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G8: Most important car of the week
 Chicago's most important introduction this week was the Pontiac G8 sedan. (See Motor Trend's video.) In fact, it may be more important than GM's Detroit introductions, the Cadillac CTS, Chevy Malibu and Camaro convertible.It's the G8 that makes the Camaro possible. They're both on the same new rear-drive platform, designed and engineered in Australia at GM's Holden division. The car is so important because... a.) It validates the move back to big rear-wheel-drive sedans that Chrysler began with the 2005 LX models. b.) It provides GM with an affordable rear-drive platform that can be used across most of its divisions. Cadillac's Sigma premium rear-drive platform is too costly. The Holden rear-drive architecture, formerly known as Zeta, has a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link suspension in the rear. Chief car guy Bob Lutz says it's extremely flexible, able to underpin a wide variety of cars. GM has developed it with 112-inch (Camaro), 115-inch (G8/Holden Commodore) and 119-inch wheelbases. The next-generation Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS replacements could run off that 119-inch wheelbase, although GM claims it hasn't made a decision about what to do with those cars. The G8 is a performance sedan designed to target the Dodge Charger. The base G8 will come with a 261-horsepower, 3.6-liter twin-cam V-6 and five-speed automatic, aimed at the 3.5-liter V-6 Charger. The G8 GT will have a 362-horse 6.0-liter small block V-8, targeting the Hemi Charger R/T. It will come with the choice of a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual, and - thank the car gods - has a handbrake instead of a pedal-operated emergency brake. Of course, a 600-horse Z06 engine would nicely vanquish the Charger SRT-8, and take on the BMW M5 as well. Styling is pre-Bangle BMW-esque, nicely updated, and while GM is careful not to make claims about how well the car handles, BMW's 5 Series served as the benchmark for steering and handling. The 2008 G8 is scheduled to go on sale early next year. "Pre Bangle"... is that why it looks outdated?
An affordable V8 rwd with manual transmission and great looks! It shows that GM is finally building cars the types of cars that they are capable of and that will excite the American car buying enthusiast. If it's as good as their world class leading trucks and SUVs, look out BMW, Toyota and Lexus.
Thank god there is still life in GM, I hope they get this one right, if so this car make turn things around for them. If they make it, I'll buy it!
Standby guys and gals - you are about to go for the ride of your life. Pack the power of a full blown sports car (Remember they run these cars in 630 mile mountain races in Australia) with the stylings and versatility of a family car and presto you have an A class winner. No wonder it's been Australia's number 1 seller for a decade and it's largest selling
export in the auto industry. Why buy GM ? They represent everything that can go wrong in a company. Big, bulky, unreliable and fuel economy is out the window. The average life span is 3-4 years due to shoddy workmanship and inferior parts. Ford is not better off, they are only good for trucks, avoid Ford cars unless you have money to burn. German or Japanese are the way to go and they are mostly front wheel drive (better).
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