The Commodore ute wasn’t the only Aussie granted American residency at the New York show.
Alongside the load-lugger sat this Pontiac G8 GXP, a new high-performance variant that will crown the G8 range from August this year.
Based on an HSV Clubsport R8, although built exclusively on Holden’s production lines at its Elizabeth plant in South Oz, the muscled-up Pontiac breathes fire thanks to the 6.2-litre, LS3 V8 under the bonnet. The same engine that will power our local HSVs from mid-April onwards.
The G8 GXP will also be the only G8 variant to offer a manual transmission, with the new Tremec TR6060 six-speeder available alongside the 6L80E self-shifter. This is significant because it means that TR6060 trannies are being shipped Down Under, so the existing T56 gearbox that powers Holdens and HSVs is on borrowed time. Expect the new transmission in local cars at VE and E Series facelift time in 2009 or 2010.
But it does seem the Yanks are being short-changed.
In HSV-spec, the dyno numbers read 317kW and 550Nm the new LS3 V8. But in GXP trim, the spec sheet reads just 300kW and 546Nm (Auto)/542Nm (manual).
Why the yawning power gap?
Wheels put the question to several senior Pontiac executives, but no satisfactory answer was forthcoming. Everything from ECU-tune, to differing power measurement methods and exhaust mapping was sighted as possible reasons. Doggone it…
Still, at around US$37K, it’s cheaper than any Clubsport…