Performance Review: Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac G8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 is the 6 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Pontiac G8 has a 5967cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The G8 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the G8's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1860 kgs (4100 lbs) this makes the Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac G8 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 5967cc 16V V8 engine produces 361 bhp (269 kW) @ 5300 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 385 lb-ft (521.9 Nm) @ 4400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Pontiac G8 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst (219.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac G8.

The Pontiac G8 has a Power to weight ratio of 194.0 bhp per ton and 206.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 G8 competing with the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst (219.0 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Morgan 3 Wheeler 2.0l V-Twin (219.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Pontiac G8 generating around 206.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Audi A8 S8 4.0 V8 Turbo (231.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Audi Q7 4.2 TDi (231.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.5 secs, this made the Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 as fast as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs) the or the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs). This Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the and the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the G8 and the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac G8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.35 secs @ 95.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA (14.30 secs), the 2006 Bentley Arnage T 6.8 V8 4d Auto (14.30 secs), and the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31 (14.32 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 G8 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

2008 G8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison