2008 Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 Review and Performance Comparison

Pontiac G8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 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 6162cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Pontiac Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The G8 shares its Petrol V 8 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 similar performing cars which share the G8's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1825 kgs (4023 lbs) places the Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 in a similar weight category as the 2025 Ford Mustang GT Fastback and the excellent 2024 BMW 4 Series M4 CS, give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac G8 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Supra GR Lightweight EVO (382 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 6162cc 16 valve, V 8 engine produces around 402 bhp (299 kW) @ 6000 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Supra GR Lightweight EVO (382 bhp) and also the 2024 Audi A3 RS 3 Saloon (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 402 lb-ft (545.0 Nm) @ 4400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (421 lb-ft) or the 2025 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (418 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2008 Pontiac G8 in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2022 Audi A3 RS 3 Saloon Performance edition (245.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac G8.

The Pontiac G8 has a power to weight ratio of 220.2 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2008 G8 GXP 6.2 V8 means you're competing with the 2022 Audi A3 RS 3 Saloon Performance edition (245.2 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2022 Audi A3 RS 3 Sportback Performance edition (245.2 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 generates around 220.2 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 1992 TVR Chimaera 4.0 (245.2 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2013 BMW 5 Series 550i xDrive F10 (245.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 can accelerate 0–60mph in 4.70 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.9 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 include the 2024 BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive (4.70 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (4.70 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2022 Maserati Quattroporte Modena (4.80 secs) and the 2022 Maybach S 580 4MATIC (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 and the BMW 5 Series 550i

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2008 Pontiac G8 can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.43 secs with a trap speed around 101.4 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the BMW 5 Series 550i (13.44 seconds @ 101.3 mph) and a close race between the Jeep Grand Cherokee 6.4 V8 SRT8 (13.44 seconds @ 101.3 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2008 version of the Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 G8 equals the Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 then there's the slightly slower the Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 (154 mph) or how about the impressive Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 3.2 V6 GSi (154 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2008 G8 Rivals List.
• 2008 G8: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Pontiac
• Compare the 2008 Pontiac G8