After sifting through more than 18,000 possibilities, Pontiac has chose to keep the name it originally started with, naming the recently revealed G8 sport truck the “G8 ST.”
Thousands of fans submitted suggestions during a “Tame the Name” promotion, which delayed a final announcement until each possibility was considered and cleared for possible trademark use.
As for our suggestion to Pontiac to name the sport truck the Pontiac RK prounounced "aRK," Pontiac had no comment. We even had all the advertisements envisioned for Pontiac: "Two of everything can fit in the new Pontiac RK," with a photograph of two giraffes or zebras poking their necks out from the rear bed of the Pontiac, and a new contest "What two things can you fit in the new Pontiac RK?" Much like the original GTO was called the "Goat" and to this day is known as a "Goat," a Pontiac RK, or "ARK" would have had lasting effect for generations to come.
“Frankly, we were blown away by both the volume and quality of the names that were submitted,” said Craig Bierley, BPG product marketing director for cars and crossovers. “’ G8 ST’ was one of the most popular suggestions, plus we noticed a far broader trend toward simple, easy-to-remember names.”
“El Camino” was also a sentimental favorite, given the G8 ST’s resemblance to the classic Chevy.
“We actually thought very long about El Camino,” said Bierley. “In the end, we felt it was more appropriate to honor the El Camino’s unique place as part of Chevy’s heritage and not use that nameplate on a Pontiac.”
Perhaps the ultimate reflection of the blurring line between cars and trucks, the G8 ST will create a unique niche segment in the marketplace: a sports car with truck-like cargo and towing capabilities. Sharing the basic architecture and 361 hp V8 engine as the G8 GT performance sedan, it will offer a 73.9-inch cargo bed that has 42.7 cubic feet of cargo space and can carry a payload of 1,000 pounds (453 kg) or tow a 3,500-pound (1,587 kg) trailer.
Thanks to its six-speed automatic transmission and Active Fuel Management system, the G8 ST should offer some of the best fuel economy numbers for V8-powered vehicles with similar cargo/towing ratings while still turning in zero-to-60 times of 5.4 seconds.
The G8 ST will be available in late 2009 as a 2010 model and will be backed by GM’s industry best 100,000 mile, 5-year powertrain warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.