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2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Road Test

This is the vehicle that marks the close of an era for General Motors. As bad

In its last year of production, the Grand Prix has been whittled away into base and V8-powered GXP. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

as it may sound, this was an era for General Motors that was typified by average, ho-hum products that elicited great feelings of unbridled... indifference. It produced cars like the Buick Rendezvous, the Saturn Relay and the Chevrolet Cavalier, vehicles that were OK, but (thankfully) are very different than what is being producing by the General today. Most, but not all of the vehicles that fall into this category have been put out to pasture. A few still remain.

The sort of change that General Motors is making to its cars and brands is revolutionary. There's a lot of renovation going on, a lot of deconstruction, a lot of rebuilding, and in the process, a lot of listening, a lot of innovation and a lot of global cooperation. The new cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers that GM is turning out are very good - two North American Car of the Year trophies this year alone, and tons of good, award-winning products are slowly changing perceptions about "Made in the U.S.A." It's nothing but good news, for GM and its loyal fans at least.

Buyers have embraced this change. Cadillac and Saturn have done 180s.

Interior possesses some mighty sporty buckets, and a very unusually styled instrument panel. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

They're completely different brands compared to what they were just a few years ago. Pontiac has tried to do the same, with the Solstice, its first SUV (Torrent) and different vehicles like the G6 Convertible. But what happened to Pontiac's veterans, like the Grand Prix? This big car was a big deal when redesigned in model year 1997, with Wide Track, and then later with TAPshift and eventually a powerful V8. It was the American midsize car for drivers, and as a result it had special (and strong) appeal.

Now, two generations after this breakthrough Pontiac, the Grand Prix has practically disappeared from center stage. Fans of the brand aren't even interested in this car, so it seems, despite the launch of that V8-powered GXP. Instead, they've focused on the upcoming G8, the Grand Prix's successor. Oh, and the "will they or won't they build a new Trans Am?" question. While Pontiac fans wait, the Grand Prix looks to be suffering from the same symptoms the Bonneville endured back in 2005: neglect.

Four on the floor (but auto). Note the big black blank button, where traction control would otherwise go. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

I don't blame Pontiac for wanting to shift attention away from the Grand Prix. I mean, it rides on a platform that they've already started to "disassemble". Out of the three W-body cars that GM produces, the Grand Prix always seemed to be on a different schedule, introduced a half generation ahead of its Bowtie and Buick compatriots. So while the Impala and LaCrosse will continue on, the Grand Prix will be making an early exit. The venerable 3800 Series III Supercharged engine that gave the Grand Prix GT (and formerly the GTP) the thrust to successfully put the beat-down on V6 Camrys, Accords and Altimas is now gone; all that's left is the outrageous V8-powered GXP, or this, the base model sedan.

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