In Australia, Holden sells a who-cares version called the CV6 powered by GM's yawn-worthy 3800 3.8L OHV V-6. But the GTO will be based upon the CV8, which has the all-aluminum 5.7L OHV LS1 V-8 under its hood feeding either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. That's basically the engine and trans combos offered in the '02 Z28 and Trans Am and it's rated at 302hp and 339 lb-ft of peak torque. Power is distributed to the rear wheels via a set 3.46:1 gears in a limited-slip diff.
Maybe it's because the car is a touch too quiet for those of us addicted to V-8 symphonies, but with only a single exhaust, the Monaro didn't feel as powerful as the engine ratings led us to believe it would be. Even with the traction control turned off, the car doesn't express much enthusiasm for burnouts. Maybe it's because, at 3,616 pounds, the Monaro is kind of porky. Whatever. We expected it to feel quicker.
However, the structure is impressively stout and the suspension keeps it stable even when speeds trip over to triple digits. Handling is relatively neutral in the corners, and the brakes haul the car down without much dive in what seems like short distances. In other words, the chassis could take a lot more power
And more power is what's coming with the GTO. GM has already signed off on the car being the first the company will sell here with a gas-guzzler tax. We know dual exhausts are part of the GTO package, and a little Ram Air magic could have the car approaching 350 ponies without much effort. But we hope GM has learned its lesson and is planning to put in a lot of effort anyhow.
Caddy Lack?[Photo 116-0211.SCUP 11 on disc.]This is the first official photo of Cadillac's upcoming '04 SRX sport ute (due at dealers early in 2003). Based on the same platform as the CTS sedan, the SRX promises to be the quickest SUV ever sold by an American manufacturer, as it will be available with Cadillac's totally wonderful 4.6L, DOHC, 32-valve Northstar V-8 producing (we hope) somewhere around 300 hp.
But the standard powerplant in the SRX will be a 3.6L version of the DOHC, 24-valve V-6 that's currently the only engine available in the CTS powering either the rear wheels or all four of them.
Cadillac is touting such features of the SRX's engineering as a relatively long wheelbase for the class, a low center of gravity, and the fact that it seats up to seven. But the big question is whether this smaller SUV can capture some of the hip, urban edge that's made the full-size Escalade such a hit. In other words, will the SRX have enough bling to match the Escalade's bling bling, bling for bling.
First one with 24s on his SRX wins!
Conceptual Art[Photo 116-0211.SCUP 9A through 9E on disc. Coded to text.]As you read this, every auto manufacturer on Earth is shining up its newest concept cars for display at Detroit's North American International Auto Show. GM is consistently the biggest presenter of these cars at the show and they're just so gosh darn excited about their concepts that they've already shared illustrations of five of them with the press-including, in our traditionally non-exclusive, them-too tradition, Car Craft.
[9A1 and 9A2]The Buick concept is "a premium, distinctive crossover vehicle that combines the best features of a sedan and sport utility vehicle." Um, yawn.
[9B1 and 9B2]For its Cheyenne concept full-size pickup, Chevy concentrates on the bed and comes up with dual-access doors, hidden storage bins in the floor and sidewalls, and a dual-folding tailgate. Wasn't there a time when a truck was just a truck?
[9C1, 9C2 and 9C3]By far the most promising concept is the Chevrolet SS. This rear-drive four-door powered by a small-block V-8 is designed to evoke memories of great Chevy SS models of the past. You know, Car Craft magazine has spent the last 20 years evoking memories of Chevy SS models of the past.