Pontiac G8 Wagon and Sport Truck Planned

[coolmazda5]

To be honest, the first time I saw a ute in Australia (years ago), this is what came to my mind (see pics) .

Now, this ute is way ahead of course. My guess is that if it ever comes it will be for a niche market, not mainstream. Pricey, scarce and with market focus on El Camino nostalgic owners (just ask in California, they loved that thing).

 

[TinmanMS6]

if you make it able to tow 5000 pounds like the Caprice and Roadmaster could, i will love you forever.

Oh, if I could make one of these my "tow b****" for autocross, I would be in heaven.

 

[BlackCherry06]

They're bringing this "car-truck" to a market that has nearly done away with the regular cab pickup. Who, besides small courier businesses and utility companies buys pickups with no room behind the seats? Not the American public. Fail.

The wagon will do 'ok' at best, but likely won't do any better than the Magnum as it's basically an identical concept. Until the SUV is de-throned as America's favorite wagon, there isn't much room for these in the marketplace.

In their defense, the sedan is gonna kick ass on American and European competitors.

 

[TinmanMS6]

The wagon will do 'ok' at best, but likely won't do any better than the Magnum as it's basically an identical concept. Until the SUV is de-throned as America's favorite wagon, there isn't much room for these in the marketplace.

Well, if this has as nice of an interior as the new Malibu, this should be years ahead of the interior quality of the Magnum. Plus, if there's a manual option, it will be more popular with enthusiasts.

Manufacturers bring big pieces of s*** over here, and then say "See, America hates hatchbacks, wagons, and baby Jesus."

 

[Foolish]

Manufacturers bring big pieces of s*** over here, and then say "See, America hates hatchbacks, wagons, and baby Jesus."

...and yet they can't get over this idea that we love SUVs/CUVs, which by the way, are just "manly" hatchbacks/wagons/minivans.

 

[mikeyb]

SUVs are doomed in the near future. Especially with 5 to 7 dollars a gallon for gas. I welcome their doom.

 

[TinmanMS6]

...SUVs/CUVs, which by the way, are just "manly" hatchbacks/wagons/minivans.

Most of the time, they're not even that. Is a CR-V more manly than, say, an S4 Avant? I think not. It'll haul less crap, too.

 

[txmzdspd2gen]

Looks nice, I saw a protege 5 done like that way back in the days and people liked it just that its not going to be a big hit in sale.

 

[genericuser]

SUVs are doomed in the near future. Especially with 5 to 7 dollars a gallon for gas. I welcome their doom.

Bring on the funky turbocharged microcars!!!!! (yippy)

 

[Hughes412]

GM haters, all of you! (rant)(blah)(dark)
No really, the SSR flopped because it was a waist of money. They make a truck that isn't a truck. You couldn't use the bed for anything, it couldn't tow anything, and it was a 2 seater that was 2 heavy to race. IF Gm brought this sport truck and gave it a 4500 or more towing (like the magnum) a good V8 with the optional sport handleing package it would sell quite well. I would love something that is like that. Take it to the drag Friday night and lows Saturday morning. Kill two birds with one stone. That's why the El Camino did so well for so long. The only reason it died was the loss of power and the ugly 80's looks. The last cool one was the SS (Monte Carlo) El Camino

 

[mikeyb]

GM haters, all of you! (rant)(blah)(dark)
No really, the SSR flopped because it was a waist of money. They make a truck that isn't a truck. You couldn't use the bed for anything, it couldn't tow anything, and it was a 2 seater that was 2 heavy to race. IF Gm brought this sport truck and gave it a 4500 or more towing (like the magnum) a good V8 with the optional sport handleing package it would sell quite well. I would love something that is like that. Take it to the drag Friday night and lows Saturday morning. Kill two birds with one stone. That's why the El Camino did so well for so long. The only reason it died was the loss of power and the ugly 80's looks. The last cool one was the SS (Monte Carlo) El Camino

it was a waist? You mean waste? Just picking on ya.

No I'm not a GM hater.

 

[crashkelly]

i got in late on this thread...but why God?...why?

 

[BlackCherry06]

I don't hate GM either...they're producing some outstanding new products. Tahoe, Sierra, Sky, Aura - all cars I'd consider if I was in the market for anything like them. I just don't see where something as limited as a new-world El Camino could do anything positive for their bottom line in a time when their bottom line is in serious trouble. I understand their desire to get the most out of the G8 platform, but this is really reaching.

The SSR was a Cruck specifically for those with disposable income to spend on somthing that looked like nothing else on the road, having absolutely no practical use beyone transporting 2 people in style (and style is often subjective). The El Camino is extinct because it had no redeeming qualities to justify its continuing existance. Modern pickups do everthing it can do, and better, unless sheer handling prowess is your priority where a top-heavy pickup would fall behind a lower-slung vehicle. But in the categories befitting a truck (hauling, towing, pulling, climbing, etc) an El-Camino type vehicle offers nothing against a Silverado. So, if they build it, it's in fact going to be exactly like the SSR, maybe with a little hauling and carrying capability, but mostly for show and the 'look at me' factor. They won't sell enough of them to break even.

 

[TinmanMS6]

I drive an '07 Avalanche, and my wife has an '08 Impala as her work car. I like my Av, if it weren't the size of a small schoolbus, and the Impala's OK, but it's a fleet car, so it's obviously nothing terribly impressive. I've been in nicer ones, though and they're not bad.

I'm a big advocate of the newer cars GM is coming out with. I just wonder why it was preceded by so many decades of s***.

 

[BlackCherry06]

"I just wonder why it was preceded by so many decades of s***."

The beancounters had more authority than the design department.

 

[genericuser]

i got in late on this thread...but why God?...why?

because it is awesome.

 

[dmitrik4]

Oh, if I could make one of these my "tow b****" for autocross, I would be in heaven.

EXACTLY.

 

[TinmanMS6]

EXACTLY.

It's not often you can take some time-only runs in the tow vehicle, and actually put down some decent times.

 

[StealthWyvern]

To be honest, the first time I saw a ute in Australia (years ago), this is what came to my mind (see pics) .

Now, this ute is way ahead of course. My guess is that if it ever comes it will be for a niche market, not mainstream. Pricey, scarce and with market focus on El Camino nostalgic owners (just ask in California, they loved that thing).

nice I forgot all about the vw caddy pickup. I think its the only fwd pick that was ever produced... And their is a bid niche for those things because my old rusted otu one sold for over a grand.. and it was beat al to hell.

 

[TinmanMS6]

nice I forgot all about the vw caddy pickup. I think its the only fwd pick that was ever produced... And their is a bid niche for those things because my old rusted otu one sold for over a grand.. and it was beat al to hell.

That hurt to read.