There's something special about an American car, especially one built in Australia.

Take the Pontiac G8, for example.

It's powerful, comfortable and aggressively stylish. Its 256-horsepower V6 engine emits the rich tones of a muscle car while providing fairly decent fuel economy.

Though the Japanese and European brands remain benchmarks in their various classes, there's something comfortingly familiar about the interior layout of General Motors models.

The stereo controls and ventilation system are simple, well-sized and right where you would expect to find them. The power-adjustable front seats are amply designed for super-sized Americans, and the space between passengers feels just right.

Yes, it's built in Adelaide, Australia, based on the Zeta platform from the GM subsidiary Holden. Down under, this model appears as the Holden VE Commodore. Holden also exported the GTO, which, sadly, vanished in 2006 due to poor sales.

It's hard to object to anything from a country that gave us Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Russell Crowe. But GM workers who have seen their plants shut down in North America just might.

Give GM credit for using its global resources. The struggling company has excellent models around the world that deserve a place in the American market.

For Pontiac, the G8 is a very important model. Introduced as a 2008, it marks the first rear-drive sedan since 1986 and the first full-size model since the Bonneville, which was discontinued in 2005. It replaces the Grand Prix after this year.

Rivals include the Dodge Charger and Nissan Maxima, two similarly brawny sedans.

Pontiac calls the G8 "the most powerful sedan available for less than $30,000." Base prices on the base G8 begin at $27,595, while the V8-powered G8 begins at $29,995.

While GM's V8 engines are terrific, there really is no compelling reason to move beyond the V6. The 3.6-liter, double overhead cam, 256 horsepower engine can propel the sedan from 0-60 mph in about seven seconds.

The GT's 6-liter small-block V8, cranks 361 horses and 385 foot-pounds of torque, reducing the 0-60 mph time to 5.3 seconds.

The five-speed automatic transmission's Driver Shift Control provides three shifting styles. In normal mode, the transmission performs with fuel economy as a priority. "Sport Mode" alters the automatic shift points to maintain higher torque and greater engine control. Setting the shifter in manual mode leaves the driver in charge of shift points, with a rev-limiter preventing red-line and an automatic downshift if the sensor anticipates the engine will stall.

Engineers designed the chassis for challenging conditions, with weight balanced nearly evenly between front and rear (one of the benefits of rear-drive). The steering rack is mounted ahead of the front axle, and the engine is mounted low and toward the rear in the front chassis cradle while the battery is in the rear of the car.

The four-wheel independent suspension system is stiff and sporty without being harsh. The ride is not as taut as that of, say, the BMW 5-Series but it is plenty athletic.

Performance credentials are enhanced by power disc brakes with anti-lock and electronic brake assist. The standard wheels are 18-inch silver-painted aluminum clad in all-season tires.

An electronic tire pressure monitoring system is standard and displays the exact tire pressure for each tire in the driver information center.

When you look at the roster of standard equipment, you will understand why Pontiac is emphasizing its price point.

Even the base model is loaded.

Air conditioning, cruise control, driver information center, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, anti-theft system, power accessories and remote keyless entry are among the standard features.

The G8 looks like a mid-size model from the outside but seems to have the interior capacity of a full-size model, thanks in part to its long 114.8-inch wheelbase. The rear seat offers nearly 40 inches of legroom. The trunk boasts 17.5 cubic feet of capacity and one of the largest pass-throughs to the passenger compartment on the market.

Pontiac G8

Type: Rear-drive, five-passenger, midsize sports sedan

Price: $27,595.

Where Built: Adelaide, Australia.

Key Rivals: Dodge Charger, Nissan Maxima.

Power: 3.6-liter, 256-horsepower V6; five-speed auto transmission with shift control and sport mode.

Fuel Economy: 17 city, 25 highway mpg; 19.2-gallon tank; estimated annual fuel cost $2,100.

Standard: Tire pressure monitoring system; dual-stage frontal air bags with a passenger sensing system; head curtain side air bags for front and rear occupants; side thorax air bags for the front passengers; air conditioning; cruise control; four-way power adjustable front seats; theft deterrent system; tilt/telescoping steering wheel; power accessories; AM/FM/CD stereo with seven speakers; tinted glass; rear spoiler; rear window defogger.

Options: Premium package includes leather upholstery, heated seats, six-way power seats, leather-wrapped shift lever/steering wheel ($1,375); comfort and sound package includes dual-zone air conditioning, premium stereo with six-disc changer ($795).

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