The April 2008 edition of Automobile Magazine reviews the new Pontiac G8 GT - 361 hp, 385 lb-ft, 6.0-liter V-8. Since those figures look similar to the 550i, they ran a comparison test.

BMW 550i (6-speed manual)
0-60 5.5 sec
0-100 12.9 sec
0-120 19.1 sec
30-70 MPH passing 7.2 sec (ugh - didn't they downshift?)
1/4 mile 14.1 sec 103 MPH
70-0 braking 160 ft
cornering Gs 0.94 left 0.89 right

G8 GT (auto)
0-60 5.8 sec
0-100 13.4 sec
0-120 19.3 sec
30-70 MPH passing 6.1 sec
1/4 mile 14.3 sec 103 MPH
70-0 braking 172 ft
cornering Gs 0.89 left 0.85 right

So the G8 holds its own well enough for a $30,000 car. They like they way it handles too.

Some 550i comments:

"The 550i's 4.8-liter V-8 ... thrives on revs, emitting an intoxicating, glassy snarl at its 6500-rpm redline. And the 550i's braking performance, brake feel, and cornering grip are each a few clicks better than those of the G8. All in all, the difference is simple: if the Pontiac begs to be driven, then the BMW begs to be flogged."

i was just thinking about that. well, ultimate driving machine for a reason.

Flogging awesome :P !!! Ouch it hurts so good !! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: ......

The 0-60 doesn't seem that good for the 550i. Other mags have gotten 5.1 or 5.2 to 60mph.

Also, what did the article say re ride quality, build quality, quietness, and etc that make the 550i stand out and worth the extra money IMHO?

Richard ............... it's a Pontiac , this is the type of article that is supposed to get us PO'd don't take the bait :D :D

Here is another good review by Edmunds.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drive...rticleId=124876

"Fast, nimble and comfortable, and an awesome value besides; Pontiac builds the poor man's 5 Series."

"The Pontiac launches to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and covers the quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds at 104 mph."

"With that tank topped off with premium, our scales say 51.4 percent of the G8's weight is carried by its front tires. Pontiac says that evens out to a 50/50 split when there's a driver and a passenger aboard. We flogged it with an empty right seat and found the G8's balance to be ideal. There's good turn-in, slight understeer at the limit and power oversteer when you want it."

"And when the road turns, things get even better. All G8s, V6- or V8-powered, get the same suspension tuning. GM calls the setup FE2, and it delivers a ride and handling compromise that falls just short of perfect."

Sounds like Pontiac has a very good car.

Motor Trend has an article comparing the G8 against a Dodge Charger R/T. Acceleration tests for the G8 has it going 5.3 secs 0-60 and 13.8 @102.8mph for the 1/4 mile. The Charger was 5.5 and 14.1 @ 102.0mph, respectively.

BTW, the G8 won in that comparison.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Media...ideoId=20220025

Here is a Edmunds video review of the G8 GT and Charger R/T.

It says in the video the G8 basically has a 5-series suspension setup and pretty much matched the 535i handling numbers they recently tested.

Yikes. Pontiac in going to introduce an even more powerful version at the NY show next week: the Pontiac G8 GXP.

From LeftLane News ... The G8 GXP delivers a zero to 60 mph time of about 4.7 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 13.0 seconds at 108 mph. Power comes from a 6.2-liter LS3 small-block V8 engine delivering 402 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque.