http://www.thehollywoodextra.com/GM/gm.html

This link was posted in another thread about the new "cavalier" (pic on the top) but I was looking at the GTO info on the bottom. You all propabally allready know this but it shows how the GTO is the same car as Opel Omega done in 1993, and how it has evolved into the GTO.

Enjoy

 

Quote: "It will be powered by a modified version of the Corvette V8 engine! So for about $30 000, you could get the closest thing to a 4 seat Corvette. Not a bad deal. But if you see it as just a "2 door Pontiac coupe". It is pretty expensive at about the same price as the new Infiniti G35 Coupe!"

You see, this tells me that the motive of the guy running the website is to criticize. Period. This Pontiac will cost the same as G35 coupe, yet it remains "just a Pontiac". From what I can tell so far, this "GTO" will have a superior interior to that of Cadillac, even. So its quality (fit and finish) is going to rank high.

This coupe has a very solid, proven powerplant. 340 or 360 horses, enough to make this a mid 13-second car. G35/350Z manage low 14's thus far. And as for potential, I really believe LS1 comes out on top.

While I appreciate his observations when it comes to styling, I like when people put a little more thought into their arguments.

 

The 4th Gen F-bodies are running on a 20+ year old frame design, so what's the point?

 

Having put a "little more thought" into it, I'd say that the GTO appraisal was pretty down to earth. For people who actually pay attention to the overseas automotive scene, the new GTO completely lacks any "shock value." I remember the 1997 rumors about a Holden VT replacement for the Impala SS, and the original Monaro concept back in 1999. It took 5-years for the Monaro to come stateside, and that's a long time. You can only keep your nose pressed against the glass for so long.

On the other hand, the G35 was a real surprise. After over a decade of boredom of Infiniti, the new French management stepped up to the pump with an amazing product. Lutz talks about Pontiac fighting BMWs, but Nissan/Infiniti is really doing it. My guess is that the G35 got some Germans thinking, but the GTO isn't about to put a fright in Ford management.

If you want to argue 1/4 mile times, something that's way outside of "luxury performance" territory, I'd still say "been there, done that." My "outdated" Z28 could easily pull a mid-thirteen second time, stock and with a 2.73 rear end. The "new" GTO has the advantage of being geared and tuned up, but it isn't going to displace any internal organs at a stoplight.

Here's reality:

If you want handling, luxury and value, buy a G35.

If you want outright acceleration, nothing can beat the Cobra.

If you work for GM, buy a GTO.

 

Well I can't argue the outright acceleration of the Cobra, but the GTO should offer better handling, luxury, and acceleration than the G35, I'd say that makes the GTO a better value.

 

And if you want shock value, real surprise? Buy Aztek. Or Element, if you happen not to work for GM .



GTO has old platform? Yes. It is not made in the US? Yes. Hence it's a car deserving no praise? No. Let's set the politics aside.

You will be surprised to learn of good handling of Monaros, and I suspect this GTO will pull close to .90 Gs. It may not be .92 g of G35 coupe, yet I am willing to bet this GTO will get better track (not drag strip) times (courtesy of LS1).

Unfortunately for you and your line of reasoning, this GTO will deliver a lot more than just straight line acceleration. It will have luxury. Oh yes. And it will have good handling. Its acceleration? While not fenomenal, it is better than average. Beats most luxury coupes.

G35 is a great car, and I love it. It is a car I am considering (and I would consider GTO were it sold in Canada). It was a surprise that just appeared all of the sudden - they hid it well. "French management stepped up to bring an amazing product", "after a decade of boredom." Isn't it similar with Pontiac? It has boredom now and had it for last couple of years, doesn't this GTO, under management of Lutz, bring excitement to Pontiac? I bet if GTO wasn't covered to the extent that it is, if it appeared all of the sudden, and if it carried a different name, we'd be much more willing to give it praise.

You should note that the point of my post was that GTO is not "just another Pontiac", and that the person has missed many good things about the car. Most everyone is stuck that this car is built on old platform. So what? This platform can deliver, that's the bottom line. How can you justify the pricing of G35 coupe, yet discredit GTO as too expensive, although it will match/exceed its luxury, performance and handling?

Last note - I do not have to work for GM to appreciate its products. I hope you're a little bit more open minded than that.

 

the Monaro puts out on the high side
235 (KW) @ 5200 RPM
Plus 465 @4400RMP of (Nm) Torque


When the GTO comes to the US we are looking at
340 horsepower @ 5200 RPMS
Along with 360 Ft lbs of torque 4000 rpms.

The 2004 Pontiac GTO will be powered by a specially tuned version of the 5.7-liter LS1 V8 ( Chevrolet Corvette also carries this engine). The GTO will have the 6-speed manual or the 4-speed automatic transmission. It will have a Pontiac characteristic of a dual-port grille. Hopefully it will stand up to the reputation that was established some thirty-eight years ago.


Oh By the way it will be for sale in the US in or about Sept of this year.

While they are builting the GTO at the Monaro plant the MONARO will be on hold production until all 18,000 of the GTOs are built.

 

One side note on the "evolution" of the Opel into the GTO: the body structure is very different, despite the similarities in appearence.

Australia's version of the V car is wider, longer, and structually stronger than the Opel. It also handles alot better than the Opel (and very close to the BMW in feel and roadholding). In a way, you can say the Opel Omega V car was downloaded off a computer, and upgraded to become the Commodore series.

Since the money went into engineering & interior, it's outward appearance looks like a wide Omega or Catera, though under the skin, the only pieces that are similar are the suspension components and some side stampings.

Since all this engineering was done just about 6 or 7 years ago, that makes the Holden cars about as old as the C5. Just like the C5, it's going to be replaced soon, so in reality, it's not that old.

It may be a tecnicality, but you can safely say the "new' W-based, mid-lux 2004 Grand Prix is "older" than the Holden V chassis.

 

The grand prix chassis might be old older, but alt least the looks of the G.P. has changes, unlike the GTO.

 

How similar was the Catera to the Monaro? Does it fit the LS1? If they are similar....wouldn't the federalization of Monaro as the GTO be straight forward? Issues such as gas tank placement and all....if they already did that for the Catera then the GTo should be similar...........

 

The Holden Monaro has been around in Aussy since 1968. read up on your history guys.
http://www.geocities.com/monaroshrin...rohistory.html

 

Current Holden Monaro is based on Opel from mid 90's. It has nothing to do with Monaros of 1968.

 

& the Camaro platform was 20yrs old which spand 2 gens so whats everyones points?
The GTO is going to come to the US & kick some Ford *** & get it over & done with.

With bring back the GTO no matter what form it is in the 2nd Muscle car era here.
Ford & Chevy are going to be fighting it out again on who can build the best & fastest cars.

Think about it guys. the GTO is coming back & In a few (maybe a couple years) the Montie is going back to the RWD V8 car. Then the comeback of the Camaros.

 

Chevy GTO????

 

Actually, the Monaro was dead for 21 of those years.

Monaro is like much like the combination of Camaro & GTO here. It has a strong performance history, and like the upcomming GTO, the next Monaro will be the quickest & fastest car to bear that name.

Looking forward to the first Mach1 vs GTO matchup.