This certainly qualifies as salt in the wound. The guys over at Motor Trend are reporting that the Pontiac GXP and G8 ST (sport truck) will be produced in Australia as Holdens, produced by Holden Special Vehicles, the performance wing of the company. The vehicles will be used as entry level performers in the HSV line. We’re seething with jealousy.
Both versions of the former Pontiac models will be backing 425hp LS3 engines. They will be equipped with Brembo brakes and they will be sporting GXP badges (presumably ones left over from the US production run?). They will have all the same suspension pieces that they had in America ( or in the case of the truck, would have had in America).
Differences? The nose is more agressive (we think it looks a little Evo-ish) and a quieter exhaust system to conform to Australian laws regarding vehicle noise.
Yes, the cars will reappear in the US as police cruisers but they will not be available for sale to the general public. Part of us is happy that the models have survived and we’re even holding out the most desperate of hope that they will find their way back to these shores badged as something other than a Poncho. Until then, we’lll just shake our fist at the lucky dogs in Oz.
Source — MotorTrend.com — Pontiax GXP Lives…Down Under
