Despite plans to reduce Pontiac to a limited-volume brand as a part of General Motors’ efforts to stay alive, the automaker has released pricing information on the 2009 G8 GXP. Priced from $39,995, including a $685 destination charge and a $1,700 gas guzzler tax, the G8 GXP is the priciest Pontiac you can buy – but it’s also the most powerful production car to wear the red badge ever.
Pontiac says that the six-speed Tremec TR6060 manual transmission will be a $695 extra-cost option over the standard six-speed automatic. The only other factory option that potential G8 GXP buyers can check off is a $900 sunroof.
The G8 GXP qualifies for the $1,700 gas-guzzler charge thanks to its EPA-rated fuel economy: 13 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway.
How much of a future the G8 GXP has in Pontiac’s portfolio is anyone’s guess at the moment. With Pontiac’s existence as a volume brand all but over, the G8 GXP could have a reason to live – even thoughmore than 11,000 G8s sitting unsold on dealer lots.
Still, GM says the G8 project has been a success - even if the sales figures aren’t there, the automaker seems pleased with the Australian-built model. In that case, the G8 GXP could very well be the future face of a narrow-focused Pontiac – one heavily dependent on the Australians.
