Chevrolet Monte Carlo: which generation changed what
The 1 generation (1970–1972) is the only generation with a 2-speed Automatic: the 5.7 AT (250 hp). Its 6.6 AT (265 hp) and 7.4 AT (360 hp) use a 3-speed Automatic. All three are Gasoline, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves per cylinder, boost No, Carburetor, Front, longitudinal, RWD. Specific output: 7.4 AT 360 hp / 7.440 L = 48.4 hp/L; 5.7 AT 250 / 5.700 = 43.9 hp/L; 6.6 AT 265 / 6.550 = 40.5 hp/L.
The 1 generation (1970–1972) is the only generation with a 2-speed Automatic: the 5.7 AT (250 hp). Its 6.6 AT (265 hp) and 7.4 AT (360 hp) use a 3-speed Automatic. All three are Gasoline, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves per cylinder, boost No, Carburetor, Front, longitudinal, RWD. Specific output: 7.4 AT 360 hp / 7.440 L = 48.4 hp/L; 5.7 AT 250 / 5.700 = 43.9 hp/L; 6.6 AT 265 / 6.550 = 40.5 hp/L. Torque is measured on two of three: 6.6 AT 542 Nm at 3800 rpm versus 5.7 AT 468 Nm at 2800 rpm (+74 Nm). 7.4 AT torque is not measured.
The 2 generation (1973–1977) keeps RWD, Carburetor, 3-speed Automatic, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves, boost No — and drops power on every shared name. 7.4 AT falls from 360 hp to 235 hp (−125 hp, 31.6 hp/L on 7440 cm³). 6.6 AT falls from 265 hp to 180 hp (−85 hp; displacement 6600 cm³ vs 6550 cm³). 5.7 AT falls from 250 hp Gasoline to 145 hp Gasoline (−105 hp). The extra 5.0 AT (140 hp, 5000 cm³) is 28.0 hp/L — below the 1 generation 5.7 AT. 0–100, top speed, mpg, weight, tank, clearance, wheels: not measured on all four.
The 3 generation (1978–1980) is the only generation with Diesel and the only one with Compressor. The 3.8 AT (170 hp, Compressor, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 3800 cm³, 3-speed, RWD) makes 44.7 hp/L and outguns the same generation’s 5.0 AT (155 hp, 8 cylinders, 5000 cm³, 31.0 hp/L) by 15 hp on 1200 cm³ less, and the 4.4 AT (125 hp, 8 cylinders, 4400 cm³) by 45 hp. The 5.7 AT here is Diesel, 120 hp, 5700 cm³, fuel Diesel, bore × stroke 103 x 86, 21.1 hp/L — the lowest specific output in the catalogue. Fuel system is not measured on all four 3 generation versions. Boost is not measured on 4.4 AT, 5.0 AT, and 5.7 AT.
The 4 generation (1980–1988) is the last RWD pair and the first 4-speed Automatic. 3.8 AT (125 hp, 6 cylinders, 3750 cm³, Carburetor, Front, longitudinal) is 33.3 hp/L. 5.0 AT (170 hp, 8 cylinders, 5000 cm³) is 34.0 hp/L. Versus 3 generation 3.8 AT (170 hp Compressor), the 4 generation 3.8 AT is −45 hp. Versus 3 generation 5.0 AT (155 hp), the 4 generation 5.0 AT is +15 hp. Boost, torque, 0–100, top speed, consumption, tank, weight, clearance, wheels, rear suspension, rear brakes: not measured.
The 5 generation (1994–1999) switches the Coupe to FWD, Distributed injection (multi-point), 4-speed Automatic, and Independent, spring at both ends. Ground clearance is 120 mm; tank 63 L; kerb weight 1512 kg on both versions. Rear brakes split: Drum on 3.4 AT, Disc on 3.1 AT.
The 6 generation (1999–2007) keeps FWD Coupe, 4-speed Automatic, Independent, spring, Ventilated disc front / Disc rear, 64 L tank, 120 mm clearance, fuel 92. It is the only generation with Turbo and the only one with a 5.3-litre 8-cylinder FWD version.
6 generation: which of the five versions to buy
Use horsepower to split the two 3.8 AT names.
3.4 AT (182 hp at 5200 rpm, 279 Nm at 4000 rpm, 3350 cm³, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves, boost No): 54.3 hp/L; kerb 1540 kg → 8.46 kg/hp; 0–100 km/h 10 s; top speed 180 km/h; city/highway/combined 11.2 / 7.4 / 9.1 L/100 km. Compression 9.6; 92 × 84.
3.5 AT (212 hp at 5800 rpm, 290 Nm at 4000 rpm, 3510 cm³, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves, boost No): +30 hp and +11 Nm versus 3.4 AT on +160 cm³; 60.4 hp/L. Compression 9.8; 99 × 76. 0–100 km/h not measured; consumption not measured; kerb weight not measured; top speed 180 km/h (same as 3.4 AT). Buy 3.4 AT if you need a full economy and weight sheet; buy 3.5 AT only if 212 hp is the priority and you accept gaps.
3.8 AT (203 hp, boost No) versus 3.8 AT (243 hp, Turbo), both 3791 cm³, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves, Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 92, FWD, 4-speed Automatic:
- Power: 243 − 203 = +40 hp (Turbo). Specific output 64.1 hp/L versus 53.5 hp/L.
- Torque: 380 Nm at 3600 rpm versus 305 Nm at 4000 rpm (+75 Nm, 400 rpm earlier).
- 0–100 km/h: 7.8 s versus 8.5 s (−0.7 s).
- Top speed: 233 versus 200 km/h (+33 km/h).
- Kerb weight: 1598 versus 1565 kg (+33 kg). kg/hp: 6.58 versus 7.71.
- Compression: 8.5 (Turbo) versus 9.4 (No).
- Bore × stroke: 96.5 × 86.4 versus 96.52 × 86.36.
- Consumption on Turbo 3.8 AT: not measured. On No-boost 3.8 AT: 11.8 / 7.8 / 9.4 L/100 km.
The extra 40 hp and 75 Nm buy 0.7 s and 33 km/h; they cost 33 kg and a blank mpg line.
5.3 AT (307 hp at 5600 rpm, 438 Nm at 4400 rpm, 5327 cm³, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves, boost No, compression 10, 96 × 92): 57.6 hp/L; kerb 1583 kg → 5.16 kg/hp (best measured kg/hp in the catalogue); 0–100 km/h 6.6 s; top speed 241 km/h. Versus Turbo 3.8 AT: +64 hp, +58 Nm, −1.2 s to 100, +8 km/h, −15 kg. Consumption not measured. If the buy is “fastest measured 6 generation,” it is 5.3 AT. If the buy is “most hp per litre among 6 generation,” it is Turbo 3.8 AT at 64.1 hp/L, not 5.3 AT.
Versus base 3.4 AT: 5.3 AT is +125 hp, +159 Nm, −3.4 s (6.6 vs 10), +61 km/h (241 vs 180), +43 kg (1583 vs 1540). Combined mpg on 5.3 AT is not measured; on 3.4 AT it is 9.1 L/100 km.
CO2 and eco class: not measured on all five. Gross weight: not measured. Wheels: not measured. Engine location: not measured.
5 generation: 3.4 AT versus 3.1 AT, and versus 6 generation 3.4 AT
3.4 AT (210 hp at 5200 rpm, 292 Nm at 4000 rpm, 3352 cm³, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, fuel 80): 62.6 hp/L; 1512 kg → 7.20 kg/hp; 0–100 8.5 s; top 180 km/h; 11.0 / 7.5 / 8.5 L/100 km; compression 9.3; 92 × 84; rear Drum.
3.1 AT (162 hp at 5200 rpm, 251 Nm at 4000 rpm, 3135 cm³, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves, fuel 92): 51.7 hp/L; same 1512 kg → 9.33 kg/hp; 0–100 10 s; top 180 km/h; 11.8 / 8.1 / 10.5 L/100 km; rear Disc.
Arithmetic: 3.4 AT is +48 hp, +41 Nm, −1.5 s to 100, −2.0 L/100 km combined, on +217 cm³. Same kerb weight, same 180 km/h. The 3.1 AT is the one with Disc at the rear and fuel 92; 3.4 AT is Drum and fuel 80.
Same name, next generation: 5 generation 3.4 AT (210 hp, 4 valves, 8.5 s, 8.5 L/100 km combined, 1512 kg, 63 L, fuel 80) versus 6 generation 3.4 AT (182 hp, 2 valves, 10 s, 9.1 L/100 km, 1540 kg, 64 L, fuel 92). Crossing generations on the 3.4 AT name costs 28 hp, 1.5 s, 0.6 L/100 km, and 28 kg, and drops valve count from 4 to 2. Tank grows 1 L; fuel grade goes from 80 to 92; rear brakes go from Drum to Disc.
If the buy is “best measured economy in the whole model,” 5 generation 3.4 AT combined 8.5 L/100 km is the lowest measured figure (next is 6 generation 3.4 AT at 9.1). If the buy is “same 8.5 s as 6 generation No-boost 3.8 AT but less displacement,” 5 generation 3.4 AT matches 8.5 s at 210 hp versus 203 hp on 3791 cm³.
4 generation: last RWD, thinnest measured sheet
Only two versions, both Carburetor, 4-speed Automatic, RWD, Front, longitudinal, Coupe 1980–1988.
5.0 AT (170 hp, 8 cylinders, 5000 cm³) versus 3.8 AT (125 hp, 6 cylinders, 3750 cm³): +45 hp on +1250 cm³. Specific output is almost a tie: 34.0 versus 33.3 hp/L. Torque, 0–100, top speed, mpg, tank, weight, clearance, wheels: not measured on both. Buy 5.0 AT if the only measured differentiator you will use is 170 hp versus 125 hp. Do not treat either as a measured-economy or measured-sprint car.
3 generation: Compressor 3.8 AT versus the 8-cylinder names, and the Diesel 5.7 AT
3.8 AT (170 hp, Compressor, 6 cylinders, 3800 cm³, 3-speed, RWD) is the power pick of 1978–1980: 45 hp above 4.4 AT (125 hp, 8 cylinders, 4400 cm³) and 15 hp above 5.0 AT (155 hp, 8 cylinders, 5000 cm³). Fuel system, torque, 0–100, top speed, mpg, weight, tank, clearance, wheels: not measured.
5.7 AT (120 hp, Diesel, 8 cylinders, 5700 cm³, fuel Diesel) is the only Diesel Monte Carlo in the data. It is −50 hp versus Compressor 3.8 AT and −35 hp versus Gasoline 5.0 AT, on the largest 3 generation displacement. Buy it only if Diesel is the requirement; it is not the power or specific-output pick (21.1 hp/L).
Note the 5.7 AT name collision: 1 generation Gasoline 250 hp; 2 generation Gasoline 145 hp; 3 generation Diesel 120 hp. Same name, three fuels/outputs.
2 generation versus 1 generation on the same names
On 7.4 AT: 1 generation 360 hp (48.4 hp/L, 3-speed) versus 2 generation 235 hp (31.6 hp/L, 3-speed) = −125 hp. Torque on both: not measured.
On 6.6 AT: 1 generation 265 hp, 542 Nm, 6550 cm³ versus 2 generation 180 hp, torque not measured, 6600 cm³ = −85 hp.
On 5.7 AT: 1 generation 250 hp, 468 Nm, 2-speed versus 2 generation 145 hp, 3-speed, torque not measured = −105 hp.
2 generation 5.0 AT (140 hp) is below 2 generation 5.7 AT (145 hp) by 5 hp despite 700 cm³ less. 2 generation 6.6 AT (180 hp) sits between 5.7 AT and 7.4 AT. None of the four 2 generation versions have measured 0–100, top speed, mpg, weight, tank, clearance, or wheels.
If the buy is “largest measured horsepower in the model,” it is 1 generation 7.4 AT at 360 hp — 53 hp above 6 generation 5.3 AT (307 hp). If the buy is “largest measured torque,” it is 1 generation 6.6 AT at 542 Nm — 104 Nm above 6 generation 5.3 AT (438 Nm) and 74 Nm above 1 generation 5.7 AT (468 Nm). Sprint, speed, and mpg for that 360 hp car are not measured, so it cannot be ranked against 6.6 s / 241 km/h on 5.3 AT.
Specs table (engines) — every named version
| Generation (years) | Version | hp | Nm | cm³ | Fuel | Cyl. / layout | Boost | Gearbox / gears | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (1999–2007) | 3.4 AT | 182 | 279 | 3350 | Gasoline, 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| 6 (1999–2007) | 3.5 AT | 212 | 290 | 3510 | Gasoline, 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| 6 (1999–2007) | 3.8 AT (243 hp) | 243 | 380 | 3791 | Gasoline, 92 | 6, V-shaped | Turbo | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| 6 (1999–2007) | 5.3 AT | 307 | 438 | 5327 | Gasoline, 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| 6 (1999–2007) | 3.8 AT (203 hp) | 203 | 305 | 3791 | Gasoline, 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| 5 (1994–1999) | 3.4 AT | 210 | 292 | 3352 | Gasoline, 80 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| 5 (1994–1999) | 3.1 AT | 162 | 251 | 3135 | Gasoline, 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| 4 (1980–1988) | 3.8 AT | 125 | not measured | 3750 | Gasoline, not measured | 6, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 4 | RWD |
| 4 (1980–1988) | 5.0 AT | 170 | not measured | 5000 | Gasoline, not measured | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 4 | RWD |
| 3 (1978–1980) | 3.8 AT | 170 | not measured | 3800 | Gasoline, not measured | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 3 (1978–1980) | 4.4 AT | 125 | not measured | 4400 | Gasoline, not measured | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 3 (1978–1980) | 5.0 AT | 155 | not measured | 5000 | Gasoline, not measured | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 3 (1978–1980) | 5.7 AT | 120 | not measured | 5700 | Diesel | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 2 (1973–1977) | 5.0 AT | 140 | not measured | 5000 | Gasoline, not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 2 (1973–1977) | 6.6 AT | 180 | not measured | 6600 | Gasoline, not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 2 (1973–1977) | 7.4 AT | 235 | not measured | 7440 | Gasoline, not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 2 (1973–1977) | 5.7 AT | 145 | not measured | 5700 | Gasoline, not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 1 (1970–1972) | 5.7 AT | 250 | 468 | 5700 | Gasoline, not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 2 | RWD |
| 1 (1970–1972) | 6.6 AT | 265 | 542 | 6550 | Gasoline, not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 1 (1970–1972) | 7.4 AT | 360 | not measured | 7440 | Gasoline, not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
Performance, mpg, weight, dimensions — only where measured
0–100 km/h is measured on seven versions: 6 generation 5.3 AT 6.6 s; Turbo 3.8 AT 7.8 s; No-boost 3.8 AT 8.5 s; 5 generation 3.4 AT 8.5 s; 6 generation 3.4 AT 10 s; 5 generation 3.1 AT 10 s; 6 generation 3.5 AT not measured. All other generations: not measured.
Top speed measured: 5.3 AT 241 km/h; Turbo 3.8 AT 233; No-boost 3.8 AT 200; 3.4 AT / 3.5 AT (6 generation) and both 5 generation versions 180 km/h. Rest: not measured.
Combined L/100 km measured: 5 generation 3.4 AT 8.5; 6 generation 3.4 AT 9.1; 6 generation No-boost 3.8 AT 9.4; 5 generation 3.1 AT 10.5. Highway lowest measured: 6 generation 3.4 AT 7.4, then 5 generation 3.4 AT 7.5, then No-boost 3.8 AT 7.8, then 3.1 AT 8.1.
Kerb weight measured only on 5 generation (both 1512 kg) and four of five 6 generation versions: 3.4 AT 1540 kg, No-boost 3.8 AT 1565 kg, 5.3 AT 1583 kg, Turbo 3.8 AT 1598 kg; 3.5 AT not measured. Gross weight not measured on every version. Ground clearance 120 mm where measured (5 and 6 generation); not measured on 1–4. Tank 63 L (5 generation) / 64 L (6 generation); not measured on 1–4. Wheel size not measured on any version.
Which version to choose — short list from the numbers
- Fastest measured sprint and top speed, best measured kg/hp: 6 generation 5.3 AT (307 hp, 6.6 s, 241 km/h, 5.16 kg/hp). Combined mpg not measured.
- Highest hp per litre in 6 generation, and the only Turbo: 3.8 AT 243 hp (64.1 hp/L, 7.8 s, 233 km/h). Mpg not measured.
- Complete mpg + sprint sheet without Turbo or 8 cylinders: 6 generation No-boost 3.8 AT 203 hp (8.5 s, 200 km/h, 9.4 L/100 km combined) or 6 generation 3.4 AT 182 hp (10 s, 180 km/h, 9.1 combined, 7.4 highway).
- Best measured combined consumption, and the only 4-valves-per-cylinder version: 5 generation 3.4 AT 210 hp (8.5 L/100 km, 8.5 s, 7.20 kg/hp, fuel 80, rear Drum).
- Same 10 s as 6 generation 3.4 AT, Disc rear, fuel 92, but 48 hp less than 5 generation 3.4 AT: 5 generation 3.1 AT 162 hp.
- 6 generation 3.5 AT 212 hp: more power than No-boost 3.8 AT 203 hp on 281 cm³ less, but 0–100, mpg, and weight not measured — do not rank it on those axes.
- Last RWD 4-speed: 4 generation 5.0 AT 170 hp over 3.8 AT 125 hp; almost everything else not measured.
- Only Diesel: 3 generation 5.7 AT 120 hp. Only Compressor: 3 generation 3.8 AT 170 hp, which beats that generation’s 8-cylinder Gasoline names on horsepower.
- Peak catalogue horsepower: 1 generation 7.4 AT 360 hp. Peak catalogue torque: 1 generation 6.6 AT 542 Nm. Neither has measured 0–100, top speed, mpg, or weight, so they do not replace 5.3 AT on those measures.
Problems and reliability are not in this dataset; do not infer them from power or weight. Length, width, and height are not measured. There is no 2026 row in the data: production in this catalogue ends 2007-12-31 on 6 generation.