Pontiac Could Have Taken On The Dodge Charger With This Stunning Concept

The tale of Pontiac is a tragic one. The sporty and performance-oriented brand was killed off as a result of GM’s financial woes, along with Hummer and Saturn. But what would have come of the company if it had survived? GM Design has showcased Pontiac’s last-ever concept car, the G8, via its Instagram account. Handsome, striking, and sophisticated, this could have been the successor to the Pontiac G8, a rebadged Holden Commodore that was sold between 2008 and 2009.

GM Design says this is the first time the G8 concept has been shown to the public. The car was styled by designers at GM’s California-based Advanced Studio and completed in 2008. Sadly, just two years later, the company was no more. The automaker hasn’t shared much about the striking concept but notes it was “a fully functioning vision of the future design language of Pontiac from 2008.” In recent months, GM has showcased several concepts that have never been seen before, including a stunning Cadillac coupe that never made it to production.

Gorgeous Styling Makes Us Wish Pontiac Survived

Essentially, the G8 concept would have previewed future Pontiac models. It’s a handsome-looking machine, with a low-slung profile, stunning seven-spoke alloys, and strong lines. The side profile looks coupe-like, with a sleek roofline and what appears to be pillarless windows. The pronounced rear haunches look muscular and lend the vehicle plenty of presence.

Attractive details include the flush-fitting front door handles, which have become very popular in recent years. The rear doors have hidden door handles, contributing further to the two-door look. The rear fascia, with its rounded derrière, diamond-shaped taillights, and recessed rear windscreen, reminds one of the Solstice sports car. Up front, Pontiac’s split grille dominates the fascia and is flanked by two vertically-positioned headlights.

Luxurious Interior Inspired The Corvette C8

While the Pontiac G8 concept never made it to production, it appears that elements of the design made it to other GM products; we see hints of the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia (sold as the Buick Regal in the US) in the front end and overall profile. Overall, the G8 concept reminds us of a smaller, sportier version of the dramatic Cadillac Sixteen.

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The interior is particularly interesting, with swathes of distressed leather used for the seats, doors, dashboard, and center armrest. Minimalist in its appearance, the cockpit-style dash is angled towards the driver and cocoons the passenger in their own leather-lined pod. Behind the three-spoke steering wheel lives a set of sporty-looking dials. It’s clear that this interior influenced the Corvette C8’s cabin. It’s a shame that Pontiac had to die, as the G8 concept would have been great (to look at, at least).