If there was an award for smoky burnout potential at the 2008 New York Auto Show, the 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck would take it home without spinning a tire. Consider its setup: rear-wheel drive, standard V8 power and a big, empty cargo bed over the rear wheels.

It's a setup that has earned cult status in Australia where the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck will be built, but its success in the U.S. is far from guaranteed. We'll give Pontiac credit for giving it a shot, as the number of truly polarizing vehicles these days is growing smaller and smaller.

Essentially a G8 sedan from the B-pillar forward, the 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck comes standard with the same 6.0-liter V8 found in the GT sedan. It makes 361 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque and sends it through a six-speed automatic transmission only. According to Pontiac, the setup is good for a 0-60-mph time of 5.4 seconds. A V6 is still being considered.

The basic suspension layout remains unchanged, with MacPherson struts up front and a four-link independent rear end. The rear springs were stiffened up to give the sport truck some actual hauling capability, while a 1mm-thicker front antiroll bar helps restore the handling balance. The brakes are carried over directly from the G8 GT sedan, with 18-inch wheels and P245/45R18 summer performance tires standard. A set of 19-inch wheels with P245/40R19 performance tires is optional.

Accommodating the 74-inch cargo bed has required a 4-inch stretch of the wheelbase. Pontiac says it added 60 new components to reinforce this G8's structure, so we expect the sport truck will deliver on its promise of a 1,074-pound payload capacity and 3,500-pound tow rating. A body-color soft tonneau cover is standard.

Compared to the G8 sedan, you won't notice any changes to the ST's interior. There's a pair of four-way adjustable cloth-upholstered seats, dual-zone climate control, a trip computer and even Bluetooth connectivity. Heated leather seats will be optional, along with two-tone red-and-black leather. Behind the front seats, there are 8.5 cubic feet of cargo space and two under-floor storage compartments.

As finished as it looks, sales of the 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck won't start until the summer of 2009. Pontiac not only needs time to get G8 sedan production up to speed, it also needs to find a name that's snappier than "Sport Truck." In fact, Pontiac wants your help. Starting today, you can submit your ideas online. The winning entry will be announced April 15