BlackOne
29-02-2008, 04:59 PM
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/img/2007/national/2902_coupe60_sp_lg.jpg
A decade after blowing Sydney revheads away with the surprise unveiling of a reborn Monaro, Holden has caught the motoring public unawares again with a new coupe … and the result is stunning.
Just like back in 1998, Holden aren't calling this a Monaro — the magnificent silver beast was instead introduced as the Coupe 60 when it was unveiled at the Melbourne Motor Show today.
But as with that purple two-door version of the VT Commodore that made front page news across Australia, public demand is likely to see this car christened with the same nameplate that first hit Australia 40 years ago if it makes it to production.
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Project design manager Peter Hughes said the Coupe 60 marks the diamond (60 year) anniversary of the first Holden built — the 48-215, also known as the FX — and took the current model VE Commodore "to an exciting new step".
"Even in the early stages of VE development, we knew there was a sensational coupe waiting to get out and the 60th anniversary has given us the chance to explore that," he said.
"With Coupe 60, we think we have designed a car that has the potential to write another chapter in the book of Holden icons."
One big difference to the previous coupe prototype is corporate approval: the 1998 model was built in secret by a team of designers and tradesman after-hours, and only shown to executives once it was complete.
The Coupe 60 is instead a commemorative model that has bespoke Diamond Silver paintwork to commemorate Holden's anniversary which also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Monaro, the 30th anniversary of the Commodore and the centenary of General Motors.
But this car isn't only looking to the past: the 6-litre V8 runs an Active Fuel Management system that disables one bank of cylinders during city driving and is engineered to run E85 ethanol fuel.
It also has a liquid-crystal display on the dash and a completely flat body bottom as part of its aerodynamic package.
Holden chairman and managing director Mark Reuss played the party pooper by insisting the Coupe 60 was a concept only, but the incredible buzz generated by the car on chatrooms here and in the United States could persuade General Motors to find a way to make the car viable.
Main Features:
Pillarless coupe body;
Derived from flexible GRWD platform;
VE sedan wheelbase.
Powertrain:
6.0L V8 with Active Fuel Management, calibrated for E85 Ethanol fuel;
6-speed manual transmission (SS specification);
Engine oil cooler.
Exterior:
Unique ”Diamond Silver” paint colour;
Electrically dropping front & rear side windows;
Racing-derived aerodynamic down-force enhancements:
Rear under-body air diffuser;
Full flat under body;
Functional rear deck-lid spoiler;
21-inch centre-lock alloy wheels;
Unique design Kumho high-performance semi-slick tyres;
High-performance Brembo brake hardware with ducted air cooling for front callipers;
Side-exiting chambered exhaust system with billet alloy tips;
Unique design LED tail lamps;
Exterior mirrors with integral LED side markers.
Interior:
V8-Supercar inspired cockpit layout for enhanced driver visibility and spaciousness;
LCD sports instrument cluster located in a unique column-mounted binnacle;
One-piece carbon fiber bucket seats, featuring unique suede-pad design and distinctive red high shine leather accents;
Front seats are adjustable fore-aft and allow easy access to rear;
Four-point race harness restraints for all seating positions;
Unique sports-inspired flat-bottom steering wheel with integrated shift light display and suede grips;
Unique interior details including air vents, column switches, gear shift knob and pedals.
Interior trim.
Perforated leather trimmed instrument panel;
Black suede trimmed pillars, headliner and parcel shelf;
High gloss carbon fiber used as a structural material for seats, doors and rear trim provides contrast to leather and suede trim;
Details and accents are picked out with red high shine leather, a dark gunmetal finish and satin chrome
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e100/GTSAdam/GMC2008022853913_PV.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e100/GTSAdam/Coupe60_02.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e100/GTSAdam/GMC2008022854379_PV.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e100/GTSAdam/GMC2008022854361_PV.jpg
A decade after blowing Sydney revheads away with the surprise unveiling of a reborn Monaro, Holden has caught the motoring public unawares again with a new coupe … and the result is stunning.
Just like back in 1998, Holden aren't calling this a Monaro — the magnificent silver beast was instead introduced as the Coupe 60 when it was unveiled at the Melbourne Motor Show today.
But as with that purple two-door version of the VT Commodore that made front page news across Australia, public demand is likely to see this car christened with the same nameplate that first hit Australia 40 years ago if it makes it to production.
advertisement
Project design manager Peter Hughes said the Coupe 60 marks the diamond (60 year) anniversary of the first Holden built — the 48-215, also known as the FX — and took the current model VE Commodore "to an exciting new step".
"Even in the early stages of VE development, we knew there was a sensational coupe waiting to get out and the 60th anniversary has given us the chance to explore that," he said.
"With Coupe 60, we think we have designed a car that has the potential to write another chapter in the book of Holden icons."
One big difference to the previous coupe prototype is corporate approval: the 1998 model was built in secret by a team of designers and tradesman after-hours, and only shown to executives once it was complete.
The Coupe 60 is instead a commemorative model that has bespoke Diamond Silver paintwork to commemorate Holden's anniversary which also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Monaro, the 30th anniversary of the Commodore and the centenary of General Motors.
But this car isn't only looking to the past: the 6-litre V8 runs an Active Fuel Management system that disables one bank of cylinders during city driving and is engineered to run E85 ethanol fuel.
It also has a liquid-crystal display on the dash and a completely flat body bottom as part of its aerodynamic package.
Holden chairman and managing director Mark Reuss played the party pooper by insisting the Coupe 60 was a concept only, but the incredible buzz generated by the car on chatrooms here and in the United States could persuade General Motors to find a way to make the car viable.
Main Features:
Pillarless coupe body;
Derived from flexible GRWD platform;
VE sedan wheelbase.
Powertrain:
6.0L V8 with Active Fuel Management, calibrated for E85 Ethanol fuel;
6-speed manual transmission (SS specification);
Engine oil cooler.
Exterior:
Unique ”Diamond Silver” paint colour;
Electrically dropping front & rear side windows;
Racing-derived aerodynamic down-force enhancements:
Rear under-body air diffuser;
Full flat under body;
Functional rear deck-lid spoiler;
21-inch centre-lock alloy wheels;
Unique design Kumho high-performance semi-slick tyres;
High-performance Brembo brake hardware with ducted air cooling for front callipers;
Side-exiting chambered exhaust system with billet alloy tips;
Unique design LED tail lamps;
Exterior mirrors with integral LED side markers.
Interior:
V8-Supercar inspired cockpit layout for enhanced driver visibility and spaciousness;
LCD sports instrument cluster located in a unique column-mounted binnacle;
One-piece carbon fiber bucket seats, featuring unique suede-pad design and distinctive red high shine leather accents;
Front seats are adjustable fore-aft and allow easy access to rear;
Four-point race harness restraints for all seating positions;
Unique sports-inspired flat-bottom steering wheel with integrated shift light display and suede grips;
Unique interior details including air vents, column switches, gear shift knob and pedals.
Interior trim.
Perforated leather trimmed instrument panel;
Black suede trimmed pillars, headliner and parcel shelf;
High gloss carbon fiber used as a structural material for seats, doors and rear trim provides contrast to leather and suede trim;
Details and accents are picked out with red high shine leather, a dark gunmetal finish and satin chrome
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e100/GTSAdam/GMC2008022853913_PV.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e100/GTSAdam/Coupe60_02.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e100/GTSAdam/GMC2008022854379_PV.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e100/GTSAdam/GMC2008022854361_PV.jpg