Introduction
Since the invention of the automobile, cars have been designed with cutting edge style as one of the major engineering points kept in mind
during design. Beginning in the early-to-mid 1960s, while style was still a major consideration, the key design point in the automotive
industry became horsepower. While not every company was quick to comply with this new design theory, by the 1970s, a new car buyer was hard
pressed to find an American made automobile that did not have thick muscular lines and a throaty V8, packed full of brute power.
"Horsepower wars" became the focus of every car manufacturer, even through the gas crisis of the early 1970s, until the 1980s when fuel
economy became the interest of new car buyers, especially due to the heavy influx of very small, very fuel efficient imports. It was in this
era, the 1980s where the American market saw one-time muscle cars like the Camaro,
Firebird, and Monte Carlo fade from their big block V8 glory to a four and six
cylinder. While the Camaro and Firebird were still offered with a V8, the Monte Carlo was changed to a front wheel drive vehicle, and the
option of a V8 was removed from the lineup altogether. Even in NASCAR,
where the Monte Carlo had been a force for many years, the Monte was replaced by the new Lumina. So by the 1990s, the Monte Carlo, which was
at one point, a muscle car abreast with other high performance cars of the muscle car era, had faded out of the public eye and into relative
family car status.
But, in the past few years, even with skyrocketing fuel prices, horsepower has slowly come back into the foreground. Even the import companies,
once known only for economy, are producing cars with big horsepower numbers, often thanks to forced induction. Some companies have changed to
a AWD of RWD lineup, and in many cases, the new cars come equipped again with big horsepower V8 engines; a sort of reinvention of American
Muscle. Enter the totally redesigned 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While the sure-footed convenience of front wheel drive has not been
abandoned, a V8 engine has been added as an option with the fabled Chevrolet SS moniker.
Powertrain
The Monte Carlo put itself in the horsepower race in 2005 with the supercharged SS model. This supercharged version came with a two hundred
and forty horsepower 3.8 liter V6, with the non-SS models offering either a 3.4 liter 180 horsepower V6 or a 3.8 liter naturally aspirated 200
horsepower V6. The 2006 has skipped the forced induction route and gone with a fairly unusual setup; front wheel drive and American V8 muscle
bolted over it. While the supercharged V6 has been done away with, the V6 option
is still available in the form of two new V6 engine sizes, having done away with the 3.4 and 3.8 liter engines. The base model LS and LT
Monte Carlo comes standard with a 3.5 liter V6 with 210 horsepower and 220 ft/lb of torque. The LTZ model comes with a 3.9 liter V6 building
240 horsepower and 245 ft/lb of torque without forced induction, whereas the 2005 supercharged model built the same 240 horsepower.
These new V6 engines produce high horsepower and low end torque without compromising fuel economy by using a electronic variable valve
timing system. The heart of the new Monte Carlo lineup, having replaced the supercharger 3.8 liter engine, is the all-new
5.3 liter LS4 V8 engine. This new Monte Carlo SS engine puts out an impressive 303 horsepower and 323 ft/lb of torque. The 5.3 liter V8
features Chevrolet's new Displacement On Demand system. This is an electronic ignition system aide which, at cruising speeds when the engine
is not under load, shuts down 4 of the cylinders, making the engine far more efficient. While in 4 cylinder mode, simply by easing into the
gas, the engine re-engages the other 4 cylinders to give the full 5.3 liters, and 303
horsepower. This new system allows the new V8 to get an estimated 17 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon during highway
driving. All of the new Monte Carlo models come standard with a Hydra-Matic 4T65-E electronic four-speed automatic transmission, with beefed
up interior workings for the transmission paired with the V8.
Handling
While the 2006 Monte Carlo has returned to a Powertrain similar to that of the muscle car era, the suspension is nothing short of a modern
day sports car. To improve both performance and safety the new Monte Carlo uses a fully boxed upper frame rail assembly and stronger upper
tie bar, combined with stronger attaching points between the top and bottom rails which make for a stiffer frame. The V6 and V8 models have
the same basic front frame sections, with some minor changes to allow for the larger V8 engine. The firewall in the 2006 Monte Carlo contains
"Quiet Steel", which contains a sound deadener material sandwiched between steel panels. This helps to cut
down on exterior noise, such as road noise and the sound of small debris under the vehicle that may kick up. The entire engine cradle is made
out of machined aluminum, and combined with a solid rear cross member and redesigned aluminum rear body mounts, these help to aide the weight
of the undercarriage and to help stiffness for hard cornering. To help get the power to the road, the V6 uses a two point mounting system and
the V8 uses a three-point system. The new Monte Carlo utilizes a rack and pinion power steering system, with all of the various models using
the sport steering box with a 13.3 to 1 ratio, and all models having the redesigned steering pump and reservoir system which is quieter and
more efficient. But, the best steering system in the world is no good if the wheels are pressed firmly to the ground. To ensure that the
tires of the new Monte Carlo are tight to the ground all of the 2006 models come standard with MacPherson gas charged four valve struts in an
independent coil over suspension setup and strut stabilizer bar in the front. In the rear, the new Monte Carlo also uses a four valve gas
charged strut with coil springs and a trailing arm with a trailing arm and rear stabilizer bar, all in a three-link setup. The 2006 Monte
Carlo comes with three different distinct suspension stiffness settings, depending on the model and trim that is ordered. The three suspension
levels offered are: FE2 with 16 inch wheels, FE2 with 17 inch wheels, and FE4. The FE2 with 16 inch wheel setup comes standard with the 3.5
liter V6, and features constant rate front springs and variable rate rear springs, and this setup allows for a stiff sport suspension
without causing the ride to be rough, while at the same time helping to further reduce road noise. This package comes standard with a
16 inch wheel and P225/60R16 all season Goodyear Integrity. This entire setup, while having the similar undercarriage design, provides a
10 millimeter wider track, by moving each of the tires outward by 5 millimeters. The FE2 with 17 inch wheels comes standard with the Monte Carlos equipped with the 3.9 liter V6.
This suspension system is tuned to be slightly stiffer than the 3.5 liter, and comes with a P225/55R17 all season touring Goodyear Eagle
LS2 tires. The FE4 suspension setup comes standard with the 5.3 liter V8 SS model. The FE4 is much stiffer than the FE2 while using
similar design, but helps to control the added weight and horsepower of the V8, helps to increase cornering ability, and prevents a
great deal of body roll under hard cornering. Unlike the FE2, the FE4 comes with a 34 millimeter hollow front strut stabilizer
bar in the front, with a 18 millimeter solid strut stabilizer bar in the rear. The 2006 Monte Carlo SS comes standard with P235/50R18
Goodyear RS-A Performance tires on 18 inch aluminum "SS" wheels.
Interior
The 2006 Monte Carlo, regardless of the model line chosen provides the sports car feel with its high back seats with integrated headrests,
and its double hump dash board reminiscent of the classic Corvette styling.
To give the driver the feel of a cockpit the driver side of the dash including all of the necessary driving controls, as well as the
heater / air conditioning controls, and the radio are all within easy reach of the driver, with the middle of the dash with said controls
angled toward the driver. All of the
center mounted controls are in the same area, mounted inline for convenience, and everything is mounted flush with the dashboard face to
give the dash face a clean professional look. The upper part of the dash and the door mounted power window controls are trimmed in a glossy
silver finish. The gauge section of the dash has three gauge circles featuring four gauges, all wrapped in a matching chrome beauty ring.
The center console makes for a padded armrest as well as a storage compartment, with the push of a button. All of the new Monte Carlo lines
offer power windows with remote keyless entry, power locks, tilt steering, dual-zone climate control system with up to 12° F temperature
setting difference between the two front zones with remote to pre-heat or pre-cool the vehicle prior to entry, steering wheel mounted
speed-control buttons, assist grip handles, power mirrors, a new larger readout driver information center, and all of the models of the
2006 Monte Carlo, like many GM products, come with OnStar. The LT line has all of the standard features, plus the following: compass
and outside temperature display, and trunk mounted cargo net. The LTZ has the added
options of heated front leather seats with a six way power controlled drivers seat, heated outside mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror,
a universal home remote garage door opener, and a sunroof. The SS, along with offering the massive V8 engine, also comes with race inspired
gauges and all of the high end options from the LTZ. The 2006 also debuts 3 new stereo options. In the LS a six speaker stereo system powered
by a AM/FM compact disc player with an auxiliary input jack. The LT offers the same system but with an added option of XM radio.
The LTZ offers the second in the list of new Monte Carlo stereos with a AM/FM compact disc/MP3 compatible head unit working through an
eight speaker system, and this system is also available with XM radio. The LTZ also offers a six-disc in dash compact disc changer.
The SS comes with the Premium eight speaker system powered by a AM/FM compact disc player with MP3 compatibility, with a standard in dash
six-disc compact disc changer, and XM radio.
Exterior
When designing the new Monte Carlo, Chevrolet wanted to display not only
fine sports car design, but General Motors building quality. All cars were inspected for panel to panel body clearances of no more than
3.5 millimeters. Large chrome trimmed headlights combined with 3 bulb light housings allow for extra bright lighting to aid the driver in
nighttime driving situations. The new headlamps provide more visibility to the sides and further ahead than previous models, and
the new feature of the low beams remaining on while the high beams are activated help to intensify the high beam effectiveness. The door
handles are the recessed style, flush to the door and color matched to the rest of the car. Flat bladed windshield wipers have
been added to enhance aerodynamics along the windshield and help to eliminate noise and streaking. The front fascia has upper and lower
grille sections both with black diamond cross hatch pattern inserts. The Monte offers a flattened style rear decklid spoiler, and the SS
comes with a spoiler similar to that shown on the NASCAR Monte Carlos. The SS also comes with a full lower ground effects kit which wraps the
entire car. Halogen fog lights are available on the LT model, and some standard on the TZ and SS models. Wheel options are available in the
form of a 16 inch polished aluminum wheel on the LT, a 17 inch polished aluminum wheel on the LTZ, and an 18 inch high gloss polished
aluminum wheel on the SS. The LTZ and SS models also offer a large, dual outlet exhaust system, similar to that seen on the new Corvettes.
Safety
While high performance and Super Sport styling were of the utmost importance in the styling of the new Monte Carlo, a sports car is nothing
if the driver and passengers are not kept safe and sound. To ensure that everyone is comfortable, yet remaining safe, many features were
added to the interior. A brand new anti-lock braking system, equipped with a engine and brake managed traction control system, has been put
in place, standard on all except for the base model. It includes an electronic brake force
distribution system, helping to provide the best braking capabilities and response at every load and speed range,
regardless of conditions. Next generation airbag systems have been implemented on the 2006 Monte Carlo, which includes dual stage
driver and passenger airbags on all model lines. This system also has a weight detection system to sense whether there is a passenger in
the front seat, and deploying the passenger side airbag only when needed. All five of the standard seating positions come with three point
safety harnesses, and the front seat belts are equipped with pretension which lock the seat belt in its fixed position, pulled back slightly
to prevent the driver and/or passenger from a dashboard impact, and lessening the impact of the airbag on front riders. In the event of a
roll over or a hard frontal impact, the new Monte Carlo has a reinforced seat and mounting structure, along with strategically located padding
in the headliner around the lower points of the interior roof. A tire pressure monitoring system is standard on any Monte Carlo equipped
with either 17 or 18 inch wheels. Along with the remote HVAC system, the key fob also features a panic button, which not only sounds the
alarm in a time of emergency, but has a second mode where it can help the owner locate the vehicle in a crowded parking lot. One of the
other added safety features of the new 2006 Monte Carlo, like so many other Chevrolet products of 2005 and beyond, is the LATCH system.
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children, which is fixed at each rear seating position, and help to ensure that in the event
on an accident, little ones are kept safe in their proper position, and away from harm.
Summary
When Chevrolet set out to redesign the new Monte Carlo, and Monte Carlo SS, they wanted to make a true mid-size coupe,
with family car safety, modern day technology and styling, and muscle car-like performance. upon driving this new Monte, any pure sports
car enthusiast, whether a younger driver looking for a car to cruise the strip, or an older driver looking to have a fast, reliable car that
could also haul a family, will see that not only has Chevrolet created a great new chapter in the Monte Carlo story, but a great new front
wheel drive muscle car for the modern era.
