Chevrolet Launches Powerful All-New Monte Carlo SS into NASCAR for 2006

More Than Three Decades and 380 Victories Provide Blueprint for Continued On-Track Success for The Winningest Name in Racing

INDIANAPOLIS - Chevrolet will debut an all-new Monte Carlo SS race car for NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series competition in 2006. The new car will carry the legendary name and heritage of the "SS" line, relating to a powerful, new V-8-powered production Monte Carlo SS that is making its debut on the 50th Anniversary of the introduction of the Chevrolet Small Block V-8 engine.

"We've won races in Monte Carlos for years, and it's exciting that we'll have a brand new one to race next year," said Jeff Gordon, four-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion and driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet Monte Carlo. "The new car looks to be even faster than the one we have this year and I can't wait to get a chance to race it. These cars are so fun and fast to race, and it's great that fans will now be able to come even closer to that experience with the new small block V-8 in the Monte Carlo SS."

The new race car was developed over a 14-month period using the full complement of engineering and design tools available to the people at GM Racing and Chevrolet. The company's engineers worked in concert with their key partners on pit lane, the real "customers" for the new Monte Carlo SS race car.

"We worked with all our Chevy teams to get their input on how to make a better race car, and I believe that shows in our new Monte Carlo SS," said Pat Suhy, GM Racing group manager for NASCAR racing. "We spent a lot of hours in our wind tunnel, coast-down test facility and on race tracks to make the Monte Carlo even better. Having the SS name on our new race car is important as it directly relates to the high-performance SS that the thousands of Chevy race fans can buy for the street."

The new race car retains the overall dimensions of the 2005 model, based on the sport's requirements. NASCAR continues to emphasize retaining stock dimensions, which means a good body design is essential for success in stock car racing. Unlike other manufacturers who race family sedans, Chevrolet remains the only marque in NASCAR racing that sells to fans the same two-door sports coupe that it races.

"I believe that in key areas we're able to work with our production counterparts to ensure that the race car is as good as it can be within the boundaries defined by NASCAR," said Suhy. "This shows in the front end design which retains some key characteristics that made Monte Carlo a winner and allows us to improve the race version even further. This should allow our teams to enjoy continued success across at tracks where we've historically been successful."

Following NASCAR approval, teams will begin building development cars in preparation for testing that leads up to its debut at Speedweeks. The car will make its competition debut at Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway in February, 2006.

The Monte Carlo was introduced in September 1969 as a 1970 model in the form of a firebreathing, 454 cu. in., 360-hp SS and made its NASCAR debut the same year. It has reigned as the winningest model since that time, with only a brief absence from 1988-1994. The Monte Carlo returned in 1995 and continued to take checkered flags around the country. In total, from 1971 to the present, Monte Carlo has scored 380 NASCAR Cup wins and led Chevrolet to 20 Manufacturers' Cup Championships (of 24) - more than any other nameplate. Every single victory came under the power of GM's legendary Small Block V-8 engine, which celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2005.

On the street, buyers of the new Monte Carlo SS will notice the similarities to the car that is the choice of NASCAR stars. The exterior features large headlamps that have a premium, jeweled appearance with three independent lighting units. These details complement other high-quality attributes to provide an overall feeling of solidity. All models receive a sporty rear spoiler.

The muscular Monte Carlo SS has a new 5.3L small block V-8 developing 303 horsepower (226 kw) and 323 lb.-ft. (438 Nm) of torque, propelling it from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The 5.3L V-8 uses Displacement on Demand technology to regulate between eight-cylinder and four-cylinder operation, providing up to 8 percent improved fuel economy in certain driving conditions.

The Monte Carlo SS has a distinct front-end appearance, with a dual-split grille that has a black-diamond crosshatch pattern. The rear spoiler is unique, too, suggesting the purposefulness of NASCAR spoilers. Corvette-inspired bright exhaust outlets also are standard on the Monte Carlo SS.

Like a tuned NASCAR racer, the Monte Carlo SS comes with a unique suspension as well. The FE4 suspension, which is tuned to provide a sporty ride that complements the 5.3L small-block V-8's performance. It offers increased stiffness and ride control, with reduced body lean and greater high-speed stability. The 34-mm hollow front stabilizer bar and 18-mm solid rear stabilizer bar are larger in diameter than the bars of the two FE2 suspension settings, providing increased roll control. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels with W-rated P235/50R18 AL3 Goodyear Eagle RS-A performance tires are included with the FE4 suspension.

Monte Carlo shows several significant changes that continue to build upon the car's sporty heritage. With an unmatched lineage that reaches back more than three decades, the new Monte Carlo SS race car promises that "The Revolution Races On."