Pontiac unveiled a new sport truck design at the New York
Auto Show. Based on the all-new Pontiac G8 performance sedan, the
newest member of the G8 family has cargo bed suitable for either work
or recreation. Pontiac sways the G8 sport truck stretches its
commitment to style and performance, and promises it will arrive in
dealers' showrooms in late 2009. Who remembers the old El Camino of the
1970s and 1980s? Well, here is a trucklet that looks like a new and
modern version of that functional favorite.
"Pontiac
has never shied away from offering segment-defining vehicles, going
back to the original GTO," said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general
manager. "There's simply nothing else like the G8 sport truck on the
road today, and we definitely believe that there are customers who will
be excited by its distinctive design, performance and cargo
capabilities." Are you excited about this truck?
Well, here is something else that's very cool about it: It will be
named by a consumer. Effective immediately, consumers can visit www.pontiac.com/namethiscar
and submit their name ideas and enter to win one of the first vehicles
to come off the assembly line. "As an important part of the G8 family,
we know that 'sport truck' doesn't fully describe the vehicle's ability
to blur the lines between sports car and truck," said Craig Bierley,
Pontiac marketing director. "Because its fans will surely be as unique
as the vehicle itself, we're giving them a voice in selecting a name
that reflects its appeal." The winning entry will be selected April 15.
(ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM ET on 4/15/08. Limit: One (1)
Entry per person or email address.) The official rules also say the
grand prize will be "ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE: 2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck
(the actual name of which has yet to be determined). The Approximate
Retail Value of the Grand Prize is no less than $27,595 and is based on
the projected Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of a 2008
Pontiac G8 Sedan." How cool is that? Name the truck and take it home
right off the production line!
Pontiac
says the new G8 sport truck will maintains the same sporty exterior
design as its namesake sedan. Flared fenders wrap around the 18-inch
wheels and the roofline has a coupe-like profile meant to reflect the
vehicle's performance pedigree. The G8 sport truck is based on the same
rear-wheel-drive architecture as the G8 performance sedan, but the
sport truck's body structure was reinforced in key areas to support its
cargo and towing duties.
The doors, roof and exterior panels
aft of the B-pillars are unique from the G8 sedan. One-piece outer body
panels give the vehicle a sleek appearance, while wrap-around taillamps
and fully concealed tailgate hinges add to the sculpted look. A
color-coordinated, soft tonneau cover conceals and protects items in
the cargo bed from the weather.
The two-passenger truck will
powered by the same 6.0L/361-horsepower V-8 engine used in the G8 GT.
The combination of a six-speed automatic transmission and active fuel
management technology promises to provide both car-like fuel economy
and a sporty 0-to-60 time of 5.4 seconds. Fully-bolstered, four-way
adjustable cloth seats are standard, with optional heated, six-way
leather seats which can be customized with two-tone, black-and-red
inserts and a coordinating gauge cluster.
Behind the seats is an interior cargo area with more than 8.5 cubic
feet of storage space, as well as two covered storage compartments
beneath the load floor and a pair of cargo nets. The G8 sport truck's
230-watt Blaupunkt AM/FM/six-disc CD changer has an MP3 input and five
speakers. The 6.5-inch audio display controls both the sound and
climate control systems.
A
full list of safety features are standard, including StabiliTrak
electronic vehicle stability system, tire pressure monitoring system,
dual-stage frontal air bags with a passenger sensing system,
head-curtain side air bags, side thorax air bags, three-point safety
belts in all seating positions, safety belt pretensioners, and (of
course) OnStar.
So Ladies, don't miss your chance to name (and maybe WIN) this vehicle by submitting your entry to www.pontiac.com/namethiscar.
Jody DeVere
President
www.askpatty.com
www.carblabber.com
Related Links:
http://askpatty.typepad.com/ask_patty_/2008/01/vibe-versa-verv.html
2008 new york auto show
