(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)
With a 6-liter V-8 and brawny styling, the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT looks like the return of American muscle, only, it's not. The new G8, an example of International brand engineering, actually comes from Australia, where it's called a Holden VE Commodore. These origins explain some odd styling around the cockpit, such as window and mirror controls mounted on the console and a big red display showing battery charge and oil pressure.
The central point of the G8 seems to be the big engine, not really the best peg to hang your hat on these days. The car looks good, but it takes some styling cues from BMW in the heavily flared front fenders complete with vents. When we first looked at the cockpit, we thought we were in for a tech treat because of the big LCD on the stack. But the car doesn't make good use of that display space, merely showing audio information. Likewise, a voice button on the steering wheel got us looking for Bluetooth or voice command, but then we found the button merely activated OnStar.
(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)
We found the economy car efficiency, the tight build quality, and the odd body style all appealing on the 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT. But once we started looking at the details, we realized it was a Toyota. The hard flooring in the cargo area and the shape of the instrument cluster perfectly matched what we had just seen on the 2009 Toyota Matrix, and the similarities don't stop there. Both cars had the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which someone on staff suggested might be GM's most advanced engine.
However, there are differences, most notably in an area we pay special attention to, the car's head unit. Where the Toyota Matrix can be had with an in-dash navigation system, the Pontiac Vibe just has a little blue OnStar button that connects you with a nice person who can tell you how to get where you are going. In the Matrix, you can opt for a nine-speaker stereo system if you don't get navigation, but the Vibe GT comes standard with a seven-speaker audio system, and you still get the little blue button. The Vibe/Matrix represents an extreme in customer choice, where you can not only choose from myriad options and power trains, but also even what badge your car will wear.
The Solstice grows a removable roof.
The 2010 Pontiac Sports Truck may delight fans of the 1969 El Camino or Ranchero, but this is not exactly a car for the times. Brian Cooley gives us a first look at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.
A variety of new models and model updates are on display at the 2008 New York auto show, from a sporty new coupe by Hyundai to a clean diesel Mercedes-Benz SUV and a minivan with a Volkswagen badge.
Click here for photos of new models from the New York auto show.
Pontiac showed off a renewed vigor at the 2008 New York auto show, unveiling three models. The Solstice Coupe is a hard top version of Pontiac's roadster while the G8 GXP puts massive performance in a Pontiac sedan. The sport truck version of the G8 is, as yet, unnamed.
GM is one of a growing number of automakers that is using the SEMA show to debut modified or concept versions of existing production models. One of the stars of the GM booth is the Pontiac Solstice SD-290, a modified version of the popular roadster. The SD-290 features a covered passenger cockpit, some sharp body styling, and a turbocharged 2-liter Ecotec power plant good for 290 horsepower (hence the designation). This Solstice also sports a custom front fascia, hood and front fascia, and grille inserts.
Performance upgrades include 3-piston, 13-inch stainless-steel caliper brakes, a custom exhaust from Solo Performance, and a bespoke suspension system from KW Automotive. Inside, the HVAC system and stereo have been sacrificed for weight-saving purposes, as has the windshield. GM says that the rationale for the SD-290 was to pay homage to the "purposeful design of...classic race vehicles". Don't expect to see one of these on the road any time soon.
A replica of the KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand) car of Knight Rider television fame is available for bid on eBay.
(Credit:
eBay seller 'zapper80')
This is not the original car that David Hasselhoff drove around in and William Daniels provided the voice for, but it is a 1984 Pontiac Trans Am.
In some ways, that's a good thing. The KITT replica on eBay has a CD/MP3/DVD player installed, where the original probably only had a tape deck, if that.
(Credit:
eBay seller 'zapper80')
The starting bid for the car is $19,000. That's much cheaper than other famous vehicles like the original Ecto 1 from Ghostbusters, or one of Steve McQueen's personal motorcycles.
The auction ends Wednesday and is only available to local bidders or those willing to pick up the car. The seller will not ship.
Which I think is an ironic point because the original KITT did have its own truck for transport. Remember? The truck door would be lowered while cruising on the highway and Michael Knight (Hasselhoff) would just speed up, drive in and miraculously not crash through the wall of the truck.
California dreaming in the 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line.
(Credit: CNET Networks)While much of the county is suffering blizzards and ice storms, we counted our sunny stars today and hit the dry, open road for a first look at the 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line. Like the Pontiac Solstice, with which it shares its platform, the Sky soft-top roadster exudes bold body styling. Sleek lines, a bulging hood, and aggressively arched front fenders all give the Sky a mini-Batmobile character, an impression underlined by the fact that our tester came in onyx black (that's black to you and me).
Blue Sky thinking: the view of San Francisco with the top down
(Credit: CNET Networks)As its name suggests, the Sky Red Line is a performance-tuned version of the regular Sky: in place of the 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine on the garden-variety model, the Red Line gets a 2-liter turbo charged plant conjuring up a sensational 260 horsepower--enough to send us sideways a couple of times in spirited cornering. To complement the upgraded engine, the Sky Red Line comes with a couple of natty styling cues (hood vents and mesh grille inserts), as well as a list of standard performance features including: Bilstein monotube shocks, four-wheel disc brakes, four-wheel independent suspension, and Stabilitrak with competitive mode.
Our Sky Red Line tester also came with automatic transmission, a rather hefty $895 option. In general, we prefer our roadsters with manual shifters; however, we read that the Sky Red Line is actually quicker to 60mph with the automatic, and after our disappointing experience with the agricultural gearbox in the Solstice, we probably ended up with the best option. Cabin tech on the Sky is in short supply, although we did get the upgraded Monsoon Audio System, which gave us MP3 playback ability and a separate subwoofer. In the course of a one-hour drive around the streets of San Francisco, no fewer than four people complimented us on our car. When stopped in traffic at a stoplight, one guy asked us: "What do you do for work?" We told him: "This."
It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.
- prev
- 1
- next
