Holden Performance - Holden Monaro LS1 approved for US in '03?

Anyone else know anything about this news?

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/cd154875757e0a86ca256b73007d8488

Those Monaros are sweet! You should see how badass their interiors are, WAY nicer than our f-bodies. Take a look:

http://www.holden.com.au/app/serve?page=monaroOverview&req=null&model=monaro&cartype=18001

Tony

[ March 06, 2002: Message edited by: Nine Ball ]</p>

This is great news. Other than a few minor body changes, this is probably a duplicate of what we'll see here.

Kevin

I was thinking of getting a vette next, but Im definitely getting the monaro if its available. That car is flat out sweet. Its flashy, but not gaudy, and look!!! YOU CAN REACH THE SPARK PLUGS!!
Im stoked, I cant wait til they get here. That car would be a killer autox (independant rear). Im not sure what the deal is on the rear end, or how hard it would be to beef it up, but id love to have a 450hp daily driver monaro. Man that thing is awesome. I wonder what it rides like.

I hope they make some kind of body change DAMN... You open that second link and BAMM its a red UGLYSTANG <img src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" border="0" alt="[barf]" />

[ March 06, 2002: Message edited by: J&JsTA ]</p>

So would a LS1 bolt right in. I've heard they have a LS1 but, then I've also heard Holden has there own V8. <img src="images/icons/confused.gif" border="0">

That'd be a nice car to slip a little 400+ inch LS1 into. <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

[ March 06, 2002: Message edited by: XLR8NSS ]</p>

Tony you need to read the fine print
[quote]Holden coupe gets the thumbs up for a 20003 launch in the US
<hr></blockquote>

Looks like a long wait. <img src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" />

I asked a dealership and they said the the Monaro is coming to the US. <img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />

[ March 06, 2002: Message edited by: Toxic Texan ]</p>

SWEET!!...I'll take a yellow one! Any info on pricing?

The Holden in question uses an LS1. Some of the older Holdens use Holden engines. I dont know if all current Holdens use GM engines or not.

Kinda like, old Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles used Pontiac and Olds motors which were different than Chevrolet motors, but new ones all use GM motors (except for the Aurora which still uses an Olds motor).

J.

Great looking car, looks like the Z28 may have to go. I just recently heard of & saw my first picture of a 70's Monaro last week. Those Aussie's are are alright. <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

The NEW Holden's use the LS1 motor.
The older Holden's used a "Holden V8", kinda like the OLDER Camaro's had an LT1, now the new ones have LS1s.

V8 coupe


daddy like <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

We already have them over here <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0"> . A great car indeed as it has luxury & performance.

Over here GM sells them at ~$25k.

it's getting a GTO badge aint it?

[ March 07, 2002: Message edited by: TBaGZ ]</p>

A blast from the past!

http://www.ls1tech.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=000945

[ March 07, 2002: Message edited by: Plan B ]</p>

Some other fun facts about the car.. if you can't understand metric measurements (which i cant without my convert program), this should help.

20 gallon gas tank.. niiiice
Towing package - 2600 and 3500lb packages
Curb weight - 3615 est
Optional roo bars

They say it willl have GM's GEN111 V8...is this
another motor or in fact an LS1? Reading all the
data on the internet it looks like another motor.
Anyone know the performance spec's for the new
car. (I found data on the Super-charged V6: it was
about 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds)

Lance
2001-SLP-SS
317.5 rwhp & 331.7 rwt <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0">

One more point...this means GM will have two
very high priced performance cars...Z06 w/LS6 and
this new GTO w/LS1...Wow...I quess there was more
sales in two super Lux-performance sedans then
the F-body level...very surprising.

Lance
2001-SLP-SS <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0">

Cool...I love it!!!

[quote]Originally posted by Jason:
<strong>
Optional roo bars</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't think we'll have much use for these in North America! <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

HAHAHAH, well, we can re-name the roo bars to "ricer bars", so when you have some fart piped honda in front of you, you will actually be able to bump their slow asses aside.

Lance, the "Generation 3 GM V8" is the LS1 based motor. Ever notice the name of our truck section here?

I think the Monaro looks great, and I hope it comes with the 18" wheels like the ones in Australia! This vehicle would sell pretty well in the states, seems easier to live with than the F-body as far as getting in/out and a taller seating position. These features are what made the Mustang sell more. Think of these as a Mustang, but with a REAL motor under the hood <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

No Kangaroo bars for me, thanks <img src="gr_tounge.gif" border="0">

Tony

[quote]Originally posted by Jason:
<strong>HAHAHAH, well, we can re-name the roo bars to "ricer bars", so when you have some fart piped honda in front of you, you will actually be able to bump their slow asses aside.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I love this idea! Make mine with ricer bars then! <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

http://www.unc.edu/~jreich/SteveRoo.jpg

Thats nice and all, but I want the Commadore, not the Monaro! <img src="graemlins/gr_cry.gif" border="0" alt="[whiner]" /> I need 4 doors and balls! <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

"But honey, it's IS a practical car. It has four doors! Well, yes, that is a nitrous kit I put on it while it was still at the dealer..."

<img src="gr_tounge.gif" border="0">

- Matt

I dont like it. It looks to much like every other car out there. I WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!. First thought into my mind was neon when i saw it <img src="gr_sad.gif" border="0"> .

It looks like a cavalier!! That interior is off the hook!!

I wonder how much it weighs, does anyone know...it looks pretty light, and that combined with an LS1 can be a damn good thing..... <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

I did post the weight in my previous post. Look up.
3615 est curb weight

eh, we already have ls1 powered pick ups. Now we have boring sedans. WOW! those designers went all out of the styling on it! <img src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

I think you missed the point of the car there Vinny. Its not made for the racer & modding crowd. Its geared for mid level execs that want a nice car with some bite to it. Boring? Far from it, this is one of the best cars to come around in a while. I would gladly trade my SS for it. Why, do you ask? It has an awesome susepension, it has a useable back seat, it has the same modability as my camaro, but it also doesnt scream "ARREST ME" to the cops like a bright red SS does. I forsee this car being in HIGH demand when it gets here. Everyone remember the hype when Jon Moss made that 460hp monte carlo? Heres your answer.

I like it. I am wondering about $ though. Hope I can afford one would look good parked next to the Z.
<img src="graemlins/gr_chug.gif" border="0" alt="[chug]" />

I like it, especially the GTO 255 and GTS 300 models they have down there. <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

Once again, they at least, should keep the
original front end styling, not change to the
Pontiac nose design...YiK!

Lance <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0">

I say they throw the LS1 in an Aztek and call it a Catalina SD! <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> Seriously, this will be a great answer to the f-body being booted. NO, it isn't what I would prefer in styling, but at least we have another LS1 RWD vehicle! What were we left with? C5's Sure, C5's are nice, but there are plenty that cannot afford them. Also, IRS isn't the most cooperative setup for a strip car. I just hope GM doesn't get greedy and price the car too damn high.

According to the new HOT ROD mag, the Monaro will NOT be coming to the USA because it is not cost prohibitive to make all the necessary changes to meet federal crash regs.

Why does Australia get all of the cool shit?!?!?!

Gee, we get the friggin' MALIBU and IMPALA, then they discontinue the F-BODY....

<img src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" border="0">

[quote]Originally posted by Cool28:
<strong>I dont like it. It looks to much like every other car out there. I WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!. First thought into my mind was neon when i saw it <img src="gr_sad.gif" border="0"> .</strong><hr></blockquote>

It looks like a cavalier to me!

Chris

[quote]Originally posted by formul8:
<strong>According to the new HOT ROD mag, the Monaro will NOT be coming to the USA because it is not cost prohibitive to make all the necessary changes to meet federal crash regs.

Why does Australia get all of the cool shit?!?!?!

Gee, we get the friggin' MALIBU and IMPALA, then they discontinue the F-BODY....

<img src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" border="0"> </strong><hr></blockquote>

HOT ROD probably has a 3 month lead time from author to reader. This article was written March 6th. Which one do you think is more up to date?

Eric

Well, I,m counting on the Camaro coming back in
2004 or 05...it may come back on the new Cadilac
chassis. The new GTO will be a high dollar car...
as another choice next to a C5.

Lance
2001-SLP-SS <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0">

I'm sure it's already been posted, but here you go...
Motor Trend Article on the new GTO (http://www.motortrend.com/feb02/gto/gto_f.html)
<img src="http://www.motortrend.com/feb02/gto/GTO.jpg" alt="" />

Talk about your coincedences! I just ran into one coming home from work yesterday. He passed me, and I noticed the Monaro badge, and was like "Holy shit that's a Holden!" It was still right hand drive, and he said in 03 it will be the GTO. I went a few miles past my exit to get up next to him, and we gave it a little run, and talked for a minute until the light turned green. I'll probably start seeing more of them around now.

Ewwwwwwwwww. Trust Pontiac to completely screw up the front end of a car.
I havent seen that picture yet.. makes me rethink the whole idea of getting one.

<small>[ March 13, 2002, 07:51 PM: Message edited by: Jason ]</small>

I think the 'roo bar' option is just what you need if you live in the city and traverse the concrete jungle on a daily basis. <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" />

I really like the Monaro.
But that Pontiac "photoshopped" version is FUGLY.
I'm sure Bob Lutz won't let it look THAT ugly.

G'day fellers... Heard this coversation was going on from LS1.com so I thought I'd have a look....

* The motor is the LS1
* GMH (General Motors Holden) is aready making production runs of left hand drive Commodores for the Saudi market and it will be simple to adapt the Monaro for this
* We have been told by Holden that the Monaro will pass US crash test requirements (the Australian Ford product won't due to fuel tank location)
* Price is about $A75,000 so about $US39,000 for the US market I guess - this is for the CV8 Monaro
* Other option is the CV6 powered by the Buick V6
* I have seen photos of Monaros with 20 inch rims.

The bad news is... Holden is the top selling manufacturer in Oz and production line availability is VERY tight. The Ute (light pickup I guess you mob would call it) has had as much as a 5 month waiting list.

The Commodore with a supercharged LS1 is apparently available in the UK - 530 bhp

Personally I don't like the standard body kit, however there are several aftermarket modifiers in Oz that specialise in low volume 'high performance' production. The main one is Holden Special Vehicles. There are a few others.

Links:
www.holden.com.au (http://www.holden.com.au) General Motors Holden site
www.hsv.com.au (http://www.hsv.com.au) for Holden Special Vehicles (draw your attention to the 6.2 litre HRT Ute - below 'HSV Lifestyle')

Holden motors?
Holden used to run 2 V8s
* the 253 ci (good workhorse) discontinued in 1984 I believe
* the 308 ci (reduced to 304 ci in the late 80s to match racing requirements)
The Holden motor was discontinued in 2000? (might be wrong about this...)

Oh yeah - the 'Roo Bar' thats one of the tamest on the market. Ricers definately don't pull out in front of mine... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

This is amazing because it is is just too much of the right thing to do. I am sooo not a GM guy. But I think I could justify buying that car. The LS1 is a great engine, and putting it in a rear drive coupe is just perfect. And you can see the whole engine!

It is a bit conservatively styled, true. But I would definatly NOT like it if Pontiac gets ahold of it and plastic body clads the crap out of it ala Grand Am. That's my primary worry. I know people here will take offense, and I apologize in advance, but the TA is a hideous plastic wannabe batmobile monstrosity. And the Aztec? Yeah, Pontiac. They build Ugly cars.

So, if this things manages to come over here reasonably unadulterated, I think it could be a serious contender for my car payment dollars. Bring the 4 door over here I will have to buy it!

Hey, this conversation is moving fast.

If (when?) this car comes here, it won't be built in Australia. They would produce it in Canada or Mexico or perhaps even the States.

The "Pontiac" picture was done by MotorTrend as a ferinstance. That actually doesn't look too bad. My idea (nightmare) of what the real Pontiac guys would do would be to start with that and add lots and lots of bulgy plastic cladding, hoodscoops and spoilers and make it look more like some wierd, ricey bumper car.

GM really needs a car like this. I think it was MT who also had a write up of Ford's plans for the Mustang. It'll be based on the LS/Jag?TBird platform, shortened and will have various models and engine choices including the 32 valve 4.6, a new 302 version of the Mod motor and the 5.4. They also plan to keep it affordable, wile adding all kinds of zippy new features. Oh, and it'll have a 6spd.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Bigida Ute:
<strong>
* Price is about $A75,000 so about $US39,000 for the US market I guess - this is for the CV8 Monaro
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's weird. It does not cost more than $US 27,000 over here <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

That car is 100% awsome! However you know if its going to be a Pontiac, they will brand it with the honeycombs just like all the others. Theres no way around it. If they keep it conservative though, I might be in the market for a orange one. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by xxxhp:
<strong>That's weird. It does not cost more than $US 27,000 over here <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Other factors I didn't take into account were:
a) lower taxes in the US
b) the fact the motor and running gear wouldn't be taken to Australia for assembly and then freighted back to the US. There would also be other savings no doubt
c) the price is obviously inflated in Australia because of the massive demand for it and the deliberately limited production run.

Looks like a cavalier! No thanks I'll keep my F-body! When get tired of it I'll get the new C6 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by formul8:
<strong>According to the new HOT ROD mag, the Monaro will NOT be coming to the USA because it is not cost prohibitive to make all the necessary changes to meet federal crash regs.

Why does Australia get all of the cool shit?!?!?!

Gee, we get the friggin' MALIBU and IMPALA, then they discontinue the F-BODY....

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">CHECK OUT FRIDAYS USA TODAY!!!!!!

That is sweet! I want one! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />