VE Commodore SS becomes the Pontiac G8 GT
February 8, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Holden has finally confirmed that the VE Commodore SS is set to go overseas to the United States in 2008 – we reported this back in July last year. The VE Commodore SS will become the Pontiac G8 GT, whilst the Pontiac G8 seems to be powered by the Holden Commodore SV6 engine. Holden says that GM had a strong business model to bring the performance range of VE Commodore to the states given it’s design, engineering and performance of the VE Commodore SS had guaranteed its success.
Full production of the Left Hand Drive Pontiac G8 will commence at the Holden plant in Elizabeth, South Australia, towards the end 2007 as exports begin before the years end.
Holden Chief Mr Mooney said that the export program reinforced the global appeal of the VE Commodore, as well as Holden’s position in the GM organisation.
” This export program confirms VE Commodore is a vehicle designed and engineered to appeal to both local and overseas markets. It also highlights GM Holden’s rear-wheel drive expertise globally. A car developed in Australia can be introduced in the United States, the Middle East and South Africa with equal impact.
“The local market is changing and exports will continue to be integral to Holden’s success, as they have been for more than 50 years. This is an opportunity for Holden to optimise capacity and further improve efficiency as we work to meet the challenges of a changing market. Today’s announcement demonstrates the Australian automotive industry’s ability to deliver significant returns to the national economy.” Mr Mooney said.
This new export program is set to further expand the model range at Holden’s Elizabeth plant to 18 domestic and 15 export variants. Holden is quick to point out that it has exported over 750,000 vehicles in the last 50 years to every continent ( except of course Antarctica).
The 2008 Pontiac G8 lineup will offer two models: Pontiac G8 which is actually a V6 from the specs! And Pontiac G8 GT which is the VE SS Commodore.
Each will come with a host of standard features, including:
- Four-wheel independent suspension
- Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control
- Electronic stability control
- 18-inch aluminum wheels (19-inch wheels available with sport package)
- Seat-mounted thorax air bags and dual-stage frontal air bags for front passengers, with automatic passenger sensing system
- Roof rail side-impact air bags for both seating rows
- OnStar
- XM Satellite Radio
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Fog lamps
- Chrome exhaust tips
- Rear lip spoiler
A sport package will be available for both models and adds features such as specific wheels – including 19-inch aluminum wheels and performance tires on GT – a rear wing spoiler, leather shift knob, leather-wrapped steering wheel and alloy pedals.
Models
| Models: | Pontiac G8 and G8 GT |
| Body style / driveline: | 5-passenger, front-engine, rear-drive sedan |
| Construction: | unitized body frame, 1- and 2-sided galvanized steel |
| EPA vehicle class: | midsize sedan |
| Manufacturing location: | Adelaide , Australia |
| Key competitors: | Nissan Maxima, Dodge Charger |
Engines
| 3.6L V-6 (LY7) | 6.0L V-8 (L76) | |
| Application: | G8 | G8 GT |
| Type: | 3.6L V-6 | 6.0L V-8 |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): | 217 / 3564 | 364 / 5967 |
| Bore & stroke (in / mm): | 3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6 | 3.99 x 3.62 / 101.3 x 92 |
| Block material: | cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners | cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners |
| Cylinder head material: | aluminum | aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | dual overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing | valve-in-head; 2 valves per cylinder; roller lifters |
| Ignition system: | electronic individual coil-on-plug; individual cylinder knock control and extended-life platinum-tipped spark plugs | high-energy distributorless ignition; solid state direct-fire ignition w/ coil near plug and integrated ignition |
| Fuel delivery: | returnless, multi-port fuel injection | returnless, multi-port fuel injection |
| Compression ratio: | 10.2:1 | 10.4:1 |
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): | 261 / 194 @ 6300 rpm* | 362 / 270 @ 5700* |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): | 250 / 340 @ 3200 rpm* | 391 / 530 @ 4400* |
| Recommended fuel: | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Maximum engine speed (rpm): | 6900 | 6000 |
| Emissions controls: | evaporative system, single close-coupled catalytic converter, equal-length exhaust, single underfloor catalytic converter, positive crankcase ventilation, intake and exhaust cam phasers, electronic throttle control | evaporative system, close-coupled catalytic converters, positive crankcase ventilation, electronic throttle control |
| Estimated fuel economy: | TBD | TBD |
Transmission
| Type: | Hydra-Matic 5L40 5-spd automatic | Hydra-Matic 6L80 6-speed automatic | TR6060- six-speed manual |
| Gear ratios (:1): | |||
| First: | 3.42 | 4.03 | 3.01 |
| Second: | 2.21 | 2.36 | 2.07 |
| Third: | 1.60 | 1.53 | 1.43 |
| Fourth: | 1.00 | 1.15 | 1.00 |
| Fifth: | 0.75 | 0.85 | 0.84 |
| Sixth: | – | 0.67 | 0.57 |
| Reverse: | 3.02 | TBD | TBD |
| Final drive ratio: | 2.92 | 2.92 | 3.27 |
Chassis/Suspension
| Front: | multi-link MacPherson strut; direct-acting stabilizer bar; progressive-rate coil springs; fully adjustable camber, caster and toe |
| Rear: | four-link independent; progressive-rate coil springs over shocks; stabilizer bar; fully adjustable camber and toe |
| Steering type: | variable-ratio rack-and-pinion |
| Steering ratio: | 46-53 mm per revolution |
| Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: | 2.8 |
| Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): | 37.4 / 11.4 |
Brakes
| Type: | four-wheel disc w/ ABS; ventilated front and rear rotors; twin-piston front calipers; single piston alloy rear calipers |
| Rotor diameter (in / mm): | G8 front: 11.73 / 298 G8 rear: 11.89 / 302 G8 GT front: 12.64 / 321 G8 GT rear: 12.76 / 324 |
Wheels/Tires
| G8 | G8 GT | |
| Wheel size and type: | 18 x 8-inch painted aluminum | 18 x 8-inch painted aluminum (std); 19 x 8-inch painted aluminum (opt) |
| Tires: | P245/45R18 | P245/45R18 (std); P245/40R19 (opt) |
Dimensions
Exterior
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 114.8 / 2915 |
| Overall length (in / mm): | 196.1 / 4982 |
| Overall width (in / mm): | 74.8 / 1899 |
| Overall height (in / mm): | 57.7 / 1465 |
| Track (in / mm): | front: 62.7 / 1592 rear: 63.3 / 1608 |
| Curb weight (lb / kg): | Base: 3885 / 1762 GT: 3995 / 1812 |
Interior
| Seating capacity (front / rear): | 2 / 3 |
| Headroom (in / mm): | front: 38.7 / 989 rear: 38 / 965 |
| Legroom (in / mm): | front: 42.2 / 1071 rear: 39.4 / 1001 |
| Shoulder room (in / mm): | front: 59.1 / 1501 rear: 59.1 / 1500 |
| Hip room (in / mm): | front: 56.7 / 1439 rear: 58 / 1472 |
Capacities
| EPA interior volume (cu ft / L): | 124.5 / 3528 |
| Cargo volume (cu ft / L): | 17.5 / 496 |
| Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg): | 1000 / 454 |
| Fuel tank (gal / L): | 19.2 / 72.6 |
| Engine oil (qt / L): | 3.6L: 7.6 / 7.2 6.0L: 8.9 / 8.5 |
| Cooling system (qt / L): | 3.6L: 10.8 / 10.2 6.0L: 11.4 / 10.8 |
Click to read a review of the Holden VE Commodore SS
Print it: 
That looks horn for a 4 door family car. I think it will be a runaway success especially given that they have few other quality local products in the same category to compete with it.
This car will do well overseas. Top Gear will rave about it when they get to test one, America will love it and so will the Middle East. I wouldnt even be suprised to see it pop up in Europe in HSV guise.
Ford need to get some of their excellent FPV equipment into other markets as well.
This car will become one of the benchmarks for value for money performance motoring in countries where they are not afraid of anything bigger than a Golf.
Its only Australians who don’t seem to be proud which is fairly typical.
I agree,
I think it looks fantastic
the entire VE range looks really good
and the HSV body kits on the HSV range make the cars look absolutely superb! I am not a Holden fan usually, but I really really think Holden hit the jackpot with the design of the SS/HSV range.
Not a fan of Holden or the VE, But this does look pretty good. Especially when you consider the average uglyless of American cars.
Finding an export market is a very wise choice in todays market conditions.
As a fan of the TopGear TV Show, I would be interested in seeing their response to this car..
That does look very nice! I agree also, man some of the U.S cars are dog ugly, the SS should be a massive hit… good looks and the power to back it up.
In response to steane: Yes, it’s a great car, No, It looks crap in pontiac guise compared to the standard australian look. Finally, and most importantly, australians are VERY proud of VE.
This is Steane and I didn’t write that last comment…spooky?
Australians should be proud of the VE… just as the Japanese would have been proud of the Camry going overseas some twenty or so years ago. Good to see GM I mean Holden finally got their lol.
‘Jokes’ aside… really annoying all these holden adverts quoting crappy wheels magazine and mentioning their rorted awards. Fair enough the SS is decent, but they try to market the Omega as well as being a great car…sorry 180kw and a 4speed trans dont do it for me.
I’m not a fan of Holden for the most part but I am proud to see a car designed and built in Australia being exported to the US.
Of course the yanks had to take what is a pretty decent looking car and turn it into a dog’s breakfast but it’s still a big achievement to follow up on the Monaro.
Now we just need Ford Australia to take the local battle overseas. The economies of scale would greatly benefit Australia in general and hopefully give our local producers better chance of competing with imports.
I think it looks better than the local SS commodore. You can say you don’t like it but that is because you really aren’t used to the grill, I understand with the Pontiac GTO, but the lights on this do suit the grill. The Australian grill is to old and has been used for to long but the Pontiac one looks pretty sweet and maybe Holden should implement something like this or change their badge or maybe even become Vauxhall. The only commy I like in the new range is the SS (even though the VE looks far better than the VY and VZ because in the VZ it had sharp lights and a smooth body which in no way worked at all while this car has a Euro body which is like a slightly fatter 380 but it isn’t like the 380 is the only car with that type of body). To some it up, I would rather the pontiac G8 look over an SS even though I would not buy either.
The VE is one very nice looking car. I am also very proud that an excellent Aussie built car is going over seas. I too hope top gear get a hold off one and show the rest of the world what a nice car the VE is. Pontiac should have HSV built them a limited run of higher powered cars.
^
Why would they do that… the engine in HSV cars are from the U.S I believe, so they would just design their own car. Eitherway, the new HSV’s are prity nice, seen a couple of GTS’s around recently.
Damo I wouldn’t worry too much mate. With your grasp of grammer I don’t think you have to be too concerned about buying any new car in the near future.
I habe just bought a new VE SS ingnition orange with track stripes and to be honest i could not find a better car for the money (Ford FPV are still a nice car but to pricey for what you get) The car feals like you are on rails when taking those hard corners and pick up at low reevs is absolutely stunning. I looked at the SSV but for the extra 7,000 the extras are not worth it, I think this will sell very well in australia and overseas. YOU GOTTA GET 1
I’m drooling already, and I have a model year to wait yet before it comes to the states.
I’ve already started to lobby the wife for funding. Just hope the SS version will handle on par with an M3 4 door, plus I get much more room, and a price break to boot! So cool. Hope it does better than the GTO did up here. That too was a really quality product.
Thanks Australia!
If the G8 is anything like the GTO, it will be a success. I own an 04 and 06 GTO, and they both are excellent cars. I really prefer the 06, because of the extra power. People never really gave the GTO a chance. I admit the design was a little weak, but for performance, handling, and quality for $32,000, couldn’t be beat!!!! I will be buying a G8, just don’t know when, I may hold out to see if they make a G8 GXP model.
Just saw the pricing for the G8s on another site. US$27,595 (AU$31000) for the equivalent of our SV6, and US$29,995 (AU$34000) for the equivalent of our SS!!!! So basically, we design and buid the car, and then somehow, despite the cost involved in exporting a car, the cars exported to America are sold AU$10k cheaper (in the SS’s case) than we can buy it for here in Australia!!! Absolute BS.
G 8 looks wonderful. Front end resembles a late 1990’s model of the very popular Grand Prix. Look forward to a test drive!
Good to see the yanks getting more “standard” features than the Aussies, go figure, apparently we dont rate as highly as them.
Just hope we get a chop at the bonnet and fron body kit