We Need a Pontiac G8 Wagon

There, we said it. We want Pontiac to build a station wagon version of its upcoming G8 sedan. You see, the G8 is based on an Australian GM product called the Holden Commodore. Well, today GM revealed the wagon version of that car because, in Australia, folks — hold on to your hat — prefer wagons to SUVs.

Now, Pontiac could easily get away with adding a wagon to the G8 lineup. The Dodge Magnum proved you could sell a RWD wagon in the U.S., and Pontiac wants to shy away from non-car products — meaning SUVs. This would be a perfect fit. The 362-hp V-8 engine in the G8 GT would be great, but the 261-hp V-6 wouldn’t be bad either if you just wanted the utility.

What do you think? Are American soccer moms and dads ready for another big, bold station wagon? More photos below to help you make up your mind.

Comments

Add AWD as an option and I'll buy it over the Magnum anyday. This has the lines on the side of an Audi A6 Avant, very nice.

PS: It needs a rear facing third seat and a Buick version called the Roadmaster!

Pontiac should build this wagon. A G8 sport wagon would compete very well against Volvo V70, Ford Taurus X, Dodge Magnum, and Audi Avant vehicles.

As an Australian residing in Los Angeles, the popularity of SUVs in the States baffles me. Even with our somewhat less than well-maintained local roads, a lot of dirt tracks, and the popularity of trailer towing; we get by with the ol' station wagon just fine in Australia. As to why someone here who never leaves the city, is on a 10-lane freeway 90% of the time, and may only haul around a kid and a dog periodically needs a lumbering SUV is a cultural difference I still don't understand.

As far as the car; it looks superb! If it made it over here, it would be a strong competitor for the Dodge Magnum. Can't wait to go home and see one in person!

This should be built ASAP. The Magnum craze is dead & gone now.

It is a very small market. Is this something GM wants more of - low sales in a niche market?

Sales are sales as far as GM is concerned, and to have a couple more Holdens rebadged as Pontiacs wouldn't be to hard.

But, unfortunately, after proving for years that they cannot buy a car that fits their needs, I think Americans will still probably buy an SUV over this. Face it, most small and midsize cars easily do everything a soccer mom needs, but they won't buy them because they are to stupid to buy them.

in favor, maybe it can replace the malibu maxx.

espyj, I hope you were joking: one thing this does *not* need is anything named Buick being remotely similar to it!

im not crazy about the lack of a center head restraint and fixed outboard head retraints, but the idea is pretty cool. it looks more like a hatchback than a wagon, which could help it sell.

If wagon really sells, then why does Focus dropped it? Mazda6 dropped it? Subaru Legacy dropped it?
Yep, I love station wagon myself, and I can go on for a whole day why I love it, but does the market/general public think this way too?

Personally I like wagons.

And I like this one.

But I don't think it will sell.

Perhaps if GM did something REALLY radical, and sold them "unoffically"?

They used to do stuff like that in the 60's when option packages became legendary.

"I'd like a G8, with the ST-W package. I'll pay cash. When can I get delivery?"

No marketing money, no unsold units left on dealer lots, Just sold by word of mouth and internet.

Briliant!

I am a soccer mom, I love wagons, and this one is beautiful. I would seriously consider this vehicle on looks alone. A major problem is the fixed rear outboard head restraints. If this is the case, child safety seats become nearly impossible to fit correctly. www.motherproof.com

I agree with Tom L. Americans just seem to want big gas-guzzling SUVs even if they don't need them. Look at all the soccer moms driving big H2 Hummers and Excursions (at least here in Texas) and then they want to complain about the price of gasoline.

I think the time for station wagons is coming. They are very popular with Europeans and Australians already due to their utility and better EPA ratings and they are as safe or safer than trucks and SUVs. I'd buy one.

I agree with Tom L. Americans just seem to want big gas-guzzling SUVs even if they don't need them. Look at all the soccer moms driving big H2 Hummers and Excursions (at least here in Texas) and then they want to complain about the price of gasoline.

I think the time for station wagons is coming. They are very popular with Europeans and Australians already due to their utility and better EPA ratings and they are as safe or safer than trucks and SUVs. I'd buy one.

I too would love this option of a wagon. I also agree with those who said Americans will not buy it, too fixated on the idea of an SUV. I like the idea of both hatchbacks and wagons simply because they can carry stuff a sedan cannot. If I had to take a guess at why people choose SUVs over wagons it would have to be a social status thing, wagons traditionally are viewed as more on the practical side not viewed as very exciting. When we had gotten our Malibu Maxx we chose it over SUVs even from the same company because of less cost, better gas mileage and better handling.

For those that have a place to store it I think the best alternative to a pickup truck or an SUV for hauling big items in is a utility trailer. Not ideal for all but it has allowed us to stay away from those bigger vehicles and saves gas when not needed.

Zerf

1st, the American market moved from Truck based taller SUV's to Car based shorter CUV's, since they gave better mileage, next step is to move from CUV's to Wagons which are even shorter and can give exactly the car like mileage.

But there is 1 constraint here, if its sold as G8 Wagon, then it may may not sell, since people dont like the word "WAGON", instead it should have a distinct name like Dodge-Magnum. So GM may call this product like W8 or U8 or M8 where W, U and M stands for Wagon, Utility and Max respectively.

That way people can differentiate it from G8 which is Sedan. Adding a 4-W Drive may help some people who want better grip. Not only the Wagons have 50% more cargo space, but also the folded rear seat gives a room like space in which we can carry bikes or mini-fridge.

High gas prices are definitely biting and SUV's, Minivans and Pickup sales are going down.

Gas prices are 50 cents more than Oct-2006 especially Mid & Premium are 55 cents more.
http://www.aaafuelgaugereport.com/

I would prefer one over an SUV. Unfortunately, even if they did offer it they would not offer the manual transmission with the V8, which would also be my preference.

This wagon looks fantastic. If it lives up to what the G8 is promosing, then this is the logical choice if you have a family and the need to haul things. Wagons are popular overseas in europe and look/drive sporty enough to not quelch driving pleasure. The problem here in this country is that folks look back to the old wagons, which were built to move people and not preserve drving pleasure. we neeed to get away from the bigger is better mind set here in te states and build vehicles that are sensible.

last month the Magnum sold 3600 units. 22,342 for the year so far. Down from last year's 32646 for the same time period last year. 2006/2007 totals were 40 and 50000 total sales respectively.

The Pontiac Torrent sold 3403 last month and 26,141 for the year so far vs. 33,925 the year before.

So the Torrent is exactly the same amount of "niche" vehicle in my mind if you look at just sales. Considering the torrent is less money that's not a good sign.

I say replace the Torrent with a G8 wagon and you have some sizzle in the showrooms. Something Pontiac is sorely missing.

Fixed rear headrests would not make it to the U.S.

CRV and Escape are selling in 15,000 - 20,000 units range / month. Torrent may also sell if GM promotes them well.

Anyway, the best selling Pontiac vehicle is G6 which sells in 10,000 range and no idea as how many of them were sold to fleets.

For higher sales #, they should move this to Chevy make. Certainly the vehicle looks very good. But GM should do something to increase the vehicle mileage.

Anyway with high gas prices, G8 with V8 engine wont exceed 5,000 in sales.

I think Aussies know how to design cars/wagons which look good and still don't look like copycats.

If they can squeeze in a third row children's seat (Just like found in some Volvo wagons and now discontinued and ugly Taurus wagons) I would consider it instead of my minivan. Ofcourse pricing is also an issue. It cant be much more expensive than Odyssey or Sienna; otherwise I would buy these.

If Pontiac can keep up the quality of these G8's then they definitely have a winner.

Dave,
If you are using the Torrent to compare, I have to be honest.
Out of all the car commercial that I have seen in motown, I really can't rememeber seeing one about the Torrent.

This wagon looks awesome! I may be a bit biased as the owner of a Mazda 6 SportWagon, but the profile is decidedly Mazda which is great. I sure hope Mazda revisits the market with the next generation 6. I chose the wagon over SUV for size, handling and gas mileage.

all the torrent needs is a redesign and a better, more fuel efficient engine. right now, the Torrent's interior is just ok. it seems a bit outdated and really isnt the best. if GM can redesign it and follow the recent trend in their vehicles to improve the interior to better compete with other SUVs in its class, the Torrent could take away some sales from Toyota and Honda. Also, if they could make the powertrain more efficient with a 6 speed auto, like the one in the G6, then Pontiac will ahve a really great SUV.

dont forget the new Vide thats coming soon.

Hatchbacks are better sellers than wagons simply because they arent wagons. still, there are quite a few passat wagons in my area. also, the focus and the mazda6 are no longer offered as wagons only for cost-cutting for Ford.

GM has said Pontiac is not going to be making SUVs in the future so I don't expect the Torrent to return with a Saturn Vue like redesign. I'd expect the Chevy Equinox to get that and perhaps GMC to get one instead of pontiac since the Acadia has shown they can sell non-truck based SUVs to the truck crowd.

I think for the person who said the G8 won't hit 5000 in sales is a bit off his rocker. At the price, with cylinder deactivation in the V-8 and a V-6 base model and the interior I think it will sell very well. A wagon version I can see selling less.

As for wagons, they seem to do well among the enthusiast crowd (A6, Magnum SRT etc) so a V-8 powered G8 might fit that group better than say a Mazda6 (which is a totally underrated car).

Great vehicle!
Brand it as a Chevy and it will sell.
Better option than a minivan. It is capable of taking on Japan and Europe and winning the market.

As an Australian reading these comments - it makes me laugh. Pretty much everything you guys ask for in this car - we here in Oz - get - whether it be a Holden, Ford, Toyota, Merc whatever.
Where's your freedom of choice - you have to start questioning what you are being offered by your big car companies. They are dictating the terms of what you should be driving. The big car companies love you to buy SUVs - because they are cheap to build and don't have to comply with relevant car safety standards.
I've lived and worked in North America for a few years and I was staggered by the appalling quality and the lack of real choice Americans accept from their own corporations.
I own a 2007 Commodore (and will be buying the wagon when it comes out) - it is far superior to anything I drove in the US that was designed and built by Americans.
You guys have got to start demanding better - the G8 - sedan or sportswagon - will be a good place to start.

Thank you John! Being an Aussie as well it is astounding how mundane American lineups are. Sure we have generic Falcons and Commodores, but even they seem more exciting (and better built) than comparable U.S. Ford and GM products.

Love this wagon. Hate SUV's; they ride like trucks & you need a ladder to get in one if you are short. I need the storage this offers. A rear facing third seat would be nice, but I think it would require too much redesign. As it is, I would buy this if offered to America. What's with the love affair with ugly SUV's? America didn't learn a thing from the Carter years gas crisis. This wagon does everything an SUV could do on less fuel.

It won't have any real competition, atleast from American brands. The Magnum has been eliminated from Dodges lineup.

I agree that the wagon would serve the purposes that alot use SUV's for. However if it's only offered in RWD, forget being able to get around like an SUV with AWD/4x4 would. Also a station wagon is going to be able to tow the way alot of SUV's can. Small trailers yes, but don't think a wagon will be towing a 5,000 - 6,000 lb trailer. I think the wagon would be a big seller, but some people DO need what an SUV has to offer. And with the 362 hp variant don't think it's going to get exceptional gas mileage.

And by get around the way an AWD can I mean in regards to snow. You don't get snow in LA or Australia. I don't t hink they will offer an AWD version of this.

I read on another site that GM is seriously considering the wagon & Commodore Ute(like a Chevy ElCamino) as G8's for the USA! Stay tuned!

Wow. This is one drop-dead, gorgeous car - wagon or no. Personally, with a young family, this is just the kind of car I'm looking for. Utilitarian AND sporty. I wouldn't rule this car out as a viable option for the American public. SUV's are a relatively recent craze and the automotive world tends to go through fads. We're not quite through with the SUV craze, but this G8 is definitely NOT your mother's Buick Roadmaster! I am a New Englander and while Hummers may be the "big" think in Texas, Volvo and Audi and Subaru sportwagens are definitely popular in the northeast. Add all-wheel drive and you've got yourself a status-mobile that would add to the nascent revival in Pontiac's tarnished prestige. I'd also keep an eye on the reception of Volkswagen's new Jetta sportwagen for '09. That car will come equipped with a diesel TDI engine that can get up to 50-55 MPG on the highway and will deliver plenty of power. SUV's have recently been evolving into "crossover" vehicles that have car-like profiles, so I think the evolution back to a cooler version of the station wagon is already well underway. Pontiac would be very foolish not to give this car a real chance in the US market. It will not be a sales leader, but it doesn't have to be in order to help boost the brand image.

VERY nice looking car. I own an Audi A4 Avant 3.0 with a 6 speed. I love it! It's not my Dad's '65 Chevy Impala Station wagon. When I tell people that I drive a wagon, they look at me funny. They have a picture of a lumbering highway boat in their head. If more car companies put out wagons that look like this G8 and the German wagons, maybe attitudes will change. The added pressure of CAFE might help attitudes change as well. All Pontiac has to do is offer the wagon in a 6 speed all wheel drive GT and I might walk into a Pontiac dealer.

Hey Guys,
I need a G8 wagon.
At present I have a Magnum, and with production ceasing 2008, I need a replacement.
Why,
one disabled wife and a wheelchair, the low wagon gives ease of entry and the wheelchair slides easily in the back.
Come on GM give the consumers a break and get this vehicle here soon.

To the folks at Pontiac, I am ready to place my order now. I am donating my present car to my son. It is a 2004 Saab 9.5 Wagon, and a super car. Fast as hell, great mileage, never a problem in 4 years, paddle shifting, and very safe. If the G8 wagon is half as good, and my Saab represents the kind of quality that GM is building, let me have one.

Having read back through some of the previous comments, I feel I should add my 2 cents. In October, 'Rich B' wrote that if it was badged as a Chevy then he would buy it. When this car and the G8 are sold to the Middle Eastern countries they will be sold as Chevys. A badge is just a badge and the fact that Holden is selling Chevy badges in Australia for people to replace the Holden Lion on thier Pontiac GTO with a gold Chev badge proves 'Rich B's point. Chev is seen as a better brand around the world.

Also in the near future is a pick-up style version of this car that we call the ute. If you can imagine a 2 door version of the wagon with only the front bit of roof with the same engine/drive train formula then this will be one fun car to drive.

The previous model of this wagon in Australia had an all wheel drive version called the Adventura. It sat a little higher off the ground and weighed a lot more but was not as well designed as the sportswagon. The guards had add on flares that cheapened the look and fuel economy was terrible. It didn't really take off in Oz as Ford introduced it's Territory. The Territory made Holden's Adventura look like it was thrown together when Holden heard Ford was making a 4wd with shared components from it's G8 rival, the Falcon.

If you want to see the above mentioned cars, google search, 'Holden Adventura', 'Holden Ute', 'Holden Commodore', 'Ford Territory', 'Ford Falcon'

I want the wagon too. I won't by the sedan. I've complained for years that Americans have fewer choices than Europe or Asia Pacific in cars. I've also marveled at the anti-wagon sentiment from the US car companies. Volvo, Audi, Mercedes, and BMW all offer them. I wish I could buy this one tomorrow.