Holden's VZ Monaro uncovered

HOLDEN V8 enthusiast website LS1.com.au has published spy shots of the VZ Monaro on the eve of its official launch this week.

Revealed for the first time, the latest Monaro features a radical new look courtesy of twin bonnet scoops, vertically-stacked twin foglights and a full dual exhaust system with quad outlets.

It is the second time in three weeks that LS1.com.au has exposed Holden’s facelifted VZ Commodore range, with a reader snapping the forthcoming Commodore SS in Port Melbourne last month.

Not due on sale until September, the wild new Monaro coupe is expected to be the headline act of the vastly improved VZ Commodore range, which goes on sale later this month featuring Holden’s all-new, all-alloy 3.6-litre DOHC V6.

The upgraded model line spells the end of Holden’s trusty 3.8-litre cast-iron pushrod V6, with the range-topping Calais instead powered by a 190kW/340Nm V6 dubbed Alloytec 190, coupled to a new five-speed sequential shift automatic transmission.

The long-wheelbase WL Statesman and Caprice will also benefit from the new powertrain, but the less expensive Executive, Acclaim and Berlina models will feature the base 175kW/320Nm Alloytec engine mated to an improved version of Commodore’s current four-speed auto with sequential shift function.

Of course, the new engine and a new six-speed manual to replace Commodore’s current five-speed manual mean big things for six-cylinder enthusiasts, with a new model labelled SV6 (also revealed by LS1.com.au and set to replace the current Commodore S and supercharged S) to take the fight to Ford’s highly successful XR6 and XR6 Turbo.

SV6 will come complete with Alloytec 190 engine and the choice of six-speed manual or five-speed auto transmissions – the latter with steering wheel-mounted shift buttons.

But VZ Commodore will also herald big news for V8 fans.

While the new-look Monaro has the option of a twin-nostril bonnet also optional on the Holden-built MY2005 Pontiac GTO, its twin rear tailpipes – a la HSV’s new Coupe 4 – also liberate more power.

Expect 260kW from the re-tuned 5.7-litre Gen III V8 sourced from Chevrolet in order to differentiate Monaro’s performance from Commodore SS – which is expected to front in VZ guise with 250kW.

Both SS and Monaro – sales of which are in decline – currently offer 245kW, but the twin exhausts will mean a smaller boot thanks to a fuel tank that’s mounted behind the rear seat.

Inside, Monaro will get an HSV-style oil-pressure gauge at the top of the centre console, plus the option of premium PBR brakes with exclusive “Monaro” callipers and ventilated rear brake rotors.

* Watch out for full pricing information and drive impressions of the VZ and WL ranges on the www.goauto.com.au website from Monday, August 9.