Star-Telegram.com's view

When Ford discontinued the Thunderbird this year, that left its only American rivals, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the similar Pontiac Grand Prix, on the consumer market.

It also forced a change on the NASCAR racing circuit, where Thunderbirds and Monte Carlos do battle each weekend.

Ford is switching to a version of the Taurus sedan for racing, but Chevy continues building Monte Carlo models for racing and for the road.

The fifth generation of the Monte Carlo was introduced for 1995, resurrecting the nameplate after a seven-year hiatus. But the coupe market is difficult right now, because people are moving to more practical vehicles such as sport-utilities.

This generation of the Monte Carlo is basically a two-door version of the midsize Chevrolet Lumina sedan, which means that it comes with front-wheel drive. The Monte Carlo had been a rear-drive car since its introduction in 1969 as a 1970 model.

The Monte Carlos on the NASCAR circuit bear little resemblance to the consumer version, except for the basic exterior sheet metal, and are rear-drive vehicles. A similar conversion will occur as the Taurus is modified for racing.

Little has changed on this generation of the consumer Monte Carlo since its 1995 debut. For 1998, though, the sportier, more performance-oriented Z34 model gets a 3.8-liter V-6 engine, rated at 200 horsepower and 225 foot-pounds of torque.

Horsepower is slightly less than last year’s double-overhead-cam, 3.4-liter V-6, but this engine is quieter and the performance difference appears to be negligible.

Although the Z34 has the zip to match most import coupes in this price class, it’s a far cry from the original Monte Carlo SS 454, which came with 360 horsepower and was a real heart-stopper.

Based on its Lumina sedan heritage, the Monte Carlo is one of the most practical coupes around. It comfortably seats four adults after you get by the inconvenience of having the rear passengers climb in through the front doors. Three children can fit back there comfortably, or three small adults if necessary.

The Monte Carlo still has the long hood and the short trunk that have been its signatures, although the hood isn’t quite as long as it used to be.

The ride is sedanlike, but the Z34’s handling and acceleration add a sporty feel to what would otherwise be just a big two-door car. It’s not a sports car, but it’s a lot more fun than the typical sedan.

There’s enough zip to outmaneuver most of the other traffic when merging onto freeways, and the car cruises easily at speeds much faster than the posted limits. This isn’t a go-fast car, though. It doesn’t come with Z-rated (high-speed) tires, so top speed is limited by a governor. Signifying its rather genteel nature is that the car comes only with a four-speed automatic transmission, also unlike its racing counterpart.

Base price for the Z34 is $20,295, plus $550 transportation. Standard equipment includes power windows and door locks , four-wheel anti-lock brakes, dual remote exterior mirrors, dual front air bags, AM/FM/cassette stereo, air conditioning, full instrumentation and stainless steel exhaust. The base LS coupe comes with six-passenger seating and a 3.1-liter V-6.

The Z34 option adds cloth front bucket seats, the bigger engine, four-wheel disc brakes (the rear brakes have drums on the LS), driver and passenger temperature controls, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, dual tailpipes, 16-inch aluminum wheels, 16-inch touring tires, remote keyless entry with a power trunk opener, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls built in.

Our test car came with an electric sun roof ($700), leather bucket seats ($645), a six-way power driver’s seat ($305), a rear deck-lid spoiler ($175), an electric rear-window defogger ($170) and an in-dash compact-disc upgrade for the stereo ($93).

The total price, including transportation, was $22,933, which compares favorably with comparable importe coupes.

EPA fuel-economy figures are impressive for such a performance-oriented car: 19 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway. That’s much better than the 1970 SS 454, you can be sure.