2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

Under the hood of the GXP version rests as American a powerplant as was ever born, the latest and (nearly) greatest version of the Small Block Chevy, now called the LS3. At 6.2 liters, it grunts out 415 horsepower and the same amount of torque. Why "nearly" the greatest? Only the ZR1 and Cadillac CTS-v's supercharged version could be any greater. While the G8 GT is served only with a six-speed automatic transmission, clutch-and-shifter types can opt for a six-speed manual. We tested both and found their accelerative performance nearly identical, favoring the stick by never more than a tenth or two. And the GXP does its thing on regular-grade fuel, although it will earn a gas-guzzler tax (final pricing was not confirmed as of this writing).

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