Thread: The Pontiac that could have been

New HSV Lineup Reveals The Pontiac That Could Have Been



SV, GM's Australian performance division, unveiled its E-Series 2 lineup today. Featuring a twin-nostriled bonnet borrowed directly from the Pontiac G8, it's the performance lineup that could have built excitement for GM's recently-killed arrow-headed brand. Let's take a look.

Holden Special Vehicles, the performance unit from GM's Australian-owned subsidiary Holden, has officially unveiled its E-Series 2 lineup, showcasing its first major mechanical and styling update for the VE Commodore-based range of sports sedans. Recognize that twin-nostriled bonnet? You should. It's borrowed directly from the Pontiac G8. Basically, this lineup is what a performance lineup for GM's recently-killed Pontiac brand could have looked like.

Given our love of what could have been real "driving excitement," we've taken four of the new models and put together what could have been a real performance-based Pontiac brand for GM here in the United States. Welcome to the Cars of Future Past.


NAME: HSV Clubsport R8
FEATURES:
• All new front and rear design encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave' inspired theme.
• 317kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Competition Mode ESC
• Extended Cruise Control
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• Four piston front and rear brakes.
• All new E2 Sports 19 inch wheels
• Sports cloth seating as standard.
• SV Enhanced options include Performance suspension, bi-modal exhaust,
• Sports leather seats and 20 inch wheels.
WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN: An up-powered, Corvette-engined Pontiac G8 GT



NAME: HSV GTS
FEATURES:
• All new front and rear appearance encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave' inspired theme.
• Upgraded 325kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Hi-flow intermediate exhaust with bi-modal mufflers.
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) Performance suspension, stiffer and recalibrated.
• Four piston front and rear brakes. All new E2 Performance 20 inch wheels.
• Performance leather seats.
• SV Enhanced options include six-piston front brake callipers, finished in SV Enhance yellow with black HSV insignia and four-piston rears with unique wheel accenting.
WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN: Pontiac G8 GXP



NAME: HSV Clubsport R8 Tourer
FEATURES:
• All new front appearance encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave' inspired theme
• 317kW LS3 V8 engine
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• Four piston front and rear brakes.
• All new E2 Sports 19 inch wheels.
• Sports cloth seats as standard.
• SV Enhanced options include bi-modal exhaust, Sports leather seats and 20 inch wheels.
WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN: Pontiac G8 GT Wagon


NAME: HSV Maloo R8
FEATURES:
• All new front appearance encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave' inspired theme.
317kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• All new E2 Sports 19 inch wheels.
• Sports cloth seats as standard.
• Driver & passenger front airbags now include front, seat side & curtain side airbags.
• Addition of dual 8" subwoofers located in the rear cabin quarter trims. Audio output 170W.
• SV Enhanced options include bi-modal exhaust, Sports leather seats and 20 inch wheels.
WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN: Pontiac G8 "El Camino" ST

Source (and more pics):
New HSV Lineup Reveals The Pontiac That Could Have Been - pontiac g8 - Jalopnik

I'd say GM screwed the pooch big-time... I'd buy any of those Holdens...

Thread on NAIOA.

North American Impala Owners Association - Auto Everything (non Impala) - The Pontiac that could have been

Ack, picture is breaking the forums. Follow the link.

That's pretty sweet. I like the g8 look a lot. Not a fan of the el camino look alike

I want them all lmao time to leave the wife sell a house and move

holden has some sexy rides no lie there

Red one is ugly. IMO.

Originally Posted by KawaFord

Red one is ugly. IMO.

Originally Posted by 99prixgt

I am soooo FU%$In Sorry i came back on I hate effin clowns God Da%$ Not cool

Originally Posted by wickedintent79

I am soooo FU%$In Sorry i came back on I hate effin clowns God Da%$ Not cool

You're the one who quoted it so it appears twice in the thread now.

I like almost all of them. They're great designs and sell well in Aussie, unlike the stuff GM has been trying to push off on us for the last couple decades. If GM had started bringing Holden over as Pontiacs in the mid 90s, we wouldn't be in the situation we are today.

For specifics, I'd rock the wagon all day and night. LS3 powered wagon and I'm there.

Oh, and I fixed the first post so you can read it all.

yea id rock the wagon no doubt the elco one kinda reminds me of the ssr chev its not as ugly as it but I dont know you just cant bring back an elco

Wow those are sexy! I want a GTS! Its upsetting that gm put an end to pontiac.

all the hsv cars are ****in amazing. i want one. australians know what the hell they are doing when it comes to cars. anyone ever see fords australian company FPV??? ford performance vehicles... they are sooo ****in cool

these things need to come to the u.s.!!!

ok, i seriously freakin love the wheels on that red one. like, if anyone here has seen some like that please tell me what they are

Originally Posted by 2000GTP

all the hsv cars are ****in amazing. i want one. australians know what the hell they are doing when it comes to cars. anyone ever see fords australian company FPV??? ford performance vehicles... they are sooo ****in cool

yeah they make some nice cars. ford falcons are awesome

I've often thought about transferring to Australia too......... Nice cars

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

I've often thought about transferring to Australia too......... Nice cars

Word. I plan to retire there.

They sure have some cool cars there over the years. Ever seen there version of the Dodge Charger of the 70s? Looked completely different and some came with a Slant Six Hemi. They were capable of high 14s back in the day. Always thought those were cool.

I'd be driving a Holden for sure if I was over there...