Gto!!!!!!!!!

Lee Janotta · 5 Apr 2002, 02:19 (Ref:252365)

America's getting the Monaro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At last, the muscle car returns to it's home! And in it's original guise, as the Pontiac GTO!!!!

I'm happy, can ya tell?

Amaroo Park · 5 Apr 2002, 09:59 (Ref:252556)

And best of all (Apart from the engine) It's Australian made and it HANDLES

DAVID PATERSON · 5 Apr 2002, 11:49 (Ref:252615)

Is this big news in the USA? It's a big deal to us and a source of real pride too. Like selling ice to eskimoes.

When the car was first released it was obvious to many people here that it was a car that would have great appeal to American car enthusiats, but I thought it wouldn't happen because to import a car like that and not design/build your own would be too much of a kick in the ego for GM's head honchoes.

Perhaps, they are big enough to admit that it's a car worth having in the lineup, i hope it's a big hit over there and you guys love it.

Lee Janotta · 5 Apr 2002, 13:39 (Ref:252706)

Quote:

Originally posted by DAVID PATERSON
Is this big news in the USA? It's a big deal to us and a source of real pride too. Like selling ice to eskimoes.

When the car was first released it was obvious to many people here that it was a car that would have great appeal to American car enthusiats, but I thought it wouldn't happen because to import a car like that and not design/build your own would be too much of a kick in the ego for GM's head honchoes.

Perhaps, they are big enough to admit that it's a car worth having in the lineup, i hope it's a big hit over there and you guys love it.

Among anyone who's pulse goes up a little when they climb behind the wheel? Oh yeah, this is _big_ news... GM won't have to have a single commercial for this car, I'm sure people are already sending checks trying to place advance orders, and the announcement isn't even official.

I'm sure we'll be importing them for a few years at least. There is a possibility, though, that the entire Commodore lineup, or at least the coupes and sedans, could come here as the next generation of the Pontiac Grand Prix lineup, which is basically identical in terms of size, engine options (except for the V8!), other than being a bunch of useless wrong-drivers. In that case they'd have to start parallel production in the US or Canada. I tell ya, the Ute would sell great here.

Bringing the car here really doesn't seem so much an admission that GM North America can't build a quality car. They just haven't _bothered_ in years (except for the geniuses on the Corvette team)! Too long they've preached the gospel of brand management, thinking they could sell us whatever piece of garbage they threw together from the corporate parts bin. New product czar Bob Lutz is a car guy, the one who greenlighted the Viper back at Mopar. I don't think it matter to him where the car's made, so long as he can justify it to the corporate mucky-mucks.

Basically, they _could_ have given us a car like this all along. They just didn't want to. Believe me, they _need_ a kick in the head.

StuiE · 5 Apr 2002, 16:37 (Ref:252825)

trust me they dont want the commercial they did 4 it over here, it was shockin - thinkin it could beat an M3, 911 GT3, Viper and some other stuff, and that ad was only for the normal version

mac · 6 Apr 2002, 01:29 (Ref:253123)

On a recent trip to Oz, Lutz was telling anyone who would listen what a fantastic organisation Holden was, that it was the best and most successful arm of GM, and that other GM brands should aspire to be like Holden.

Whether he still says this at the Opel, Vauxhall, Chevy and Pontiac factories, could be another thing.

strad · 6 Apr 2002, 12:57 (Ref:253420)

Ok...Enlighten an idiot...I have heard nothing about this,
I don't read many trade magazines..maybe attach a picture..some specs......

strad · 6 Apr 2002, 12:58 (Ref:253422)

Don't bother if it's front wheel drive!

strad · 6 Apr 2002, 13:00 (Ref:253424)

Last I heard Pontiac was threatening me with a little Miata fighter called the Solstice........

Amaroo Park · 6 Apr 2002, 13:21 (Ref:253430)

This is the Holden Monaro which you guys in the states will get as the GTO

Lee Janotta · 6 Apr 2002, 18:26 (Ref:253644)

Here's the info I could find online:

http://www.motortrend.com/news/stories/020327hm.html

It will definitely have fully independant rear suspension, and Autoweek suggests it will sticker for under $30,000 US (expect dealer markup, though). In case you can't tell from the photos, the car's internal and external dimensions are almost identical to the current Pontiac Grand Prix.

strad · 6 Apr 2002, 22:56 (Ref:253829)

Thanks for the article and photos...I assume with that kind of horsepower it's rear wheel drive...
Looks kinda cool...have to check it out when it comes.
Odd that I missed it in AutoWeek...one that I do get.

Bomn · 7 Apr 2002, 01:42 (Ref:253909)

Holden has all the specs for this car.

Lee Janotta · 7 Apr 2002, 01:51 (Ref:253912)

It's on the cover of the current issue, strad. I got mine Thursday. What a sight! Even looks like a Pontiac already.

And yes, it's rear drive. The optional transmission is a Tremec six-speed box. Not the same as in the current Camaro/Firebird. It's stronger than the Borg-Warner T-56 the F-bodies use, but not quite as nice thru the gears. But that BW box really spoils ya, it's so damn smooth.

strad · 7 Apr 2002, 03:23 (Ref:253930)

WHAT?? My newest issue..April 1,2002 Taunts me with "The Lord of the Things" A Mercedes-Benz SL500........
which reminds
Oh Lord won't ya buy me a Mecrdes Benz, My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends, oh Lord won't ya buy me a Mercedes Benz

strad · 9 Apr 2002, 21:16 (Ref:256007)

Okay guys,,I got my issue of AutoWeek with the Monaro/GTO.
Where do I sign up for one?? Can't wait!!!!!!!!!

strad · 10 Apr 2002, 06:10 (Ref:256149)

Although after re-reading the article,,the thing is a little weak in the ponies department, but I supposed one could massage it..
Does anyone else think the front end treatment looks a litte Mustangish?

mac · 10 Apr 2002, 08:30 (Ref:256193)

I think the front end (in fact the whole car) looks 1000 times better than the current Mustang.

You've got to remember that the car is designed from Australia's biggest selling sedan, the Commodore.

I think the 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time is around 6.6 seconds.

strad · 10 Apr 2002, 19:45 (Ref:256709)

0-60 is 6.7 seconds...kinda slow...........
the GTS has 402 hp but I don't know they are bringing that one...It's glued together by Tom Walkinshaw through HSV which is kinda like Fords SVT group..it would do..but that ups the price to $49,850 U.S. and for 50grand you can pick up some other nice iron.
And it does have a Mustangish looking front end

Lee Janotta · 11 Apr 2002, 00:38 (Ref:256884)

Believe me strad, there's a lot of power in that engine the factory leaves untapped in the 302-horsepower version. Intake and exhaust mods and a cam swap will get it up close to the base Corvette's 350. In US spec, the motor'll be basically identical to that in the Camaro Z-28/Firebird Formula, and will respond to all the same mods.

I don't understand why they outsource the tuning work for the GTS, the Corvette Z-06's engine would be a simple swap.

I don't know about it looking Mustangish, it's much more rounded IMO. I like the look, just needs a 1970-style dual-nostril hood.

It's a big heavy, but hopefully the fact that it can double as a family car will attract some older, more responsible buyers, and keep the insurance premiums down (which I feel doomed the F-bodies).