Best news I heard all week. G8 to survive at Chevy Caprice!

[exitspeed]

BREAKING: Lutz says Pontiac G8 to survive as Chevy Caprice in U.S.; Camaro Z28 reportedly dead (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/11/lutz-pontiac-g8-to-continue-as-chevy-caprice-in-u-s-z28-likel/)


This makes me so happy. I bet the interior will get a major boost when it's redone.

[VROOOM]

that is awesome. the G8 was too good of a car to stop making them!

[98s14inaz]

BREAKING: Lutz says Pontiac G8 to survive as Chevy Caprice in U.S.; Camaro Z28 reportedly dead (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/11/lutz-pontiac-g8-to-continue-as-chevy-caprice-in-u-s-z28-likel/)


This makes me so happy. I bet the interior will get a major boost when it's redone.

I smell a police/govt contract for more than a few of these. About time. You just can't be taken seriously when pulling someone over in a fwd Malibu lol.

[exitspeed]

Quick ugly chop, but you get the idea.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/8945/impalag8copy.jpg

[VROOOM]

I smell a police/govt contract for more than a few of these. About time. You just can't be taken seriously when pulling someone over in a fwd Malibu lol.

its true about the Malibu, but the Charger police car is pretty aggresive.

[98s14inaz]

its true about the Malibu, but the Charger police car is pretty aggresive.


Hell yes it is. Bad ass!

[RiversideS13]

I think G8 looks a lot better

[Z33dori]

I think G8 looks a lot better

x1000000000

[kingkilburn]

I hope it comes out more like your shop and less like the middle-east variant.

[JVD]

This thing looks like crap.

Ugh... they really suck at cars.

[flip3d]

I like that Lumina SS.

[VROOOM]

yeah it looks good

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/nismothecat/2008chevyluminass01.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/nismothecat/2008chevyluminass04.jpg

[soreballz]

The Middle East version us ugly. I hope they don't bring that one to the US. If they could just swap Chevy emblems in place of the Pontiac bagdes, that'd be fantastic.

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

^^ pfff, yeah right. it'd sell better if they got all that pontiac fake rice vent shit off of it. the lumina is much cleaner and will appeal to more people.

[ronmcdon]

i see a bit of overlap between this, the Caddy CTS and the Camaro.
Camaro V6's are GM's best deal now imo.
You're already getting a large comfy car with over 300hp and 29mpg hwy, and has good driving dynamics for 23k.
It's sad that they're not making a more aggressive effort to market that.

G8 is actually pretty hard to market in the existing GM line-up (w/out Pontiac).
Probably makes most sense to market it as the Buick flagship.

As for the Z28, I agree it's probably not needed at a time like this.
I think the camaro only needs to base V6 and SS.

[silviaguy240]

:barf::barf::barf::barf::barf::barf:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/09_caprice-arabia_001.jpg

[timlush]

Hopefully they can come up with something better than Caprice. That name just screams 80's junk. Car looks like shit anyway.

[ronmcdon]

now that you mention it, most GM car names are just laughable.
lot of out-dated pretentious 'high class' names that don't exactly match the econobox.

Worst was the "Le Baron" for some econobox pos some year's ago.
'Malibu' & "Monte Carlo" aren't much better either.

[SimpleS14]

I won't rejoice until I see the final product.

[Future240]

I won't rejoice until I see the final product.

X2 Its great they are continuing it into chevy, but there is room for fuck upery to take place.

[soreballz]

'Malibu' & "Monte Carlo" aren't much better either.
1969 Malibu:
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/69Malibu1.jpg

40 years later:
http://media.motortopia.com/files/5973/vehicle/4998d97495a23/DSC_0206.jpg


1970 Monte Carlo:
http://www.jr56.com/70ss454/rf.jpg

37 years later:
http://www.mpd-inc.net/bluemchood.JPG

Amazing what 40 years will do to a car. :-/

[HyperTek]

the body is not even the same... probably same platform but thats it.. Its gonna suck, as do all Caprice do, its not marketed towards youth or performance.

[ronmcdon]

I don't know what's worse, the 80's Monte Carlo, or the modern example

http://photos4.ebizautos.com/used-1987-chevrolet-monte_carlo-basetrim-8031-4164849-2-400.jpg

[soreballz]

^That style Monte Carlo has the potential to look fucking rad. The modern model... No way. Not cool. Can't be. Never will be.

[blackrms13]

i loved the Commondores...

my family used to drive a 2003ish Holden Statesmen which is like the cheaper version of the Caprice
5.7L V8

shit was balling and soooo much room inside
i think the back seat has more room than most front seats...LOL

[GSXRJJordan]

I'm excited for GM - I can't help it. I saw a G8 with something akin to straight pipes screaming down the street the other day, and it put a huge smile on my face.

*Back seats - yes
*Warranty - yes
*Best motor in town - yes
*Passable interior/exterior - yes
*I could buy it - yes

Not too many cars fit that bill.

[Phlip]

In order to pull this off, the Impala as we know it will have to be killed in all it's suckass nature, THEN the G8 GXP returned as the Impala SS.
Otherwise they're just bullshitting us.
The fact that the Z/28 Camaro will not materialize lessens my faith that GM will not fuck this up like they have damn near everything else they've tried.

[Flicktitty]

Caprice?

Really?

Weak!

woulda been cooler brought back as a biscayne/bel air, or here ya go A NEW FUCKING NAME.

[exitspeed]

Guys guys guys, the car will NOT, quote me on this, will NOT look like the middle east version AT ALL. It has none of the current Chevy styling seen in any of the new Chevy lineup (Malibu, Traverse, Cruze, and the new Equinox) that has been ultra successful.

Also, something to consider is that GM and Chevy's interiors are some of the best in the industry now (this is not up for debate any longer. It's a fact) and the G8 will benefit heavily from an overhauled Chevy-fied interior. The BIGGEST issue with the current G8 is the interior. The car is stellar in ever other way. Read any review and you will hear then rant a rave about the cars handling, power, and styling. But the interior is where it falls short. I'm telling you, if they give the interior the proper treatment will up the ante on bang for your buck that much more.

In order to pull this off, the Impala as we know it will have to be killed in all it's suckass nature, THEN the G8 GXP returned as the Impala SS.
Otherwise they're just bullshitting us.
The fact that the Z/28 Camaro will not materialize lessens my faith that GM will not fuck this up like they have damn near everything else they've tried.

Phlip, you know your my boy, but you must not be paying attention or are confused. Sure GM has ran itself into bankruptcy, but it's not because of the vehicles it's came out with over the last 3 or so years. It's all the cars and shitty management before that time. GM has some seriously successful products on the market right now that are class leading in almost every way. It still has a lot of shitty products but 99% of those are going to be gone very very soon as part of the "bad GM". What I'm saying is if you think bankruptcy = nothing poor product, you are mistaken. I have complete confidence in GM's current and future products and that in a short amount of time I see them really coming out of this in great shape.

Also the current Impala, while not RWD and cool like the 96's, it's still one the #5 o #6 best selling car in the country. So it doesn't appeal to you and I or any enthusiast, it's still Chevy's bread and butter. It's kind of a "it ain't broke so don't fix it".

And the reason there's room for both cars in the showroom is because they are COMPLETELY different beasts. The Impala starts at like $24k and tops out at a touch over $30k (SS is done now). AND it gets 29mpg. The G* in current form starts at $28k and in GXP model almost hits $40k (actually with incentives right now it's like $34). I don't see a lot of cross shopping being done. Maybe initially when someone that doesn't know shit walks into a dealer, but if someone is looking for a 4 door commuter car they are quickly going to talk themselves out a G8.

One last point I want to make. With this car now going to be sitting in Chevy showrooms they have a PERFECT opportunity to market this car like it should have been in the first place...AS a 4 DOOR VETTE! I mean, that's really what it is. It's a Vette for the guy with 3 kids and a wife.


Yes, I think about this car A LOT. It's one of my favorite cars on the market right now. If we weren't in a god damn recession and money was a little better I have no doubt I'd have a G8 GXP sitting in my driveway right now. I was really bummed out when Pontiac got the axe because that meant I'd have no chance of buying one of these gems new and the rareness of the GXP's means they aren't going to deprecate much.

This news made my weekend to say the least. :wan:

[S14DB]

One last point I want to make. With this car now going to be sitting in Chevy showrooms they have a PERFECT opportunity to market this car like it should have been in the first place...AS a 4 DOOR VETTE! I mean, that's really what it is. It's a Vette for the guy with 3 kids and a wife.

WTF are you talking about? CTS-V anyone?
Cadillac | 2009 CTS-V - High Performance Luxury Sedan (http://www.cadillac.com/09ctsv/)

[GSXRJJordan]

^^^ CTS-V is too expensive though - most people with $60k-$70k would rather buy a Vette for $45k and give the wife her own commuter.

The CTS-V was redesigned to kill the M5 (and does it well); anyone with M5-type-money might be interested in Z06/ZR1, but my guess is it's a completely different market from your typical Vette buyer.

[ronmcdon]

always thought the CTS was more of 3-series competitor.
base models are priced comparatively to the 3, and so is the CTS-V vs. M3.
maybe there's some overlap.

although the overall performance of the CTS-V might eclipse that of a M5,
I just don't see anyone cross shopping between the two.
I see an M5 driver more concerned with the car being a status symbol than anything else.
Most M5's that scoot around here in Los Angeles, are driven by mild mannered middle aged drivers.

CTS-V prob caters towards a limited niche in the among performance enthusiasts, not unlike the M3, IS-F, c63, RS4, etc.
Prob more of halo car than a money maker.

[98s14inaz]

now that you mention it, most GM car names are just laughable.
lot of out-dated pretentious 'high class' names that don't exactly match the econobox.

Worst was the "Le Baron" for some econobox pos some year's ago.
'Malibu' & "Monte Carlo" aren't much better either.

Remember the Chrysler Aries? Fucking god of war wouldn't be caught dead in that piece of shit lol

[exitspeed]

WTF are you talking about? CTS-V anyone?
Cadillac | 2009 CTS-V - High Performance Luxury Sedan (http://www.cadillac.com/09ctsv/)

That doesn't mean The G8 is still not a 4 Door Vette.

always thought the CTS was more of 3-series competitor.
base models are priced comparatively to the 3, and so is the CTS-V vs. M3.
maybe there's some overlap.

although the overall performance of the CTS-V might eclipse that of a M5,
I just don't see anyone cross shopping between the two.
I see an M5 driver more concerned with the car being a status symbol than anything else.
Most M5's that scoot around here in Los Angeles, are driven by mild mannered middle aged drivers.

CTS-V prob caters towards a limited niche in the among performance enthusiasts, not unlike the M3, IS-F, c63, RS4, etc.
Prob more of halo car than a money maker.

CTS really is a 5 series competitor size wise. People cross show the 3 Series with the CTS though because of price. The CTS undercuts the 5 Series price wise by boat loads.

GM knows they really do need a true 3 Series competitor though and have been kicking around having a car on the new Alpha platform but the economy has slowed down the release of it. I've talked about this car on here countless times.

[S14DB]

That doesn't mean The G8 is still not a 4 Door Vette.

The top of the line may have as much power as a vette. I don't see it handling like a vette.

[exitspeed]

The top of the line may have as much power as a vette. I don't see it handling like a vette.

Obviously they are two different cars. But you get what I'm saying. I'm not the only one who refers to the GXP as a 4 door Vette either.

[Gnnr]

It looks like ass. The photoshop too (sorry exitspeed). Why does everything have to look so blocky and bulky. It screams fleet/rental car that you abuse the shit out of cause you hate it. Why not make a sleek, sexy looking car? Geesh.

^^ pfff, yeah right. it'd sell better if they got all that pontiac fake rice vent shit off of it.

Take the vents off the hood, and call it a day. The grill on the current G8 is better and gives it an aggressive look.

[exitspeed]

It looks like ass. The photoshop too (sorry exitspeed). Why does everything have to look so blocky and bulky. It screams fleet/rental car that you abuse the shit out of cause you hate it. Why not make a sleek, sexy looking car? Geesh.



Take the vents off the hood, and call it a day. The grill on the current G8 is better and gives it an aggressive look.

Well it's a 4 door sedan...how much more sleek and sexy can it be? You don't expect it to look like a Aston Martin Rapide do you?

The styling is very European. But if you aren't a fan of that, then I can see why you wouldn't like this car.

But styling is subjective so, eh.

[Gnnr]

It doesn't look Euro to me. It looks American. Look at the body lines of the European brand sedans. The G8 looks fine to me, just take out the hood vents. Theres a black one in the parking lot at my job which I pass everyday that I think looks good.

[exitspeed]

Over-all it looks like a smaller more broad 7 Series to me.

[Phlip]

Looks like you might want to join the police academy if you want that Caprice:
Link (http://jalopnik.com/5315148/g8-survival-again-in-doubt)

[Future240]

Looks like you might want to join the police academy if you want that Caprice:
Link (http://jalopnik.com/5315148/g8-survival-again-in-doubt)

You just made Mel cry.

[Dutchmalmiss]

Looks like you might want to join the police academy if you want that Caprice:
Link (http://jalopnik.com/5315148/g8-survival-again-in-doubt)

Son of a bitch. Well if that were to follow through, you can buy an out-of-commission one for cheap. yesssssss.

[Phlip]

Son of a bitch. Well if that were to follow through, you can buy an out-of-commission one for cheap. yesssssss.

After what, 2-3 years of daily abuse in stop and go driving and rarely doing more than idling and reeking of coffee and such?
I'd be inclined to pass if I didn't think it would auction extra cheap.

[Dutchmalmiss]

After what, 2-3 years of daily abuse in stop and go driving and rarely doing more than idling and reeking of coffee and such?
I'd be inclined to pass if I didn't think it would auction extra cheap.

Touche...I'll take one for like $8k then haha.

[Phlip]

Touche...I'll take one for like $8k then haha.

No worries, they likely won't be california approved... Get yourself a Prius or smart.

[Future240]

No worries, they likely won't be california approved... Get yourself a Prius or smart.

Ha haha at California. I wonder if the public outcry will do anything to help.

[VROOOM]

i know a guy that got a G8 GT fully loaded for 27k. hurry up and buy before they are gone!!!


i looked at one, but didnt want an automatic

[exitspeed]

Hey guys please vote for my question on Autoblog this week regarding the confirmed return of one of my favorite cars.

MelRussellIII

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #214 — Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/24/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-214/)

Thanks!

[Future240]

You have my vote. Seems like your question is doing pretty well.

[BOROSUN]

tv screen on back of the headrest...hmmm, i wonder who are they targeting?

[Future240]

tv screen on back of the headrest...hmmm, i wonder who are they targeting?

Depends, if the tv screen is in the driver and passenger headrests then they are targeting these guys
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/images/family-mulitigenerational.jpg
http://www.faithfulcitizenship.org/photos/family_bible_study.jpg
http://extension.umd.edu/images/family.jpg


If it is in the headrest in the back seat then they are targeting these guys.
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/Cheetos-Donk2.jpg
http://www.peopleofjerseyshore.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Real-Live-Douchebag.jpg