The first time I drove our long-term G8 GT, I thought to myself, "This is like driving a reincarnated Lotus Carlton!"
Understandably, it was an odd thought to have. But I think our G8's black paint, boffo power and European connection is what did it for me.
The Lotus Carlton, you see, was a modified version of a Vauxhall Carlton, the British brand's otherwise plebian midsize sedan. (The related European version was the Opel Omega.) Produced from just 1990 to 1992, the LC had a 377-horsepower turbocharged inline-6 and was painted a very dark green that was often mistaken for black. In 1990, it caused quite a stir for a sedan to have this much power and a 177-mph top speed.
Of course, the car was never sold here, but General Motors owned both companies at the time (and still owns Opel/Vauxhall). And now, there's a connection between the Pontiac G8 GT and the current Vauxhall VXR8 as both are V8 versions of Australia's Holden Commodore.
As Americans, we missed out on the Lotus Carlton. But 18 years later, you can buy a car that follows in the same spirit for a base price of just $29,310.
I also tracked down a couple videos about the Lotus Carlton.
This is a recent episode of England's Fifth Gear TV show clipped on YouTube. Vicki Butler-Henderson drives the new Vauxhaull VXR8 back-to-back with the iconic Lotus Carlton.
Also on YouTube. Tiff Needle (he's now on Fifth Gear) does a retrospective on the Lotus Carlton.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
dougtheeng says:
11:29 AM, 06/26/08
The G8 looks great in that pic, but it needs HIDs.
I enjoy the posts about this car but considering the amount of love/hate the G8 garners from the Edmunds readers, there have been precious few blogs about it. Maybe Edmunds staff don't like reading all the battling about G8 vs Accord vs ego's, etc....but still, would love to see more of this car.
cruiserhead1 says:
11:58 AM, 06/26/08
nice angle, it highlights the huge fender flares. In person, the car looks really aggressive and sporty. Those fender flares are really big... it looks great!
It's too bad this car came out to a $5 a gallon world, a year or two ago it would have killed!
1487 says:
12:59 PM, 06/26/08
HIDs would be nice indeed.
s197gt says:
01:23 PM, 06/26/08
i sooooo want one.
but yeah, terrible timing. a dealer by my house consistently has 8 or so g8's in their lot. i've only seen two on the street.
more g8 posts!
louiswei says:
01:27 PM, 06/26/08
"HIDs would be nice indeed."
Just get a HID kit, the cost is around $200.
ahightower says:
02:04 PM, 06/26/08
Yes, but does it do the Carlton dance?...
hondacura4 says:
03:35 PM, 06/26/08
I actually like the styling of this car but those hood scoops really bother me. Are they active or just there for looks? If they arent avtive is there a hood scoop delete option?
prndlol says:
05:41 PM, 06/26/08
This may sound unfair and unwarranted, but whenever i see this car i picture it ten years from now, booting down the street, rusting in interesting places (like the old W-bodies) and burbling due to a rotted out muffler.
altimadude00 says:
06:16 PM, 06/26/08
To my knowledge, the hood scoops are non-functional and there isn't a scoop delete option. I think the scoops are even present on V6 models.
However, all is not lost. My hopes lie in the after market to provide functional scoops and a ram-air kit down the road.
smrtypants44 says:
06:20 PM, 06/26/08
"Just get a HID kit, the cost is around $200."
There is a *HUGE* difference between a HID kit in halogen projectors and factory made HID projectors. They arent even in the same league output and glare wise.
compliance says:
09:25 PM, 06/26/08
stop spamming powdavis
SubyTrojan says:
11:33 PM, 06/26/08
"Just get a HID kit, the cost is around $200."
Louis, if you care about other drivers on the road, you shouldn't do this.
louiswei says:
11:56 PM, 06/26/08
"Louis, if you care about other drivers on the road, you shouldn't do this."
I don't! I just want my 6000k HID kit dang it!!
: )
SubyTrojan says:
11:59 PM, 06/26/08
"Other drivers" include Karen, me, and others.
opfreak says:
04:24 AM, 06/27/08
amazing seems more people care about aftermarket lights, then going 120.
dougtheeng says:
05:49 AM, 06/27/08
"amazing seems more people care about aftermarket lights, then going 120."
Speed isn't everything........
.....but it helps.
"Why does it remind me of a Batmobile. And a HID kit would be fiiiiiine. I'm gonna get mine from Autopartswarehouse.com. They're freaking cheap there."
Whats with all the spamming?
s197gt says:
08:05 AM, 06/27/08
i hear a hood sans hood scopes will be an option for '09.
joefrompa says:
08:15 AM, 06/27/08
Suby - I'd like to get a HID kit for my LGT....I've heard not much about glare, but plenty about how it doesn't have that nice firm "cut-off" line...
Honestly though the stock LGT projector headlights are already quite good.
G8 needs for Joe - 6-speed transmission, HID lights, revised front end (a little more character please), and revised taillamps.
I was looking at a G8's taillights the other day trying to figure out what they remind me of, when it hit me:
Have you ever seen a Simpsons episode where Milhouse loses/removes his glasses? His eyes are freakishly small and very, very wide-set.
Just like the G8's tail lights.
Joe
rayainsw says:
08:40 AM, 06/27/08
No hood scoop delete option, so far:
New for 2009 - "Pontiac G8
Deletions
Exterior color (25U) Stealth Blue Metallic
Exterior color (77U) Ignition Orange Metallic
New Features
Exterior color (17U) Maverick Silver Metallic
Exterior color (26U) Sport Red Metallic
Exterior color (39U) Stryker Blue Metallic
Exterior color (64U) Pacific Slate Metallic
(U2K) XM Radio (standard on all models)"
ahightower says:
08:42 AM, 06/27/08
"Have you ever seen a Simpsons episode where Milhouse loses/removes his glasses?"
HAHA!
huyracing says:
11:16 AM, 06/27/08
As if all OEM HID's are friendly to other drivers... Honda/ Acura OEM HID's are among the most offensive, as are those on the Range Rovers.
Aftermarket HID kits don't always blind oncoming traffic. It has to do with proper adjustment and the type of housing they are in.
Reflector housings are the big offender, but Projector housings such as those on the G8 are fine.
The problem with Halogen projectors is that they are not optimized for HID's, so you may not get a nice cut-off or an ideal distribution of light. Still, HID's dump out so much light, its pretty likely you will be able to see better.
Anyways, I'm assuming the G8 is running fine for there to be worthless posts such as this one. Nice car, but a note to car manufacturers... ALTEZZA LIGHTS ARE UGLY!!!!!!!!!!
PS. Magnacharger has a supercharger for this car. 460WHP 440WTQ! Sweet!!!http://www.magnacharger.com/