The name 'Monaro' may not mean much to many Brits, but in Australia, it holds similar sentimental connotations as 'Capri', 'Mustang' and 'Charger' - i.e., an affordable, unpretentious, uncomplicated way to go pretty damn quickly. General Motors' Aussie branch, Holden, dusted off the badge again a few years back for a new rear-wheel-drive coupe based on its Commodore hot-rod saloon, fitted a Chevy-sourced 5.7-litre V8 (329bhp, also used in the last-series Corvette) and counted the cash as it hit the spot with blokes across the southern hemisphere. Yes, make no mistake: the Monaro is most definitely a bloke's car...
2004 Vauxhall Monaro VXR
New for 2005 : The Monaro VXR has been overhauled for 2005; besides the new 6.0 engine, it has received a drive-by-wire electronic throttle, revised suspension, bigger brakes (as on the Corvette) and an upgraded six-speed manual gearbox. And although styling has been little changed, the VXR can now be picked out by its nostril-style bonnet vents, nestling around the bulging bonnet, quad tailpipes at the rear and new-design 19-inch alloy wheels.
