Psyched about the NEW GTO

[MattBatt]

I hear about the new GTO that Pontiac is going to be making based off of the Holden Comrade(I think thats the model?). Then this past weekend I saw on SpeedVision "the super V8 challenge in Australia" and the Holden cars was kicking the Ford Falcons arses (yes they still make them in Aus.).

Why the Heck are GM and Ford making awesome V8 touring cars in australia but not in the US? These are midsize cars with small block V8's in em and they look awesome. I feel cheated.

[Gimli]

My guess is that Aussie emission laws must be a lot laxer than North American ones...

[Roush GT]

Originally posted by MattBatt
I hear about the new GTO that Pontiac is going to be making based off of the Holden Comrade(I think thats the model?).

just a fyi.. the gto is based off of the holden monaro

[MattBatt]

Originally posted by SilverGT1


just a fyi.. the gto is based off of the holden monaro

My bad i think i was trying to write Comadore but that is still wrong. either way it's still going to be a sweet car.

[Faylix]

Yeah well, I want it. So what are the specs supposed to be? Is it the LS1 engine or somethin else?

Oohh... GTO + LS6 would be nice.

I'm thinking Pontiac wants to make something to compare to the Corvette, like the firebird and camaro.

[VTECSiGAH8R]

It is the LS1 engine, but I think the intake manifold cover looks a little different. In any case, the LS1 is the engine the Aussies use for V8s, and they have some pretty decent tuned ones from their special vehicles division.

[n4cer]

Originally posted by Faylix
So what are the specs supposed to be? Is it the LS1 engine or somethin else?

It will have the Pontiac brand character including a dual-port grille and powered by a specially tuned version of the 5.7-liter LS1 V8 (shared with some models of the Chevrolet Corvette) mated to a choice of either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The rear-wheel drive coupe will feature 17-inch alloy wheels, 2+2 bucket seating and a premium sound system with an integrated six-disc CD changer. Additional performance and feature details are still being finalized and will be released closer to the public unveiling of the GTO at the North American International Auto Show.

Plus, add an available 6-speed manual transmission, and what do you have? A true driver's car, unleashing over 300 hp on command.

A fusion of heritage power and modern technology, the new GTO will combine legendary acceleration with precision handling and driver amenities not dreamed possible in decades past. The new GTO will truly be the modern incarnation of the classic.

[Rba007]

Dont ya love it when jason copies and pastes so he can sound intelligent! Just messin dude...

[n4cer]

I never claimed I was the author of this!! When questions are asked I simply answer what I can with the information available to me......

[WOLF]

Because we have NASCAR here in the states and yet for some reason all of the cars are actually FWD. Eh, well if that stupid FWD crap never was a huge deal back in the 90's the cars still would be RWD anyway. (I'm not going to go into that)

We do have SCCA classes like American sedan and so on, just no big, fast V-8 four door cars and for one good reason. Insurance!! It killed the F-bodies pretty well by itself, one very large reason why I-4 tuners are so popular. Compare the cost of a V-tec Civic to that of a Z28 and you question is answered. Even the GTO will be watered down, somewhere around 320-345hp, compared to the sweet Aussie 405hp s/ced LS-1.

Doesn't matter because there is such a big aftermarket for the LS-1 that I'm willing to bet that we will see some person in a Pontaic mag with 700hp GTO with the LS-1 within 12 months of the cars date that it will be for sale.

[MattBatt]

there are some saftey benifits to having a Front drive car like most of the weight on the driving and steering wheels.

- Ryan

[WOLF]

Please don't change that interior, well make it left hand drive and thats about it.

And keep the exterior colored gauge cluster, I like that feature alot. Man, everthing is perfect and hopefully GM doesn't do anything stupid with a car that only needs a slightly different exterior to make it look like a Pontaic.

The FWD topic: new technology involving cars with RWD have closed any sort of advantage the FWD cars even had. Plus there are way to many draw backs with FWD cars anyway, torque steer, have yet to see a FWD car clock a 8 second or under 1/4mile. That and if the main issue was traction, why didn't people just get AWD cars or make AWD cars in the first place. Funny to think during the time FWD cars were popular that AWD drive cars didn't have the same sucess, seems more of a cheap thing you would see on a info-merical than anything else and we did a good job falling for it.

[WOLF]

Bob Lutz slammed my ass on the ground, to heck with the "only" low-mid 300 range!

360+LS1 and a 405+LS6

http://www.newagegto.com/GTO%20News.htm

[VTECSiGAH8R]

Originally posted by WOLF
Compare the cost of a V-tec Civic to that of a Z28 and you question is answered. Even the GTO will be watered down, somewhere around 320-345hp, compared to the sweet Aussie 405hp s/ced LS-1.

Acttually the 405 hp Monaro is not s/ced, its N/A tuned like the LS6 for the vette. The v6 Monaro is the engine w/ the s/c option. But yeah, the LS1 has a pretty nice aftermarket I'd say.

On the insurance thing, Civics and Integras and other little I-4's might be cheaper on insurance in one manner because they aren't performance cars, but Hondas/Acuras (and Camrys) are the most stolen cars on the road, and that somewhat makes up for the added insurance costs. Compared to say a J-Body or the plain jane W-Bodies, the Hondas are hella expensive on insurance. I think the most stolen car is an early 90s Camry, then a late model accord, a late model civic, a later model accord, a later model civic, a civic Si, and an Integra. Of course I am exaggerating, but that is not too far from the truth.

[GreatGraySkwid]

Originally posted by VTECSiGAH8R
I think the most stolen car is an early 90s Camry, then a late model accord, a late model civic, a later model accord, a later model civic, a civic Si, and an Integra. Of course I am exaggerating, but that is not too far from the truth.

Actually, Integras top the list by a stupid margin.

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/05/15/stolen.cars/index.html

Preludes are the next down in the sport compact category, and the reason for both should be pretty obvious...

[WOLF]

Hate to say it but for some reason Hondas are incredibly easy to break into and strip them for cash, same goes for Toyotas. Don't ask me how I know either. It also helps when the car is popular and there is a high demand (plus good resale value)for them, thats another thing "people" look for.

Crap, screwed up again about it being s/ced, good thing you pointed that out VTEC, its Calloway tuned. Since it will be around the 360-405 that will keep the 0-60 in the mid 5's. Not bad for a car that weights over 3600lbs or 1200lbs more than your avg. Honda Civic. Heavy car, isn't it.

If I make another dumb mistake like that

[MattBatt]

I have heard one of the most popular things to steal out of hondas and toyotas are their air bags. You can get a lot of cash on the black market for an airbag. Probably because those idiots who tear their hondas up making them **** rockets cant pass an insurance inspection.

Those pictures (interior and exterior) are from Monaro Series I. Series II is released here in Australia in January.

You'll be able to keep body colour coded leather interiors, but everything else about the interior is all new. Expect the interior of the GTO to look rather similar.

[Mike3800]

I can't take it!!! Answer these questions truthfully and honestly.

Can GM design cars?

Can GM design cars with the LS1 and make it emissions legal? (ex. Corvette Z06, Camaro Z28)

Can GM design cars with 2 or 4 doors with rear wheel drive?

Can GM make a killer looking and functional interior like on the Monaro?

Brings the last question...

Why do we not have killer cars (as in not one car but CARS like that here?!!!

One GTO is nice if it really happens in 2004 and is not some downtuned overpriced excuse for a Camaro/Trans Am replacement. That will be cool.. What about all the other big bad to the bone Holden cars? Are we stuck with FWD slow asss opverpriced cars that can only make the new japaneese cometition wet themselves from laughter? COME ON... get the old GM guys on the team again!!! They wouldn't have some little cutsie toostsie little Maxima or Altima pounce on a Impala or Grand Prix of ANY trim level!!! And how dare they stick an SS badge on the Monte without at least having the L67 under the hood.


Sorry, I go over the edge when I see Holden cars. I'm kinda old scool when it comes down to it and I'd love to have a RWD V8 and a handfull of gears, room for passangers and suck down gas like mad and make fun of the new Z and Neon and Altima etc...