RE: Monaro Mk2 is on its way
Thursday 31st August 2006
Monaro Mk2 is on its way
Vauxhall's brutish V8 saloon is due 2007
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You're looking at the next Vauxhall Monaro VXR.
That's according to Autocar this week, which reckons that the Luton-based car company is looking to import the Holden Commodore (pictured) to replace the now-defunct Monaro VXR.
The Commodore's just been released in its native Australia to good reviews. With a 412bhp 6-litre V8 mated to a six-speed box and connected to the road via 20-inch alloys, this promises to be a brute of a car. Expect performance to be in the region of five seconds or less to 60mph, and a Vmax of around 170mph.
But it's also slated to have improved handling compared to the rather basic nature of the previous Monaro. Features include magnetic dampers for a fast reacting suspension plus tuning from Holden's performance arm HSV, plus a rear diffuser, LED lamps. Inside you'll get leather and a flat bottomed steering wheel.
And all it'll cost is about £40,000 when it arrives here in 2007.
Nice one, mate...
Discussion
'You are looking at the new Monaro VXR' No you are not. Without getting in badge war again was a bit frustrated when I read the Autocar article. Its not a Monaro that had two doors. Its not a Vauxhall its a Holden and what more a HSV. Would be happy if the Commodore HSV will be imported, shame if they call it a Vauxhall.
Sorry couldn't help comments as an owner of one of the original HSV's
Sorry couldn't help comments as an owner of one of the original HSV's
The pictures show the Commodore SS-V which is a bit different from the HSV offerings.
This is the new HSV
here are some bigger, better pics
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread
This is the new HSV
hsv said:
According to HSV design boss, Julian Quincey, the new look is to give HSV a more upmarket feel to compete against the premium German performance sedans and the VE’s main rival, Ford’s FPV range. Previous models were criticised because of their similarity with the standard Commodore on which it’s based.
Under the bonnet the car remains much the same as the outgoing model. This means power comes from a slightly modified version of the 6.0-litre LS2 V8 found in the Corvette. Thanks to custom exhaust extractors, peak power is 412hp (307kW) at 6000rpm with 550Nm of torque at 4400rpm. The new car also has added about 100kg over the previous model weighing in at around 1800kg. Despite the weight gain, acceleration figures for the top of the range GTS are a claimed 4.96 seconds for the 0-60mph.
The new series will come in three flavours starting with the base R8 model, followed by the luxury Senator Signature and topped by the hardcore GTS. The latter 2 will get GM’s new Magnetic Ride Control suspension system to enhance cornering grip and improve handling. Pricing starts at AUD$62,890 for the R8 which is a bargain considering the standard equipment and performance numbers. Still in development is a hi-po version GTS-R, which will share the 7.0-litre V8 LS6 from the Corvette Z06, however power levels will probably be detuned to a more sedate 450hp (336kW).
Under the bonnet the car remains much the same as the outgoing model. This means power comes from a slightly modified version of the 6.0-litre LS2 V8 found in the Corvette. Thanks to custom exhaust extractors, peak power is 412hp (307kW) at 6000rpm with 550Nm of torque at 4400rpm. The new car also has added about 100kg over the previous model weighing in at around 1800kg. Despite the weight gain, acceleration figures for the top of the range GTS are a claimed 4.96 seconds for the 0-60mph.
The new series will come in three flavours starting with the base R8 model, followed by the luxury Senator Signature and topped by the hardcore GTS. The latter 2 will get GM’s new Magnetic Ride Control suspension system to enhance cornering grip and improve handling. Pricing starts at AUD$62,890 for the R8 which is a bargain considering the standard equipment and performance numbers. Still in development is a hi-po version GTS-R, which will share the 7.0-litre V8 LS6 from the Corvette Z06, however power levels will probably be detuned to a more sedate 450hp (336kW).
here are some bigger, better pics
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread
Well, I agree that this is a Commodore. They have been released here (in Oz) only a few weeks and yes getting pretty good reviews, but then new commodores always do in the Oz Press for some reason. Most of us think they're tractors. Familiarity breeds contemnpt and all that.
There was, however, a four door Monaro historically, it was in the HZ model range (mid '80s) and most of them were White with Red trim (Ghastly, and not just the colour scheme :-) )
The HSV Toys are pretty well screwed together, but as we always hanker for something different I'd rather my Exige, than a 'local' commodore (or Commode as we call them)
Yes mate, good one LOL
There was, however, a four door Monaro historically, it was in the HZ model range (mid '80s) and most of them were White with Red trim (Ghastly, and not just the colour scheme :-) )
The HSV Toys are pretty well screwed together, but as we always hanker for something different I'd rather my Exige, than a 'local' commodore (or Commode as we call them)
Yes mate, good one LOL
I agree with Mr Ross above, as we have them here in spades, they do get blase after a time. I saw a new VE SS "Commonwhore" on the way home from work, nice car, although as mentioned it does kind of look like an IS200/Altezza of yore. I spent most of today chasing a sound in the dash of a VX Calais we recently worked on. once you start unscrewing them and revealing the inner workings of them, they aren't the best cars build wise.
The Monaro is still a pretty car, would be nice for them to do a 2 door coupe VE but i think the time has come and gone for that. Smaller cars are gaining pace here, due to the price of fuel etc. They would be savvy to do a smaller Torana with a V6 or heaven forbid, a turboed 4 from a SAAB in it
The Monaro is still a pretty car, would be nice for them to do a 2 door coupe VE but i think the time has come and gone for that. Smaller cars are gaining pace here, due to the price of fuel etc. They would be savvy to do a smaller Torana with a V6 or heaven forbid, a turboed 4 from a SAAB in it
peter ross said:
There was, however, a four door Monaro historically, it was in the HZ model range (mid '80s) and most of them were White with Red trim
Hes right y'know. Although the HZ series stopped in '79 I think and only the WB continued with those panels on the WB ute into the 80s. The 4 door Monaros ran from HQ through to the HZ, which was throughout the 70s. At 1980, the Holden 4 dr was already the commodore.
This page linked below should be mandatory homework for averyone using this site
www.holden.com.au/www-holden/jsp/chooseavehicle/popups/monarohistory/hq4door.jsp
PB
Edited by 308mate on Thursday 31st August 14:40
Plain old GM styling. This is going to look extremely lame next to the new Camaro. Mustang and Challenger.
Still, don't be drawn into buying Auto Express on the basis of the "Camaro is coming to UK as a right hooker" line on the cover because it says nothing of the sort. Bruddy idiots.
Still, don't be drawn into buying Auto Express on the basis of the "Camaro is coming to UK as a right hooker" line on the cover because it says nothing of the sort. Bruddy idiots.
Why not offer the whole range?
This is the kind of car Vauxhall need. To date, saying, "I drive a Vauxhall" has always felt like I'm saying, "I don't care about cars. I have no enthusiasm for the task of driving. I'm just a getter-about. An A to B man. All I care about it in a car are the running costs and the finance deal."
I think in a lot of segments they've got the product now. It's not so much a range of lacklustre shitboxes for people who hate driving anything but a hard bargain any more.
But they need to keep coming up with halo models. This is ideal. A big V8 saloon is the kind of thing that Clarkson & Co will sling about on an airfield with rear tyres smoking, sing the praises of, compare favourably to the M5 with a nod to its cost, and then be amazed it's a Vauxhall.
But, £40,000? They shouldn't be making the mistake of thinking a product can compete in a premium market with a dogfood badge. Bring it over as cheap as possible. It's a niche product and will never make big money anyway - but a price closer to the Australian £30k will get a lot more out on the road and a lot more confused people staring after the receding V8 rumble, going "That was a Vauxhall?!"
Look at the improving fortunes (and image) of Skoda - kicked off by selling a car almost as good as a Passat for a Golf price tag. Could the same thing happen here? Could they bring over the V6 version, price it in line with a loaded Vectra, and gradually push the Vauxhall brand into the 5-series market over a couple of decades through a series of increasingly refined and more expensive iterations of the car; hopefully with a favourable effect on the image of their other products?
(It's basically whether the Rover effect would work in reverse. In that case, a premium brand was gradually devalued by entering more and more mainstream markets; by the time they wheeled out the CityRover, the once proud image was practically dead.)
This is the kind of car Vauxhall need. To date, saying, "I drive a Vauxhall" has always felt like I'm saying, "I don't care about cars. I have no enthusiasm for the task of driving. I'm just a getter-about. An A to B man. All I care about it in a car are the running costs and the finance deal."
I think in a lot of segments they've got the product now. It's not so much a range of lacklustre shitboxes for people who hate driving anything but a hard bargain any more.
But they need to keep coming up with halo models. This is ideal. A big V8 saloon is the kind of thing that Clarkson & Co will sling about on an airfield with rear tyres smoking, sing the praises of, compare favourably to the M5 with a nod to its cost, and then be amazed it's a Vauxhall.
But, £40,000? They shouldn't be making the mistake of thinking a product can compete in a premium market with a dogfood badge. Bring it over as cheap as possible. It's a niche product and will never make big money anyway - but a price closer to the Australian £30k will get a lot more out on the road and a lot more confused people staring after the receding V8 rumble, going "That was a Vauxhall?!"
Look at the improving fortunes (and image) of Skoda - kicked off by selling a car almost as good as a Passat for a Golf price tag. Could the same thing happen here? Could they bring over the V6 version, price it in line with a loaded Vectra, and gradually push the Vauxhall brand into the 5-series market over a couple of decades through a series of increasingly refined and more expensive iterations of the car; hopefully with a favourable effect on the image of their other products?
(It's basically whether the Rover effect would work in reverse. In that case, a premium brand was gradually devalued by entering more and more mainstream markets; by the time they wheeled out the CityRover, the once proud image was practically dead.)
Edited by Timberwolf on Thursday 31st August 16:19
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