autos sport

To be honest, we were expecting something more exciting from Pontiac as the Holden Commodore based G8 GT SEMA Edition is nothing more than a stock G8 GT 6.0L V8 with a custom orange exterior paint, orange-accented interior components, enhanced brake and suspension package, and 20-inch alloy rims. How about some goodies from Holden’s HSV department guys? -High-res images and press release after the jump

PRESS RELEASE: PONTIAC G8 GT SEMA EDITION

Designed for enthusiasts who are passionate about performance, the all-new Pontiac G8 performance sedan – arriving at dealerships in early 2008 – is the first North American application of GM's new global rear-wheel-drive architecture. The V8-powered G8 GT SEMA Edition was displayed at the '07 SEMA Show with a host of tuner-inspired custom touches, including a hot orange paint scheme with matching leather seat inserts, door panels and instrument panel pad.

Under the hood is the production 6.0L V-8, rated at 361 horsepower (268 kW) and 385 lb.-ft. of torque (520 Nm). A six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control backs the powerful small-block engine and complements a four-wheel independent suspension outfitted with unique 20-inch wheels and performance tires.

The G8 GT SEMA Edition car is equipped with production equipment that includes:

• Standard ABS and traction control augmented by high-performance HSV brakes
• Electronic stability control
• 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 with available Turn-by-Turn navigation
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Fog lamps
• Quad polished stainless steel exhaust tips
• Rear lip spoiler

Complementing the SEMA Edition is a series of modifications, including:

• Custom orange exterior paint
• Orange-accented interior components, including seat inserts, door panels and instrument panel pad
• Enhanced brake package with drilled and slotted rotors
• Lowered performance suspension package
• Twenty-inch wheels with performance tires

The G8 has a progressive styling package highlighted by strong Pontiac design cues, such as a dual-port grille, fog lamps, bold wheels and a confident, wheels-at-the-corners stance. The car's design accents Pontiac's performance lineage, with fenders that flare over the wheels, seemingly hugging the wide tires and enhancing its athletic stance.

Distinctive elements include hood scoops and front fender vents, as well as projector-beam headlamps housed in crystal-clear lenses. At the rear, taillamps feature bright detail work surrounding the red lighting elements