Pontiac g6 Coupe Car

pontiac g6

The 2008 Pontiac G6 Coupe is available only in GT and GXP trims, with two different V-6 engines—a 219-horsepower, 3.5-liter or a new-for-2008 252-horsepower, 3.6-liter in the GXP. The two engines carry similar fuel economy estimates of 17 mpg city, 26 highway; the more efficient four-cylinder engine that’s offered in the sedan isn’t available in the coupe.

The two engines in the 2008 Pontiac G6 Coupe both have strong acceleration, but have quite different personalities. The 3.5-liter follows an old pushrod design and is equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission. It’s responsive but the engine can be coarse and loud. The 3.6-liter is a more modern overhead-cam design and is tuned such that it has especially strong passing power. The difference is that the 3.5-liter comes with a four-speed automatic while the 3.6-liter comes with a new six-speed automatic.
The 2008 Pontiac G6 Coupe drives quite well, but the experience is unremarkable. While the Coupe doesn’t have the electric power steering that was formerly offered—rather, a better hydraulic system—the G6 still doesn’t steer or handle as well as other cars in its class. The ride is quite firm and can be choppy on pockmarked pavement, with no apparent handling advantage.

The car’s interior has an attractive design, but the quality of the materials is not upto the mark, with too many glossy or hard plastics that look like they might scratch easily. Seating is ample in the 2008 Pontiac G6 Coupe; the nice front seats are both soft and supportive.

The base GT coupe comes with a keyless entry, cruise control, air conditioning, and a CD sound system with XM satellite radio. GXP models upgrade to the bigger engine and six-speed automatic, bigger wheels and tires, heated seats, and automatic climate control, plus various appearance enhancements throughout. Other options on the 2008 Pontiac G6 Coupe include a remote starter system, power-adjustable pedals, and a sunroof.

pontiac g6

We have to admit that we really enjoy a good car industry rumour at CARupdate, especially when it involves Australia in some way. Overnight, the internet was a-buzz with the latest rumour concerning the Pontiac G6.

To get this in perspective GM in North America produce the Pontiac G6 which is the little brother to the Pontiac G8. Now we all know that the current Pontiac G8 is soon to replaced by a rebadged LHD version of our Holden VE Commodore SS-V. That’s old news.

The new news is that the next generation Pontiac G6 will be arriving a little earlier than expected in late 2010 and will be based on GM’s Alpha mid-size rear-wheel drive platform. The only car currently believed to have been based on that architecture was the Holden Torana concept (pictured) first seen in 2004.

While many of GM’s current FWD models will remain FWD it is rumoured that there will be a number of RWD Alpha based new models to appear after the G6, including the Cadillac BLS and a new RWD Saturn model to sell alongside the FWD Aura.

The big speculation is that we should be expecting a similar Holden model in Australia that will be mid-sized and based on the Alpha RWD platform. Could the next Pontiac G6 be a re-hash of the 2004 Torana? Could Australia see the Holden Torana badge on the streets once again?

Kinda makes sense when you consider that Holden is now considered the RWD platform development centre for GM worldwide, the Torana has already been shown as a concept and Holden would probably give their left you know what for a mid-size sedan in this time of high fuel prices and a trend to smaller cars.


Only a month or so ago Bob Lutz had announced that GM were considering putting on hold their rear-wheel-drive architecture development across the GM empire. Now RWD appears to be the flavour of the month and Australia’s Holden may just be the big winner. Of course it may all just be unsubstantiated rumour…