Astra top up

By Alistair Kennedy
HOLDEN has released threedoor and station wagon variants of its popular Astra small car range, adding them to the fivedoor hatch that was released here towards the end of last year.
The range will be completed early in 2006 with the addition of a 147kW threedoor SRi turbo version.
Although it is technically a hatchback, Holden is calling its new threedoor model the Astra coupe.
From the front it is identical to the fivedoor however all other panels are different.
Especially interesting is the coupe’s adventurous rear styling which reminds us somewhat of the bustle tail of the groundbreaking Renault Megane hatch.
Like the Renault it’s likely to divide opinions but that’s not a bad thing in this day of a lot of rather predictable styling.
The threedoor’s roof slopes quite sharply to the rear helping both the car’s aerodynamics and its coupe image.
Despite this, rear seat headroom doesn’t suffer. Indeed rear seat space all round is surprisingly good. Even with the front seats set well back there’s still reasonable legroom in the back and access to the rear through the car’s wide doors is easier than for most threedoor cars.
All Australian Astras are built in Antwerp, Belgium, by Holden’s General Motors affiliate, Opel.
While previous models have been available in wagon form this is the first time that Holden has brought them to Australia.
The new wagon, surprisingly, is Holden’s first small station wagon since the TG Gemini which was last on sale back in 1984.
Wearing Holden badges is sure to help the Astra wagon compete against its main rivals, principally the Toyota Corolla wagon but also the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportswagon and a number of small, albeit more expensive, European wagons.
The wagon’s wheelbase is 89mm longer than that of the two hatches and it is 265mm longer overall.
Cargo volume ranges from 454 litres, with the rear seats in place and below the retractable load cover, to a maximum of 1549 litres with the rear seats folded flat and measured to roof level.
All three Astra models are powered by the same 1.8litre Ecotec engine developing 90 kilowatts, or 92kW with premium unleaded petrol. Maximum torque is 165Nm at 3800 (170Nm with PULP) with 90 per cent available between 2200 and 5500 rpm. The engine meets Euro 4 emission requirements.
Transmission options in all models are the standard fivespeed manual and fourspeed automatic.
Both new Astra models are sold in CD and CDX variants with the fivedoor also coming as a CDXi. Standard features in all models include ABS brakes with brake assist, dual front and front side airbags, air conditioning, remote central locking, remote central locking, power front windows power mirrors, MP3 capacity in the CD player and steering wheel audio controls.
The CD wagon and fivedoor come with 15inch steel wheels, all other models have alloys, 15inch in the CD threedoor and 16inch in the CDX and CDXi variants.
The CDX variants add a sixstacker to the CD system, sunglasses storage compartment, detailed trip computer, leather seat and steering wheel trim and body coloured door handles and roof moulding. The CDXi hatch is the only model to include curtain airbags.
On the road both the coupe and wagon have the solid feel that has been a characteristic of the Astra.
Ride and handling are just as you would expect from a small European car. The coupe in particular hugs the road and responds promptly to steering wheel and throttle commands.
Fuel consumption from both coupe and wagon during our brief press launch drive was very impressive, averaging around 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres in a combination of easy suburban and country driving with the heavier wagon having a slightly higher return. That’s likely to rise to a still very acceptable 10 to 11 L/100km in tougher city/suburban conditions.
Incidentally, there is one other Astra model on the market.
In an unusual, but very astute move Holden decided to continue selling the entry level variant of the superseded model which they renamed the Astra Classic.
The decision was made to try and compete with the imported Korean and Japanese cars in the same market segment and, with prices starting at $18,990, the Classic has proved to be a big success.
Subject to stock availability the Astra Classic will stay on sale until the release of the Daewoosourced Holden Viva later this year.
To arrange a test drive contact Barry Bourke Holden, 755 Princes Highway, Berwick, phone 9707 2222, or Cranbourne Holden, 217A South Gippsland Highway, Cranbourne, phone 5995 4555.