Bob Lutz: Pontiac G8 will live on as a Chevrolet Caprice

[WILWAXU]

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/bob_lutz_pontiac_g8_chevrolet_caprice/index.html
FEATURES: Bob Lutz: Pontiac G8 will live on as a Chevrolet Caprice

July 11, 2009
By David Zenlea, Eric Tingwall

Only hours into his latest tenure at General Motors, Bob Lutz was back at what he does best, namely, slipping product information to the media and giving enthusiasts a reason to believe in the beleaguered auto company.

Asked about the future of the Pontiac G8 (http://www.automobilemag.com/am/2009/pontiac/g8/index.html), slated to end production with the 2009 model year, Lutz told Automobile Magazine the car would find its way into Chevrolet (http://www.automobilemag.com/new_cars/01/chevrolet/index.html) showrooms under the Caprice name.

"The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet," Lutz said. "It is kind of too good to waste."
CEO Fritz Henderson has repeatedly denied that the G8 would survive as part of another brand, saying he's "not a fan of rebadging."

But Lutz, citing export agreements with Australia and the fact that the Holden Commodore is already sold in many countries as a Chevrolet, assured us GM would not let the car die.

Lutz also confirmed that the Cadillac CTS (http://www.automobilemag.com/am/2009/cadillac/cts/index.html)-V Coupe (http://www.automobilemag.com/new_cars/02/coupes/index.html) was still very much in the pipeline, and noted that members of the government taskforce took special interest in the super coupe.

"When we went through design and looked at the future product, the procession stopped at the model of the Cadillac CTS-V (http://www.automobilemag.com/am/2009/cadillac/cts_v/index.html) Coupe," Lutz told us. "I think that some of these guys are personally going to buy CTS-V Coupes."

Lutz also noted that a CTS-V Wagon is still a possibility, saying, "I think that'd be fun. I'm sure we'll build at least one."

[LEO]

They need to call it something else then the Caprice.

[WILWAXU]

Yeah, that was my thought too. I'd like to see it as an Impala.

[Honda Nick]

I think this car could sell very well as a Chevy. It will probably be time to trade in my wife's 06 GTO around the time they hit the Chevy dealerships.

[Brains]

Impala is definitely the right marque to put on it.

[will69camaro]

Yea Impala over Caprice. May have emerged from bankruptcy but bad decisions are still being made! LOL

William

[01z]

why not just call it the chevrolet G8?

[Nine Ball]

Caprice would be such a FAIL name for them to use. Who wants to be reminded of shitboxes built with that similar name?

[Skill]

Caprice would be such a FAIL name for them to use. Who wants to be reminded of shitboxes built with that similar name?

There have been millions of Impala shitboxes built over the past 19 years. Let's not forget that a Caprice has never been FWD, and has rarely had anything other than a V8 power it. I realize they are associated with bling and police cars, but let's not forget that the Impala name is now exactly the same. The only thing Impala has is its history long ago, but that image is for shit now.

For the record, I'm biased. My first car was a '93 Caprice LTZ. It had a TBI 350, posi, leather interior, alloys, and an HD suspension from the police Caprices of the time. That to me sounds about like the formula they used to build the new G8/Caprice. Not such a bad name if you look at it that way.

[demonspeed]

I'll take it - a Lumina, that is...

http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2007/12/chevyluminass.jpg

[Streetnstrip]

I'll take it - a Lumina, that is...

http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2007/12/chevyluminass.jpg
x2 on that

[Andrew @ PlanetLSX]

I dunno, Lumina was more of a crapbox than a Caprice over here. :lol:

I also agree on being the next generation Impala. We use Impalas as company cars, though we'd never get a V8 one.

They'll make cool cop cars too. ;)

[kerryt1]

Here's a revolutionary idea: how about a new name?

[Nine Ball]

There have been millions of Impala shitboxes built over the past 19 years. Let's not forget that a Caprice has never been FWD, and has rarely had anything other than a V8 power it. I realize they are associated with bling and police cars, but let's not forget that the Impala name is now exactly the same. The only thing Impala has is its history long ago, but that image is for shit now.

You are forgetting one important thing. Impala has a HUGE fan/enthusiast base, from the old '60s cars and the LT1 Impala SS groups. Those guys are as diehard as it comes about those cars. They shunned the latest versions due to them being FWD. They would embrace this G8 derived example.

Caprice? No such fanclub. Marketing fail here.

[LEO]

They need to keep the Lumina SS front fascia on it and call it an Impala and be done with it.

[Z Fury]

How did I miss Lutz being un-retired? When did this happen?

[demonspeed]

I dunno, Lumina was more of a crapbox than a Caprice over here. :lol:

You are completely correct, but they at least raced Lumnia's in NASCAR :driving: :lol:

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2008/0411/rpm_g_tcruise_300.jpg

[Skill]

The important part is this...

Who gives a shit what it's called? Just embrace it, and quit whining. :lol: I'm happy as hell that Chevy is picking it up, and for all I care they could call it Beretta.

[Brains]

If it's a marque used in NASCRASH, does it really belong on a "real" car? :jest:

[demonspeed]

If it's a marque used in NASCRASH, does it really belong on a "real" car? :jest:

And the pot calls the kettle black... :D

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1197/654150330_69acae52aa.jpg?v=0

[Andrew @ PlanetLSX]

What's sad is that the car above looks NOTHING like a charger. :facepalm:

I don't see how they get away with calling it "stock car". I'd wager there's not a single production Charger part on that car.

[1969mach1]

They need to call it something else then the Caprice.

Chevy Nova :D

[Z Fury]

What's sad is that the car above looks NOTHING like a charger. :facepalm:

I don't see how they get away with calling it "stock car". I'd wager there's not a single production Charger part on that car.

The grill. :lol:


(If it weren't a sticker, that is.)

[davidadavila]

and the pot calls the kettle black... :d

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1197/654150330_69acae52aa.jpg?v=0


awwwwwwwww burn!!!!!!!

They need to call it the sex machine 8 sm8.........
That does not remind me of an impala, impala has to luck like a boat and lumina sucks i thinks those cars were the ugliest on earth

[southern69chevy]

What about chevelle.......and make a 2 door version down the road with a.......454 lsx lol

[StoleIt]

What about chevelle.......and make a 2 door version down the road with a.......454 lsx lol

Then it would compete with the Corvette and the Camaro. Not going to happen. Last thing GM needs to do is dilute their already questionable lineup.

I think Chevy is decently setup.
2 Performance Coupes (Corvette & Camaro)
4 Four Door Sedans (Aveo, Cobalt, Impala, Malibu)
9 Suv/Trucks (Colorado, Silverado, Avalanche, Equinox, Trailblazer, Suburban, Tahoe, HHR, Traverse)

[Ragtop 99]

Ironically, they could stick it in Buick if theydecide to try to revive that brand domestically. :eek:

[southern69chevy]

Then it would compete with the Corvette and the Camaro. Not going to happen. Last thing GM needs to do is dilute their already questionable lineup.

I think Chevy is decently setup.
2 Performance Coupes (Corvette & Camaro)
4 Four Door Sedans (Aveo, Cobalt, Impala, Malibu)
9 Suv/Trucks (Colorado, Silverado, Avalanche, Equinox, Trailblazer, Suburban, Tahoe, HHR, Traverse)

Well that means GM needs to step up the vette.....the BAM!!!! We have a win win situation.

[WILWAXU]

http://www.planetlsx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2415