2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo:
Base engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower: 210
Optional Engine: 3.9L V-6
Height: 55.8 inches
Width: 72.9 inches
Length:196.7 inches
Curb weight: not determined



What the automaker says:"The '06 Impala and Monte Carlo wear a new look, both inside and out, that conveys sophistication and exudes big-car roominess."



What you should know: Chevy woos fans of big power with an optional 303-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 in it's mid-sized cars.
Production possibility: Production starts next summer



GM Media

redriderbob

 

i usually like gm, because they are my second favorite to dcx, but i hate this for 2 reasons. 1: 2 doors, and 2: rear end. the front looks nice though

 

Well at least they cured one of the Monte's problems, no V8. Now if they could just take care of the awful styling and the wrong-wheel-drive...

 

Yucky! I've never liked monte carlos. Just as ugly as all the other ones they've ever made.

 

not sure I care for the styling. And it's still a Chevrolet.

 

I must be the only one who likes the back of the current Monte Carlos. lol.

redriderbob

 

I'm puzzled. The rear suspension looks like it's been lifted about three inches. Notice how far above the tire the wheel cutout is.

Did they dial in more suspension travel to improve handling? The current one isn't all jacked up like this.

I'm not so sure 'wrong' wheel drive is so bad - not after I spent 15 minutes last night trying to get into my garage (without bashing into the '69 300, or bashing in the door rails) with my rear drive Blazer in this wonderland of winter - plus Mrs. Kingelvis (LA born and bred) has no clue about winter driving and had to pay someone to get her out of an overnight parking space recently - probably wouldn't have happend in the Monte Carlo.

Besides, the big deal with this one was that it didn't have a V8, and that problem is now solved. On the other hand, with the 25G GT Mustang competing, it might be tough to pay $29G for this (thats what they ask for the "SSS" or supercharged version). Yes, it has a real back seat and big trunk, and it has the winter traction angle I like, but darn it, the Mustang just looks great.

I was noting in another thread ("Charger complaint letter" by truecharger) about how 'specialty' cars like the Cordoba, Charger and in this case the Monte Carlo are really 'sheep in wolves clothing' and they are defined by having knockout styling, since the mechanicals underneath aren't all that interesting. MC sells pretty well (surprising) but the styling of this is certainly not 'knockout' and it fails by that standard.

Others on GM sites have theorized that this is just a stopgap untill a 2008 rear driver, based on the 'sigma' or 'zeta' architecture comes along. Since the Impala was totally redone, that probably means they will no longer be based on the same platform in perhaps only one or two years.

 

Oh yeah, the alluminum 5.3L is said to actually be LIGHTER than the 3.8L iron V6 - that's what they said about the new V8 Grand Prix anyway, so the V8 gives much more power with less weight. That's good.

I know we love the 300C but consider this comparison

300C 4100lbs/340hp = 12.05lbs/hp

MCSS 3600lbs/300hp = 12.00lbs/hp

If they can keep the price below the 300C, it could be considered an alternative for those who really want a two door, despite the fact that DCX has proclaimed that nobody wants a coupe.