2008 Pontiac G8 GT

Judging by the wild reception it received while prowling the streets of L.A., Pontiac's new G8 GT is the hottest import from Down Under since Elle MacPherson.

This bold new four-door Grand Prix replacement-bred and built by GM's Holden division in Australia-sure looks the part: front air dam with foglights standard; racy hood scoops (although they're only for looks); wide, muscular proportions (track is 62.7 inches up front, 63.3 at the rear); handsome details (check out the chrome-accented ducts behind the front-wheel arches). It's a vast improvement over the Grand Prix, a winning blend of Euro elegance and American flash that'll have BMW devotees doing double-takes. Perhaps more important for Pontiac fans, the G8 sports the visual sizzle so lacking in the division's last Aussie import, the Holden Monaro-based GTO coupe (which appeared on our shores from 2004 to 2006). And check out the color: Pontiac calls it Ignition Orange. Bring your best sunglasses.

The G8 dazzles underneath, too. First off, just like its GTO forebear, it's rear-drive (we'll wait while you cut loose with wild applause). And it's loaded with worthy hardware. When the G8 goes on sale in March, Pontiac will offer two versions. The base car is powered by a DOHC, 3.6-liter V-6 with variable valve timing that kicks out 256 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 248 pound-feet of torque at 2100. The engine mates to a five-speed automatic transmission. Eighteen-inch, silver-painted alloy wheels are standard, as are projector-beam headlights, a tilt-telescoping wheel, polished stainless-steel exhaust tips, remote start, and a seven-speaker Blaupunkt audio system with CD player and iPod jack.

The car you see here, the G8 GT ripples with a 6.0-liter OHV V-8 that booms out 361 horses at 5300 rpm and 385 pound-feet at 4400 rpm. The engine features active fuel management for enhanced economy. The big mill's output flows through a standard six-speed automatic with Sport mode. No manual is available yet, but when we pressed Pontiac execs, they hinted that one may be coming-perhaps in concert with a higher-tuned engine.

Added GT goodies include quad stainless-steel exhaust tips, a limited-slip diff, dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped wheel, a more potent audio system, and machine-faced 18-inch wheels wearing summer performance tires. Leather seats and a power sunroof are available in both G8 models. The GT also offers an optional Sport package (seen on our test car), which adds 19-inch alloys, sport metallic pedals, and a meatier steering wheel. Pricing is aggressive. The base G8 starts at $27,595, while the mighty GT lists at just $29,995-making it, Pontiac points out, the most powerful automobile available in the U.S. for under 30 grand.

he cabin is nicely tailored with a "tech-grain" dash, deeply bolstered seats, and simple controls. What's more, though it might not look it, the car is huge inside-particularly in back, where it sports what at first sight appears to be the world's largest pass-through. Four adults could happily travel all day in the G8. The trunk serves up a generous 17.5 cubic feet.

Looks like another victory for GM. Meantime, stay tuned to this channel. Coming soon is an instrumented road test you won't want to miss.