A couple of weeks back I wrote about the new Pontiac GTO which could be a re-badged Australian Holden Monaro 2 door coupe. GeeEmm vice chairman Robert Lutz is leading a drive to bring the Holden Monaro to the United States. GM officials have said they might import 10,000 to 20,000 Monaros annually if they determine the car can be modified to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards. That volume would make the GTO a niche vehicle but would allow GM to bring it to market quickly.

Larry Burns, GM’s vice president for R&D and planning, said the changes needed to bring the Monaro to the United States do not appear to be extensive. In addition to regulation-mandated changes, GM would rework the car’s front end to give it more Pontiac design identity, he said. “But we’re happy with the colours, the interior, the instrument panel, the seats, there’s very, very little that would be changed.”

The top of the line Monaro is the 300 kW variant, and our down under correspondent, John Weinthal, has just finished testing the 225 kW V8 version, plus the supercharged 6 cylinder model. Since these cars are in the running to become “world” performance icons I thought it of interest to publish John’s words on the two base models. Here are the words from Weinthal.

“Two new Holden Monaros on test over a fortnight drew more attention than if I’d been in a half million dollar Ferrari. And in Australia it matters little what I say about the Holden Monaro - Australia loves it just because of its hero car predecessor of the seventies - even friends’ mums wanted a ride, so Heaven knows what they got up to in the original?

“I am no Commodore fanatic, with or without a Chevrolet badge (the four door sedan origin), so what amounts to a two door version (which may get the Pontiac nod) of Australia’s favourite reps’ mobile hardly stirred my blood ahead of the test ... although I should have been warned by the clamour from friends who wanted to know when I was getting a Monaro and seeking promises of a ride.

“Well, my first observation was that it looks miles better on the road than in pictures. It has a lovely flow in its curves and even the sporty round taillights. There’s nothing contrived about it - this car is an original in its own right. I felt this was specially so of the metallic green V8 I drove first. Some of the more subtle curves highlighted by the green (and other metallics) were masked by the flat red of the supercharged six we drove - and the popular yellow has much the same effect.

“Monaro’s all-black interior is relieved only by a light coloured hood lining and exterior colour matched instrument backing which is a nice gimmick but available only in the V8.

“The second impression was of the wonderful seating arrangement - strictly four armchairs which proved supremely comfortable over any distance with tons of head, leg and shoulder room for four large adults. All I would add is a centre rear armrest for absolute luxury. These seats are terrific - maybe Holden could apply a similar treatment to one of its more specialist Commodores. There are also various interior details which lift the V8 way above the six in my book.

“One must not overlook the four airbags - front and side; anti-lock brakes; cruise control and other niceties which help make these cars quite desirable - even admirable - packages.

“Now for the driving. GM’s marvellous 225 kW Gen 111 V8 makes this a fast accelerator with a wonderful soundtrack when one plants the right foot. The 175 kW S/C six is still rather coarse but it is no slouch either. Both test cars were four speed autos. This is probably better than the over-geared six speed manual which I have disliked on various V8 SS Commodores.

“The Monaro’s ride is firm to harsh on anything but perfect surfaces but this is somewhat compensated for by fine handling. Both Monaros simply loved fast sweeping curves. Traction control can be switched off which I did on all but wet days. Typically Holden, it’s effective enough but crude in operation. Much the same can be said for the auto - effective but with a lot of room for improvement for ultimate smoothness.

“In the V8, acceleration from a standstill was almost turbo-like with a mild lag before the fire really came in.

“As with the Commodore, a lot could be done to improve general levels of practicality. For such vast cars there are precious few internal storage spaces. The cruise controls mounted on the indicator stalk are hidden by the steering wheel.

However, I do like the audio system controls on the steering wheel, although the sound system itself is hardly hi-fi.

“Apart from a better sound system and centre rear arm rest all I would really call for is a rear window wiper. In fact I think all cars should have one - not just hatches and wagons - but it is especially notable on a big steeply sloping rear window like this one.

“Frankly it seems that if you were around in the days of the original Monaro, you will almost certainly love the new one no matter how many things could perhaps be done a little better.

“The V8 costs AUD 10,000 more than the AUD 47,000 supercharged V6 but if it was my money I reckon it would be cash well spent. The V8 really is a memorable beast - memorable in the best sense. The supercharged V6 doesn’t quite crack it - in performance, refinement or interior pizzazz.”

Bigger? Take the exhibitors for example. Running down the list there is Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Nissan, Mazda, Suzuki, Subaru, Thai Rung, Holden, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, VW, Audi, Porsche, Land-Rover, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Seat, Skoda, GM, Ford, Chevrolet, Peugeot, Citroen, Hyundai, Ssanyong, KIA, Volvo, Saab, Maserati, Ferrari, Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

Fast cars and women

If you’re into two wheels instead of four then there’s Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, Cagiva and Husqvarna.

At all motor shows, and especially the Asian ones, there are plenty of fast ladies as well as fast cars. Every stand has the obligatory bevy of babes, there’s scores of them in some of the most outlandish gear you’ll ever see.

Next week I will have more details on the Motor Show which runs from the 29th of March until the 7th of April.