Monaro name for Commodore coupe

Holden wants to call its Commodore coupe the Monaro, after the original two-door of the 1960s.

A recent survey in Melbourne showed that four out of five Holden fans favour the return of the Monaro nameplate.

Holden is committed to the coupe (pictured as prototype) next year and at least one model is expected to be called Monaro.

"A production model will be on the Sydney Motor Show stand in 2001," said Holden chairman and managing director Peter Hanenberger.

The car's designer, Mike Simcoe, has since hinted to Holden's in-house magazine that the show model will be a stand-alone version separate from mainstream Commodore facelifts.

Analysts believe that the styling cues will be unique to the coupe. Holden Special Vehicles has confirmed that there will be special high-performance HSV variations.