Ute becomes Pontiac G8 ST

GENERAL Motors’ US-only Pontiac brand has announced that “G8 ST” will be the name for its new Holden VE Ute-based pick-up truck when it goes on sale in the US in late 2009 as a 2010 model.

Pontiac said the simple G8 ST moniker was chosen from more than 18,000 model name candidates following its “Tame the Name” promotion, from which it emerged a narrow winner from sentimental favourite, El Camino - which was passed over because the original version was a Chevrolet, not a Pontiac.

Pontiac product marketing director for cars and crossovers Craig Bierley said the overwhelming response to its public invitation to name the model delayed a final announcement until each option was considered and cleared for trademark use.



“Frankly, we were blown away by both the volume and quality of the names that were submitted. ‘G8 ST’ was one of the most popular suggestions, plus we noticed a far broader trend toward simple, easy-to-remember names,” he said.

“El Camino was also a sentimental favourite, given the G8 ST’s resemblance to the classic Chevy. We actually thought very long about El Camino.

“In the end, we felt it was more appropriate to honour the El Camino’s unique place as part of Chevy’s heritage and not use that nameplate on a Pontiac.” GM Holden announced the landmark export deal to ship the VE Ute to the US in March this year, when it emerged at the New York motor show as the Pontiac Sport Truck.

Pontiac will market the G8 ST alongside the VE Commodore-based G8 sedan as “a sports car with truck-like cargo and towing capabilities”, claiming it creates a whole new segment that blurs the line between passenger cars and pick-up trucks.

In the US, the VE Ute will be powered by a 270kW 6.0-litre V8 with Active Fuel Management, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

With a stated payload of 453kg and a 1587kg towing capacity, it will come with GM’s “industry-best” five-year/100,000-mile (160,000km) powertrain warranty.

Read more:

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