Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz

**JoeT** · 03-20-2008, 07:28 AM

New Holden Monaro On The Back Burner, Says Lutz

Joshua Dowling
20 March 2008
www.smh.com.au

The vice president of General Motors, Bob Lutz, who is also in charge of future models, said it was "highly unlikely" there would be a new version of the Monaro despite Holden unveiling a concept car at the recent Melbourne motor show.

He confirmed it had been pushed down the queue so General Motors could invest more resources in developing economy cars.

"The coupe has had a sensational reaction ... but that is one of those projects that's got to be put on the back burner while we wrestle with this whole fuel economy issue."

MIMS: Monaro's Back! Holden Coupe 60 Unvealed!
New Holden Monaro Program Depends On Exports - New Pontiac GTO?

Holden Coupe 60

377Z · 03-20-2008, 07:33 AM

J CARS FOR EVERYBODY!!! (at a $6,000-7,000 premium to meet CAFE, of course)

yay!

377Z · 03-20-2008, 07:37 AM

Dang it, I'm as bad at dealing with attachments as Bob Lutz is with dealing with CAFE.

http://disney-clipart.com/Chicken-Li...ken-Little.jpg

Why even display it if it will always be vaporware?

"Naner-naner boo-boo, look what we could do but won't?"

Even if it was already completed before the CAFE thing was certain, don't tease use with great concepts & turn around & try to sell us FWD W-bodies and Epsilons with 40ft. turning circles.

Orbit Orange · 03-20-2008, 07:45 AM

That concept is dead sexy and would have had me debating whether to buy it (as a G8 coupe/GTO) or a G8 ST GXP.

tholland · 03-20-2008, 07:48 AM

I wish to God they hadn't built this thing now... what a cruel exercise.

FierySolstice · 03-20-2008, 07:57 AM

Why can't they build the coupe and not that stupid ST truck thing? That's just a waste of gas. I'd rather have the coupe. Sometimes GM just doesn't think!

jkennedy293 · 03-20-2008, 07:58 AM

Everyone will probably forget about the Monaro once the Camaro comes out. If GM decides to do it, it won't take much time to slap the sheetmetal on the Camaro, and sell it as a Pontiac.

FenwickHockey65 · 03-20-2008, 08:09 AM

Why???? WHY???

**JoeT** · 03-20-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkennedy293

Everyone will probably forget about the Monaro once the Camaro comes out. If GM decides to do it, it won't take much time to slap the sheetmetal on the Camaro, and sell it as a Pontiac.

Not in Australia we won't! The Camaro's nice, but the Monaro is the hero car down this way.

Also, the Coupe 60 is based on the VE sedan, not the shortened wheelbase Camaro. See below.

SAngelo · 03-20-2008, 08:29 AM

Bring this car here, call it the GTO and Pontiac, the performance division is fixed. A G8, a GTO, a Solstice roadster and I don't think you need the G6 or the G5. If you keep the G6, fix the center stack on the dash, then the next generation should be rear wheel drive. I would let the G6 go, it will only cannibalize sales of the malibu and aura.

HoosierRon · 03-20-2008, 08:33 AM

Didn't Lutz say the same thing about the Ute/ST?

And if GM is struggling with CAFE issues, what about the H3T? And the CTS-v? And the G8 GXP? And the Camaro SS? And all the rumors about V-8s getting stuffed in the Lambdas?

Yet no Beat. And no economy tuned direct injection engine. And very few manual transmissions.

TJ95GAGT · 03-20-2008, 08:37 AM

Not sure I understand the logic here. 1) you bring out a G8 ST - whats the business/cafe case behind this car/truck thing? I understand it will be sold in low numbers but still. 2) there is potential for a 4cyl Camaro, but they cannot make a fuel effecient(high 20mpg rang) 2/4 door G8? Does 2 mode not fit in this size car, or is there not a business case for a fuel effecient large car?

MonaroSS · 03-20-2008, 09:07 AM

I say make this the first GM Muscle Car that only offers diesels.

Base 2.9 TD V6

GTS 4.5 TD V8

KingElvis · 03-20-2008, 09:10 AM

Here is what absolutley KILLS me about Lutz's demagoguery on the CAFE issue.

The new CAFE law lumps 'passenger cars' and 'light trucks' together - there's only one standard now.

So why should a 20mpg hwy rated pickup be a 'given' but a 25mpg rated Monaro be a non starter because of CAFE?

It's like he hasn't even bothered reading the new law.

chakis24 · 03-20-2008, 09:10 AM

scare tactic imo. better to be pleasantly surprised than gravely disappointed.

that car needs to come here, along with a wagon. then pontiac is done. (as long as the g6 and g5 go RWD. the g5 could even go AWD and have it compete against impreza and lancer)

03-20-2008, 07:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
JoeT GMI's Holden Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wollongong, Australia Drives: 2003 Holden Monaro CV8 Posts: 4,729	Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz New Holden Monaro On The Back Burner, Says Lutz Joshua Dowling 20 March 2008 www.smh.com.au The vice president of General Motors, Bob Lutz, who is also in charge of future models, said it was "highly unlikely" there would be a new version of the Monaro despite Holden unveiling a concept car at the recent Melbourne motor show. He confirmed it had been pushed down the queue so General Motors could invest more resources in developing economy cars. "The coupe has had a sensational reaction ... but that is one of those projects that's got to be put on the back burner while we wrestle with this whole fuel economy issue." MIMS: Monaro's Back! Holden Coupe 60 Unvealed! New Holden Monaro Program Depends On Exports - New Pontiac GTO? Holden Coupe 60

03-20-2008, 07:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
377Z 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Prairie district, Chicago, IL Drives: 2004 A4 3.0 Quattro Cabriolet, 1998 Ford Explorer Posts: 965	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz J CARS FOR EVERYBODY!!! (at a $6,000-7,000 premium to meet CAFE, of course) yay! __________________ 2005 Audi A4 Quattro 2004 Audi A4 Cabriolet Quattro 1998 Ford Explorer Sport

03-20-2008, 07:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
377Z 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Prairie district, Chicago, IL Drives: 2004 A4 3.0 Quattro Cabriolet, 1998 Ford Explorer Posts: 965	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz Dang it, I'm as bad at dealing with attachments as Bob Lutz is with dealing with CAFE. http://disney-clipart.com/Chicken-Li...ken-Little.jpg Why even display it if it will always be vaporware? "Naner-naner boo-boo, look what we could do but won't?" Even if it was already completed before the CAFE thing was certain, don't tease use with great concepts & turn around & try to sell us FWD W-bodies and Epsilons with 40ft. turning circles. __________________ 2005 Audi A4 Quattro 2004 Audi A4 Cabriolet Quattro 1998 Ford Explorer Sport Last edited by 377Z : 03-20-2008 at 07:42 AM.

03-20-2008, 07:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
Orbit Orange 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Illinois Drives: 2004 GTO Posts: 526	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz That concept is dead sexy and would have had me debating whether to buy it (as a G8 coupe/GTO) or a G8 ST GXP. __________________ 2004 Pontiac GTO IBM/Blue A4 (1 of 369) 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 1976 Chevy El Camino Classic

03-20-2008, 07:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
tholland 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto Drives: 2002 GTP Posts: 785	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz I wish to God they hadn't built this thing now... what a cruel exercise. __________________ 2007 Avalanche, Black LTZ 4x4 2002 Grand Prix Black GTP, Intercooled

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03-20-2008, 07:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
FierySolstice 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Philadelphia Drives: 2007 Saturn Aura Posts: 607	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz Why can't they build the coupe and not that stupid ST truck thing? That's just a waste of gas. I'd rather have the coupe. Sometimes GM just doesn't think! __________________ Past Rides: 1991 Saturn SC 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2005 Pontiac G6 2000 Pontiac Grand Am 2007 Saturn Aura Future Rides: Saturn Sky/Chevy Camaro/Pontiac G8/Cadillac CTS Coupe Pontiac will be driving excitement once again!

03-20-2008, 07:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
jkennedy293 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Holly Springs, NC Drives: '03 Cavalier Posts: 1,162	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz Everyone will probably forget about the Monaro once the Camaro comes out. If GM decides to do it, it won't take much time to slap the sheetmetal on the Camaro, and sell it as a Pontiac.

03-20-2008, 08:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
FenwickHockey65 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Drives: Chevrolet Malibu LS, GMC Envoy SLE, GMC Sonoma SLS Posts: 4,913	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz Why???? WHY??? __________________ Proud to drive American. Proud to drive GM. Current Cars: 2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS: 2.2L ECOTEC I-4 2003 GMC Envoy SLE: 4.2L Vortec 4200 I-6 1998 GMC Sonoma SLS Ext. Cab: 4.3L Vortec 4300 V6 Former Cars: 1993 Saturn SW2 (1993-2006, 243,000 miles) 1989 GMC Safari SLT (1989-2003, 293,000 miles) Future Car: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro LT RS: 3.6L DI VVT V6

03-20-2008, 08:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
SAngelo 2.0 Liter Supercharged ECOTEC Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 195	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz Bring this car here, call it the GTO and Pontiac, the performance division is fixed. A G8, a GTO, a Solstice roadster and I don't think you need the G6 or the G5. If you keep the G6, fix the center stack on the dash, then the next generation should be rear wheel drive. I would let the G6 go, it will only cannibalize sales of the malibu and aura.

03-20-2008, 08:33 AM	#11 (permalink)
HoosierRon 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6,211	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz Didn't Lutz say the same thing about the Ute/ST? And if GM is struggling with CAFE issues, what about the H3T? And the CTS-v? And the G8 GXP? And the Camaro SS? And all the rumors about V-8s getting stuffed in the Lambdas? Yet no Beat. And no economy tuned direct injection engine. And very few manual transmissions. __________________ Our momma beats your Obama

03-20-2008, 08:37 AM	#12 (permalink)
TJ95GAGT 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pike Creek, DE Posts: 631	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz Not sure I understand the logic here. 1) you bring out a G8 ST - whats the business/cafe case behind this car/truck thing? I understand it will be sold in low numbers but still. 2) there is potential for a 4cyl Camaro, but they cannot make a fuel effecient(high 20mpg rang) 2/4 door G8? Does 2 mode not fit in this size car, or is there not a business case for a fuel effecient large car? Last edited by TJ95GAGT : 03-20-2008 at 08:39 AM.

03-20-2008, 09:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
MonaroSS 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2,962	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz I say make this the first GM Muscle Car that only offers diesels. Base 2.9 TD V6 GTS 4.5 TD V8

03-20-2008, 09:10 AM	#14 (permalink)
KingElvis 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,539	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz Here is what absolutley KILLS me about Lutz's demagoguery on the CAFE issue. The new CAFE law lumps 'passenger cars' and 'light trucks' together - there's only one standard now. So why should a 20mpg hwy rated pickup be a 'given' but a 25mpg rated Monaro be a non starter because of CAFE? It's like he hasn't even bothered reading the new law.

03-20-2008, 09:10 AM	#15 (permalink)
chakis24 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: CT Drives: 2005 chevy silverado 1500 5.3 EC LB Z-71 Posts: 3,116	Re: Fuel Economy Issues Make New Holden Monaro Program "Highly Unlikely", Says Lutz scare tactic imo. better to be pleasantly surprised than gravely disappointed. that car needs to come here, along with a wagon. then pontiac is done. (as long as the g6 and g5 go RWD. the g5 could even go AWD and have it compete against impreza and lancer) __________________ 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3 Z-71 EC LB 3" P.A. Body lift, 305/70/17 Nitto Terra Grapplers, 17x9 Pro Comp Extreme Alloy Wheels, Halo Projector headlights w/ HID conversion and LEDs, halo projector fog lights, Pace Edwards tonneau cover, Fire and Ice LED light bar, "Patriot" back window decal, JDM black chrome bumper lights w/ LED, Putco Crhome handle covers, Billet-grille emblem, iPOD jack... Last edited by chakis24 : 03-20-2008 at 09:12 AM.

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