Vauxhall question
Discussion
Thanks UK HSV & Stu
For those who would like more power, but don't want to spend an extra £7000 on the VXR, Linden Special vehicles are doing a stage one power upgrade (+35 bhp) for the Monaro @ £1300 which would take the power up to 368 bhp. Good value when compared to the rather more expensive 380 bhp VXR. I know that the VXR will have other upgrades (brakes, suspension etc) but these are probably only going to be needed for track use. For everyday road use, a standard CV8 should be fine.
I have some more questions on the spec:
No RDS, that seems a bit of an oversight. (Don't they have the system down under?) I know it's only a small point, but I find the station ID and traffic announcement (TA) features quite useful. Just having frequency numbers and no TA would bug me, so I guess I'll have to replace the unit with a Pioneer or Kenwood double-din sized unit.
No sunroof - it is shown as an option in the Holden brochure, why not for the UK? The Vauxhall brochure shows no options at all, only accessories, that can be fitted after the car is made. My guess is that there would be too much of a wait from order, to delivery, if options were available. All the cars will be shipped to the UK in the same spec bar the colour - am I right?
Finally, dare I ask - does it have a heated rear window & mirrors? Not mentioned in the brochure .... I guess it's down to the Aussie climate.
I'm going to phone up my dealer on Monday and arrange a test drive. Has anybody else got a date?
>> Edited by CommodoreGS/E on Saturday 3rd April 21:05
>> Edited by CommodoreGS/E on Saturday 3rd April 21:09
For those who would like more power, but don't want to spend an extra £7000 on the VXR, Linden Special vehicles are doing a stage one power upgrade (+35 bhp) for the Monaro @ £1300 which would take the power up to 368 bhp. Good value when compared to the rather more expensive 380 bhp VXR. I know that the VXR will have other upgrades (brakes, suspension etc) but these are probably only going to be needed for track use. For everyday road use, a standard CV8 should be fine.
I have some more questions on the spec:
No RDS, that seems a bit of an oversight. (Don't they have the system down under?) I know it's only a small point, but I find the station ID and traffic announcement (TA) features quite useful. Just having frequency numbers and no TA would bug me, so I guess I'll have to replace the unit with a Pioneer or Kenwood double-din sized unit.
No sunroof - it is shown as an option in the Holden brochure, why not for the UK? The Vauxhall brochure shows no options at all, only accessories, that can be fitted after the car is made. My guess is that there would be too much of a wait from order, to delivery, if options were available. All the cars will be shipped to the UK in the same spec bar the colour - am I right?
Finally, dare I ask - does it have a heated rear window & mirrors? Not mentioned in the brochure .... I guess it's down to the Aussie climate.
I'm going to phone up my dealer on Monday and arrange a test drive. Has anybody else got a date?
>> Edited by CommodoreGS/E on Saturday 3rd April 21:05
>> Edited by CommodoreGS/E on Saturday 3rd April 21:09
This is a question for "Stu" but if anyone has any info I would love to hear it.
I have been told that the VXR Monaro will only be getting the GTO Bodywork, 19" wheels and engine upgrade over the standard V8 Monaro.
All the suspension, steering and brake changes that the HSV GTO recives will be left out of the UK cars.
Q. Is this true?
Regards
uk hsv
I have been told that the VXR Monaro will only be getting the GTO Bodywork, 19" wheels and engine upgrade over the standard V8 Monaro.
All the suspension, steering and brake changes that the HSV GTO recives will be left out of the UK cars.
Q. Is this true?
Regards
uk hsv
The Sunroofs in OZ are actually added off the production line coincidentally in the HSV factory in Melbourne or individually by the dealers themselves.
I am trying to find out about rear demisters, though if the sedans are anything to go by... I would say they do have them.
Nope no RDS over here yet! We still use road signs!
The Stereo is a Blaupunkt unit ,very simlar to some of the European Blaupunkt units out of Astras and Vectras so Blaupunkt might be able to help you out with RDS. They have released a few mods for them down here regarding Satellite navigation I believe.
motomk
>> Edited by motomk on Wednesday 14th April 12:12
I am trying to find out about rear demisters, though if the sedans are anything to go by... I would say they do have them.
Nope no RDS over here yet! We still use road signs!
The Stereo is a Blaupunkt unit ,very simlar to some of the European Blaupunkt units out of Astras and Vectras so Blaupunkt might be able to help you out with RDS. They have released a few mods for them down here regarding Satellite navigation I believe.
motomk
>> Edited by motomk on Wednesday 14th April 12:12
[quote]Here's a more tricky one. Why are GM going to call the Monaro a Vauxhall and are planning on rebadging Daewoos as Chevrolets in Europe and no doubt, eventually, the UK as well. What a hopelessly confused proiduct plan GM have.
Should have left it as a Pontiac GTO and be damned.[/quote]
Doing well LuS1fer! Car not American enough for you??????!!!!!
We are rebadging all our Astras as Daewoos over here and all our Vectras as Pontiacs. Then we are going to turn all our Monaros into Vauxhalls!
Vauxhall obviously want to keep all the GM cars as Vauxhalls over there which is understandable! The same as most GM cars are badged as Holdens down here! and Opels in Europe.
The VX and VXR name, well thats open to argument, but Monaro is not really well known outside of OZ.
Now Utes!!! or pickups!! The SS Ute and Maloo are more like 2 door sports cars than pickups. Most of them hold the quickest quarter mile times over here if that is any indication of what most of them are used for!!!
Of course a lot of them are used as workhorses but there is an old cliche that they work during the week and play on the weekend!!!
motomk
Should have left it as a Pontiac GTO and be damned.[/quote]
Doing well LuS1fer! Car not American enough for you??????!!!!!
We are rebadging all our Astras as Daewoos over here and all our Vectras as Pontiacs. Then we are going to turn all our Monaros into Vauxhalls!
Vauxhall obviously want to keep all the GM cars as Vauxhalls over there which is understandable! The same as most GM cars are badged as Holdens down here! and Opels in Europe.
The VX and VXR name, well thats open to argument, but Monaro is not really well known outside of OZ.
Now Utes!!! or pickups!! The SS Ute and Maloo are more like 2 door sports cars than pickups. Most of them hold the quickest quarter mile times over here if that is any indication of what most of them are used for!!!
Of course a lot of them are used as workhorses but there is an old cliche that they work during the week and play on the weekend!!!
motomk
Sorry should that be Chevrolet!!!! 
I enjoyed myself!
Think back to the last big General Motors coupe sold in the UK. You might have trouble remembering, it was a while ago, and it didn't have a Vauxhall badge - it was the 3.0 litre rear-wheel-drive GS/E Opel Monza. In summary, it was a worthy, if slightly lesser powered and cheaper alternative to the 6 series coupe BMW. Both ended production around 1987 and from then on, Vauxhall didn't bother with the sports-coupe sector (the FWD Calibra was never a sports car).
Your most popular memory of big Vauxhalls will be that of Motorway Police cars - and for good reason. The same 3.0 straight 6 (that started life as a truck engine in Germany) was developed into the 3.0 24v 204PS engine that was so popular with police force Senators. They were capable of big mileages, had plenty of go, and handled well. The engine was further developed, and with twin turbochargers and 600 extra cc, produced 377 bhp for the Lotus Carlton.
Since then, the Omega took over, in various V6 versions, but never in coupe form, and has recently been laid to rest.
But has it? Could it be that it's not going to go quietly, as it's making a comeback in coupe form - and with a monster of an engine under the bonnet.
I test drove one of the first demonstrator Monaros today, finished in stealth black. Here's the spec:
Chevrolet 5.7 litre all-aluminium V8 engine (from the Corvette) 333 PS@ 5600rpm 465nm @ 4000 rpm. 6 speed manual gearbox. 0-60 sub 6 seconds, top speed 160 mph + (not limited to 155)
The interior feels spacious yet cosy (black silver finish) driving position is good, you can just see the bonnet line. Seats are very comfortable, full leather and electrically adjustable in all directions. You press a button and the seat automatically drives forward and then tips to allow passenger access to the rear, there is plenty of room for two adults. Boot is huge. Steering wheel is a nice silver and leather affair, and feels quite chunky with a good grip. Clutch pedal was light, the gearchange lever, felt may be a little inprecise.
The first thing I noticed about this car was how quiet it was. I had to look at the rev counter to see what the engine was doing. The accelerator pedal has a longish throw (a bit like the Boxster) and you need to be gentle going through the gears, until you get the feel. Tyre noise is low, and wind noise seemed non existant (one of my gripes with the Boxster).
The ride quality is good. It's compliant, yet not too soft, firm when it needed to be. Biggest surprise, is the feedback through the steering wheel. The steering is much lighter than the Boxster, yet I could feel road camber change messages through the steering wheel quite easily. It's lower geared though, and it requires a bit of twirling through roundabouts.
With a 5.7 litre V8 with 465nm of torque, I was expecting the car to feel a lot more urgent, and at first I didn't think the car performed much better than the Boxster. That was until I looked at the speedo and noted when I was changing gear. As an indication it does it's 0-62 sprint in first gear. In 3rd and 4th when you floor the pedal, not much seems to be happening (because of the subdued engine note) but you are pushed back into the seat as you watch the speedo rise. I hit the rev limiter a couple of times as I wasn't watching the revs (unlike the Box which doesn't limit until 7k)
So much for acceleration what about retardation? Brakes seemed fine, I was able to haul the car down from ~80 to ~30 with no trouble. There is more servo assistance compared to the Boxster though. Can't say how they'd perform on the track.
So far, a very competent car. You would not think that you are essentially riding on Omega underpinnings. All the controls feel light and easy to control, with the possible execption of the gearbox (there is an aftermarket 'quick shift kit that cures this) It feels a very chuckable car - and easily adjustable on limit - as Clarkson proved on Top Gear.
The areas in which I think it needs improvement, are some of the easiest to fix. The exhaust note needs to be a little louder, so that you can tell what the engine is doing. And if 330 bhp is not enough - for £1300 Linden Special vehicles (they are a Holden independant importer/tuner) can rechip the Chevy V8 and replace the exhaust for a sports version which takes you up to 370 bhp and a 0 - 62 time in the mid 5's. Vauxhall are also bringing out a 'VXR' version in the summer which has uprated suspension, brakes and a body kit and 380 bhp - but it's rumoured to cost £36k.
There are a few indications of its Aussie heritage though: No RDS on the Radio/CD unit (they don't have the system in Australia) no sunroof (for obvious reasons) and no Xenon lamps. And the indicator stalk on the right hand side. But it has everything else, and at £28k it's a bargain. Dealer says Vauxhall have sold 100 out of the 300 allocation already, and there will only be 300, no more this year.
I see this car as a spiritual successor to the Lotus Carlton - the performance almost matches it, but it uses a larger displacement and simplier engine, and has a coupe body - at last.
All in all, I'm impressed. It offers almost supercar performance, with saloon car ride quality, convenience and comfort. So come on guys, what is you honest opinion of the Holden Monaro? Holden are huge in motorsport in Australia.
Could its biggest problem be the Vauxhall badge?
>> Edited by CommodoreGS/E on Tuesday 20th April 16:03
>> Edited by CommodoreGS/E on Tuesday 20th April 16:06
Think back to the last big General Motors coupe sold in the UK. You might have trouble remembering, it was a while ago, and it didn't have a Vauxhall badge - it was the 3.0 litre rear-wheel-drive GS/E Opel Monza. In summary, it was a worthy, if slightly lesser powered and cheaper alternative to the 6 series coupe BMW. Both ended production around 1987 and from then on, Vauxhall didn't bother with the sports-coupe sector (the FWD Calibra was never a sports car).
Your most popular memory of big Vauxhalls will be that of Motorway Police cars - and for good reason. The same 3.0 straight 6 (that started life as a truck engine in Germany) was developed into the 3.0 24v 204PS engine that was so popular with police force Senators. They were capable of big mileages, had plenty of go, and handled well. The engine was further developed, and with twin turbochargers and 600 extra cc, produced 377 bhp for the Lotus Carlton.
Since then, the Omega took over, in various V6 versions, but never in coupe form, and has recently been laid to rest.
But has it? Could it be that it's not going to go quietly, as it's making a comeback in coupe form - and with a monster of an engine under the bonnet.
I test drove one of the first demonstrator Monaros today, finished in stealth black. Here's the spec:
Chevrolet 5.7 litre all-aluminium V8 engine (from the Corvette) 333 PS@ 5600rpm 465nm @ 4000 rpm. 6 speed manual gearbox. 0-60 sub 6 seconds, top speed 160 mph + (not limited to 155)
The interior feels spacious yet cosy (black silver finish) driving position is good, you can just see the bonnet line. Seats are very comfortable, full leather and electrically adjustable in all directions. You press a button and the seat automatically drives forward and then tips to allow passenger access to the rear, there is plenty of room for two adults. Boot is huge. Steering wheel is a nice silver and leather affair, and feels quite chunky with a good grip. Clutch pedal was light, the gearchange lever, felt may be a little inprecise.
The first thing I noticed about this car was how quiet it was. I had to look at the rev counter to see what the engine was doing. The accelerator pedal has a longish throw (a bit like the Boxster) and you need to be gentle going through the gears, until you get the feel. Tyre noise is low, and wind noise seemed non existant (one of my gripes with the Boxster).
The ride quality is good. It's compliant, yet not too soft, firm when it needed to be. Biggest surprise, is the feedback through the steering wheel. The steering is much lighter than the Boxster, yet I could feel road camber change messages through the steering wheel quite easily. It's lower geared though, and it requires a bit of twirling through roundabouts.
With a 5.7 litre V8 with 465nm of torque, I was expecting the car to feel a lot more urgent, and at first I didn't think the car performed much better than the Boxster. That was until I looked at the speedo and noted when I was changing gear. As an indication it does it's 0-62 sprint in first gear. In 3rd and 4th when you floor the pedal, not much seems to be happening (because of the subdued engine note) but you are pushed back into the seat as you watch the speedo rise. I hit the rev limiter a couple of times as I wasn't watching the revs (unlike the Box which doesn't limit until 7k)
So much for acceleration what about retardation? Brakes seemed fine, I was able to haul the car down from ~80 to ~30 with no trouble. There is more servo assistance compared to the Boxster though. Can't say how they'd perform on the track.
So far, a very competent car. You would not think that you are essentially riding on Omega underpinnings. All the controls feel light and easy to control, with the possible execption of the gearbox (there is an aftermarket 'quick shift kit that cures this) It feels a very chuckable car - and easily adjustable on limit - as Clarkson proved on Top Gear.
The areas in which I think it needs improvement, are some of the easiest to fix. The exhaust note needs to be a little louder, so that you can tell what the engine is doing. And if 330 bhp is not enough - for £1300 Linden Special vehicles (they are a Holden independant importer/tuner) can rechip the Chevy V8 and replace the exhaust for a sports version which takes you up to 370 bhp and a 0 - 62 time in the mid 5's. Vauxhall are also bringing out a 'VXR' version in the summer which has uprated suspension, brakes and a body kit and 380 bhp - but it's rumoured to cost £36k.
There are a few indications of its Aussie heritage though: No RDS on the Radio/CD unit (they don't have the system in Australia) no sunroof (for obvious reasons) and no Xenon lamps. And the indicator stalk on the right hand side. But it has everything else, and at £28k it's a bargain. Dealer says Vauxhall have sold 100 out of the 300 allocation already, and there will only be 300, no more this year.
I see this car as a spiritual successor to the Lotus Carlton - the performance almost matches it, but it uses a larger displacement and simplier engine, and has a coupe body - at last.
All in all, I'm impressed. It offers almost supercar performance, with saloon car ride quality, convenience and comfort. So come on guys, what is you honest opinion of the Holden Monaro? Holden are huge in motorsport in Australia.
Could its biggest problem be the Vauxhall badge?
>> Edited by CommodoreGS/E on Tuesday 20th April 16:03
>> Edited by CommodoreGS/E on Tuesday 20th April 16:06
Will I buy one - I was very impressed with the car, but I'm not sure yet.
One point I didn't mention above, was the traction control. I only had a short test drive (~40 mins) but at one point I thought I felt the TC activating. It felt a bit harsh and I thought I felt some 'shudder' through the transmission. I know that some TC systems are far more 'intrusive' than others - the Audi TT for example. The Boxsters system gets a good report - it's done its job before you know it. Was it just me when I felt the TC activate 'roughly' (the test drive started out dry but it rained towards the end) how good is it on existing hsv's ?
Here's some of the other vehicles I'm looking at:
The BMW 330 coupe D figures are hard to argue with:
204 bhp @ 4000 rpm (~)
410 nm @ 1500 rpm (+) *
0-62 7.2s (~)
50-75 (in 4th) 6.1s (+)
42.8 mpg overall (++)
cost £ 32k ( )
Makes you wonder if it's worth buying a M3:
343 bhp @ 7900 rpm (where?!) (-)
365 nm @ 4900 rpm (~)
0-62 5.2s (+)
50-75 (in 4th) 5.3 (+)
23.7 mpg overall (-)
cost £41k (-)
How about Audis direct M3 competitor, the 4.2 litre v8 S4:
344 bhp @ 7000 rpm ( )
410 nm @ 3500 rpm (+)
0-62 5.6s (+)
50-75 ??
21.2 mpg overall (-)
cost £37k (-)
I'm not going to include the RS6 on cost grounds - nearly £59k
The Monaro still looks good:
330 bhp @ 5600 rpm (+)
465nm @ 4000 rpm (+)
0-62 sub 6.0s (+)
50-75 ?? ('fast')
19.6 mpg overall (-)
cost £28.5k (++)
The ACS Tuning box gives a massive increase in torque over the standard 3.0D - from 410 nm (less than the standard Monaro) to 510 nm (!!) Is that an estimated figure? The Linden special vehicles mod for the 5.7 v8 gives an extra 35 bhp (~ 10%) so if I assume the torque rises a similar amount, it should put it at around 510nm, the same as your 330.
>> Edited by CommodoreGS/E on Tuesday 20th April 20:02
One point I didn't mention above, was the traction control. I only had a short test drive (~40 mins) but at one point I thought I felt the TC activating. It felt a bit harsh and I thought I felt some 'shudder' through the transmission. I know that some TC systems are far more 'intrusive' than others - the Audi TT for example. The Boxsters system gets a good report - it's done its job before you know it. Was it just me when I felt the TC activate 'roughly' (the test drive started out dry but it rained towards the end) how good is it on existing hsv's ?
Here's some of the other vehicles I'm looking at:
The BMW 330 coupe D figures are hard to argue with:
204 bhp @ 4000 rpm (~)
410 nm @ 1500 rpm (+) *
0-62 7.2s (~)
50-75 (in 4th) 6.1s (+)
42.8 mpg overall (++)
cost £ 32k ( )
Makes you wonder if it's worth buying a M3:
343 bhp @ 7900 rpm (where?!) (-)
365 nm @ 4900 rpm (~)
0-62 5.2s (+)
50-75 (in 4th) 5.3 (+)
23.7 mpg overall (-)
cost £41k (-)
How about Audis direct M3 competitor, the 4.2 litre v8 S4:
344 bhp @ 7000 rpm ( )
410 nm @ 3500 rpm (+)
0-62 5.6s (+)
50-75 ??
21.2 mpg overall (-)
cost £37k (-)
I'm not going to include the RS6 on cost grounds - nearly £59k
The Monaro still looks good:
330 bhp @ 5600 rpm (+)
465nm @ 4000 rpm (+)
0-62 sub 6.0s (+)
50-75 ?? ('fast')
19.6 mpg overall (-)
cost £28.5k (++)
The ACS Tuning box gives a massive increase in torque over the standard 3.0D - from 410 nm (less than the standard Monaro) to 510 nm (!!) Is that an estimated figure? The Linden special vehicles mod for the 5.7 v8 gives an extra 35 bhp (~ 10%) so if I assume the torque rises a similar amount, it should put it at around 510nm, the same as your 330.
>> Edited by CommodoreGS/E on Tuesday 20th April 20:02
Nice write up Commodore GS/E and I agree the Monaro is a great car.
In January while in Australia, I drove the Yellow one pictured in the Gallery on the UK Drivers Web Site. The owner had the GTO exhaust fitted to the car and it sounded fantastic ! I was like a big kid with a new toy getting into the car, just as I was when I first drove a HK Monaro back in about 1980 at the age of 18.
I can see from what you have writen that you have driven a few nice cars and that you know what you are talking about, but Please DO NOT compare the Monaro with a Vauxhall Omega, they are completely different cars.
I guess your a Commodore fan from your user name and we all know the Commodore was based on the Senator and Opel Rekord.
(Sorry I don't want to sound like I know it all but hear are some facts on the Australian Commodore).
The Australian cars are longer and wider,also a LOT of changes were made for the Commodore to run the bigger Engines as in V8 and to cope with the Australian conditions like suspension, body, chassis and steering. In fact 65% of the Commodore's parts where Australian designed, developed and produced.
The Monaro has also benefited from 25 yrs of development with the Commodore on the road, but most of all in the Australian Touring Car & V8 Supercar racing.
Sorry to go on but I hate it when people see a Holden and say, oh that's an Australian Vauxhall isn't it.
Enough said.
Holden Drive On !
In January while in Australia, I drove the Yellow one pictured in the Gallery on the UK Drivers Web Site. The owner had the GTO exhaust fitted to the car and it sounded fantastic ! I was like a big kid with a new toy getting into the car, just as I was when I first drove a HK Monaro back in about 1980 at the age of 18.
I can see from what you have writen that you have driven a few nice cars and that you know what you are talking about, but Please DO NOT compare the Monaro with a Vauxhall Omega, they are completely different cars.
I guess your a Commodore fan from your user name and we all know the Commodore was based on the Senator and Opel Rekord.
(Sorry I don't want to sound like I know it all but hear are some facts on the Australian Commodore).
The Australian cars are longer and wider,also a LOT of changes were made for the Commodore to run the bigger Engines as in V8 and to cope with the Australian conditions like suspension, body, chassis and steering. In fact 65% of the Commodore's parts where Australian designed, developed and produced.
The Monaro has also benefited from 25 yrs of development with the Commodore on the road, but most of all in the Australian Touring Car & V8 Supercar racing.
Sorry to go on but I hate it when people see a Holden and say, oh that's an Australian Vauxhall isn't it.
Enough said.
Holden Drive On !
[quote]
One point I didn't mention above, was the traction control. I only had a short test drive (~40 mins) but at one point I thought I felt the TC activating. It felt a bit harsh and I thought I felt some 'shudder' through the transmission. I know that some TC systems are far more 'intrusive' than others - the Audi TT for example. The Boxsters system gets a good report - it's done its job before you know it. Was it just me when I felt the TC activate 'roughly' (the test drive started out dry but it rained towards the end) how good is it on existing hsv's ? [quote]
The traction control fitted to our HSV's is supplied by "Racelogic" so it is not the same as the Monaro.
It has a few different versions some with simple on off control and others with variable slip, which allows the car to drift upto a pre set amount before the system cuts in and there is also launch control for F1 style starts.
One point I didn't mention above, was the traction control. I only had a short test drive (~40 mins) but at one point I thought I felt the TC activating. It felt a bit harsh and I thought I felt some 'shudder' through the transmission. I know that some TC systems are far more 'intrusive' than others - the Audi TT for example. The Boxsters system gets a good report - it's done its job before you know it. Was it just me when I felt the TC activate 'roughly' (the test drive started out dry but it rained towards the end) how good is it on existing hsv's ? [quote]
The traction control fitted to our HSV's is supplied by "Racelogic" so it is not the same as the Monaro.
It has a few different versions some with simple on off control and others with variable slip, which allows the car to drift upto a pre set amount before the system cuts in and there is also launch control for F1 style starts.
What colour? 
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