 2, 2008 8:24 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 20:24
@ dark
Sarcasm - "mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language"
Do you often hear swooshing sounds over your head?
Posted by merriam | July 2, 2008 8:28 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 20:28
@ merriam:
Butt-munch - "Person who is rude when he doesn't need to be; see merriam"
Posted by webster | July 2, 2008 8:37 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 20:37
"GM, GM THINK, THINK about the REAL reasons for buying trucks.
Driving height, towing capacity, off-road capability etc.
With this El G8, you might better make a closed 3-door station wagon...."
Be real, how many pickup truck owners actually use thier trucks as trucks. Many drive them because they are big and "It's The In Thing To Drive. Many never drive over a curb much less driving off road. This may be a good alternative for people who want the occasional use of a truck and the comfort and handeling of a car. Leave the full size trucks for contractors, construction and people that will actually use them to thier potential. So many full size trucks are driven as a fashon statment and nothing more.
Posted by The Man From Utopia | July 2, 2008 9:20 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 21:20
@webster:
webster - owned; syn. dark
Posted by merriam | July 2, 2008 9:56 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 21:56
It can tow stuff?
I'm gettin one to tow my 5th wheel. Me and the little lady will be sittin pretty now fans!
Pontiac rocks!
Posted by gullible | July 2, 2008 10:12 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 22:12
I can finally take my family in the back, with out looking like a red neck in a pick up! yay. i hope the put a flat 4 under the hood. man great fuel economy and pleanty of space to hump my cousin in the cargo area.
Posted by CKV | July 2, 2008 10:19 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 22:19
Just becuase a vehicle is GM owned, doesn't always mean it was designed for the American market...
@ Jim: 'So let Pontiac waste their R&D dollars on things like this'
These utes have been popular in Australia for a long time and Holden (an Australian subsidiary of GM) have been making a tidy return on them the whole time. So Pontiac has invested no R&D into this vehicle, since it has been developed and refined in Australia for many years. All Pontiac has had to do is rebadge it...
The car itself definitely isn't an overall failure for GM, with it being a very good car in the Australian market. However, for it's subsidiary Pontiac, which is targeting the US market, it may end up being.
@ thetruth:
They have an AWD version of it here in Aus, I think its called the Cross8, although it is restyled slightly (for the worse IMO).
Posted by Stve | July 2, 2008 11:59 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 23:59
Ford Australia also has developed it's own version of this type of vehicle, which have been about for as long as the Holdens and just as successful:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Falcon_%28Australia%29#Falcon_Ute
In particular the XR6 and XR8 versions (V6 and V8 sport iterations).
Posted by Stve | July 3, 2008 12:16 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 00:16
typical GM move, typical GM crap
Posted by Vlad | July 3, 2008 6:25 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 06:25
I would have expected the Ute to be an obvious progression of the “US Truck” pick-up market with the recent reality check and realization of the average American that bigger is not always better.
The USA is the only country I have live in where people think that you need to have an F-150 or bigger size vehicle to carry / tow a load. There is the argument of bin size, but anyone who needs a bigger bin is some one who would probably be better off with a drop side.
Posted by niall | July 3, 2008 7:27 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 07:27
3 posts wow im a rookie lol
Posted by dennisil | July 3, 2008 8:08 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 08:08
my computer hung up and i kept clicking away like a rookie sry about the 3 posts guys
Posted by dennisil | July 3, 2008 8:10 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 08:10
Although the v6 isn't really that efficient comparatively there's always someone that would probably get it to save the 3k difference in base price and a couple bucks on gas.
Here's the breakdown:
In the G8 w/ a v6 gas mileage is 17 city and 25 hwy.
In the G8 w/ a v8 gas mileage is 15 city and 24 hwy.
It shouldn't cost much extra at all to offer the V6 since it's alreayd been tested in the G8. I'd say it's a no brainer to offer.
This is pretty much a little bitty light duty truck that would handle well and brake and accelerate better. Sounds perfect for urbanites who think they need a truck but like the way cars handle, especially in tight corners around the city. This is a great small alternative to a truck.
Hopefully GM doesn't plan on selling many of these. I don't think they'll be a huge hit, but some people will buy them for sure.
As to whether or not it'll tow anything, if it's anything like the El camino with a 300ci engine my grandpa used to have, it sure will. He delivered mobile homes with it and ran it for 300k miles. That's a tough car. (I'm not a redneck, I live in the city)
Posted by V6 a good idea | July 3, 2008 8:35 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 08:35
Yall ever wonder why there is this current fad to bring back the old cars of the 70s? Like the Charger, Challenger, GTO, Camaro, Mustang (how they manage to skirt around that one with all their wild designs)... now the El Camino (where is the Vega? haha)... I figure its because they WORKED. You have a car now days, and most shadetrees can't turn a wrench on them because of all the electronics, and hey, open up the hood of a car these days, and you can't see the engine for all the plastic covers over everything. Yeah, yeah, yeah, its for sound deadening, uh huh.
Personally, I hated the El Camino when it was born back then, but admired the idea: all they did was chop off the roof of the sedan it was based on and built a truck bed there.
Posted by WVO | July 3, 2008 8:43 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 08:43
This is one of the first vehicles to come out that may make me trade in my Tahoe in for. I'll still keep my Trans-Am, still need to be able to haul around 4 people. :) Plus, I get 27MPG in my big V8 Trans-AM. Cheers
Posted by Wayne | July 3, 2008 9:26 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 09:26
" Yall " is not a word.
I LOVE WHINING !
Posted by CKV | July 3, 2008 10:43 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 10:43
of course it will tow jet skis. Hell I used to own an SVT Cobra convertible that had a 1" receiver that my wife and I once used to tow jet skis. If my cobra vert can do it, this certainly can.
Posted by bliq | July 3, 2008 11:17 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 11:17
Y'all is in dictionaries as an abreviation/variant of the phrase you-all when refering to two or more people. There are probably 50 million+ people who use y'all, so y'all should just accept it.
Go away CKV, I don't like you, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Posted by No one wants CKV to use TR anymore | July 3, 2008 12:27 PM
Posted on July 3, 2008 12:27
hey im not leaving either how can you ask me to leave without an explanation i hate you for not liking me... I will see you all in hell for making me feel bad.
I LOVE WHINING !
Posted by CKV | July 3, 2008 1:37 PM
Posted on July 3, 2008 13:37
The Aussie versions have been around in some itineration or another for years. These are popular vehicles because; 1) they have the handling of a car, 2) more efficient than a dedicated truck, 3)fits the towing and hauling criteria for most people., and 4) have parts compatibility with the sedan/coupe version in which it is based.
I have always had a small compact truck in my stable. I would gladly trade up for a V6 version of this for the ride and I would lose little of the utility.
Posted by longdxcommuter | July 3, 2008 2:20 PM
Posted on July 3, 2008 14:20
If we could vote people off of here, there'd be no one left.
Posted by Richie Cabeza | July 3, 2008 3:56 PM
Posted on July 3, 2008 15:56
@CKV:
I will always love you though.
Cheers!
Posted by cobaltssman | July 3, 2008 4:57 PM
Posted on July 3, 2008 16:57
@CKV
its funny that you posted that because im with everyone else get the fuck out of here! Stupid bitch.
I HATE CKV!
Posted by Cobaltssman | July 3, 2008 5:45 PM
Posted on July 3, 2008 17:45
@CKV
oh yeah i dont use words like cheers, im not homo, try harder next time.
Posted by cobaltssman | July 3, 2008 6:51 PM
Posted on July 3, 2008 18:51
Im not sure if I like it or not. I get more confused the longer I look at it. Its a bloody El Camino, but the lines are sexy. No off road potential, but it goes hella fast.
Posted by Sandman | July 3, 2008 8:32 PM
Posted on July 3, 2008 20:32
Although I don't mind this vehicle at all it will do nothing for the survival of GM. The 'Big Three' really need to concentrate their efforts on making high quality small cars, not niche vehicles.
Posted by Arthur Pappas | July 4, 2008 9:16 AM
Posted on July 4, 2008 09:16
@CKV
Seriously chick, I hate you so much I...I think I'm in love with you.
Toodles,
your man in cobalt.
Posted by cobaltssman | July 4, 2008 11:54 AM
Posted on July 4, 2008 11:54
@CKV
i wouldnt post that because you are already taken by that hairy Japanese man! haha, come on, just stop posting stupid shit under my name.
Posted by cobaltssman | July 4, 2008 6:23 PM
Posted on July 4, 2008 18:23
Wow cobaltssman that CKV chick must REALLY have the hots for you. Any way, CKV please grow up and stop posting as other peaple. Who knows, you may end up getting lade by a REAL man (no I don't meen me) rather then some hairy Japanese guy.
Posted by 426Hemi | July 6, 2008 1:00 PM
Posted on July 6, 2008 13:00
1/2 car 1/2 truck is one of the best ideas and the best seller
Posted by mr. x | August 10, 2008 10:16 AM
Posted on August 10, 2008 10:16