NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 4, 2008) — General Motors Corp. has selected the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A ultra-high-performance tire as optional equipment on the 2008 Pontiac G8 sedan and as the standard fitment on the GT version of the new rear-wheel-drive sedan.
The base fitment is 245/45R18 96V, according to Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire L.L.C. (BFNT), while GM also is offering an optional 245/40R19 94W size fitment of the sportier GT version.
GM did not disclose the G8's standard fitment, but press reports on the car's launch identified Goodyear's all-season Eagle RSA as the standard tire.
“Based on the market Pontiac was targeting, as well as the performance level of the vehicle, we knew that our Potenza RE050A would be a perfect match,” said Michael Martini, president of consumer OE tire sales for BFNT. “We feel this tire, as a premium Bridgestone-brand product, will exceed the expectations of G8 owners.”
The four-door, five-passenger Pontiac G8 sedan is powered by a 256-hp, 3.6-liter V6, wherease the GT version features a 361-hp, 6-liter V8. The car—built in Australia by GM's Holden subsidiary—went on sale this month with a list price of just under $30,000.