First Pontiac G8 Prototypes Roll Off the Line

At this year’s Chicago Auto Show, Pontiacwith sport package)
(also maker of top of the line Pontiac catalyticSeat-mounted thorax air bags and dual-stage
converter) – confirming its commitment tofrontal air bags for front passengers, with
style and performance – introduced a showautomatic passenger sensing system
car version of the all-new, rear-wheel driveRoof rail side-impact air bags for both seating
performance, the G8 GT.rows
The G8 is the first North American application ofOnStar
GM's new global rear-wheel-drive architectureXM Satellite Radio
developed by Holden, GM's Australian subsidiary.Power-adjustable front seats
The G8 show car gave everyone a peek of theFog lamps
highly anticipated production GT model, includingChrome exhaust tips
use of the 362-horsepower (270 kW) 6.0L V-8Rear lip spoiler
engine and optional six-speed manual transmission.A sport package will also be available for both
The show car also features some unique itemsmodels and adds features such as specific wheels
not found on the production model, including– including 19-inch aluminum wheels and
twenty-inch "shadow chrome" wheels andperformance tires on GT – a rear wing spoiler,
performance tires, ride height loweredleather shift knob, leather-wrapped steering wheel
approximately half-inch, high-performance brakeand alloy pedals.
rotors with painted brake calipers, custom interiorProduction of the Pontiac G8 is scheduled to
trim color, including a leather-wrapped dash,commence at the Holden plant in late 2007,
exclusive exterior paint color: Phantom Grey, andbringing the production line to a maximum
the concept of "modernized" Pontiac badge.capacity rate of 620 cars per day.
Last week, the first prototype of the Pontiac G8The G8 will be the first car sold in the U.S. based
rolled off General Motors' Australia unit, GM Holdenon the Australia-developed new Zeta global GM
-- ahead of a full production start later in the year.architecture. This means that Holden’s
The rear-wheel-drive performance sedan isElizabeth plant is exporting to every continent in
headed for the United States in early 2008.the world, with the exception of Antarctica.
Production model detailsAbout GM Holden Ltd
The 2008 Pontiac G8 lineup will offer two models:GM Holden Ltd or Holden is an Australian
G8 and G8 GT. Each will come with a host ofautomaker based in Melbourne, Victoria, originally
standard performance, convenience and safetyindependent but now a subsidiary of General
features, including:Motors (GM). The automotive marque is one of
Four-wheel independent suspensionGM's "alpha" brands, taking charge of vehicle
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and tractionoperations for General Motors in Australasia, and
controlhave partial ownership of GM Daewoo in South
Electronic stability controlKorea.
18-inch aluminum wheels (19-inch wheels available