Spied: Pontiac G8 and W427
August 29, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
We couldn’t believe it when Anthony was returning a press car last week and pulled up behind a convoy of at least six clearly badged Pontiac G8 cars travelling west near Lane Cove.
No covers or disguise whatsoever.
If that wasn’t enough excitement for a day, in the same convoy, he spies and shoots a W427!
The guy driving the W427 gave it a quick squirt and Anthony reports the car took off like a Top Fuel dragster.
Perhaps Holden are planning to send a few of the 427 W427s to the United States? Although the car was still in Right Hand Drive.
Would the Americans warm up to the idea of a 375kW (or 500hp in the old money) and 650Nm on tap 7.0-litre LS7 V8?
The car has already been confirmed for the UK market.
Print it: 
Like I said, this site is the king of spy shots in this country. I’d like one of those W427 cars in my garage if I won Lotto.
The US would probably get it alot cheaper aswell.
What’s the big deal about an undisguised Pontiac G8? The G8 is already on sale in the states and Canada (I’ve seen a few around Vancouver – nice feeling seeing the ‘humble’ Commodore on the other side of the world).
The GXP (HSV Club Sport?) will be the perfomance model but would be great if they modified a few W427s for sale here.
I have no doubt GM would evaluate the W427 for possible sales to the US. But I can’t see it being cheap, so I wouldn’t count on it fitting the acceptable price range for Pontiac’s over there.
I also think they’d be worried about W427’s performance rivalling the Corvette and stealing the limelight.
Nevermind, I’m sure the Poms will appreciate it.
As for the G8’s, given they’re already onsale in the US why there are test vehicles driving around now?
I hear the Commodore update is due in Sept, perhaps these cars are testing some of the updates we’ll see shortly…
for the same reason as why the cadillac CTS-V won’t be coming to australia, the W427 will not be going to the US. The dry sump lubrication system would have to be re-located to go into a LHD car and that would cost significant $$$. Considering HSV will already struggle to make enough of them to keep up with demand, i seriously doubt they will be bothered putting huge dollars into developing it for LHD when they are already at capacity making it. Doesn’t make any business sense at all
I see LHD “Pontiac” G8’s on a daily basis.
You too can see them if you travel near “FishermansBend” {blue}
NEVER seen a W427, well not yet anyway!! :-)
Cheers
F-0
I saw the 6 or so Pontiac G8s while i was walking to work in liverpool street in sydney.
I thought someone has modified the front end of a normal SS when i saw 5 follow the first one. It also said “warning left hand drive” on the back bumper.
I wonder why they are testing the G8s here for?
Maybe they are testing direct injection?
I`m really looking forward to the CTS in Aus…the CTS wagon looks like rat poop, the coupe is just awe inspiringly beautiful.
Yeah $150000+ plus for the w427 is a bit of a rip i`d rather an RS4 avant and the VE commodore is just getting boring that same design has been out since july 2006 without a series 2…and only a couple of year model changes along the way….come on holden? Where’s the facelift?
I’d be careful about posting those images up! Their taken from the drivers seat! I wonder if Anthony will get a fine or a slap on the wrist for this one if the cops find out!
Any guesses on what sort of car Anthony was in when he took the photos?
I reckon I know…
I saw about 2 Pontiac G8’s on the road in California last July.
Do cars still have ugly bonnet nozzle’s for the windscreen? they look terrible against the red duco.
G8 and W427, MEH.
I’d rather be in the silver alfa at the lights!
Well for an hour anyway….
Wonder if there’s a message about driving and taking photos … watching where you’re going isn’t that important I see.
My 2008 G8 GT was US$29,806 out the door a couple weeks ago with an MSRP of US$32,295. The GXP will likely have an MSRP around $36 – $38k. Add a W427 and the price would be absolutely outrageous… only a few diehards would buy. As it is now, G8’s are sitting on dealer lots collecting dust even with the current Employee Pricing promotion.
ive seen a w427 in joondalup, perth, western australia black one