2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO CONTINUES SUCCESS ON AND OFF THE RACETRACK

Few vehicles have enjoyed the ongoing success of Chevrolet Monte Carlo. A sophisticated street car with race-inspired styling, the Monte Carlo is a classic Chevy nameplate that has withstood stiff competition both on and off the racetrack. The strengths of today's Monte Carlo make it one of America's best-selling cars in the midsize coupe market and the most successful NASCAR Winston Cup racer.

New for 2003
For 2003, Monte Carlo continues the legacy with several new features, including 16-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels on the LS Sport model and SS models and 16-inch five-spoke sport aluminum wheels on LS. An optional Smoker's Package, which includes an ashtray and lighter, is available on all models, and remote keyless entry is now standard on LS.

In addition, 2003 Monte Carlo offers XM Satellite Radio as an option on all models. XM radio features 100 coast-to-coast digital channels, including 71 music channels (more than 30 of them commercial-free) from hip-hop to opera, classical to country, bluegrass to blues and 29 channels of sports, talk, children's and entertainment programming. XM also brings to the car, for the first time on radio, a diverse selection of 24-hour news sources previously available only in the home. XM's next-generation sound quality technology provides superior sound remarkably close to compact disc.

New exterior colors for 2003 are Superior Blue, Berry Red Metallic, Victory Red and Cappuccino Frost Metallic.

Heart and soul of a champion
Monte Carlo delivers an impressive vehicle structure, excellent power and fun-to-drive performance. Its chassis and body architecture provide remarkable rigidity and stiffness. A unique extruded aluminum engine cradle helps isolate engine noise and vibration, and a magnesium cross-car beam (MagBeam) spans the entire width of the instrument panel, ensuring vibration-free mounting points for heating, ventilation and audio systems.

Two proven engines provide power: the 3400 3.4L V6 and the award-winning 3800 3.8L V6. The 3400 V6 is standard on LS, and offers the most standard horsepower and torque, at 180 hp and 205 lb-ft, among primary competition, along with unsurpassed highway fuel economy (estimated 32 mpg). The 3800 V6 in the Monte Carlo SS (optional on LS) generates 200 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque.

Sporty ride and handling are the result of a four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts at all corners. Specific to the SS are larger stabilizer bars calibrated to allow more spirited driving without giving up excellent ride quality, and aggressive P225/60R16 Goodyear Eagle RSA tires.

Styling heritage is two-fold
Buyers continue to recognize Monte Carlo's styling as a key reason for purchase. Its long sloping hood, short rear deck, distinctive 'C' pillars and athletic stance recall previous generations, yet the design is unmistakably modern.

Comfort and convenience abound
Monte Carlo has as much as seven more cubic feet of interior room than any non-GM competitor in its class. Even with the roominess and appointments of a luxury vehicle, Monte Carlo owners get a racecar-inspired interior feel.

Standard equipment on all Monte Carlos includes a climate control system with individual driver and front passenger temperature settings. A standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat makes Monte Carlo's 15.8 cubic feet of trunk space very versatile.

Safety and security
Attention to safety and security is also key to Monte Carlo's success. Since the 2000 model year Monte Carlo has met all 2003 government occupant protection standards, and recently received a 5-star rating (the highest rating possible) for driver and front passenger protection in frontal crash tests. Available safety equipment, depending on model, includes antilock disc brakes, a driver's side-impact air bag, OnStar in-vehicle communications and assistance service, a tire-inflation monitoring system, a passive theft-deterrent system and remote keyless entry.

Source - GM Corporation

When the NASCAR Winston Cup series arrives at Richmond International Raceway on September 8 for the 'Chevy Monte Carlo 400 with the Looney Tunes', one of the highlights will certainly be the unique pace car that brings the starting field around for the green flag.

Chevrolet, together with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, announced an integrated marketing and licensing partnership that teams seven Winston Cup Monte Carlo race drivers with their respective Looney Tunes alter egos.



'Monte Carlo is the most successful nameplate on the NASCAR circuit,' said Don Parkinson, Monte Carlo brand manager. 'As a recognized leader on the track, it only makes good sense that we put it out in front of the pack as a pace car. We're pleased to have our Looney Tunes friends on board to support of efforts.'

General Motors' Special Vehicles department developed the new Monte Carlo pace car from a 2001 model-year production car. According to Parkinson, the pace car is a stock Monte Carlo SS with few modifications (e.g., increased engine cooling, air induction and horsepower, and a lowered suspension) that enables it to perform its pace car duties in the harsh environment of professional racing.



Finished in a specially-formulated 'Pure Fire ChromaLusion' paint by DuPont, the pace car seems to magically change from eight to ten different colors depending on the angle in which it is viewed. 'Running under the lights at night at Richmond, the fans will certainly be in for a treat,' according to Parkinson.

The pace car, however, will not be the only car on the track that will be turning heads, as the #24 DuPont-sponsored Monte Carlo of defending race champion Jeff Gordon (with Bugs Bunny aboard) and the #5 Kellogg's-sponsored Monte Carlo of Terry Labonte (with Wiley E. Coyote and Roadrunner along side) will also wear 'ChromaLusion' paint.

The other Looney Tunes cartoon pals prominently displayed on the pace car include Sylvester & Tweety, Yosemite Sam, Daffy Duck, and Marvin the Martian with K9.

Also among the brightly colored cast members on the pace car is Taz - another of the Warner Bros. characters recognized around the world. 'Taz has been our official mascot for Team Monte Carlo since 1998,' according to Parkinson. 'He represents how much more fun driving can be in a Monte Carlo.'

Eleven of the most prestigious NASCAR Winston Cup races this season will be paced by similar 2001 Monte Carlo pace cars. Other than using a production black-and-silver paint scheme (except for a one-of-a-kind DuPont 'Smoooth Yellow' color for the Brickyard 400 event) and specific race event logos, they are mechanically identical to the 'Chevy Monte Carlo 400 with the Looney Tunes' pace car.

Source - GM