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Gangsta rapt by Commodore cuz


Rapper 50 Cent calls it his 'pimped out' Pontiac G8. But Australians will recognise the locally-built car that stole the limelight at a Las Vegas car show this week as a cousin to the Holden Commodore. The standard Pontiac G8 is a key part of Holden's export program.

GM Holden spokesman John Lindsay says some early-build cars had been sent to the US for evaluation and promotional use. One of these was put in the hands of 50 Cent, also known as 'Fiddy.'

It was given a special red paint job, 22-inch chrome wheels and a 7-litre V8 engine souped up to deliver 370kW of power.

The revamped interior features an 800-watt sound system. The Pontiac G8 goes into production at the Holden plant at Elizabeth in about a month.

And 50 Cent says the G8 is “like no other.” The vehicle was unveiled by the rapper this week at the SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas.

To build the car, 50 Cent teamed up with New York-based tuner Unique Autosports and car tuner Will Castro to create the one-of-a-kind G8 performance sedan. He previously used a G8 concept car in his video for Amusement Park.

By mid-2008, Holden expects half its production will be export cars, including the Pontiac program.

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