2008 General Motors will be making sure there's no shortage of horsepower when it gets here
High-Performance 2008 Gms Unveiled2008 is looming right around the corner, and General Motors will be making sure there's no shortage of horsepower when it gets here. We already told you about the '08 Vette, now check out some of the other hot rides that will be hitting the showroom floor.
Pontiac G- SeriesAdding to an already impressive performance vehicle lineup that includes the 303-horse Grand Prix GXP and 260-horse Solstice GXP, the G6 GXP will be packing the optional LY7 V-6, which features 3.6 liters of displacement, DOHC, and four valves per cylinder to make 252 horses and 251 lb-ft. And in one of the most anticipated releases since the GTO, the rear-drive G8 GT will be storming our beaches armed with a 362-horse, 391 lb-ft 6.0L V-8 and six-speed auto/manual transmissions.
Cadillac CTSThe '08 CTS gets a healthy dose of power with an optional direct-injection 3.6L VVT V-6. Four valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams, and an 11.3:1 compression ratio help make 304 horses and 273 lb-ft from just 217 cubes! All-wheel drive and a six-speed manual trans are also available.
Buick Lacrosse SuperThe LS4 V-8 will attempt to pump some life into the LaCrosse Super, with ratings of 300 horses and 323 lb-ft. An updated exterior, interior, suspension, and 18-inch rims should help differentiate the Super from a standard LaCrosse.
HHR SSGM Performance Division got its hands on the HHR, and the result is the new HHR SS-a turbocharged, intercooled, direct-injection 2.0L Ecotec puts out 260 horses and 260 lb-ft of torque with the standard five-speed manual trans (235 hp with automatic). Backing the turbocharged engine is a standard GM Powertrain Sweden F35 five-speed manual transmission with a performance-oriented feature referred to as "no-lift shift," which allows maximum performance with the manual transmission-upshifts can be performed quickly without lifting the throttle. An FE5 suspension, validated on the Nrburgring, uses gas-charged, twin-tube struts and a 23mm stabilizer bar in the front, gas-charged monotube shocks and a 24mm bar in the rear, and stiffer bushings and 18-inch forged aluminum wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tires all the way around. Throw in 11.6-inch front and 9.8-inch rear disc brakes, performance fasciae, and spoiler, and the fact that this little puppy will pull .86g on the skidpad, go 0-60 in 6.3 seconds, do the quarter in 14.8/98, and top out at 150 mph, and we have a winner!
Please send all news and corrections to: rick.jensen@primedia.com, or mail to: GM High-Tech Performance, 365 West Passaic St., Rochelle Park, NJ 07662.