The Pontiac G8, from what we can tell, is considered the only Pontiac worth saving — and so it has been saved. It’ll now be known as the Chevrolet Caprice, according to USAToday.

Confirmation came in an interview with Bob Lutz, just brought back into GM’s top management team, according to Automobile magazine. “The last time we looked at (the G8), we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet,” Lutz is quoted as saying. “It is kind of too good to waste.”

Too good to waste because the G8 was unique — a powerful, rear-wheel-drive sedan that could not only appeal to traditional red-blooded American enthusiasts, but the police car market as well. With Ford’s Crown Victoria aging, and no replacement apparently on the way, the rear-wheel-drive sedan market was almost entirely being abandoned to the Dodge Charger.

The G8 is imported from Australia, where it is made by a GM’s subsidiary. Down under it’s known as the Commodore, which isn’t exactly the best name ever, but is still cooler than “Caprice.” Oh well.

Our sister publication, Consumer Reports, is all aflutter over the decision:

Consumer Reports editors and engineers have been lamenting the expected loss of this world-class, rear-drive car and are encouraged that one of GM’s best models may survive the restructuring process.

They do so heart the G8 over there.

America’s next police car? [USAToday]

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