There are some good points: The trans will hold gears at redline and not upshift. This doesn't make for pleasant engine noises, but at least the GXP leaves you in charge. Is it better than a plain, non-shiftable automatic in the twisties? Sure, but anyone who's driven VW's dual-clutch six-speed will find this setup appalling.
The GXP's brakes are great: solid, with immediate engagement, no mushiness, and good feel -- too good in fact, for the softly sprung suspension, which tends to send the 3500-pound coupe diving under hard stops. Steering is a bit numb on center, another great feature for a freeway cruiser that kills it in the canyons, but the car tracks well once you get the wheels turning. As the turns pile up, however, the GXP reflexes slow down dramatically, frustratingly -- this is not a coupe for the autocross course.
But America is not an auto cross course, nor is it covered with canyon roads, so for most Americans, the G6 will be a perfectly acceptable sporty coupe.
| 2008 Pontiac G6 GXP Coupe |
| Base Price | $27,105 |
| Vehicle Layout | Front engine, FWD, 4-pass, 2-door coupe |
| Engine | 3.6L/252-hp*/251-lb-ft* DOHC 24-valve V-6 |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Curb Weight | 3500 lb (mfr) |
| Wheelbase | 112.3 in |
| Length x Width x Height | 189.1 x 70.4 x 56.4 in |
| 0-60 mph | 6.0 sec (MT est) |
| EPA City/Hwy Econ | 17/ 26 mpg |
| CO2 Emissions | 0.96 lb/mile (est) |
| On Sale In U.S. | Currently |
* SAE certified