Posted on 03/15/2008 6:42:24 PM PDT by MotleyGirl70
A few weeks ago we, along with our friends at PickupTruck.com, were given exclusive access to a vehicle whose return we've been anticipating for what seems like forever. Today our prayers to the General have been answered -- the El Camino is back! In January we reported this re-bodied Holden Ute would be called the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST, and like a Phoenix rising screamin' from the ashes of a bygone era of car-platformed trucks, this new heir to the truck-car throne would emerge from the over-built and over-spec'd world of modern haulers. Just like the Phoenix, this business-up-front and party-in-the-back sport truck looks a little younger, a little more refreshed and has a bit more hawkish figure, but don't be fooled by the disguise. If we play our cards right, it may end up retaining the legendary king of truck-car names, El Camino. That's right, more important even than the return of the truck-car to the General's fleet, is the news that this car will not be called the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST. In fact, they don't have a name. Instead, you are going to be able to help choose what GM calls it. That's right, enthusiasts across the country can have a hand in giving this sport truck back the name it so rightfully deserves - a name which still dances on the breeze and lives in the heart of every red blooded hoon -- "El Camino". With this in mind, we're beginning our campaign here and now to call this wondrous segment-bender the 2010 Pontiac G8 El Camino sport truck. Hit the jump for more on the Pontiac El Camino.
We're not going to spend a whole lot of time talking about the under-pinnings of the Pontiac G8 sport truck as it shares virtually everything but the nose, hood and interior with its brother from down under, the Holden Ute. We'll let the press release and video from PickupTruck.com handle that job. For the moment, yes, it's built on the same rear-wheel-drive platform also shared with the G8 ST's four-door non-truck brother, the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT. Fitting, don't you think, since Australia has picked up the wild-child mantle the US of A seems to have laid down as of late -- and what a wild child this is. The G8 sport truck boasts the same 361 HP 6.0-liter V8 found under the hood of the Pontiac G8 GT. Plus, the sport truck will lose much of the rear weight we've been told hampers the true tire-squealing abilities of this born-down-under import so we expect once behind the wheel, we'll in no time be bathed in the glorious clouds of tire smoke billowing from beneath the six-foot cargo box. Pontiac even claims a 5.4 second 0-to-60 time and unlike it's crude Malibu-based forefather, the latest pickup car will sport a modern independent suspension and fat rubber all around. Getting sideways will still be the most fun way through a corner, but we're betting it will be a lot less suicidal now with this new Pontiac G8 El Camino. But like we said, we already knew all this. No, the real story is how we're going to make GM call this the "El Camino." We've been told Pontiac will have a special website set up in just a few short hours to allow enthusiasts to submit their suggestions and we're hoping to rig the vote.
We've spoken with a number of high-ranking officials with the General and all tell us they'd support a Pontiac El Camino if it's what "the people" want. Who knows why they didn't just call it that in the first place. Perhaps they were scared of pissing off purists who could never see a non-Chevy El Camino. Perhaps they were concerned how it would fit into the General's grand alpha-numeric numbering marketing scheme for their "performance brand." Whatever the reason, let's show 'em how wrong they were. This is an opportunity for you, the readers of Jalopnik, to rise up and truly make this the most amazing day in the history of this site -- the day the El Camino returns! If you're a lover of the hoonage, defender of the truck car, and a member of the Jalopnik nation, you'll follow the link below to let GM know you want a name this car begs for. Do it for the mullet, do it for your country and our way of life. God bless America! Vote El Camino!
I don't understand all the car talk in the article but wanted to post this for the car enthusiasts out there. I don't know much about cars except for the basics of my own.
However, I do remember when I was young my dad's friend had a brown El Camino. The car was cool but the color wasn't.
well, maybe if you click on it... I have no idea why it won't post.
I’ve been lovin’ on that Holden for several years now.
I’m just miffed they’re callin’ it a Pontiac. That’s one of the ways the Big 3 lose market share, they take our memories, our culture, that we would have passed down, and bastardize like this.
EGAD!!!
Don’t tell Bill Clinton!
With the price of fuel on the rise as it is,
if they’d make a smaller and much lighter,
stripped down 3/4 sized version, with
an efficient 4 cylinder engine, then I’d
like to have one.
Looks like a Subaru Brat.
An astro turf special.
or even a 3 liter V6 would do quite nicely
And ugly as ever!
Yes, it might even be better.
Nice!
“f they’d make a smaller and much lighter,
stripped down 3/4 sized version, with
an efficient 4 cylinder engine, then I’d
like to have one.”
Then it would be totally useless!
I think we’ll see it in production but it will be powered by a modern, clean-burning circa 3.5-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine rated at around 245 bhp but with a torque peak like that of the 6.1-liter V-8 gasoline engine now proposed for the car. It will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
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