Leftlane recently got a chance to sample the new Pontiac G8 in Southern California, and since that time, the product line has seen quite an expansion, with the addition of the G8 GXP and G8 ST (name still pending). But in spite of the recent developments, Brian Shipman — Project Manager for the G8 — still found the time to sit down with us.
G8 ST
The first question we asked Mr. Shipman was why the G8 ST instead of the wagon? Shipman says the reason is due to the rather weak wagon market in the U.S. With only about 100,000 annual wagon sales in the U.S. — according to Shipman — Pontiac just doesn’t feel there is enough demand to justify bringing over the sport wagon.
That being said, Pontiac doesn’t have the loftiest goals for the G8 ST either. Pontiac has yet to release an official number of how many of the sport trucks it intends to sell per year, but Shipman feels that it will be a niche vehicle that will sells in limited numbers — with most sales coming from the “smile” states. Shipman also thinks that most sales will be comprised of people stepping down from full-size trucks, rather than an upward migration from those in the mid-size pickup market.
As of now, there are no plans to sell the G8 ST in V6 or GXP guises. Instead, the ST will be quipped with basically the same drivetrain as the G8 GT sedan and will only be offered with two-doors.
Transmissions and GXP
We asked Mr. Shipman about the G8′s lack of steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters — an available feature on the Chevrolet Malibu — and he says that GM execs are split 50/50 on the subject. While he hasn’t given up his fight to equip the G8 with such a transmission, he didn’t sound too optimistic about the possibility.
And while we’re on the topic of G8 transmissions, Shipman says the six-speed manual will be reserved solely for the G8 GXP. As expected, the GXP will be aimed squarely at the Dodge Charger SRT8 — which doesn’t offer an manual transmission. While pricing hasn’t been released for the GXP — look for an announcement in the summer with sales following soon after — expect it to under cut Dodge ’s top sedan offering.
Future of the G8
As far as the G8 sedan goes, don’t look for it to radically change in the next few years — for better or worse — although big changes could be in store as we approach the 2020 deadline of the new CAFE regulations.
While the G8′s current powertrains won’t be altered in the next few years, the V8′s life expectancy in on the decline. In the future — which could be either the second or third-generation of the car — the G8 will likely switch to a forced induction V6, with a four cylinder being a possibility for the base model. Shipman says that diesel and hybrid powertrains are also a distinct possibility for the G8.
