If I were to tell you GM is the new BMW you�d probably laugh at me. But driving the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP | Action Cars just a couple of months after the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and Corvette ZR1, that�s exactly what I�m thinking. Equipped with a 6.3-liter, LS3 V8 making 415 HP and 415 lb-ft of torque, the G8 GXP isn�t just the fastest car Pontiac�s ever made, but based on GM�s new global rear wheel drive platform (the same one as the new Camaro) and fitted with lower, stiffer suspension and a six-speed manual gearbox it strikes the right balance between supercar performance and real world practicality. Think E39 M5, but with a Corvette engine and better steering.
Driving in LA is a strange mix of sitting still in hellish traffic and driving flat out on the best roads in the world. Get on one of the highways at the wrong time and it�ll take you three hours to go 30 miles, but hit the canyon roads to the North or East and it�s easy to forget that you�re within mere miles of the most populous metropolitan area in the country. The G8 GXP excels in both environments.
New, high-flow cylinder heads aid engine breathing and are based on the large port and valve design found on the LS7 engine and other GM L76 engines. The larger-capacity, straighter intake port-design optimizes intake flow to the combustion chamber, an effect augmented by large valves, measuring 2.16 inches (55.0 mm) on the intake side and 1.59 inches (40.4 mm) on the exhaust side.
�More than just raw power, the GXP delivers the sophisticated yet exciting driving experience that enthusiasts expect in a car costing far more than the GXP,� said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager.
The standard Hydra-Matic six-speed 6L80 automatic can be substituted for a a new six-speed Tremec TR6060 manual transmission. The manual gearbox features: a shorter throw; premium gear synchronizers; stronger gears, housing, and bell housing; a single-piece counter shaft; and machined gear teeth. The automatic has a generous 6.04:1 overall ratio that enables a �steep� first-gear. The result is strong launch acceleration along with �tall� overdrive ratios that lower engine rpms for better fuel economy and reduced noise. A limited-slip differential is standard.
Six on the floor
The GXP will be the first vehicle in the G8 family to offer an optional six-speed Tremec TR6060 manual transmission. This next-generation manual smoothly transfers the engine�s power and torque to the rear wheels with a shorter shift throw than previous models. The transmission features a host of refinements including premium gear synchronizers; stronger gears, housing, and bell housing; a single-piece counter shaft; and machined gear teeth.
Standard equipment on the GXP and shared with the G8 GT, the Hydra-Matic six-speed 6L80 automatic transmission is one of GM�s most technologically advanced and robust. It uses a clutch-to-clutch operation and an integrated 32-bit transmission controller to deliver smooth and precise shifts. The six-speed has a generous 6.04:1 overall ratio that enables a �steep� first-gear. The result is strong launch acceleration along with �tall� overdrive ratios that lower engine rpms for better fuel economy and reduced noise.
A 3.27 final drive ratio comes with automatic-equipped GXPs, and a 3.70 gear is matched with the manual transmission. A limited-slip differential is standard.
High-performance suspension
The G8 GXP rides on the G8's 114.8-inch (2915 mm) wheelbase with wide front (62.7 inches / 1,592 mm) and rear (63.3 inches / 1,608 mm) tracks. The four-wheel independent suspension is fully adjustable and is tuned for the highest performance in the G8 family. The GXP�s ride and handling was developed and validated the famed Nurbergring, the first Pontiac ever to be tuned on the legendary course. It rewards the driver with sharp, immediate responses, as well as a well-balanced road feel even during more aggressive steering inputs.
The suspension employs a MacPherson strut design in the front and a four-link, coil-over-shock design in the rear. A direct-acting front stabilizer bar, decoupled rear stabilizer bar and lateral ball joints on the rear suspension deliver increased lateral stiffness for more responsive handling. The front suspension features fully adjustable caster, camber and toe; the rear suspension has fully adjustable camber and toe, for more precise tuning.
Steering and brakes
The steering rate for the GXP is tuned to provide immediate response with definitive driver feedback. Like the G8 sedan and GT, the GXP�s steering box is located ahead of the front axle line for a quicker, more direct feel.
