Monday 21st February 2005

2005 Monaro

Revised base model hits UK with yet more power - 345bhp for less than £30K!

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Vauxhall is now importing the latest Holden Monaro, complete with more power, bigger brakes, new 18 inch wheels and a heavily revised chassis.

The 2005 model can be distuingished from those that precede it by its twin bonnet scoops.

The heart of the Monaro – its 5.7-litre V8 – has been tweaked with a new induction system, a free-flowing exhaust, reprofiled cams and engine management to give even more power and torque. Besides improving the distinctive exhaust note rumble, the improvements mean the engine now produces a massive 354PS (~345bhp) (up from the previous model’s 333PS) while torque rises from an already impressive 343lb.ft to 353lb.ft (500Nm). Performance figures have yet to be set, but it’s estimated that the new Monaro will comfortably exceed 160mph and should hit 60mph from a standstill in around 5.6 seconds.

To tame the power and further improve the Monaro’s dynamic handling, the chassis has been uprated with sportier suspension settings. Lightweight steering components are now fitted to improve feel and feedback, while relocating the fuel tank has improved overall weight distribution. New 320mm ventilated front discs, borrowed from the latest Corvette C6, make sure the Monaro stops faster than ever too.

Besides the fully-functional bonnet scoops and new air dam, other visual changes include improved head and fog lamps plus a reshaped rear bumper to house huge twin 63mm tailpipes. In addition to looking beefier and sounding great, the new exhaust system has allowed an aerodynamic tray to be fitted underneath the car to improve airflow at high speeds.

Inside the cabin, an extra pair of instruments has been added to a new central binnacle, and the facia panel now has a modern high gloss ‘piano’ black finish.

Despite the improvements, the price of the Monaro has been kept below £30,000 - still a unique proposition with competition only coming from cars with lesser engines.

The first cars are expected to reach showrooms in early March.

Links: www.hsv.org.uk, Holden Links, www.hsvdriversclub.co.uk

[s2gonzo]

Article said said:

The heart of the Monaro – its 5.7-litre V8.....

No, this one is a 6ltr as fitted to the new C6 vette.

[Nero5]

true, is new LS2 V8 and bonnet scoops are not functional. They were added as americans complained the car was too conservative and boring (probably not used to corner speed in a GTO?). American rules also lead to changes in fuel tank and exhaust...again it did not sound enough like a V8 (meaning loud).

[uk hsv]

The artical and picture above is on a 2005 "Monaro V8" which is a LS1 5.7ltr engined car

The 2005 "Monaro VXR" is the LS2 6.0ltr engine car

[John Nowak]

Looks rather lardy.

[driller]

Yeah it's a shame it looks like shite. Lose the plastic panels inside for gawds sake...and about 500kg...the outside, well nothing to do save a total redesign.

[PetrolTed]

Nitpickers 350bhp V8 for less than £30K? Yes please.

[PetrolTed]

uk hsv said:

The artical and picture above is on a 2005 "Monaro V8" which is a LS1 5.7ltr engined car The 2005 "Monaro VXR" is the LS2 6.0ltr engine car

Spot on. This is not the VXR version.

[alextgreen]

Hmmmm, V8 or RX8. Is there *any* competition? Not even economy can swing this one.

[Beefmeister]

Here's the VXR - with 400bhp from the 6.0 V8, and rumoured to be still around £38.5k

Looks much better than the standard car...

[paulothegangsta]

The VXR is a monster!! So much performance for relatively little cost. Getting me insured might be costly though...

[dan_the_man]

[quote]Hmmmm, V8 or RX8. Is there *any* competition? Not even economy can swing this one.[/quote]

very true, the RX8 is common as muck plus it has the w*nker engine. Nothing beats a real V8 especially for under 30K, the Monaro is absolutely fully loaded with leather, cruise, LSD, climate, 6CD + 10spkr system plus the 30mpg ability on the motorway - truly amazing.

[t0ny99]

Anyone else struggling to get excited about the Monaro's styling?

It just looks out of date, bland even, and what's with the curve at the base of the side glass, the lexus rear lights and Halfords bonnet vents?

>> Edited by t0ny99 on Monday 21st February 16:08

[Cubittus]

paulothegangsta said:

The VXR is a monster!! So much performance for relatively little cost. Getting me insured might be costly though...

Elephant insured my 2004 VXR for under £1000

[jagsy]

I like reading the profiles of those who post negative comments - very interesting.

Thank you Ted for pointing out that good point.

[sjc]

Cubittus said:

paulothegangsta said: The VXR is a monster!! So much performance for relatively little cost. Getting me insured might be costly though... Elephant insured my 2004 VXR for under £1000

And Tesco my 410BHP HSV GTS-R for £630!!

[thirsty]

Great car with lot's of power. I think the problem with this, and the GTO is the aging Omega body style. Pontiac is now working on a new GTO based on the Zeta platform being developed by Holden. I would assume it would show up in the UK as a Monaro.

[jagsy]

Thirtsy, I believe the Zeta is a worldwide platform including Monaro, Saab, GTO and maybe Z28? etcetc

[Mr E]

Yum. Yes please. In black, if you'd be so good.

[EH*ROB]

[quote]Yeah it's a shame it looks like shite. Lose the plastic panels inside for gawds sake...and about 500kg...the outside, well nothing to do save a total redesign.[/quote]

& you drive a WHAT ??Triumph Tiger 955

Stick to your, Dental Surgery !!

[EH*ROB]

[quote]Anyone else struggling to get excited about the Monaro's styling?

It just looks out of date, bland even, and what's with the curve at the base of the side glass, the lexus rear lights and Halfords bonnet vents?
[/quote]

Another one,

He drives,

Talbot Samba Rallye
Talbot Samba Convertible
Fiat X1/9
Bertone X1/9 VS
Bertone X1/9 1500
VW Type 2 panel van/surf bus