Holden Coupe 60: Reborn Monaro

Motoring Channel Staff - 5/March/2008

Melbourne, Australia — Vying for attention at the '08 Melbourne Motor Show with Toyota's hardcore hybrid performance car, the FT-HS, and Ford's new FG Falcon, was Holden's new Coupe 60.

Making it's world-wide debut at the Melbourne Motor Show, the new concept instantly conjures up images of futuristic Monaro model that could be introduced as early as 2011.

Based on the VE Commodore's underpinnings, the same Global Rear-wheel Drive platform that the American Chevrolet Camaro will use, the Coupe 60 concept "is production capable" according to Tony Stolfo, GM Holden's head of design.

But don't expect Holden to build an all-new Monaro any time soon.

GM Holden's new head honcho, Mark Reuss, said the Coupe 60 was Holden's gift to its fans worldwide, to help celebrate the company's 60th anniversary. But Reuss also said that it's only a concept at this stage

"This is a vehicle I know our designers would dearly love to see go into production, but for the moment it has to remain a concept only," said Mr Reuss.

The design has clear links with the current VE Holden Commodore and upcoming American market Pontiac G8 - the headlights, grille, windscreen and A-pillar designs are almost identical.

However it aft of the A-pillar that the real changes take place.

It's only got 2-doors, there's no B-pillar and together with side-pipes (which are technically illegal in Australia), huge 21-inch wheels and a cropped rear end give the Holden Coupe 60 a seriously sporty profile. 

It also gets a pair of flashy LED brake light clusters and hood vents that could be part and parcel of the next generation Monaro.

The GM Holden Coupe 60 is shorter than the Commodore and G8 models by a good 6cm and the roof is lower and sleeker. It also features a super keen body kit with aggressive design cues that gives it a race car-like grounding.

Other race car-inspired features include an effective rear diffuser which negates the need for a large rear wing, unique Kumho high performance semi-slick tyres and a flat under body that improves airflow under the car.

Mark Reuss said the new model "...highlights Holden's heritage of rear wheel drive performance whilst looking ahead to the potential offered by new technologies and materials."

These new technologies include an ethanol E85 version of GM's 6.0-litre V8. 

Holden wanted to keep attention focussed on the design of the Coupe 60 so no engine specifications were divulged, so we can only assume peak power is around the 270kW.

But Holden did confirm the SS Commodore-derived powertrain was calibrated to run on E85 ethanol fuel. 

The Coupe 60's engine can also reduce highway fuel consumption by shutting down four of its eight cylinders when cruising, via new engine technology that is soon to be adopted by the V8 Commodore range described as Active Fuel Management or AFM.

The pillarless V8 coupe concept celebrates the 60 years since Holden built the '215' at its Fishermans Bend plant in Port Melbourne in 1948.

Holden's Coupe 60 also gets the superstar treatment inside as well, with what the Australian car maker calls "several unique features" that mimic the cockpits of Australian V8 Supercars. 

These features are as follows:

One-piece carbon fibre bucket seats with 4-point racing harness
Flat bottomed steering wheel with shift light
LCD instrument cluster
Leather/suede dash trim and headlining
High gloss carbon fibre door trim

The paintjob is aptly named 'Diamond Silver' and provides the Coupe 60 with a "liquid aluminium finish that almost slides off the bodywork" according to Holden.

The project design manager in charge of the Coupe 60 concept, Peter Hughes, was also the creative force behind the last Holden Monaro, saying the concept had been initially broached as far back as 2002.

"We were looking to mark the diamond anniversary with a car that captured the Holden DNA and took the current VE range to an exciting next step," said Hughes.

"Even in the early stages of VE development, we knew there was a sensational coupe waiting to get out and the 60th anniversary has given us the chance to explore that. 

"With Coupe 60 we think we have designed a car that has the potential to write another chapter in the book of Holden icons," added Hughes.

Holden Coupe 60 Features:

Construction
Pillarless coupe body
Derived from flexible GRWD platform
VE sedan wheelbase

Powertrain
6.0L V8 with Active Fuel Management, calibrated for E85 Ethanol fuel
6-speed manual transmission (SS specification)
Engine oil cooler

Exterior
Unique "Diamond Silver" paint colour
Electrically dropping front & rear side windows
21-inch centre-lock alloy wheels
Unique design Kumho high-performance semi-slick tyres
High-performance Brembo brake hardware with ducted air cooling for front calipers
Side-exiting chambered exhaust system with billet alloy tips
Unique design LED tail lamps
Exterior mirrors with integral LED side markers
Racing-derived aerodynamic down-force enhancements

• Rear under-body air diffuser;

• Full flat under body;

• Functional rear deck-lid spoiler;

Interior
V8-Supercar inspired cockpit layout
LCD sports instrument cluster located
One-piece carbon fiber bucket seats
Four-point race harness restraints for all 4 seats
Unique sports-inspired flat-bottom steering wheel
Unique air vents, column switches, gear shifter, pedals

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