Holden Monaro is being cancelled

[Sniffs]

M5: it's the styling I don't like...it's Vanilla to me (yawns) rather have a CTS.

Radicool: i mean the styling treatment. what we were given up here looks like it was designed in 1995 bodywise. look up a 96-2000 Taurus/Sable from ford's american branch, or a Chevy Caprice from the mid ninties to see what I'm talking about

 

[1X83Z]

M5: it's the styling I don't like...it's Vanilla to me (yawns) rather have a CTS.

Ugh. I'm sick of explaining it to people. The entire point of the original GTO was a basic Pontiac Tempest with a huge engine. At the time, it wasn't anything special - just a standard car that went really fast. Here we are thirty years later and the concept of a sleeper is completely lost on every single person.

Not to mention that a radically-designed car is 'ugly' and a good-looking one is 'boring.' The auto magazines feed this crap, and crap is exactly what it is.

 

[somebody]

Holden will do to the Monaro what Ford does with the Falcon GT - they won't release one on every body design. Not only does this mean they can pick the better designs to apply it to, but they can also increase the market value of the existing cars. The Monaro will return but in 2-3 years maybe.

 

[Jay]

The Monaro will return but in 2-3 years maybe.

Thats what im thinking, When a new Commodore or Falcon platform comes out I notice the more specialty models like Utes arnt renewed intill a couple years after. For example look when VT commodore came out the VS ute was still made intill the VU ute came out based on the VX commodore. So Im hoping a new Monaro will be made about the time the commodore after VE is released.

 

[Migagee]

I hypothesised over at ps.com that the Monaro may be replaced by the Torana (unveiled as a concept car last year). This would follow the progression as was the case in the 70's. The Monaro (big muscley thing) replaced by Torana (smaller, better handling, but with much more power and better power-weight). Here's a pic of the Concept Torana

If HSV and Holden's performance wing gets a hold of this and sticks an LS2 V8 into it, then we'll all be in for a good ride! Not sure if Pontiac would take this up as a GTO though

 

[a6m5]

Are you sure that's not the new Altima? j/k

It looks really nice. 👍

 

[Jay]

I hypothesised over at ps.com that the Monaro may be replaced by the Torana (unveiled as a concept car last year). This would follow the progression as was the case in the 70's. The Monaro (big muscley thing) replaced by Torana (smaller, better handling, but with much more power and better power-weight). Here's a pic of the Concept Torana


If HSV and Holden's performance wing gets a hold of this and sticks an LS2 V8 into it, then we'll all be in for a good ride! Not sure if Pontiac would take this up as a GTO though

It wont happen in my opinion, the Torana concept been around for awhile and Holden has stated that they have no plans to produce the new Torana , plus the concept hasnt had all that much praise and popularity like the Monaro did when it was a concept.

Maybe they will make a Torana sometime in the future but I cant see it repacing the Monaro sort of like it did in the old days. I like the idea of the engine that was proposed for the Torana a 3.6 Litre V6 twin turbo making 280Kw's (365Hp). Leave the LS2 for Monaro and Commodore.

What 70's Torana has much more power than Monaro? The only higher power torana was the rare race based L34 SLR 5000 which only 260 were built.

 

[ExigeEvan]

It looks like a cross between a Vauxhall Astra (older model) and a Mazda 6 at the front.

I can't see it selling like the Monaro did over here if it does come out.

 

[Sniffs]

M5: i know what a sleeper is...there's not enough sleeper in the Monaro based GTO for my taste. I believe the Pl;ymouth GTX was also a sleeper. besides, my definition of a sleeper is different from yours. when I think sleeper, i think of someone stuffing an LTZ in a Citation, or a 4 liter in a Cav...a first gen job

Somebody: your falcon, and holden's Ute are both on american car guy's (and gal's) wish list. Unfortunately, they won't come here because it costs to much to reenginer the thing for the american side of the road, let alone all the braces, bags, and safety equipment required in the US, courtesy of the Paranoid US government, Ralf Nader, and Consumer groups.

Exige: yeah, it does. has GM been swiping from Mazda's design book *winkwinknudgenudge*

 

[Cap'n Jack]

It looks like a cross between a Vauxhall Astra (older model) and a Mazda 6 at the front.

I can't see it selling like the Monaro did over here if it does come out.

Don't forget that the interior looks like Storm Troopers from Star Wars.

 

[Jay]

Somebody: your falcon, and holden's Ute are both on american car guy's (and gal's) wish list. Unfortunately, they won't come here because it costs to much to reenginer the thing for the american side of the road, let alone all the braces, bags, and safety equipment required in the US, courtesy of the Paranoid US government, Ralf Nader, and Consumer groups.

I see left hand drive Holdens (there all Commodore based, same dashboards, firewalls etc) all the time on trucks going to the port for exporting, as for the saftey gear that has all already been intergraded into the GTO which all the utes and commodores are closely related too. So it wouldnt too hard at all for them.

This is why at the start of the thread I wondered what Holden can export the US now that GTO will stop coming from ship.

 

[JCE]

courtesy of the Paranoid US government, Ralf Nader, and Consumer groups.

**** these people! I want my Holdens! The Ute would be sweet as hell if it was brought over here.

 

[Migagee]

It wont happen in my opinion, the Torana concept been around for awhile and Holden has stated that they have no plans to produce the new Torana , plus the concept hasnt had all that much praise and popularity like the Monaro did when it was a concept.

Maybe they will make a Torana sometime in the future but I cant see it repacing the Monaro sort of like it did in the old days. I like the idea of the engine that was proposed for the Torana a 3.6 Litre V6 twin turbo making 280Kw's (365Hp). Leave the LS2 for Monaro and Commodore.

What 70's Torana has much more power than Monaro? The only higher power torana was the rare race based L34 SLR 5000 which only 260 were built.

Yes, sorry, slip of the tongue. Still an incredible car, nonetheless

I guess i'm just trying to see a bright side to this all. I'm deeply disappointed that the Monaro will cease to be produced and just hoping to get my "kicks" from somewhere else, thats all. Ho-hum.....

 

[Jay]

Yes, sorry, slip of the tongue. Still an incredible car, nonetheless

I guess i'm just trying to see a bright side to this all. I'm deeply disappointed that the Monaro will cease to be produced and just hoping to get my "kicks" from somewhere else, thats all. Ho-hum.....

Yeah I feel the same, although I have a feeling Holden atleast for VE is going to be abit boring.

 

[Migagee]

Yeah I feel the same, although I have a feeling Holden atleast for VE is going to be abit boring.

We may as well call GM's Zeta (Opel Insignia, VE Commodore, etc) project car a Crossfire cos thats what it sort of looks like

 

[1X83Z]

Somebody: your falcon, and holden's Ute are both on american car guy's (and gal's) wish list.

I don't believe that for a second. Who the hell would want the Holden ute here? It would fail within a year.

 

[skicrush]

Have the Subaru Bajas failed yet? I hate them, but have been amazed they actually went to market with them. I haven't seen any recent sales numbers on them, though. I think Ford Falcons and Commodores would do great here, but not the utes. The El Camino is one vehicle that should stay dead.

 

[a6m5]

Have the Subaru Bajas failed yet? I hate them, but have been amazed they actually went to market with them. I haven't seen any recent sales numbers on them, though. I think Ford Falcons and Commodores would do great here, but not the utes. The El Camino is one vehicle that should stay dead.

I don't think Subaru continued Bajas with the current Legacy platform...... did they?

 

[1X83Z]

Subaru hasn't pulled the Baja yet - it's soldiering on. One thing I will give it is the fact that it offers a powerful turbocharged engine capable of sub-7sec 0-60 times with the standard manual transmission. Even though it's a pretty odd car, I can see myself recommending them in six years' time; depreciation will absolutely kill them and they're quick, practical, and AWD.

 

[Sniffs]

M5: the guys at Motor Trend for one.
Somebody: check with Motortrend dot com. I'll look for the issue month.

 

[1X83Z]

M5: the guys at Motor Trend for one.

That's a horrible representation of the consumer's interests. If it were up to Motor Trend, every car would have 900hp to the rear wheels and a 6-speed manual. It's just not where the profits are. There's a reason they sell the Camry and not the Supra.

EDIT: by the way, the Baja sits on the 2000-2004 Legacy platform.

 

[Jay]

Well I agree, I cant see the Utes selling all that well in the US, I imagine many people would like to see them but how many of these people would actually fork out cash for a 2 seater 'Pick up' that cant haul all that much like a Chev pick up could. They may look fancy and have a fan base but I dont see a market sucess in them.

I can also imagine alot of popularity if they sold them with LS2 and 6 speed manual, they are lighter than GTO, but I doubt GM would want to cut in GTO sales.


Over here they are popular as a sporty/performance workmans car and the SS ute is popular as its faster and cheaper than sedan SS (both come in LS1, optional 6 speed).

 

[1X83Z]

I can also imagine alot of popularity if they sold them with LS2 and 6 speed manual, they are lighter than GTO, but I doubt GM would want to cut in GTO sales.

GM has already tried selling a light-duty pickup with the LS2 and a six-speed manual and sales have been dismal, to say the least. The vehicle simply wouldn't sell.

 

[Jay]

Ah, I forgot about the 2005 Chevrolet SSR, is it selling any better than the 04 SSR now that it has a LS2?

 

[1X83Z]

Nope - same poor sales, and I bet owners of the model with the 300hp 5.3L are pretty ticked now that the new one has a 400hp 6-liter and no price hike.

 

[KaiZen]

I wonder what americans would think of that beefed up maloo concept of a few years ago.. lol

heres a link I found but i'm sure there's better pics out there somewhere..

http://www.hsv.com.au/news/2001/hrtute.htm

now tell me, who wouldn't mind one of these?

6.2 LS6 V8 (correct me if I'm wrong, but that's a Corvette Racing (GTS LM) engine) 350kw/470hp sitting on 20in rims!!

 

[Jay]

I like it how they used the extended Monaro doors on that ute.

 

[Sniffs]

ViperGTSR01: did you forget about the El Camino/Caballero and Ranchero? there's still car guys out there that hang onto those poor old beat up Chevelles and Malibus with a bed tacked on because some people want the low stance of the car. it's why the SSR is actually hanging on, as is the Baja.

M5: and may i remind you that if it was up to consumer groups, the only car in the world would be named Honda Accord. as a matter of fact MT just took a pot shot at CU in the september issue as the opening paragraph in a review of a Ferarri. it was funy as hell. you do have a point. the power guys and and the safety guys are over zealous.

i personally think the power guys are totally POed because of twenty years of being screwed over in the performance department courtesy of the safety mad US Government

 

[Jay]

ViperGTSR01: did you forget about the El Camino/Caballero and Ranchero? there's still car guys out there that hang onto those poor old beat up Chevelles and Malibus with a bed tacked on because some people want the low stance of the car. it's why the SSR is actually hanging on, as is the Baja.

Well going by the way the SSR is selling that makes a shaky ground to start selling a outdated ute in.

 

[skicrush]

I think this article a6m5 posted in "Crash Testing: MINI Cooper vs Ford F150" thread explains why americans would rather drive SUVs than normal cars or minivans, and by extension, a truck insterad of an El Camino. It is parsed in the language of crash testing, but I think it gets the point across New Yorker Article (Thanks for pointing me to that article, Doug)

Besides, El Caminos were always some of the fugliest cars on the road.