Monaro shifts up a gear

Holden's Monaro is an Australian motoring success story, first conceptualised as an auto show prototype only.

Response to the VT-based coupe was immense and, after much deliberation, Holden decided to go ahead with plans to build it.

Fast forward a few years and the Monaro is Australia's best-selling sportscar, beating back entries like Nissan's impressive 200SX and Honda's peaky Integra.

With 28 per cent of the sportscar market share in Australia, the new Monaro Series II looks set to further cement Holdens position as top sports dog.

Simon Carr, Holden's brand manager (Large Cars) states that the latest evolution of the Monaro legend continues a remarkable sales success story that began well before the new coupe's high profile launch at last year’s Sydney Motor Show.

"We held more than 500 firm orders months ahead of release time. Not surprisingly, Monaro jumped to the top of the sports car sales charts right from the beginning – and it has remained there, by a large margin, ever since,” he said.

Hot on the heels of the coupe's initial success comes the updated Monaro Series II, on sale in late January 2003.

Revisions follow a similar pattern from VXII to VY, but exterior sheet metal remains largely unchanged - a good thing in our book.

"With all that the Series II has to offer, we confidently expect that level of demand to continue. All the assets that have made Monaro such a success – particularly the great chassis dynamics, responsiveness and predictability that make it such a pleasure to drive – are there in full measure," Mr. Carr concluded.

So what's new for one of Australia's most revered motoring icons? To start, the CV8 gets all-new 18-inch alloy wheels with low-profile rubber, giving the eight cylinder 2003 Monaro even more road presence. The CV6 also gets new five-spoke 17-inch mags.

Also new for 2002 is the choice of an exclusive new exterior finish, Purple Haze. It was named for the 1967 Jimi Hendrix classic, released a year before the original Holden Monaro, and is also available with the new Monaro series.

On CV8 models, Purple Haze is complemented by instrument cluster colours and a choice of colour-keyed or Anthracite leather trim for an integrated look, inside and out.

The biggest changes, however, have occured inside the new coupes, with the new-look cockpit featuring a smoothly integrated and redesigned instrument panel with updated controls and graphics, similar to that of the VY Commodore.

The centre console also incorporates a large screen readout radio fascia and more technical four-spoke steering wheel.

The CV8 sports a black Anthracite centre fascia with silver-accented surrounds, colour-coded instrument clusters and alloy pedal covers.

Its leather-trimmed steering wheel, new design park brake and transmission shifter feature colour-coded stitching and satin chrome highlights, while door handles are also satin chrome.

The supercharged CV6 Monaro gets Anthracite black leather trim and is matched to a centre fascia finished in Dark Tempest metallic, a colour also picked up on the steering wheel spokes, just for good measure.

Steering wheel, park brake and transmission shifter are leather trimmed and stitched; pedals are alloy-covered.

Four-ring instrument dials, a feature of Monaro's new binnacle-style instrument cluster, subtly reflect retro themes and are a vast improvement over the ageing VX-style integrated tacho/speedo.

The CV6 cluster features red, white and black-accented graphics with model ID and a single window multi-function display.

The V8-equipped Monaro has colour-coded instrument clusters (with white or red indicator needles) with black hubs, highlighted by satin silver binnacle rings similar to the new VY Calais, but with classy white-illuminated instrument graphics, model ID and a three window multi-function display.

Both models now feature black upper interior trim and new technical knit headlining, adding up to a more complete and sophisticated looking interior, so much so that you'll never want to leave their comfy confines.

Furthermore, the operation of Monaro's electric slide fold-forward seat system has now been made even more convenient with the provision of an extra control on the side of each sports front seat, which can be used to slide the unoccupied seat back into position.

The CV6's drivetrain remains relatively unchanged, though gearing in the four-speed auto 'box has been recalibrated for improved durability. It would have been nice if the CV6's supercharger had more boost, but as it stands, 375Nm is not to be sniffed at, particularly when it hits so low in the rev range (@ 3000rpm).

In addition to improving the auto's durability, service intervals have been bumped from 10,000km to 15,000km, and the auto also gets what Holden calls a 'dampolator' – essentially a combined accessory drive isolator and crankshaft bending damper, which enhances engine smoothness above 4000rpm, resulting in freer-revving engine characteristics.

Added to the standard equipment listing for CV6 are 'twilight sentinel' automatic headlamp control and road speed sensitive intermittent wipers, and both models now receive high-feature Blaupunkt audio systems.

The CV6 has a new headlamps off programmable time delay, while the CV8 offers a six disc in-dash CD player and audible Rear Park Assist. Optional on both models are satellite navigation and the Holden Assist 24-hour satellite security and support system.

The range-topping V8 Series II Monaro gets a significant boost in both power and torque, thanks largely to a tuned exhaust system, now offering a prodigious 465Nm of torque @ 4400rpm. While Holden hasn't released official 0-100km/h times, expect the CV8 to do the dash in a shade over 6.0 seconds.

Power has also been boosted by some 10kW, with peak power of 235kW arriving @ 5200rpm, and the redline has also been pushed up to 6000rpm. The new 5.7-litre V8 also drinks 91 RON-rated fuel, or regular unleaded petrol, while the CV6 needs prefers premium.

As far handling dynamics go, body structural stiffness has been further optimised using Finite Element Analysis. FEA is used by the likes of Boeing in aircraft construction, and basically involves the use of computers to calculate the behaviour (stress, vibration, flex etc) of any substance, such as plastic, or in the Monaro's case - metal. In essence, it will translate to better rigidity and improved steering response.

Other new features include the application of new, lightweight noise absorption materials, which assist in further isolating the Monaro passenger compartment from engine noise. Occupant safety is enhanced by new load-limiting seat belt retractors, re-optimised front airbags and structural reinforcements, which reduce the risk of lower limb injury.

A classy new mobile phone power outlet located under the centre console armrest powers the phone charger, out of sight, leaving a second socket to power other items. The CV8 is also equipped with two additional cupholders which pop out from the dash and spin into position.

Recent response to the Series I Monaro at the British Motor Show has been good, with Vauxhall expressing interest, while on the other side of the world, General Motors Pontiac arm will be importing some 18,000 Series II Monaros to be slightly modded and sold in the US as the legendary GTO.

Can the Monaro do no wrong?

On sale in late January, Australia's most popular sportscar is now even better, with more power, more rigidity and more luxury features than most sports coupes in its class. Can the Monaro hold onto the top spot in the sportscar market? Even if it doesn't, Holden won't be too upset: The #2 car in the segment is the Astra convertible...

Colours

Series II CV6 and CV8 models are available in a choice of seven exterior colours, two of them – Purple Haze and Devil – exclusive to Monaro. Another exterior finish, Vespers, is new to the Monaro range.

The colour selection consists of: Purple Haze (smoky charcoal with violet accents); Vespers (dark, inky blue metallic); Devil (highly chromatic solid sports yellow); Hothouse (bright metallic green with brilliant highlights); Quicksilver (sharp silver with brilliant highlights); Red Hot (highly chromatic solid red) and Phantom (metallic black with silver highlights).

Pricing

CV6 $49,450
CV8 $58,750