Camaro, Monaro future twins?
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Camaro, Monaro future twins?
That's my assumption after trying to add up 2 and 2...
NEWS that General Motors had postponed the Zeta rear-drive architecture has given heart to Monaro aficionados that a replacement for the current VZ-based coupe might be built on the forthcoming VE series Commodore platform.
The thinking was that under the Zeta program, Pontiac was going to design its own version of the Monaro-based GTO and build it in the United States. Holden could then import the car to Australia as a Monaro under the free-trade agreement with the US.
But the cloud over the Zeta program has given new heart for those who would like to see the Monaro based on the VE Commodore. That’s the scuttlebutt. In an exclusive interview with GoAuto, Holden chairman and managing director, Denny Mooney, said discussion about the next Pontiac GTO being built in the US was just speculation.
“People were jumping the gun on that. We had not made those decisions,” Mr Mooney said. So what is going on? Monaro has a future, but not necessarily on the VE Commodore platform. Holden officials are saying that the Monaro – and the Pontiac GTO – built on a VZ Commodore platform will continue.
Holden executive director of engineering, Tony Hyde, said that Monaro had a finite life but the current shell would continue for Pontiac for as long as Pontiac could justify a business case for it. He said Monaro would continue to be made after the VE architecture was launched as a sedan and wagon next year because it took a time-line of about six years to engineer and introduce all the variants on the Commodore architecture.
When the VT was launched in 1997, it was a sedan and a wagon. In 1999, the long-wheelbase models were added, followed by the Ute in 2000, the Monaro in 2001 and later the crew-cab, chassis-cab and Adventra 4WD. This means that Holden will make both the VE Commodore wagon and sedan alongside the remaining VZ models.
“We have no choice but to do this on a rolling process. Whatever models till make business sense at that time will be included in the rolling process,” Mr Hyde said. So if you want Holden to build Monaros on the VE platform, you’d better keep buying them.
http://mellor.carsales.com.au/mellor...oAuto%20e-News
The thinking was that under the Zeta program, Pontiac was going to design its own version of the Monaro-based GTO and build it in the United States. Holden could then import the car to Australia as a Monaro under the free-trade agreement with the US.
But the cloud over the Zeta program has given new heart for those who would like to see the Monaro based on the VE Commodore. That’s the scuttlebutt. In an exclusive interview with GoAuto, Holden chairman and managing director, Denny Mooney, said discussion about the next Pontiac GTO being built in the US was just speculation.
“People were jumping the gun on that. We had not made those decisions,” Mr Mooney said. So what is going on? Monaro has a future, but not necessarily on the VE Commodore platform. Holden officials are saying that the Monaro – and the Pontiac GTO – built on a VZ Commodore platform will continue.
Holden executive director of engineering, Tony Hyde, said that Monaro had a finite life but the current shell would continue for Pontiac for as long as Pontiac could justify a business case for it. He said Monaro would continue to be made after the VE architecture was launched as a sedan and wagon next year because it took a time-line of about six years to engineer and introduce all the variants on the Commodore architecture.
When the VT was launched in 1997, it was a sedan and a wagon. In 1999, the long-wheelbase models were added, followed by the Ute in 2000, the Monaro in 2001 and later the crew-cab, chassis-cab and Adventra 4WD. This means that Holden will make both the VE Commodore wagon and sedan alongside the remaining VZ models.
“We have no choice but to do this on a rolling process. Whatever models till make business sense at that time will be included in the rolling process,” Mr Hyde said. So if you want Holden to build Monaros on the VE platform, you’d better keep buying them.
http://mellor.carsales.com.au/mellor...oAuto%20e-News
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Re: Camaro, Monaro future twins?
It's interesting that this is now saying the GTO will not end in '06 for certain. I still think Pontiac has a good business case for the car. Even though it hasn't been a homerun, I think it's starting to catch on, and at the very least has lifted the Pontiac name out of the mud a bit.
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Re: Camaro, Monaro future twins?
A lot of people just dont seem to get the fact that the GTO is NOT an F-body. Granted, it may be the closest thing GM has to one, but it's a VERY different car, sure it's got a powerful engine and a tight suspension, but so does the Corvette, does that mean they are the same? The GTO is much heavier, much roomier, more luxurious, less aggressive looking, rides higher (as if 4th gen ride height isn't bad enough! 
), has an independent rear (definitely not a characteristic of a Camaro), does not come in t-top or convertible (and never will), there is no V6 model, and it is much more expensive.
I like both F-bodies and GTOs but making them platform twins would be a grave mistake, and a mistake will be the last thing we need with a 5th-gen Camaro.
The GTO was not an F-body in the 60s, it will not be one in the 2000s.
), has an independent rear (definitely not a characteristic of a Camaro), does not come in t-top or convertible (and never will), there is no V6 model, and it is much more expensive.I like both F-bodies and GTOs but making them platform twins would be a grave mistake, and a mistake will be the last thing we need with a 5th-gen Camaro.
The GTO was not an F-body in the 60s, it will not be one in the 2000s.
Last edited by JungleMan; May 17, 2005 at 08:43 PM.
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Re: Camaro, Monaro future twins?
Originally Posted by Bob Cosby
Educate me, please - would that not mean a GTO-sized Camaro?
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Re: Camaro, Monaro future twins?
Originally Posted by JungleMan
A lot of people just dont seem to get the fact that the GTO is NOT an F-body. Granted, it may be the closest thing GM has to one, but it's a VERY different car, sure it's got a powerful engine and a tight suspension, but so does the Corvette, does that mean they are the same? The GTO is much heavier, much roomier, more luxurious, less aggressive looking, rides higher (as if 4th gen ride height isn't bad enough! ), has an independent rear (definitely not a characteristic of a Camaro), does not come in t-top or convertible (and never will), there is no V6 model, and it is much more expensive.
I like both F-bodies and GTOs but making them platform twins would be a grave mistake, and a mistake will be the last thing we need with a 5th-gen Camaro.
The GTO was not an F-body in the 60s, it will not be one in the 2000s.
), has an independent rear (definitely not a characteristic of a Camaro), does not come in t-top or convertible (and never will), there is no V6 model, and it is much more expensive.I like both F-bodies and GTOs but making them platform twins would be a grave mistake, and a mistake will be the last thing we need with a 5th-gen Camaro.
The GTO was not an F-body in the 60s, it will not be one in the 2000s.
Camaro and Monaro on the mystery (zeta/ sigma/ kappa...) RWD chassis...
GTO continues for a short time on VZ...
Or...
Camaro and Torana on that same platform (look /\ that way)
GTO and Monaro continue on as platform mates...
Just ideas, not much to base it on
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Re: Camaro, Monaro future twins?
Yeah, to me, it just seems strange to think that the GTO/Camaro/Monaro would not be built on the same platform, particularly how money conscious GM is about it's future models.
It's quite possible that my 2 + 2 equation totals 5 but it would also seem strange to think that the 3 models would be split into 2 platforms. I can't see the current V platform surviving long on... it seems like a surefire recipe to kill off the GTO/Monaro at the expense of Camaro.
Just my 2c.
It's quite possible that my 2 + 2 equation totals 5 but it would also seem strange to think that the 3 models would be split into 2 platforms. I can't see the current V platform surviving long on... it seems like a surefire recipe to kill off the GTO/Monaro at the expense of Camaro.
Just my 2c.
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Re: Camaro, Monaro future twins?
Originally Posted by SSbaby
Yeah, to me, it just seems strange to think that the GTO/Camaro/Monaro would not be built on the same platform, particularly how money conscious GM is about it's future models.
It's quite possible that my 2 + 2 equation totals 5 but it would also seem strange to think that the 3 models would be split into 2 platforms. I can't see the current V platform surviving long on... it seems like a surefire recipe to kill off the GTO/Monaro at the expense of Camaro.
Just my 2c.
It's quite possible that my 2 + 2 equation totals 5 but it would also seem strange to think that the 3 models would be split into 2 platforms. I can't see the current V platform surviving long on... it seems like a surefire recipe to kill off the GTO/Monaro at the expense of Camaro.
Just my 2c.
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Re: Camaro, Monaro future twins?
Zeta US is delayed. New GTO/Zeta coupes delayed. VE sedans on schedule. Sounds like Zeta/VE coupes were destined for NA production and with NA delaying Zeta for year or more the coupes just got delayed also. So VZ continues till GM NA starts NA Zeta production in 08-09. Sounds logical.
Monaro was supposed to be a 10K total production and now it seems it could reach 50K total production. It seems as if the GTO/Monaro will be quite paid for in terms of engineering and manufacturing.
I am still trying to figure out what GM is doing with Camaro but GTO/Monaro seems to have been solved. New model in 08 or so. IF an 07 MY Camaro is due then it is [i]not[/] VZ or VE as it doesn't fit either timetable. I am betting Camaro will get its own unique plaform that shares a LOT of parts with many different GM cars.
BTW I am begining to think Bel Aire was testing public reaction to more than style.
Monaro was supposed to be a 10K total production and now it seems it could reach 50K total production. It seems as if the GTO/Monaro will be quite paid for in terms of engineering and manufacturing.
I am still trying to figure out what GM is doing with Camaro but GTO/Monaro seems to have been solved. New model in 08 or so. IF an 07 MY Camaro is due then it is [i]not[/] VZ or VE as it doesn't fit either timetable. I am betting Camaro will get its own unique plaform that shares a LOT of parts with many different GM cars.
BTW I am begining to think Bel Aire was testing public reaction to more than style.
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Re: Camaro, Monaro future twins?
Originally Posted by 91_z28_4me
Zeta US is delayed. New GTO/Zeta coupes delayed. VE sedans on schedule. Sounds like Zeta/VE coupes were destined for NA production and with NA delaying Zeta for year or more the coupes just got delayed also. So VZ continues till GM NA starts NA Zeta production in 08-09. Sounds logical.
), aren't the same program anymore, although they'll share some parts.If VZ coupe production continues beyond '06, and according to this report, maybe several years beyond, it's possible GTO gets a reprieve from the hangman. That's not so bad for GTO. I really haven't heard anyone in this niche complain about it's outdated chassis anyway...only it's lack of fake hoodscoops, (I'm waiting Darth
).