Thunder from DOWN UNDER

[Boz]

Bob Lutz was in Australia visiting General Motors Holden (US-G.M. subsidiary). Why? because the Holden Monaro GTS may be the new Pontiac GTO.

300 KW (403HP)
510 Nm (376 lb/ft)
0-60 in 4.5 seconds

http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=1597
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t13604.html

Incidentally, I'm an Australian. Came to the states 7 years ago and have ALWAYS been a die-hard Ford nut until I bought my 02 Z06. I now have a serious respect for GM musclecars.

The Holden Monaro musclecar legacy goes back to Australia in the sixties where the Monaro's were raced head-to-head against the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III (showroom-floor 13-second quarter-mile) at Bathurst (Mount Panorama) during the Hardie-Ferodo 500 superstock races. This tradition, and Bathurst, continues today. (see http://holden.itgo.com/monaro_history.html, http://www.users.fl.net.au/~chris/bathurst.htm)

I've seen and driven the new Monaro personally. Truly amazing Grant Tourer, capable of out-performing a lot of stuff from Germany, Italy and the UK.

Stickers in Oz for AUD$95000 (approx US$50K).

Hopefully it will make it to US shores. It will be a great stablemate next to the Z06.

Boz.

[AgentZ06]

Sounds cool..... hope we get 'em.

[ZEDOH6]

I just returned from Oz after a two month tour. Love the Holden Commadore LS1 6 spd 4 door sedan and the Commadore Ute. The Monaro Pillarless is a true knock out. Lets hope sane heads prevail and the Monaro is allowed to be exported to North America . By the way I visited some Vtte clubs in Oz and met some terrific people. Number 1 question asked -Whats a Z06 like.