Much has been done to tune the dynamics of the fastest Monaro for UK tastes, but its essential character survives intact because the bulk of the tuning parts have been cherry-picked from the shelves of renowned Holden fettler HSV (Holden Special Vehicles). These include a faster steering rack, uprated brakes and firmer suspension, and there are also striking 19in alloys shod with Pirelli P Zero rubber.

Compared with the regular Monaro V8, which has been on sale in the UK for a couple of months now, the VXR is even more potent, its Chevy-based 5.7-litre pushrod V8 generating a substantial 377bhp and 376lb ft of torque thanks to better breathing and a freer flowing exhaust. The VXR is also distinguished by a bodykit that gives it a more aggressive snout, deeper sills, a jutting bootlid spoiler and a rear bumper apron incorporating a centrally mounted fog light. We've already sampled the VXR Monaro, having included it in last month's cover story (Fast Club, 069), but this is our first chance to assess the production-ready example on demanding roads.

Climb aboard and the Monaro feels as if it is built for comfort rather than speed; the plump, deeply sculpted seats holding you in a soft embrace and sitting you quite high. Scan the simply styled cockpit and you'll see that there's no shortage of standard kit, the tally running to electric seat adjustment, cruise control, a ten-speaker, six-CD Blaupunkt stereo and dual-zone climate control. Leather and Alcantara seat trim adds appeal, while the plastics are of fair quality.

Twist the key and the big V8 rumbles into life with a subdued yet vaguely menacing throb. Lovely. Not so delightful is the six-speed manual, the only gearbox offered, which has a weighty, ponderous shift action and is allied to a heavy clutch. This is a car that makes you feel clumsy until you've learned to finesse your gearshifts.

The ride seems comfort-oriented, too, despite the stiffer HSV springs and dampers, though with more miles under the wheels you realise that the sensation is enhanced by the squashy seat. This Monaro flows over difficult roads like the heavyweight it is, flattening bumps and filling in small dips with the mild sensation of the wheels articulating longitudinally as well as vertically, yet when you peel for the apex of a decent corner you discover a crisply responsive front end.

The steering ratio seems to increase as you wind on lock and there's plenty of grip from the 245/35 section Pirellis, so the VXR dives for the apex enthusiastically. It seems poised for a bit of power oversteer, yet it takes quite a lot of provocation to edge the rear out. On paper there's no shortage of torque but, despite its sub-6000rpm red line, this engine does its best work higher up the rev range, getting progressively stronger up to and beyond 4000rpm. It sounds glorious right through and the gearing is long enough to make third gear the only one you need for B-roads, which helpfully saves on shifts.

Get the back end smoking and sliding and the Monaro is a big, friendly old thing, easily caught with opposite lock and progressive when it swings back into line. It's equally catchable and controllable in the wet, as we discovered last month, but this should be no surprise considering the many unmetalled roads criss-crossing its homeland. It probably also accounts for the rock-solid build quality of its interior.

If you like your cars big and beefy, the Monaro is an appealing proposition. It's a comfortable cruiser when you want it to be, with room for four and their luggage, and an honest entertainer when you're up for fun on a twisting road. And at less than ΂£36K fully loaded, it's terrific value for money.