http://carsguide.news.com.au/news/st...E21822,00.html
Covers off the new Holden Monaro
Jaedene Hudson
13sep04
The brand new Holden VZ Monaro has finally broken cover.
After months of speculation whether the car would feature the bonnet scoops of its American twin, the 2005 Pontiac GTO, the question has been answered.
The existence of the Monaro's racy bonnet scoops was exclusively revealed in The Daily Telegraph on July 29.
Holden chairman and managing director Denny Mooney said the decision to put the scoops on the Monaro – a car he calls iconic in Australia – was driven by demand.
"I tell you what, this was research. I would say it is the voice of the Aussie customer that told us what we want," he said.
The VZ Monaro is the first major upgrade the car has had since its launch in 2001.
It features a new front grille with different fog lights, a dual exhaust system and front, side and rear skirts.
Two new colours have been added to the VZ Monaro range – Turismo (a chromatic teal blue) and Odyssey (a dark mercury silver). And the VZ Monaro not only has more show but also more go.
The extra muscle comes from the same Gen III 5.7-litre V8 that featured in the previous model but it's been reworked to produce 260kW. Torque is up to 500Nm.
"At the end of the day this is an image car. And part of that image is muscle and power," Mr Mooney said.
Other improvements include a drive-by-wire electric throttle, short shift ratio gearbox and the biggest brake package of any Holden.
The relocation of the exhaust system sees the boot capacity shrunk from 370 litres down to 245 litres.
The extra power can be felt and the V8 roar has been even further enhanced by the dual exhausts.
"The VZ Monaro has been allowed to flex its muscle," Mr Mooney said.
And, despite the numerous additions, at $60,490 the new car will cost only $500 more than its predecessor.
It will be on sale later this month.
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