The legendary Chevrolet El Camino truck is carved into US car history in its very own, unique and special way. Its beginnings can be traced back to 1959 when the first generation, based on the Chevrolet Brookwood, was conceived to compete with the Ford Ranchero. Sales were not as expected, and in 1960 the El Camino was discontinued.
1964 saw the return of the El Camino, this time based on the Chevrolet Chevelle. Two more generations followed which were based on the Chevelle until 1978 when GM revealed the smaller, fourth generation El Camino based on the Chevrolet Malibu. In 1987 production of the Camino was discontinued once again.
Today, the El Camino has started yet another chapter with the unveiling of the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck (or simply the Pontiac G8 ST). Jalopnik got close to the new Pontiac G8 Sport Truck at a photo shoot of the pre-production model and dropped us a few shots of the new El Camino. PickUpTruck was the other lucky invitee.
The Pontiac G8 ST is based on the popular G8, which in turn is based on the Australian Holden VE Commodore. The Pontiac – Holden connection is not new of course since the legendary Pontiac GTO was derived from the Holden Monaro.
"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."
The Pontiac G8 ST will be powered by the 6.0L V-8 engine, producing 361 horsepower (270 kW) and 385 lb.-ft. (522 Nm) of torque just like the Pontiac G8 GT. In addition, the Sport Truck also comes with a 1.8 meter long cargo bed and 1208 liter cargo space.
GM will start an online petition to determine what the new ute should be called, but is there really an alternative to Pontiac G8 El Camino?
The 2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck blurs the line between cars and trucks and is creating an all-new segment in the North American car market. This dramatically different vehicle blends the sporty handling of a performance coupe with the cargo capabilities of a light truck.
Based on the all-new Pontiac G8 performance sedan, the newest member of the G8 family has a longer wheelbase and a cargo bed suitable for either work or recreation. The G8 sport truck significantly stretches Pontiac's commitment to style and performance and is expected to arrive in dealers' showrooms in late 2009.
"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."
Consumer named
Another unique aspect of this new vehicle is the fact that it will be named by a consumer. Beginning today (March 15, 2008), consumers can visit www.pontiac.com/namethiscar and submit their name ideas. "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 announced April 15.
Design
The G8 sport truck maintains the same sporty exterior design as its namesake sedan. Flared fenders wrap around the 18-inch wheels and give it a wide, confident stance. The roofline has a coupe-like profile that reflects the vehicle's performance pedigree.
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. 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.
Performance
The sport truck draws its strength from the same powerful 6.0L V-8 engine used in the G8 GT. It puts out 361 horsepower (270 kW) and 385 lb.-ft. (522 Nm) of torque. The combination of a six-speed automatic transmission and Active Fuel Management technology provides both car-like fuel economy and an unexpected 0-to-60 time of 5.4 seconds.
While these performance numbers are respectable by sports car standards, the G8 sport truck offers flexibility unlike that of a sports car. A 73.9-inch (1878 mm) cargo bed has 42.7 cubic feet (1208 L) of cargo space and a durable composite bed liner. It also can carry a payload of more than 1,074 pounds (488 kg) and tow a 3,500-pound (1,600 kg) trailer.
Structure
The G8 sport truck is based on the same rear-wheel-drive architecture as the G8 performance sedan. However, the sport truck's body structure was reinforced in key areas to support its cargo and towing duties. More than 60 new components were added to strengthen the structure. Compared to the sedan, the 118.5-inch (3,009 mm) wheelbase is approximately four inches longer and the overall length is six inches longer.
Suspension and wheels
A four-wheel independent suspension with electronic stability control delivers confident handling, whether loaded with weekend home-improvement supplies or towing a pair of personal watercraft to the lake.
The steering box is located ahead of the front axle line for a quick, direct feel. The sport truck's front stabilizer bar is one mm larger than the sedan, and the rear suspension has been enhanced to support payloads without adversely affecting handling.
The G8 sport truck rides on 18-inch machine-faced aluminum wheels with a P245/45R18 summer performance tire. All-season tires are available. An optional Sports Package includes 19-inch machine-faced aluminum wheels with P245/40R19 summer performance tires.
Brakes and steering
The sport truck shares the G8 GT's four-wheel disc brake system, featuring 12.64-inch front and 12.76-inch rear rotors. Front rotor thickness is 1.0 inch, while the rear rotors are 0.87-inch thick. Twin-piston, front alloy calipers and vented rotors and single-piston, alloy rear calipers with vented rotors are standard, as is ABS.
Comfort and convenience
Given its heritage, it's not surprising that the G8 sport truck offers many of the same creature comforts as the G8 GT, such as:
Air conditioning with electronic dual-zone climate control
Cruise control
Driver Information Center
Bluetooth connectivity
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel with DIC and radio controls
Power windows/locks/mirrors
Remote keyless entry and remote start
Theft-deterrent alarm system
Fully-bolstered, four-way adjustable cloth seats are standard. Heated, six-way leather seats are available. They can be customized with two-tone, black-and-red inserts and a coordinating gauge cluster.
Behind the seats is a surprisingly large interior cargo area with more than 8.5 cubic feet (245 liters) of storage space. There are two covered storage compartments beneath the load floor and a pair of cargo nets.
Sound system
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.
Safety and security
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
i didn't read the article. this comment is just from looking at the pics. are the roof scoops necessary? i will say this though, i dont like trucks, but the overall shape of this vehicle is a lot more eye pleasing than a normal truck to me, if i found the need to own a truck for some reason, i would deff be thinking about this.
The G8 is/was first made in Australia, and the basic drive train is shared between the holden commodore/g8/gto so that would make perfect sense. But between the Holden, Pontiac, Chevy, and Ford ute's I like this Pontiac the most as far as looks go.
Why do american regard utes as 'trucks'? Sure its a light truck, but when a person says 'truck' most ppl would instantly think about Macks or Hinos. It makes it sound like a tank (in a bad way).
People in America never had any vehicles sold to them with "ute" in their name so it's reasonable to see that most American's have no comprehending of what a ute is. Also when people in America hear the word truck, they don't think tank, ideas of reliability functionality and work are conjured.
some thoughts...this Holden should be branded chevy el camino in america. americans will understand immediately what it is. - in america a 'ute' would be correlated with a 'sport ute' which, in america, is a station on a truck ladder frame (and moreso today is a tall car-based station wagon with big tires) and big tires. they dont normally go off-road but we like to think they do all the time. so calling it a 'ute' makes no sense in america. it just doesnt...but neither does vegimite. - in australia 'utes' are not new. and they are everywhere and they rule. 'ute' means utility. its a car that has extra utility...ie...it can be used to carry more stuff than a regular car. - i would love to see this come in as a chevy el camino but without all-wheel drive, it would be useless where i live.
I have to disagree on a couple basis. The first being the G8 is already the American equivalent to the Holden Commodore. Secondly the El Camino has both positive and negative feelings towards it, where as if you badge it as a Pontiac and they can see if America is ready for the car/truck again. Thirdly this looks bad ass, I don't want to see the Camaro front end copy pasted onto the front of this vehicle.
Why would GM not use the years of positive brand recognition in "Chevy El Camino". Everyone with a mullet will be waiting in line for miles. If they don't do this, it'll be another Five Hundred/Taurus debacle.
This thing is retarded, can't tow, can't go off road, anything you put in the back can get stolen, it will be slower than the G8 sedan because of the light rear end. You have to be stupid to buy this over the G8 sedan. Mistake from GM to bring this thing over, the sales figures wont justify the cost of producing this car. GO GO GM into deeper trouble so the chinese can buy you.
The only thing that is retarded is you Radmeister! Didn't you read the story? It's a "SPORTS"Truck with 2wd and a low ride height and 18" rims so it's not going to go off road. You wouldn't take a 350z offroad? and if you are worried about stuff getting stolen out of the back buy a hard tonneau cover.It will only be about 1sec slower than the G8 sedan big deal and the towing capicty is going to be low as it has a unibody chassis not a ladder chassis like a Toyota.
We'll see who's retarded when we see the sales figures for it and next year's posted profits. Guarantee you i will be the one laughing when GM posts another multi-billion $ loss. Just because they have created this category just for it "Sports" truck doesn't mean it now belongs somewhere. From your reply all i heard were the things it DOESN'T do. It is useless and pointless in today's world even in North America as now us immigrants outnumber you mullet wearing people. And when GM and ford realize that there are more europeans and asians in the US and Canada than rednecks that's when they will start making profit again.
I think you are worrying that this car will end up like the Chevy SSR. True they are pretty close, but this thing isn't all over stylized and retro curvy, so the "mullet market" will actually buy it, and since its based on the g8 it won't have a base price of $40,000. Also you mention Europeans and Asians not wanting to buy it. Why not? They are more likely to buy this then a big gas guzzling truck.
Not really the reason why most people buy SUVs or big pick ups is to make some kind of status statement and because they like sitting higher off of the ground, of course then you add towing capabilities, higher off the ground so it is better for rough roads and snow, and the volume of interior space. This car has no real purpose because if you want a small fuel efficient pick up you can get a toyota, nissan, mazda, ford ranger, or chevy canyon. This engine is the same engine found in the Escallade, yukon, tahoe so it is still a gas guzzler to the small picks ups i have mentioned. And as to why europeans and asians wouldn't buy this is because we are used to working more with vans than pick-ups. I much rather have an econoline than an F150 or even a Dodge Sprinter would be good(for business purposes because for casual driving i consider pick ups and SUVs pointless) This car is useless it cannot do anything that the sedan cannot do, and if once in a blue moon you need to carry something you do not want on your back bench or trunk you go down to uhaul and rent a trailer for the day.
Radmeister you really are a dickhead the fuel mileage of jap pickups like the toyota in-a-coma sorry Tacoma are pathetic 15mpg city 19mpg hwy for a 4.0L V6 is woeful.Hardly fuel efficient.I know the G8ST would have similar mileage but it has a 6L v8 and the in-a-coma is f!@#ing ugly too.
You know what I see when I look at this catruck, I see one BadAss vehicle. This is Awesome. People didn't buy the El Camino for towing a monster boat or to go off road. They bought them because of their look and speed. And this has looks and speed. If Batman needed a new ride tomorrow, this is exactly what you would see him flying down the highway in. I'll take this look and H.P. anyday......
the pontiac g8 is a holden ute which i capable of towing over 3000 pounds and i dont know what all u people r on about as the holden ute holds the world record for the fastest ute
