First official VZ Monaro release?

[korrupt]

http://carsguide.news.com.au/news/story_page/0,8269,10714493%255E21822,00.html

Just saw this over at news.com Looks like the scoops are standard. Not much of a review though.

[Ghia351]

Could the relocation of the fuel tank and any engineering changes plus new exhaust have caused the 50Kg weight gain as I'm stumped as to what else could have caused this?

[LSX-438]

anybody know what constitutes this "new induction system"?

[vh-holden]

The new Monaro is packaged in a new "hero" colour called Turismo, a solid, eye-catching non- metallic bright blue.

i don't like that

first i scrap the idea of painting my car purple becaus holdens hero colour is purple, now the new hero colour is similar to what i have sitting in a tin. lucky i am thinking of goign with a pearl.

i think it looks a bit try hard poserish painting old cars in the current hero colour

[BA$TAD]

Remove the scoops and that weired color and it looks better. I would like to have seen the monaro have the VY SS front lights (the ones GRM use on their V8SC). Will they be doing a complete update of the monaro with the VE?

[the mooch]

Could the relocation of the fuel tank and any engineering changes plus new exhaust have caused the 50Kg weight gain as I'm stumped as to what else could have caused this?
Possible. The new exhaust is quite large (I've had a real close look!), probably about 2 3/4 inch. And without getting a good look at the underside of the new bonnet, I'd say there is extra metal in it to provide the rigidity needed to stop it flexing due to the extra holes in it. The fuel tank relocation would've added some weight, as the hole it left under boot floor would've been filled (can't get a look in the boot yet to see how deep it is). The larger front and rear facias probably add a couple of extra pounds, too. 50 kilo's? Don't know till it's on a weigh bridge.

[GTS]

There are drawbacks...... the boot capacity is misserable, hardly room for a golf bag and certainly not enuf for your mother-in-law :eek:

I do like the colour thou. Its almost enuf to for me to want a Monaro or a Coupe. The big problem I have is the lid is to low to fit over my head :mad: Don't car makers realise that this is the land of the tall bronzed aussie and we NEED headroom?

[Dacious]

Even gladder I got my '04.... :D

[V-Car]

The fuel tank relocation would've added some weight, as the hole it left under boot floor would've been filled (can't get a look in the boot yet to see how deep it is).

Here is the GTO boot, i guess Monaro is the same.
Maybe they have put small bins in the floor around the spare where the tank was?

http://www.e-wire.net.au/~eb_recci/r/GTO_Trunk.jpg

[Red CV8 R]

Standard scoops :mad: Damn you Holden! :bash:

[Nobby]

That looks absolutely awful. The colour, the shape changes, the SCOOPS. Crap.

Well done Holden, ya smacktards.

Three cheers for all the lucky sods who bought last years Monaro though, well done.

[jneil]

I think the scoops are fantastic, but I am sure that in the latest Motor Magazine they say that THEY ARE NON-FUNCTIONAL??? (I am in Adelaide and my mag is on the kitchen table in Melb so I can't check for sure)

Also the article say "The bonnet air scoops by the way do not contribute in any way to performance." so does this mean that they do nothing?

Can anybody confirm this as non-functional bonnet scoops would be a bloody total wast of time.

Jeff

[SSbaby]

"The bonnet air scoops by the way do not contribute in any way to performance."

Quote from the article ;) I have also heard the same thing - purely cosmetic. The power gain is from the camshaft.

[GUN V8]

That is a great looking car and the colour is just awesome..
Ford better pay attention to this and realise that most performance car owners rather twin pipes as opposed to an extra 80 litres boot space. I know i would

[Munro]

Cars Guide today has a small article thak rekons the scoops are for the yanks who say "not the V8 musscle car they had been promissed". Too bad, I love mine. Blue is starting to look a bit too much like ford to me. I guess holden may think it will make older munro owners think about updating.............nah, nothing wrong with the one I've got thanks!

[ssberlina]

Personally I am happy because it will make my s3 CV8 more valuable as the scoops look awful. It is only the front clip that is saving it. At least with the series 3, I have a boot. The power increase is not worth noting although the better brakes are a good idea.

[VZSS250]

The scoops definitely should have been an option only. The car looks nice but it has lossed the smooth lines that make the car what it is. I think S1,2 and 3 owners should be pleased with their current rides.

[Goggles]

http://carsguide.news.com.au/news/story_page/0,8269,10714493%255E21822,00.html

Just saw this over at news.com Looks like the scoops are standard. Not much of a review though.

looks like the News released the info too early...the page now says that: "this story will be returning on September 13." :lol:

[Goggles]

just had a look at the Holden Photography website, and as at 5.48am on Sat 11 Sep, there is a placeholder for the VZ Monaro pics, but no pics as yet.

looky here:

http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/*query?04VZmonaro&source=holden

[HSVMAN]

Possible. The new exhaust is quite large (I've had a real close look!), probably about 2 3/4 inch.
New exhaust is are twin 75 mm

[LSX-438]

just had a look at the Holden Photography website, and as at 5.48am on Sat 11 Sep, there is a placeholder for the VZ Monaro pics, but no pics as yet.

looky here:

http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/*query?04VZmonaro&source=holden

I think maybe those palceholders come up for every empty query

[Ghia351]

That is a great looking car and the colour is just awesome..
Ford better pay attention to this and realise that most performance car owners rather twin pipes as opposed to an extra 80 litres boot space. I know i would

Except Ford relocated the BA fuel tank and still uses a full sized spare wheel with NO boot space decrease, while some after market exhaust companies have fitted duel exhausts so you can have the best of both worlds if you choose to do so. Standardising the Monaro/GTO body just made more economic sense although I'd say boot space is very important if the Monaro isn't your second car.

[HSVMAN]

I'd say boot space is very important if the Monaro isn't your second car.

Manufacturer/Designer reasoning?: Most buyers of 2 door Sports Cars dont desire large boot space

[nemesis]

Seems they were too early as the article has gone now...

Love the twin pipes though.. anyone know if they improve the sound and/or performance?

[Ghia351]

Manufacturer/Designer reasoning?: Most buyers of 2 door Sports Cars dont desire large boot space Extrapolating that point why not then remove the back seats as well, sorry but I think that is a cop out and really its only because of costs saved by going GTO-design only and the limited production time before VE based cars will take over. I think once having a larger boot and loosing it most would prefer the original design and for that matter whats the point of having all that performance and offering a space saver spare wheel which limits your top speed if used.

[HOWQUICK]

Extrapolating that point why not then remove the back seats as well, sorry but I think that is a cop out and really its only because of costs saved by going GTO-design only and the limited production time before VE based cars will take over. I think once having a larger boot and loosing it most would prefer the original design and for that matter whats the point of having all that performance and offering a space saver spare wheel which limits your top speed if used.

FFS it's a spare wheel fella....SPARE! Got it? Not meant to be used! :lol: :bash:

Boot space is of no consequence to the performance market.......it only adds weight putting bunches of stuff in the boot....bit like full sized wheels as spares. :booty: :lol:

[V82xist]

Well I like the new look...including the scoops. I'd look at making them functional though. Would a set of standard trumpets fit under those...maybe not but I'm sure you could change that :D
I think it's about time the Monaro looked like it was the sports model of the range cause at the moment the VY SS looks far more aggressive than the series 3 CV8 but now it looks like Holden have given it some balls :p

[SCiFiRE]

I'll vouch the dual exhausts sound MUCH MUCH better....

[evil_ss]

i dont mind any of the changes to the vz including the scoops!, cant wait to see how the ls2 in the clubby goes........

[SSbaby]

Except Ford relocated the BA fuel tank and still uses a full sized spare wheel with NO boot space decrease, while some after market exhaust companies have fitted duel exhausts so you can have the best of both worlds if you choose to do so. Standardising the Monaro/GTO body just made more economic sense although I'd say boot space is very important if the Monaro isn't your second car.

Monaro boot space isn't an issue at all. The rear seat cushions were never split fold. Therefore boot space is not a huge concern for their owners.

[scat2k3]

Monaro boot space isn't an issue at all. The rear seat cushions were never split fold. Therefore boot space is not a huge concern for their owners.

Correct. If it was a priority I would have bought a Zafira :lol:

Cheers,

Scott

[HSVMAN]

Correct. If it was a priority I would have bought a Zafira :lol: Cheers,

Scott
Next there will be a Zafira thread with complaints about lack of power and presence and "its a shame it doesnt have dual exhausts and sound really horny" :lol:
Seriously I think the new model CV8 looks great - better than before with more agressiveness. Still leaves room for plenty of mods for those that must :) For the scoop haters maybe they will be able to swap hoods with a VY owner!
The sound from the dual 3" pipes is very horn :yup:

[Goggles]

First VZ Monaro Review is up at Carpoint:

http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/portal/alias__carpointau/tabID__6485/ArticleID__6527/DesktopDefault.aspx

and official Holden Pics are up

[LSX-438]

as are the munro pics on the holden website now

http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/*query?holden&source=all

also on the holden website

plus does anyone know anything about this?

One piece induction system made from composite materials for smoother air flow and superior 'breathing'.

[strife]

looks like its got the same gearbox as the gto as well

shorter-ratio six-speed manual transmission

95mm bore exhaust

320 mm ventilated front and 286 mm rear disc brakes.

Camshaft modifications improve low to mid-range delivery, sharpening takeoff time and providing a sports performance feel that will be particularly noticeable on corner exits and in day to day driving generally.

[SSbaby]

Mechanical and technical changes have impacted Monaro's bottom line; it's now 50kg heavier than before at 1692kg (manual), and 1698kg (auto). Fuel consumption has also increased, now rated against ADR81/01 at 15.3litres/100km (manual) and 13.7litres/100km (automatic).

It's no longer light, hence the power upgrade.

[VX2VESS]

i think those fuel figuares are around the wrong way.

[Red CV8 R]

I had a good look over a new one today, in the grey blue colour. I pretty much loved it! The back looks awesome with the big exhaust tips, the front looks awesome, the wheels look fantastic, the red PBR brakes look the goods, but...the scoops ruin the whole car. I tried to like them but I couldnt. And by the looks of it they are standard. How could they ruin such a good job by tacking on these stupid sccops? They just dont fit the look of the car. I was planning to purchase this car in a years time but not now. :mad:

I also saw a silver HSV Coupe 4 in North Sydney today. That looked awesome as well. HSV did a great job on it, mind you I love the look of the HSV Coupe to so I guess it is no suprise I am a fan! :)

[SteveK]

as are the munro pics on the holden website now

http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/*query?holden&source=all


Does anyone know exactly where this location is? I've got a photographer friend coming down from Sydney this weekend and is wondering where he can take some cars for some shots.

http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/previewpage?020680

Cheers,
Steve

[PepeLePew]

looks like its got the same gearbox as the gto as well

shorter-ratio six-speed manual transmission

95mm bore exhaust

320 mm ventilated front and 286 mm rear disc brakes.

Camshaft modifications improve low to mid-range delivery, sharpening takeoff time and providing a sports performance feel that will be particularly noticeable on corner exits and in day to day driving generally.

95mm!!!???? Gotta me big enough for a 427!

[VZSS250]

So,

in the end they decided to make the scoops standard.

If I wanted a Monaro to look like that I would go to Joe Blow's Body Kit Palace and top the look off with a great big white HOLDEN sticker at the top of the windscreen. The yellow Monaro was an absolute beast...now it looks dodgy.

Where is Mike Simcoe and why is he not giving these guys a call asking them why they are defacing his greatest creation?

Mechanically it sounds like a nice package but I would not want to be seen in one.

[Ghia351]

Where is Mike Simcoe and why is he not giving these guys a call asking them why they are defacing his greatest creation?

Because if they want to meet sales targets in the US then (unfortunately) the very clean original design has to be modified to please your larger market. Can the original Monaro bonnet have been retained? If Holden had to produce a bonnet scoop design , keeping the original design as an option couldn't have cost anything apart from having to change tooling between the two. ( and yes this would have probably slowed things in the stamping area but no differently to pressing LWD and VZ bonnets.

[clixanup]

shorter-ratio six-speed manual transmission

What ratios?

Is top gear still 0.50?

[Ghia351]

What ratios?

Is top gear still 0.50?

Only thing I found mentioned on Holden website was this phrase:
"6-speed manual transmission
Short ratio six speed manual comes standard."

and from http://editorial.carsales.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/0254043FB05B19D9CA256F0E000FB38A

"Move to transmissions and the GTO rears its head again. The Tremec T56 gearbox has shorter ratios in all but fourth gear and has been labelled M12. It’s exactly the same ’box as goes into the Pontiac."

[VZSS250]

I think the benefit of the shorter gear box ratios wil be offset by the fact that the monaro retains the 3:46 diff ratio in manual form whereas other Holden V8 manuals obviously get the 3:73.

[Ghia351]

Why would Holden make scoops standard for Monaro and Pontiac offer the option of no scoops for GTO buyers...(I read this in one of the reviews so I can't swear it's true)?

[GM350]

2004 Holden VZ Monaro


:headbang:

[vt2000]

Put it this way,

I'll have this over my SS!

Cheers Mate

Peter P
VT2000 :thumbsup:

[GM350]

Put it this way,

I'll have this over my SS!

Cheers Mate

Peter P
VT2000 :thumbsup:
A new car is always the best car, I'll have a new VZ 2 door over my current ride anyday.

[SSbaby]

The only good thing about the scoops is that it opens up opportunities for tuners to develop various induction systems thereby making them functional.

BTW, I reckon the scoops of the GTO concept are far better.

[GM350]

BTW, I reckon the scoops of the GTO concept are far better.

Absolutely.

[SSbaby]

Here we go...

http://drive.fairfax.com.au/content-new/images/2004/09/13/13mon.jpg

Drive article (http://www.drive.com.au/news/article.asp?article=http://drive.fairfax.com.au/content-new/news/general/2004/09/13/FFX1GBHI1ZD.html)

Nip and tuck for our Monaro
By Hilton Holloway
The Sydney Morning Herald
Monday September 13 2004

The Australian-made coupe has come in for drastic cosmetic surgery in the US, Hilton Holloway reports.

General Motors employees in America have taken the knife to our home-grown Holden Monaro to create the coupe they wanted.

Holden began exporting the Monaro to the US late last year as a Pontiac GTO but the car has not met sales expectations. Now, GM employees have created what they think the next GTO should look like. This concept car was built for the American 2004 Woodward Dream Cruise by the company's Performance Division under the Employee Enthusiasm program.

More than 200 employees rolled up their sleeves in their own time to create the GTO Ram Air 6, using parts and equipment donated by the company.

General Motors says the car was intended to be reminiscent of the Pontiac GTO of the 1960s and '70s, "a modern interpretation of the classic from the rollback orange exterior colour to its authentic and functional ram-air hood".

This extensive redesign (the only original panels are the doors, roof and boot) could be applied to the current GTO and Monaro but the cost would preclude its production at this stage of the car's life. An all-new model is due in just over two years.

Industry sources in the US believe the Ram Air 6 is the strongest clue as to how the second-generation Monaro-based Pontiac GTO may look. The Ram Air 6 is being viewed as an unofficial research program to sample the opinions of America's muscle-car enthusiasts.

General Motors spokesman Andrew Schreck told British motoring weekly Autocar that the Ram Air 6 was created "mostly for fun" but admitted that concept car creations were "always up for consideration for production".

The current Monaro-based Pontiac GTO was a pet project of General Motors product chief Bob Lutz. However, the GTO is selling at less than half the rate forecast and some GTO enthusiasts have been unimpressed by its laidback (for American tastes) styling.

Under the bonnet of the Ram Air 6 is a thumping 6.4-litre V8. The production 18-inch wheels have been replaced by massive 20-inch rims to accommodate larger brakes.

[GM350]

HSV wake up!

[SSbaby]

In Australia, where Holden is in the midst of an anti-parts proliferation campaign, there is no such choice. Your Monaro comes with hood scoops, or not at all. Of course, if you really can’t cope with holes then a Series I, II or III bonnet will fit straight on.

But the spin from Holden is that market research showed that potential buyers love the scoops and prefer them over the more traditional look. The debate went all the way to board level where the marketing graphs and charts eventually took sway over the alarm bells ringing in the minds of some very senior Holden executives.

...

Such was the debate, it’s understood that the final green light for Munroe bonnet scoops was given just two months ago.
Above quote from GoAuto (http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/0254043FB05B19D9CA256F0E000FB38A).

[Ghia351]

The only good thing about the scoops is that it opens up opportunities for tuners to develop various induction systems thereby making them functional.

BTW, I reckon the scoops of the GTO concept are far better.
I agree, wider, spaced further apart and have a thinner opening.

[VZSS250]

Where'd the classy blacked out air dam go?

[nemesis]

Perfect.. except that "hero" blue.. now if I can just get a manual over here....