2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS IN SPORT SEDAN SEGMENT
08/01/2007
Pontiac
Performance, functionality and a sporty profile converge in the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix and Grand Prix GXP. No other sedan offers such a spacious interior, advanced safety and convenience features and nimbleness. Three new exterior colors have been added for 2008, including Gold Mist Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Dark Slate Metallic.
The 2008 Grand Prix lineup features the well-equipped base model and the performance-minded Grand Prix GXP. The base Grand Prix is powered by the popular 3.8L V-6, producing 200 horsepower (149 kW). The 303-horsepower (226 kW) GXP is equipped with a 5.3L V-8. A four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts forms the basis of the Grand Prix's handling package, and provides a smooth, street-connected ride.
Inviting interior
Standard cloth seating and available leather surfaces on the 2008 Grand Prix provide the driver and passengers stylish comfort. Grand Prix interiors showcase climate control and HVAC outlets for the rear seat, two power outlets, rear reading lamps, electronic cruise control, a driver information center, remote keyless entry, power programmable door locks and ample interior storage.
The base Grand Prix comes standard with an AM/FM CD player, and the GXP model features an upgraded nine-speaker Monsoon system. Both models offer an additional range of excellent AM/FM stereos with CD/MP3 player, navigation system and six-CD changer.
The Grand Prix's standard 60/40 split-folding rear seats, rear seat pass-through and an extra-wide trunk opening make it easy to carry large objects. Items as long as nine feet can be accommodated with the trunk closed when the available fold-flat front passenger seat is used. Ingress and egress is easy for passengers and cargo, with the rear door swinging open to a segment-leading 82 degrees.
Complete personalization
A number of packages are offered for the base 2008 Grand Prix that allow owners to personalize their ride inside and out. These packages expand the appeal of the Grand Prix by offering features customers expect on high-end performance sedans. Package options include:
Premium: dual-zone automatic air conditioning, leather-appointed front bucket seats with a passenger-side map pocket, front passenger flat-folding seatback, cargo net and heated driver and front passenger seats
Premium Light : illuminated visor vanity mirrors, front and rear reading lights and an overhead console with sunglass storage
Preferred: two-way driver lumbar control, remote vehicle start, cargo net, front passenger folding seatback, leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, leather-wrapped shift knob, driver information center and chrome interior accents (plus all the features included in the Premium Light package)
Security : head curtain side-impact air bags, four-wheel anti-lock, four-wheel disc brakes, Enhanced Traction System and powertrain modulation
Special Edition : 17-inch aluminum wheels, 17-inch touring tires, stainless-steel dual exhaust with dual outlets, body-color grille, front and rear fascia extensions and side rocker panels
Sun and Sound: power sunroof, Monsoon premium nine-speaker system and AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer
Safety and convenience
Grand Prix's convenience and safety features are perfect for drivers who enjoy the precise handling characteristics of a sporty, family-friendly package. The 2008 Grand Prix remains a driver's car inside and out. The active and passive safety features on the Grand Prix include standard four-wheel disc brakes, traction control and daytime running lamps.
The Grand Prix GXP takes convenience to another level with a standard head-up display (HUD), which helps the driver focus on the road by displaying dashboard information in the windshield. HUD also allows the driver to pilot with the instrument lights off for better night vision.
Dual-stage frontal air bags provide supplemental security for front-seat passengers. The Grand Prix's air bag system's control unit determines whether the severity of a crash warrants air bag deployment and if just the primary stage or the primary and secondary stages are necessary. This smart system helps reduce the risk of air bag-induced injuries. Head curtain air bags are also available for additional protection. They unfold from the roof rail between the A-pillar and side window header. The side air bags deploy in an angle toward the window to help provide protection for front and rear outboard passengers.
Grand Prix is equipped with child security locks and LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system anchors for child safety seats. Two lower anchors and a top tether anchor secure the child seat to the vehicle seat structure for proper installation of compatible child safety seats.
OnStar is standard on Grand Prix, and includes enhanced digital hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety and security services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling, which allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls.
The OnStar service standard on the Grand Prix includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to participating 911 centers to help them dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster.
GM's tire pressure monitoring system is standard on all Grand Prix models. The system uses sensors to track tire pressure, helping drivers avoid premature tire failure and potentially dangerous, costly breakdowns.
Performance engines
Achieving 0-to-60 mph times in 5.6 seconds is no easy accomplishment, but the Grand Prix GXP's engine, which kicks out 303 horsepower (226 kW) and 323 lb.-ft. of torque (438 Nm), does it without breaking a sweat. The 5.3L V-8 uses GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology developed exclusively for front-drive applications and helps reduce fuel consumption by up to 12 percent in certain light-load driving conditions.
AFM technology enables fuel economy gains by reducing the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process. A sophisticated engine controller determines when to deactivate cylinders, allowing the engine to maintain vehicle speed in lighter-load conditions such as highway cruising.
Key features of the 5.3L V-8 include an aluminum engine block with cross-bolted main bearing caps, lightweight composite intake manifold, electronic throttle control and GM's Oil Life System to minimize required oil changes. GM's Oil Life System informs the driver when an oil change is required based on driving conditions, not on a predetermined time or mileage basis. GM's Oil Life System monitors engine speed and temperature, and the computer continuously examines engine conditions to determine when it's time to change the motor oil.
A high-performance Hydra-Matic 4T65 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission was strengthened to handle the prodigious torque of the 5.3L V-8. TAPshift (Touch Activated Power) is standard with the GXP and combines the fun and control of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic transmission.
GXP details
A Grand Prix on the automotive equivalent of steroids, the GXP model has a unique suspension and a more aggressive look resulting from a re-tuned suspension that lowers the GXP approximately 9 mm. GXP-specific body enhancements complement the car's forceful stance, with front and rear fascias along with rocker extensions accentuating the low profile. Bilstein gas-charged struts, higher-rate springs and a larger hollow rear stabilizer bar for reduced body roll are also used.
The Grand Prix GXP has an upgraded brake system designed to match the car's awesome performance. Oversized four-wheel vented disc brakes with Bosch four-channel ABS provide superior stopping power.
Polished, forged aluminum 18-inch wheels (P255/45R18 in front and P225/50R18 in reaer) offer a unique feature for the 2008 Grand Prix GXP. The front wheels are eight inches wide, while the rear wheels are seven inches wide. The tires are W speed-rated. Wider front wheels help the GXP achieve a more neutral cornering stance and optimize the inherent handling characteristics of a front-wheel drive-vehicle.
StabiliTrak, GM's electronic stability control system, and Magnasteer II are standard. StabiliTrak greatly improves vehicle control with a series of sophisticated sensors that maintain vehicle direction by independently applying brake force at the appropriate corners of the car. StabiliTrak monitors differences between the driver's desired path and the vehicle's actual path and then takes preventive measures to maintain the desired path. StabiliTrak greatly reduces the possibility of oversteer or understeer. StabiliTrak is integrated with the vehicle's ABS and traction control systems.