Segment-Defining
Vehicle on Target for Late 2009 Launch
Pontiac G8 ST
at a Glance
Sports car with truck-like cargo and towing
capabilities
V8 engine with Active Fuel Management linked
to six-speed automatic
74-inch cargo bed and 3,500 lb towing
capacity
Estimated fuel economy near top of vehicles
with comparable cargo/towing capacity
Available in late 2009 as a 2010 model
Detroit - After sifting through more than 18,000
possibilities, Pontiac has chosen to keep it simple, naming the
recently revealed G8 sport truck the “ G8 ST.”
Thousands of fans submitted suggestions during a
“Tame the Name” promotion, which delayed a final announcement until
each possibility was considered and cleared for possible trademark
use.
“Frankly, we were blown away by both the volume
and quality of the names that were submitted,” said Craig Bierley,
BPG product marketing director for cars and crossovers. “’ G8 ST’
was one of the most popular suggestions, plus we noticed a far
broader trend toward simple, easy-to-remember names.”
,.
“El Camino” was also a sentimental favorite, given
the G8 ST’s resemblance to the classic Chevy.
“We actually thought very long about El Camino,”
said Bierley. “In the end, we felt it was more appropriate to honor
the El Camino’s unique place as part of Chevy’s heritage and not use
that nameplate on a Pontiac.”
Perhaps the ultimate reflection of the blurring
line between cars and trucks, the G8 ST will create a unique niche
segment in the marketplace: a sports car with truck-like cargo and
towing capabilities. Sharing the basic architecture and 361 hp V8
engine as the G8 GT performance sedan, it will offer a 73.9-inch
cargo bed that has 42.7 cubic feet of cargo space and can carry a
payload of 1,000 pounds (453 kg) or tow a 3,500-pound (1,587 kg)
trailer.
Thanks to its six-speed automatic transmission and
Active Fuel Management system, the G8 ST should offer some of the
best fuel economy numbers for V8-powered vehicles with similar
cargo/towing ratings while still turning in zero-to-60 times of 5.4
seconds.
The G8 ST will be available in late 2009 as a 2010
model and will be backed by GM’s industry best 100,000 mile, 5-year
powertrain warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to
availability.
