28/06/2008 15:31. Pontiac says its new G8 sedan is the nameplate's new flagship. After a week of driving one, I'd suggest they call it the brand's speedboat.

For months, we've been hearing about this rear-wheel-drive, made-in-Australia, roomy sedan, so the speed was expected. Pontiac calls the G8 "the most powerful sedan available for less than $30,000."

But the handling was surprising and impressive in this large, 3,995-pound car. Driving between Mount St. Helens and the Columbia River, the G8 hugged the curvy, mountain back roads as well as some much more expensive European sports sedans. Even the elk I passed seemed to look impressed.

The test car was a bright red, V-8-powered GT model of the G8, which has a starting price about $2,400 higher than the base model, with a 256-horsepower V-6. The G8... // The Oregonian - OregonLive.com