Turn Your Pontiac G8 Back Into a Holden Commodore
Ah, badge engineering. Where would our automotive marketplace be without it? When Pontiac released their new rear-drive G8, it was no secret that the "American" sport sedan was the product of slapping a new face and some badges on an Australian-market Holden Commodore. However, the folks Down Under at JHP Vehicle Enhancements have now created a kit for North American consumers to transform their G8s back to Commodore style.
A new hood, hood latch, hood insulator, front bumper fascia extension, upper grille radiator, front bar fascia, front bar absorber, and fog lamps round out the whole transformation package, costing just $1990. To get the full effect, we recommend opting for the Holden badges and wheel center caps, which run $150 each for a set of four.
For even more customization, G8 GT owners can spend $3880 and upgrade to a Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) enhancement kit which is essentially the same package of parts, but with a more serious design that mimics the Commodore HSV R8 and GTS.
+ Motor Authority: Holden Commodore conversion kit for Pontiac G8 (via Jalopnik)
Comments
Trinks
It all seems rather much just for the joy of having to explain to people what a Holden Commodore is and why you felt the need to replace an unblemished facia on your new Pontiac to pretend to have one. Ah, well.
Mark in Maine
Well, you'd have something that is very exclusive- if one goes for that sort of thing - might be kind of fun, people asking you, "A Holden? From Australia? What state is that in?"
mo
I wouldn't do it. I like the double hood scoop in the G8. I think the overall look of the G8 is more agressive than the commodore.
Russ Bellinis
I'm not sure Australia has that good a reputation for build quality, remember the Capri? G.M. doesn't either, but they are trying to improve the rep. If G.M. is doing as good a job of improving the quality as some have reported on this board, then I think most people would rather have a Pontiac than a Holden. If the build quality in the U.S. is improving on G.M. products but Australia is not, Pontiac will be in trouble.
mo
Russ,
2002 was my last year in Dubai. I used to drive a lumina SS, which is basically a rebadged holden commodore SS (has 325 hp, 355 lb-ft). It was great, the interior is 100 times better than my old '98 Impala SS. Performance is great as well, even though it was offered there back then only with a 4 auto. think about these facts:
the commodore is the best selling holden, best selling full size sedan in Australia. In 2002 and 2003, it was the best selling full size sedan in the middle east as well. I don't really know now its ranking in the mid east.
the commodore, reached the middle east and europe (i think) and now N.A with different names (Chevy Lumina, Opel Omega (I think) and G8).
Read the reviews about the GTO interior and quality build. and imagine this getting better since the newer commodore is enhanced compared to the previous model.
Damn I can't wait to try the G8.
SteveP
I wouldn't worry about Aussie quality - today's Commodores and Falcons are right up there with the best in the world. Ride quality still isn't in the league of, say, BMW, and the Commodore's GM 6 speed auto isn't as nice as Ford's ZF unit, but they've got great engines, rear wheel drive and excellent body fit and interior quality. As drivers' cars they're both great fun and seriously good value.
The days of the Capri are long gone in Oz (thank God!!)
P.S. Yes, I live in Australia and drive a BMW.
TheStig
The interior quality is not good at all. That's after sitting in FOUR of them at my local dealer. The one that impressed me the most was the one with the bottom part of the dash under the steering wheel falling off. World class? No.
Anonymous
You all suck for driving Pontiacs or Holdens or whatever the crap they are. How about that?
mo
somebody is surely constipated. here is my advice, you gotta include more fibers in your diet. Rice alone is bad.
GiMa
Sensitive subject? Must be a Pontiac owner.
Mena
You must be an asshole.
mo
who do you mean is "asshole"....... I hope that ain't me. I quite didn't get why you're pissed off, I really hope I ain't the one described as "asshole" as well.
GiMa
Name calling from mena, that's childish. Was your first new car a Pontiac? You'll get better with experience, maybe.
mo
ohh sh** I forgot you have a GXP. Never mind my reply to you.
Anonymous
pontiac gxp aint so bad i once owned a chevette
mo
no dude, I am NOT a pontiac owner. However, I was not satisfied by the way that person was talking. I never judge ppl according to what they drive. Even if some one doesn't share the same opinion with me about a car that doesn't mean that he sucks. If all have the same taste and opinions, life would be so boring.
Anonymous
We made the Crapies for you yanks? I never knew that. Bombadores are good for doughies and not much else. PS if you want good build quality by a Jap car, not some garbage yank car.
Anonymous
Oh, but badge engineering has worked so well for GM so far. Let see, they have lost almost 2/3 of their market share since the mid 70s, the lost $70B since 04 (yeah I know there were right offs in there, so what). Badge engineering started to fall apart when Olds charge about $500 extra for a Olds V8 vs. what Chevy charge for a V8 in the same car, but it was the same engine. A large number of the sheep that followed GM anywhere woke up and said that's crap. Meanwhile the remaining faithful have been dying off, along with GM.
GM's problems didn't start with oil prices or the credit crisis, or the union. GM is rotten from the top down to most of their dealers. I have witnessed that Chevy dealers with the same owner as other brands are more arrogant and dishonest. GM has brought these problems on themselves. They think they can do things their why. Once there was a significant market for crappy cars, but things change. That market is ever shrinking, and with it, GM's empire.
Now they want Chrysler, not because they want to compete at the top, but because they want to monopolize the crappy car market.
Unfortunately we will soon likely have direct taxpayer subsidized badge engineering.
VII
Preach! :D
~TheDarkWind
JimS.
I love the G8, but it is not a Pontiac. It is a Holden and those Aussies deserve credit for it. Pontiac, sadly, is dead.
rob from california
i love it. it'll probably ring the fools brains over at gm that this what we should be getting, and this is what the preferred look that is wanted. who the fuck wants to buy a pontiac?? that is the main reason for the gto bombed over here. i can't believe a company that started here in the states have most of the best cars over seas. really sad. no wonder the company is fucked.
Post new comment