New Holden Monaro Program Depends On Exports - New Pontiac GTO?

[FBODYRULES]

why is it called the MkIII?

there was the HT version which also came out as a 327 GTS, then the monaro based on the HQ and then the bland one that you guys also got as a pontiac and now this new one.....

[BBDOS CV8]

Originally Posted by FBODYRULES

why is it called the MkIII?

there was the HT version which also came out as a 327 GTS, then the monaro based on the HQ and then the bland one that you guys also got as a pontiac and now this new one.....

That is the tag writer's line. It is actually the 4th generation of the car if it makes it into production.

If you think it's bland we just won't send UnZud any. Mind you, a hot car in New Zealand is still a lowered Zephyr Mark III, isn't it? Best NZ film of all time - Brain Damage, where Peter Jackson as the Kiwi James Bond drives a Capri 3000 GT.

[Tony's BlkGTP]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

Its not weak, its muffled, so is a humming corvette. That sound is the kind that a normal V8 buyer wants.
The GTO is sweet, but it does not appeal to those that do not want to be abnoxious and silly

I don't like something that is abnoxious and silly either. I like having a nice V8 burble that can roar when I put my foot in it. Now, I said it sounds weak to me and if it is muffled, that means that it is hurting some of it's performance as well. Even the Corvette has an optional exhaust that opens up at higher rev to free breathing. So I really don't know what you mean by a hunning corvette. They can speak quite loudly when they rev up.

[MCGARRETT]

I've read a couple of posts on this thread with a related issue, which is some people seem to think that a small displacement, turbocharged direct injected engine is some sort of smoking gun that will make the Monaro/GTO deliver some sort of extraordinary fuel economy numbers, this is sadly not true. I posted these figures from another thread that had similar misconseptions,

Please compare the weights and MPG figures for the 2.0-2.5 litre small cars vs 5.0 litre V8 large cars below.

2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 19/25 3285lbs

2007 Subaru Impreza STI 19/25 3351lbs

2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP 22/31 2976lbs


2002 Trans Am 19/28 3499lbs

2008 Pontiac G8 V8 automatic 15/24 3995lbs

2007 Chrysler 300C AWD 17/25 4251lbs

2006 Pontiac GTO 17/25 3725lbs

I am not saying that I have anything against high tech turbocharged engines, I just want to show that they really dont provide any much better MPG figures. I would like to see both high tech V6's and V8's available for the Monaro/GTO/G8 coupe if it makes it here.

[EldoFan]

One V6 (preferably a TT.....the 302HP DI3.6 would suffice though) and maybe 1-2 V8's and it would be good methinks

[jaywestfall]

Originally Posted by TJ95GAGT

That was the breaking point for me. I would have one if not for this issue.

Me too.....

[FBODYRULES]

Originally Posted by Xeper

...

Anyone else notice it has no B pillar?

of course and thats something holden should have done with the last one!!

[JoeT]

I just added a Poll to this thread. Tell GM what you would like them to do with the Coupe 60!

[FBODYRULES]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

That is the tag writer's line. It is actually the 4th generation of the car if it makes it into production.

If you think it's bland we just won't send UnZud any. Mind you, a hot car in New Zealand is still a lowered Zephyr Mark III, isn't it? Best NZ film of all time - Brain Damage, where Peter Jackson as the Kiwi James Bond drives a Capri 3000 GT.

funny guy,
check out my link below in my sig.
NZ and Australia are die hard rwd v8 fans!

about the "bland" issue, well lets not get into that cos there are tons of people to support both sides as you know,
same goes for the G8.

Originally Posted by JoeT

I just added a Poll to this thread. Tell GM what you would like them to do with the Coupe 60!

I'd hate to see it hurt camaro sales, camaro comes first.

[BBDOS CV8]

funny guy,
check out my link below in my sig.
NZ and Australia are die hard rwd v8 fans!

Best line ever from a PJ movie: 'Eat spunning stiil, you Aliun Shuthid! if there was anyone to make films about hobbits it had to be a New Zealander! (I mean that in the nicest possible way).

In Bad Taste he's driving around in the covert NZ secret service vehicle, a double-decker Mini with John, Paul, George and Ringo painted in the windows, and he's sitting on the top level with the steering wheel!

Full of admiration for New Zealanders in the automotive world, from the late John Britten who humbled Harley at Daytona with his homebrew v-twin, and Burt Munro in the 60's with his 1920's 190mph Indian that started out with 62mph!

I'd hate to see it hurt camaro sales, camaro comes first.

Bugger the Camaro, the Holden board is alight with people saying they'd prefer the Coupe60 as a Monaro. A V8 Camaro is going to be stupid money - probbly $75-80K. Plus it'll be made 'over there' even if by our Commonwealth brothers, the Canadians. If Americans are allowed to prefer the Camaro, we're surely allowed to prefer the Monaro!

[jzEllis]

Originally Posted by Rick_VT

Why does it have to be a GTO if it goes to Pontiac, why saddle it with so much expectation like the last one, just let them make up a new name for it and let it start from scratch, if its not a GTO then they could also sell it with a 3.6DI motor and maybe turbo version to in it to help keep costs down instead of having to put a huge V8 which everyone would expect if it was a GTO.

The Buick option would also be good to cause of the potential to seel at higher cost and more profit but that would also potentionally lessen amount of sales compared to a cheaper Pontiac version.

I just hope to hell they make it

eh, why no do both, a v8 AND a v6 and why in the world is everyone pushing so hard for this to be a volume seller? thats what ruins most potentially great cars in the states anyway. a really great car is in development or being shown to focus groups, and they all say, "make it cheaper, more options, give it a more economical motor, no give it the biggest motor you've got!" LOOK, the car is darn near perfect as is! most American cars suck as it is cus too many people put their worthless 2 cents into the design process! GM do what you need to make it a proper Pontiac in the same vane as the G8, and sell the damn thing!!

GTO, or G8 who cares just make sure that theres an option for a good ol American V8! cus no matter what anyone on here says, there is a very LARGE, loyal and dedicated following for this type of motor in the US and we WILL buy these cars if yall give us something that drives looks and feels like you have any type of pride in what you stamp the GM or Pontiac name on!

[jzEllis]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

This vehicle should not come as a GTO. It should come here as a G8 coupe. Most of all, it should have a V8, but, the sound should be muffled, to sound like a Benz S500 V8. As only lound when you gun it, but even then, not Z06 lound..
That is class.. then, even girls will buy it.

to H-E double hockey sticks with that! if you are buying a American push rod v8 and you want it muffled, I'm sorry, you just bought the WRONG car! thats like saying i want a Ferrari but I don't want to have to hear that 8000rpm scream....WHAT?? how about you neuter your's and let everybody else's run free.

[jzEllis]

Originally Posted by vw1610

i totally agree with you.

I would probably trade in my 06 GTO for one of these. wait no i wouldn't i d just buy another one lol. its a great looking car.

lol! i was just telling the wife that the other day.

[camaro_freak]

Originally Posted by FBODYRULES

I'd hate to see it hurt camaro sales, camaro comes first.

Not everyone will like retro/heritage themed Camaro. If Pontiac offers a g8 coupe/GTPs with crisp modern lines, it would be a great alternative to losing sales going to Dodge or Ford...

[mang01]

Originally Posted by camaro_freak

Not everyone will like retro/heritage themed Camaro. If Pontiac offers a G8 coupe/GTPs with crisp modern lines, it would be a great alternative to losing sales going to Dodge or Ford...

I agree, not to mention that it's a true four-seater whereas Camaro will be a 2 + 2 which I would never buy. And that's despite the fact I very very rarely use my Monaro back seats though actually try to sit back there myself if I do need more than two seats, just to enjoy the coupeness of it..
I also like that the new car will (hopefully) be a pillarless hardtop, Camaro isn't, and I drive my older Monaro in summer while resting the new one partly because with the older one I can drop all the windows (albeit very occasionally) and enjoy the breeze.
Despite it's cut down roofline the Coupe60 still looks taller than the Camaro (I'm guessing here admittedly) and I like the ease of getting into and seeing out of a taller vehicle while it's still a stylish coupe.
Basically I just don't see myself as a Camaro person.

I think they could get away with christening it a GTO again (or "G8 GTO") if they put a unique nose piece on it, not just the G8 front perhaps with a specific grille texture. But then again for most of the run of the "classic" GTOs they rarely had much difference in basic design to the Lemans' to little detriment... And given the near identical roofline of the 04-06 one to the C60 you could say the new coupe continues a 21st Century GTO style (i.e. a new continuing heritage is being created).
GM aren't silly, they will build the model configurations most in demand - those talking 4 cylinders seem to be dreaming to me but a higher volume V6 "G8 SC" model would make some sense (reserving the GTO badges for V8s or perhaps DI3.6s if eventually that engine takes over as the performance engine in a more fuel scarce future), especially if the point I am making below comes to fruition.

One thing no-one seems to have wondered here is where they will build it - I am starting to think that the plan some years ago to build a future Monaro/GTO in NA and ship the Holden badged units back to Oz might have some regained currency. My rationale is as follows:
- The Elizabeth plant must be operating at two-shift capacity with the G8s coming out now and then there's the new wagons coming on board around about now too.
- Holden have denied they will go back to three shifts any time soon (though they also denied a new coupe would ever see the light of day..)
- Even if demand for Commodore sedans drop a bit with the new Falcon released and the weakening market for large cars over here the other models they're building now (i.e. G8 and Commodore wagon and perhaps G8 ST) could easily take up any slack.
- The Canadian plant will likely have spare RWD build capacity as it was supposed to have a 2010 Impala coming down the same line as the 2009 Camaros, and that is claimed not to be the case any more.
- Building two related two doors on the same line is possibly easier than a mix of sedans and coupes even if they are also somewhat related e.g. are the Camaro/Coupe60 doors actually the same but for the outer skin and soft trim?
- Building in the Canadian plant makes it more easy to tailor the build to the North American market, there are many who dislike the GTO/G8 process of tightly restricted optioning (mostly as packages, but with a lack of some options) and not being able to order a car from scratch. I think Aussies would accept that a bit more
My thoughts anyway..

And as someone said, I'd keep mine (a 2002) and buy another! (Except where to garage it?!)