As slick as it is aerodynamically, from an esthetical standpoint the new Monte Carlo almost looks like it was designed by a committee, with each member handling only a small part of the car. It was most assuredly not designed this way, it's just how the final product came out when the engineers and designers emerged from the last wind-tunnel session.The 2000 Monte Carlo doesn't look anything like the 1999 model. Nor does it look like any Monte Carlo before it nor any other car in the Chevrolet lineup. That's good for drivers who want something that looks like the one the Winston Cup boys will race next year. And it's good for those among the avant-garde who will like it because it is so different. The droopy nose, the flat flanks, the bump in the deck lid and the radical roofline may not appeal to everyone, however. What you can't see is just as important to the integrity of the Monte Carlo and, in that respect, we have to give Chevrolet high marks. The engineers have strengthened the roof, doors and floor pan. They designed an aluminum front cradle from which to suspend the engine, transmission, steering, suspension and front sheet metal. The interior features a cast magnesium beam, called a MagBeam, that fits behind the instrument panel; this further increases chassis rigidity and provides mountings for the dashboard systems. As a result, the new Monte Carlo is much quieter than any previous generation. Increased chassis stiffness also makes the car less prone to squeaks and rattles developing over time.
One of the best things about Chevrolet design in recent years is the uniformity of instrument panel design and appearance that has been wrought throughout the product line - from the Corvette to the Silverado pickup. With black background, white markings and red needles, the instrument layout is not only racy in flavor, but also easy to read and scan, with the major and minor gauges placed on slightly different planes to add visual interest. Another really nice touch inside the new Monte Carlo is its cockpit-style instrument panel that houses those new gauges and controls. It separates the driver completely from the front passenger and provides fingertip access to every system in the array in a nicely styled package that works. The Monte Carlo comes with bucket seats, of course, and we found them quite comfortable for around town driving. Their shape makes it easy to get in and out of the car. Front-seat passengers appreciate the new shotgun-side power seat option. The seats are easy to adjust and there's plenty of adjustment for short and tall drivers. The tall center console is a bit intrusive for drivers who like to shift the automatic transmission manually. The shifter looks dated. The ignition switch is conveniently located right on the dash, well to the right of steering wheel; this makes it easy to quickly get in the car and get going, or quickly get out of the car after shutting it off. The trunk is large, but the opening looks small, making it difficult to load big boxes. Overall, the interior is a nice design with a sporty flavor that reminds us of Corvettes and Camaros. |
