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Although GM CEO Fritz Henderson has repeatedly stated that the Pontiac G8 would not be sold under another GM brand after Pontiac's demise, Bob Lutz has reportedly stated it will. Bob Lutz recently stated that the Pontiac G8 will live on under the Chevy brand as the Chevy Caprice.
"The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet," Lutz said. "It is kind of too good to waste."
Full Story: Automobile Magazine
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Comments (32)
Sweet!! Looks getter with the chevy grill anyway. I was thinking about getting a used G8 but now maybee I will wait for the new caprice.
Posted by Gabe | July 11, 2009 12:11 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 12:11
Sweet!! Looks getter with the chevy grill anyway. I was thinking about getting a used G8 but now maybee I will wait for the new caprice.
Posted by Gabe | July 11, 2009 12:33 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 12:33
This had better not be false!!! I want one!!!
Posted by Michael | July 11, 2009 12:50 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 12:50
I think the front end is boring. Looks like the design team spent 5 min working on it... Slap the chevy badge on it and call it done....
Posted by Think | July 11, 2009 1:06 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 13:06
Nope...it looks cheapened up. It's lost that E46 3-series look.
Posted by Noya | July 11, 2009 1:26 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 13:26
Now if they make as SS version... oh that's what I'm talking about.
I still like the Mercury Marauder better. I've always wanted to see one with a blower on it....drool.
Posted by Brian | July 11, 2009 1:42 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 13:42
This car will only help Australia...we need cars made in the U.S now.....
Posted by DQ | July 11, 2009 1:44 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 13:44
This car will only help Australia...we need cars made in the U.S now.....
Posted by DQ | July 11, 2009 1:45 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 13:45
No, this car will help GM. Based on Zeta, which is what the Camaro is riding on. The more return GM can make off Zeta, the better. And the power train for that Caprice, made in the US.
Posted by Avatar | July 11, 2009 3:15 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 15:15
GM should make a G3 to compete with the Smart car, Toyota/Scion IQ and whatever the Dodge badged Fiat will be called.
Posted by Mike | July 11, 2009 4:48 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 16:48
Now they can make that canceled Pontiac G8 sport truck into a Chevy El Camino.
I think this would be more popular than the Caprice.
Just a thought.
Posted by Mike | July 11, 2009 4:54 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 16:54
I am trying to figure out why they would have used the Caprice name!!! not the best choice, but im glad they are keeping such a great car on the market! Other than the name, i think they should have just kept the same look with a Chevy logo on the front of it and called it good, at least i would have left the shape of the headlights the same, they are much more aggressive looking oon the Pontiac.
Posted by Phil | July 11, 2009 5:17 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 17:17
G8 was a much better looking car, but hey at least its not gone, im still trying to find an excuse for a GXP
Posted by muscleoverrice | July 11, 2009 5:25 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 17:25
I drive a 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport/Touring. I'm rich. Anyway I like the Pontiac much better. Much richer looking. Indeed.
Posted by Blue Z34 | July 11, 2009 6:43 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 18:43
Well, minus the grille, it made it here virtually unchanged from the Holden Caprice.
Granted the Holden grille looked a little like the last gen Acura one, but it's still better than this one (which reminds me of the Impala for some reason).
Changing out the wheels to something sportier would make it pop a little more.
Posted by Traction Action | July 11, 2009 7:43 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 19:43
Memorize this face. Coming soon pulling up behind you with flashing blue and red lights.
Posted by ZzjitterzZ | July 11, 2009 9:00 PM
Posted on July 11, 2009 21:00
i drove a G6 in 2006. It was the worst experience ever. Worst car i ever drove. I "assume" all G* are about the same. Pontiac really sucks, beside the vibe maybe.
Posted by JeTTTo | July 12, 2009 1:17 AM
Posted on July 12, 2009 01:17
JeTTO:
You're comparing the G6 to the G8, just because they share the letter "G"? Show how informed you are about cars. They're totally different animals!!
Posted by Topper | July 12, 2009 6:16 AM
Posted on July 12, 2009 06:16
Yes, compare a FWD Midsize to a RWD Fullsize car, that works well.
Posted by Avatar | July 12, 2009 8:25 AM
Posted on July 12, 2009 08:25
@jeTTo
Lol is always good to have a laugh in the mornings, thanks.
G8= RWD 415hp
G6= FWD 250hp
Vibe= ugly version of an already ugly car.
Posted by muscleoverrice | July 12, 2009 11:07 AM
Posted on July 12, 2009 11:07
The grill really does look "slapped on." The grill looks small and reminds me of an Aveo.
Just make the front end more sporty. This is an incredible car! Don't ruin the front end.
Posted by Cripes | July 12, 2009 3:46 PM
Posted on July 12, 2009 15:46
Nice to see a car we export to the US not get the stupid nostrils or garish grill for once. Looks exactly like the Commodore only badged Chev and different wheels.
Posted by kato | July 12, 2009 9:24 PM
Posted on July 12, 2009 21:24
Should have called it a Chevelle and took the G8 sport truck and called it an El Camino. How would that be for a retro throwback? HA
Posted by Matt | July 12, 2009 10:56 PM
Posted on July 12, 2009 22:56
i agree about the grill but it is the same grill you see on all chevy cars and makes the Cobalt look more like a bland car then a sports car. also i like to know what they were smoking when they chose that name for it
wish they could keep the Saturn Sky too
Posted by mickk | July 13, 2009 4:37 AM
Posted on July 13, 2009 04:37
@Blue Z34:
So how is your ego doing this morning?
Posted by Tedders | July 13, 2009 5:10 AM
Posted on July 13, 2009 05:10
Jetto:
Now, now, let us not spread FUD. You are comparing apples to cabbage!
On a more serious note, I did a search for the 2009 Holden Caprice and I was quite surprised to see that the rear of that car looks VERY similar to the current Impala here in the States. I could see them not having to change a thing other than the logo and it would slide right in to the lineup.
With the front end, I would expect a new grill (and not the most likely 'quicky photoshop' one in the picture above) and bumper to integrate the new 'look' of Chevy.
From what I hear of the G8 reviews, it would be a positive move on GM's part to maintain this vehicle in the lineup.
Posted by Chad | July 13, 2009 5:29 AM
Posted on July 13, 2009 05:29
Wow. GM yanked out the baby before tossing out the bath water. Good move, imo!
I was also thinking the Chevelle name would have been better, but that's just a quible. New grill is a bit dull, but I'd far prefer that to something overworked.
All in all, a positive bit of news.
Posted by kw | July 13, 2009 8:01 AM
Posted on July 13, 2009 08:01
needs a more muscular grill and an el-camino version
Posted by Mike | July 13, 2009 9:54 AM
Posted on July 13, 2009 09:54
The front end is meh. I think if they gave it the malibu front end it'd look much better. But I have to say I'm really happy GM is keeping the G8, that was a sweet ride and one of the best vehicles in their line up. Now move the Saturn Sky to a Caddy and everything worth saving from the discontinued brands will be safe.
Posted by Chris | July 13, 2009 10:13 AM
Posted on July 13, 2009 10:13
I like this car -- but only as long as it doesn't suffer the usual GM quality issues.
I personally _love_ the interior space and exterior styling of the G6. I believe that if GM took the G6 and worked out the quality & reliability issues to make it comparable to a Honda Accord/Toyota Camry, they could have a new bestseller. The rear-legroom space is far beyond that offered by a Honda Accord. Don't pay attention to the specifications & numbers - do a real world test. I was hugely impressed. The G8 in spite of being a much larger car does not offer hardly any more space.
Additionally, if GM offered the G8 engine for the G6.... wow! the possibilities! I personally like the exterior styling of the G6 over the G8, also.
However, after lavishing all this praise on the G6 (and G8), I would buy neither. I have been burned too bad by the quality issues with my 2002 Grand Am (but all 1999-2004 models are the same).
Kinda funny really, because you always have an instant kinship with other Grand Am owners.... just yesterday this happended...
me: "Ahh, I see you have a Grand Am. What year?"
her: "2004"
me: "How many time have you had to have the driver's side window fixed?"
her: "4... so far."
me: "I'm only up to 3. But I'm pretty good now. I can get the parts off of eBay for $50 and do it myself in under 30 minutes."
Posted by Icester | July 14, 2009 7:33 AM
Posted on July 14, 2009 07:33
Looked better as a Pontiac. This thing looks like a big Cobalt and that is NOT a good thing. When it lost the hood scoops, the split grille and the sharp, angled headlights it lost its personality. Too bad.
Posted by Will | July 14, 2009 1:16 PM
Posted on July 14, 2009 13:16
Looked better as a Pontiac. This thing looks like a big Cobalt and that is NOT a good thing. When it lost the hood scoops, the split grille and the sharp, angled headlights it lost its personality. Too bad.
Posted by Will | July 14, 2009 1:23 PM
Posted on July 14, 2009 13:23