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Monte Carlo didn’t start out as a street racer. The midsize Chevy, this year celebrating its 30th anniversary, was the original “personal luxury car,” a ’70s concept whose time has flown.

Now, Monte Carlos are hashing it out before millions of rabid NASCAR fans, driven by the likes of Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, adding high-speed allure to a car named after the most-famous Formula 1 circuit.

Of course, the Monte Carlo race car has about zilch to do with the Monte Carlo street car, whose front-drive, V-6 configuration would make it a definite flop on the big oval.

But flush with NASCAR excitement, the 2000 Monte Carlo sets out to redefine its place in the cosmos, as a hot coupe with high style but a moderate price tag. Chevy designers and engineers have remade the car top to bottom, though still drawing on proven driveline components.

The makeover for 2000 has been beneficial. When I reviewed a Monte Carlo in 1997, I complained about it being a warmed-over Lumina with a hardtop; hardly any differentiation from the more pedestrian sedan, with interiors nearly identical.

The new Monte Carlo, built off the same platform as Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Regal/Century, is a well-defined product rather than a spinoff.

As it is, Monte Carlo is a roomy, comfortable coupe, with decent power, and styling that is fresh and distinctive, though a bit over the top. Its mission has shifted somewhat with a sportier edge, but I’d say it still falls on the side of cruising rather than performing.

I drove the Monte Carlo SS, the model that takes Chevy’s classic performance designation into the new century. It’s also the first SS that doesn’t include a booming V-8 engine.

The upgrades from the basic LS include a 200-horse 3.8-liter engine, rather than the base 3.4 engine with 180 horsepower, a sportier suspension, performance tires on 16-inch modular rims, traction control, fog lamps, enhanced gauges and climate control, remote entry and cruise control, and a tacky-looking rear spoiler.

With its “Torch Red” paint, the SS looked ready to attract the baleful eye of every traffic cop in Arizona, as well as envious glances from every boy racer. This car would look better in a more subdued color, and I’ll bet it’s sinister in glossy black.

Engine performance is strong, with lots of torque from the bottom up, though it pales in comparison to Pontiac’s supercharged version. That hot engine needs to be in a Chevy, too. Especially if it’s going to call itself an SS.

The automatic transmission works well, but if Chevrolet really wanted a sporting model, it might have made a stick shift available.

Freeway cruising is solid and smooth, with lots of passing power. Our tester had some wind noise on the passenger side and sunroof.

The firmer SS suspension gives Monte Carlo a solid ride, without being punishing in the least. It does tend to stumble over some road irregularities, and body sway in corners is evident. Really, after experiencing the fine handling of the new Impala, my expectations for the Monte Carlo were high. So I was somewhat disappointed.

Both Monte Carlo models come with four-wheel disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering, which has a nice, firm, connected feel.

Stylistically, Monte Carlo seems more Pontiac than Chevy, even though designers endeavored to supply some updated styling cues from erstwhile Montes, such as the taillight shape.

From the front and side, the coupe looks sharp and aggressive. But from the rear, there are too many curves, and the bulbous wing makes it look clumsy.

The interior, while roomy and comfortable, seems overwrought with heavy, puffy shapes, including a weird wave on the upper dashboard of the passenger side. A single cupholder dominates the console. The solid black color is monotonous and unappealing.

On balance, the seats and ergonomics are very good, with a nice, straightforward display on the instrument panel.

The SS came e quipped w ith one of my favorite stereo systems, an eight-speaker Delco-Bose, upgraded for just $223.

The bottom line is the big story with the Monte Carlo. With the base LS starting at just $19,290 and the SS about $2,400 more, the options are fairly reasonable, too. On the test car, options included a preferred group with a trip computer, heated outside mirrors and power driver’s seat for $700; a power moon roof for another $700; leather seating surfaces for $625; and that great $223 stereo.

So as usual, Chevrolet comes in with a nicely priced product, maybe not the greatest in refinement, but well-priced and easy to like. And the new Monte Carlo is a major improvement over the last version.

2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Vehicle type: Five passenger, two-door coupe, front-wheel drive.
Base price: $21,735.
Price as tested: $24,579.
Engine: 3.8-liter V-6, 200 hp at 5,200 rpm, 225 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Transmission: 4-speed automatic.
Curb weight: 3,391 pounds.
Wheelbase: 110.5 inches.
EPA mileage: 20 city, 29 highway.
Highs: Distinctive image. Value pricing. Interior comfort.
Lows: Too mild for SS label. Wacky interior styling. Ugly wing.