Pontiac's RWD Play

With introduction of the new Pontiac G8 this time next year, General Motors Corp. will try to satisfy two key consumer blocs that often aren't in perfect agreement.

Pontiac executives believe the Australian-built, rear-wheel-drive sedan is tailor-made for power enthusiasts, many of whom have long been lobbying for such a vehicle on Internet blogs.

A second, but no less significant market, is the family sedan seeker who wants something more powerful than the Saturn Aura but not quite as upscale as a Cadillac CTS.

Pontiac-Buick-GMC General Manager John Larson says the planned V-6 (and optional V-8) sedan is a “crossover” in terms of its potential buyer audience.

“It's real competitive with a lot of sedans in that segment, a lot of high-end premium sedans,” he says at the Chicago auto show.

This puts both the RWD Dodge Charger and Acura's TL sedan clearly in the G8's sights.

Bob Lutz, vice chairman-global product development, says about 30,000 units will be imported initially from Australia's GM Holden Ltd., which is adapting the G8 from its iconic Holden Commodore. They are built on GM's new Global RWD Architecture (Zeta), which will yield a multitude of vehicles for all markets.

Lutz expects the majority of the imports to be V-6 models to keep pricing competitive with the Dodge Charger, which stickers between $22,475 and $36,595.