Holden Monaro: Which Version Should You Choose?
The Holden Monaro catalogue covers one generation of Coupe produced from 2001 to 2005, so the buying decision is between five listed powertrain configurations rather than between generations. The 3.8 AT is the only supercharged six-cylinder option and the least powerful at 233 hp. The four 5.7-litre entries use naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engines with outputs of 306, 320, or 408 hp.
The Holden Monaro catalogue covers one generation of Coupe produced from 2001 to 2005, so the buying decision is between five listed powertrain configurations rather than between generations. The 3.8 AT is the only supercharged six-cylinder option and the least powerful at 233 hp. The four 5.7-litre entries use naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engines with outputs of 306, 320, or 408 hp. Choose the 3.8 AT for its Automatic gearbox and lower kerb weight, the 5.7 AT for V-shaped eight-cylinder power with an Automatic, a 306 hp or 320 hp 5.7 MT for a Manual configuration, or the 408 hp 5.7 MT for the strongest acceleration and highest power-to-weight ratio in the data.
Generations
The Holden Monaro has one listed generation, produced from 2001 to 2005. This generation is a Coupe with five versions: 3.8 AT, three separate 5.7 MT entries, and 5.7 AT. Because 5.7 MT appears more than once, the versions must be distinguished by output: 306 hp, 320 hp, and 408 hp. There is no second generation or separate restyling entry in the supplied catalogue data, so no generation-to-generation change can be compared.
Holden Monaro engine and specs comparison
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 AT | 233 hp (171 kW) at 5200 rpm | 375 Nm at 3000 rpm | 3791 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | Automatic, 4-speed | RWD |
| 5.7 MT (408 hp) | 408 hp (300 kW) at 5200 rpm | 460 Nm at 4400 rpm | 5655 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | No | Manual, 6-speed | RWD |
| 5.7 MT (306 hp) | 306 hp (225 kW) at 5200 rpm | 460 Nm at 4400 rpm | 5665 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | No | Manual, 6-speed | RWD |
| 5.7 AT | 306 hp (225 kW) at 5200 rpm | 460 Nm at 4400 rpm | 5665 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4-speed | RWD |
| 5.7 MT (320 hp) | 320 hp (235 kW) at 5200 rpm | 464 Nm at 4400 rpm | 5665 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | No | Manual, 6-speed | RWD |
Every engine is mounted Front, longitudinal and uses Distributed injection (multi-point). Each cylinder has 2 valves. The 3.8 AT has an 8.5 compression ratio and a 96.5 × 86.4 bore and stroke. The 306 hp 5.7 MT, 5.7 AT, and 408 hp 5.7 MT have a compression ratio of 10 and a 99 × 92 bore and stroke. The 320 hp 5.7 MT uses the same 99 × 92 dimensions but raises the compression ratio to 10.1.
Calculated from the listed power and displacement, the 408 hp 5.7 MT produces approximately 72.1 hp per litre. That is well ahead of the 3.8 AT at approximately 61.5 hp per litre, the 320 hp 5.7 MT at approximately 56.5 hp per litre, and both 306 hp versions at approximately 54.0 hp per litre. The 408 hp 5.7 MT therefore offers not only the greatest total output but also the strongest displacement-specific output.
Among the naturally aspirated eight-cylinder choices, the 320 hp 5.7 MT adds 14 hp and 4 Nm over the 306 hp 5.7 MT. The 408 hp 5.7 MT adds 102 hp over the 306 hp Manual version while retaining its listed 460 Nm torque figure. Compared with the 3.8 AT, the 408 hp 5.7 MT provides 175 hp and 85 Nm more.
Performance, top speed, and fuel economy
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 AT | 8.5 seconds | 210 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 5.7 MT (408 hp) | 5.3 seconds | 240 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 5.7 MT (306 hp) | 6.0 seconds | 240 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 5.7 AT | 7.7 seconds | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 5.7 MT (320 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The 408 hp 5.7 MT is the quickest measured version, reaching 100 km/h 3.2 seconds sooner than the 3.8 AT and 0.7 seconds sooner than the 306 hp 5.7 MT. Its measured 240 km/h top speed is 30 km/h above that of the 3.8 AT and equal to the measured figure for the 306 hp 5.7 MT.
The gearbox comparison is clearest between the two 306 hp, 460 Nm versions. The 6-speed Manual 5.7 MT reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, while the 4-speed Automatic 5.7 AT takes 7.7 seconds. The measured difference is 1.7 seconds in favour of the Manual. A top-speed comparison is unavailable because top speed for the 5.7 AT was not measured.
No city, highway, or combined fuel-consumption figure was measured for any version. Consequently, an mpg ranking cannot be supported by the supplied data. CO2 output and environmental class are also not measured for every version.
Holden Monaro dimensions, weight, and capacity
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 AT | 1600 kg | not measured | 125 mm | 75 L | not measured |
| 5.7 MT (408 hp) | 1640 kg | not measured | 125 mm | 75 L | not measured |
| 5.7 MT (306 hp) | 1640 kg | not measured | 125 mm | 75 L | not measured |
| 5.7 AT | not measured | not measured | 125 mm | 75 L | not measured |
| 5.7 MT (320 hp) | 1646 kg | not measured | 125 mm | 75 L | not measured |
The 3.8 AT is the lightest measured version at 1600 kg. The 306 hp and 408 hp 5.7 MT versions both weigh 1640 kg, only 40 kg more, while the 320 hp 5.7 MT weighs 1646 kg. Kerb weight for the 5.7 AT was not measured, so it cannot be placed accurately in the weight ranking. Gross weight and wheel sizes were not measured for any version.
Calculated from measured kerb weight and output, the 408 hp 5.7 MT carries approximately 4.0 kg per horsepower. The 320 hp 5.7 MT carries approximately 5.1 kg per horsepower, the 306 hp 5.7 MT approximately 5.4 kg per horsepower, and the 3.8 AT approximately 6.9 kg per horsepower. This calculation reinforces the acceleration results: the 408 hp version has both the best measured power-to-weight ratio and the quickest measured 0–100 km/h time.
The chassis specification does not separate the versions. All have Independent, spring suspension at both ends, Ventilated disc front brakes, Disc rear brakes, 125 mm ground clearance, and a 75 L fuel tank.
Which Holden Monaro version should you buy?
The 408 hp 5.7 MT is the performance choice. It combines the highest output, the best calculated power per litre, the best calculated kilograms-per-horsepower result, a 5.3-second 0–100 km/h time, and a measured 240 km/h top speed. Its 1640 kg kerb weight is identical to that of the 306 hp 5.7 MT, so the additional 102 hp does not carry a listed weight penalty.
The 306 hp 5.7 MT is the more moderate Manual eight-cylinder choice. It retains 460 Nm, a 6-speed Manual gearbox, a measured 240 km/h top speed, and a 6.0-second 0–100 km/h time. Compared with the 408 hp version, it gives up 102 hp and 0.7 seconds in the measured acceleration run while weighing the same 1640 kg.
The 320 hp 5.7 MT offers 14 hp and 4 Nm more than the 306 hp 5.7 MT, but it is 6 kg heavier. Its performance figures were not measured, so the extra output cannot be translated into a verified acceleration or top-speed advantage. It remains the middle Manual choice by power, but the data do not prove that it is quicker.
The 5.7 AT is the Automatic option for buyers who want the naturally aspirated V-shaped 8-cylinder engine. It matches the 306 hp 5.7 MT at 306 hp and 460 Nm but uses a 4-speed Automatic rather than a 6-speed Manual. Its 7.7-second acceleration time trails the equivalent-power Manual by 1.7 seconds. Kerb weight and top speed were not measured, preventing broader performance comparisons.
The 3.8 AT is the distinct alternative: a Compressor-equipped, V-shaped 6-cylinder engine with a 4-speed Automatic. It is 40 kg lighter than the two 1640 kg Manual versions, and its maximum torque arrives at 3000 rpm rather than 4400 rpm. However, its 233 hp, 375 Nm, 8.5-second acceleration time, and 210 km/h top speed are the lowest measured performance figures in the range.
No purchase-price data, fuel-consumption data, reliability records, or problem reports are supplied. Therefore, the data cannot show which version costs less, uses less fuel, or is more reliable. On measurable specifications alone, the 408 hp 5.7 MT is the strongest performance buy; the 306 hp 5.7 MT is the clearly documented lower-output Manual alternative; the 5.7 AT is the eight-cylinder Automatic choice; and the 3.8 AT is the lighter measured six-cylinder Automatic option.