Item: 2004 Holden VZ Monaro
Rating: 3.5

Powerful 5.7-litre LS1 V8 engine
Competent dynamics
Supportive front seats
After-thought bonnet vents

Suspension bottoms out on uneven surfaces
Automatic transmission provides clunky downshifts
Manual transmission has sloppy action and slow shifts
Tight rear seat access and rear occupants sit below glass

Overview

Released in September 2004, the Holden VZ Monaro was a four-seat, two-door coupe. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, the rear-wheel drive Monaro was powered by a 5.7-litre V8 petrol engine.

LS1 engine and transmissions

The 5.7-litre LS1 pushrod V8 engine had all-aluminium construction, flat-topped pistons, two valves per cylinder, twin knock control sensors and a compression ratio of 10.1:1. For the VZ Monaro, the introduction of electronic throttle control, a revised camshaft, high output calibration for premium unleaded petrol, a new induction system and the fitment of a full-length split dual exhaust increased peak power to 260 kW.

The V8 engine was available with the heavy-duty 4L65E automatic transmission (with a final drive ratio of 3.46:1) or the six-speed Tremec T56 M12 manual transmission. Compared to the Tremec T56 MM6, the M12 transmission had generally shorter gear ratios (2.97/2.07/1.43/1.00/0.84/0.57 and a final drive ratio of 3.46).

V2 Monaro comparison

Compared to the V2 Monaro , changes for the VZ Monaro included:

camshaft modifications for improved low to mid-range power delivery;
a new brake booster and master cylinder;
variable ratio power-assisted steering with improved feel;
since the VZ Monaro was exported to the US as the Pontiac GTO, the fuel tank was relocated between the rear axle and rear seat to satisfy safety requirements; and,
a rear underbody tray was fitted which reduced rear lift by 16 per cent from 100 km/h.

Visually, the VZ Monaro could be identified by its twin bonnet scoops, more angular headlights and grille opening, mesh grille, deeper-dished 18-inch alloy wheels and big-bore 95 mm dual exhausts. Inside, there were colour-coded instrument clusters, Piano Black centre stack and sports instrument binnacle with oil pressure and voltmeter gauges.

Dimensions

The VZ Monaro was 4798 mm long, 1841 mm wide, 1397 mm tall and had a 2788 mm long wheelbase; kerb weight was 1692 kg and 1698 kg for models with manual and automatic transmissions, respectively (approximately 50 kg heavier than its V2 predecessor).

Suspension

The VZ Monaro had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms.

Holden VZ Monaro specifications
	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
Monaro CV8	5.7-litre LS1 petrol V8	4sp auto, 6sp man.	260 kW at 5600 rpm	500 Nm at 4000 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the VZ Monaro included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, traction control, active front seat head restraints, anti-submarining seat ramps and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The VZ Monaro had 320 mm by 32 mm ventilated front brake discs with twin-piston calipers with and 286 mm by 18 mm ventilated rear discs.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , post-February 2004 Monaro CV8 vehicles received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 26.89 out of 37. In the offset crash test, the passenger compartment held its shape well but protection from serious chest injury was marginal for the front passenger. In the side impact test, there was a moderate risk of serious abdomen injury for the driver.

Features

Standard Monaro features included 18-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker sound system (including two subwoofers) with six-disc CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats and door inserts, power adjustable front seats with driver’s seat memory settings, steering wheel audio controls, cruise control, rear parking sensors, front fog lights, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, stainless steel sill plates, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Monaro CV8 was also fitted with a limited slip rear differential.

2005 Monaro CV8-Z

In August 2005, a limited-run Z edition of the CV8 was released. Compared to the standard CV8, the CV8-Z featured five-spoke 18-inch machined-face alloy wheels with CV8-Z logo, a power sunroof, black bonnet scoop accents and modified rear lamps.

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