- GM Design has revealed the Pontiac G8 concept, a 4-door coupe designed in 2008.
- It was never publicly displayed as GM announced plans to eliminate Pontiac the following year.
- Little is known about the concept, but it was created to preview the brand’s new design language.
GM Design’s fantastic From the Vault series continues and they’ve just unveiled Pontiac’s final concept. It’s known as the G8 and the unveiling comes 15 years after GM announced Pontiac would be phased out.
The automaker didn’t say much about the concept, but it was created by their California design studio and completed in 2008. It was apparently intended to preview Pontiac’s future design language.
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While the company didn’t elaborate, the G8 concept is a four-door coupe with a Cadillac vibe. The front end leaves something to be desired, but it sports a prominent grille that is flanked by vertical headlights.
Moving further back, we can see a mix of angular lines and soft curves. They’re joined by a compact greenhouse, flush-mounted door handles, and muscular rear haunches.
The rear end recalls the ill-fated Solstice and features buttresses as well as angular taillights. They’re joined by a dual exhaust system and a nearly vertical bumper.
Stepping inside, there’s a four-seat interior with a full-length center console. Designers also added a three-spoke steering wheel, unique controls, and leather worthy of a cigar lounge.
Little else is known about the concept, but the original G8 was a rebadged Holden Commodore that featured rear-wheel drive as well as available V8 power. It’s possible the concept was envisioned to ride on the Alpha or Zeta platform, although that’s not entirely clear.
However, Bob Lutz was a big champion of Pontiac embracing rear-wheel drive and focusing on performance. The second-generation G6 was slated to be underpinned by the Alpha platform and the G8 concept gives us a hint at the design it would have embraced.
