It should stay FWD based, but the 5.3L version should have an AWD option. That along with a stronger tranny would make for a much more appealing car imo.

 

And Ironically, for the "laughable" 240 horses, they're replacing the fastest factory Monte Carlo ever, the 2005 Supercharged SS, with what will likely now be the fastest factory Monte Carlo ever, the 2006 V8 SS.

 

Whatever they do to it has to be an improvement. They cannot make it any uglier.

 

That is exactly the way I feel. FWD is still what most people want, even more so in the snowy states and canada. AWD would be to easy way to go and make everyone happy.

Remember every one, the unwanted FWD coupe out sold our last RWD coupe 2 to 1

 

True, That's my point also

Im not in the market for one but I thought it was interesting.

FWD in the north east is important to buyers even if it's still not going to be good in the snow, I'm sure with a V8 it's going to have a difficult time in snow over the V6 version, but FWD alone will steal more every day car buyers then RWD.
~Chris

 

Most 300HP+ cars have trouble in the snow because they come with wide performance tires. Most RWD cars are high HP performance cars and thus get a bad rep for driving in the snow.

The V8 Monte will get 255's in the front while the 3.5L V6 modle will get thinner 225's. swap on some smaller all season tires and with the help of traction control it will be just as good as the V6's in the snow. FWD W-body/mid-lux cars kick *** in the snow.

 

I also think it should have a awd option. Makes it a sensible sports car. V8 and FWD is not the best combo. Granted the market of the Monte has always been the gentlemans sports car however, they seem to be turning it into a sporty cavy for the masses. Its a 28k dollar car loaded that is anything but sporty. I like the way they are going with the syleing of the 2000+ cars its less lumina looking and slowly regaining its monte carlo status back. I used to own an 87 monte SS, the arguably the most popular gen of the monte carlo. The 2000+ cars incorporate alot of its looks, such as the verticle tailights bodylines etc. I think they are sharp cars but need more. The SS def needs something more to set it apart. Anyone have a pic of them? In Car and Driver i only saw the impy which looked like a cross breed between an 98 monte carlo and the 05 malibu.