AH Astra specs, prices on Holden website...

[01CDsedan]

All online now at http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/vehicleentry?vehicleid=2

Looks pretty good to me. CD hatch at $21,990; CDX $25,490; CDXi $29,990. Not bad at all when you consider that the City hatch came out in '98 at $20,990 and didn't have half the equipment the new CD hatch has.

Compared to the "CD Classic" sedan that is still on sale at $22,990, the new CD hatch has lost the alloys, rear power windows, split level glovebox and cruise control, but picks up radio controls on the steering wheel and side airbags. Looks as though alloys, rear power windows and cruise control are available together as a package, but I have no idea what the price of that is.

CDX gets 16" alloys, body coloured bits, leather steering wheel, cruise, trip computer, 6 disc CD, 130 watts of sound, velour trim, front seat back pockets, power rear windows, carpet floor mats, sunglasses storage, illuminated vanity mirrors, and split level glovebox.

CDXi gets all of that, plus front fog lamps, sports steering wheel, sports seat trim, 8 way seat adjustment, adjustable lumbar support, front seat armrest, curtain airbags, and climate control.

If it wasn't for the curtain airbags on the CDXi, I'd say the CDX looks like the best value model there.

Interestingly, one of the HBD options on all models is 'matt silver exterior door handles' and 'matt silver exterior mirrors'.

All three still have the same 1.8 as the old Astra, and have gained 90-130kg depending on model, so you'd expect it to be a little slower. No word on the site about an SRi or any other sports models - maybe coming later?

[01CDsedan]

Couple of other points.

I miscalculated the weight gain - it's 63kg from the old CD to the new one. (CD 1249kg, CDX 1266kg, CDXi 1283kg).

Fuel economy is claimed to be 7.8L/100km (old Astra: 7.6L/100km)

Boot size has shrunk - 350L in the new hatch, compared to 380L in the old one and 450L in the old sedan.

Also, the diff ratio has changed from 3.74:1 in the old model to 3.94:1 in the new, meaning that the extra weight would be offset and performance might stay about the same.

[Vectracious]

Prices are actually pretty good. Hopefully it won't flop like the Vectra did.

Interesting about the final dirve ratio increasing. Astra G is just under 3K at 100km/h. So this new ratio will probably have it going over 3000rpm.

[PaulTheBall]

According to the press release at http://www.media.holden.com.au/



Selected Holden By Design Options

Lower body kit
Roof spoiler
Stainless steel sill plates
Matt silver exterior door handles and mirrors
16x6.5 ten-spoke alloys and tyres
17x7 ten-spoke alloys and tyres
18x8.5 five-spoke alloys and tyres
Rear Park Assist
Cargo organiser
Roof storage products: scissor ski carrier, full bike carrier


mmmmm big 18 inch wheels :D

[Degen-Astra]

Whats also interseting...
The SRi models (Turbo, Turbo Convertible and 2.2) have been removed.

[Mitch]

Here's a heap of photos of the new Astra. There is about 6 pages.

http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/*wieck_search?ws4d_nav=true&Source=all&operator=and&search_criteria=holden&exact=true&type=JPG&sort=Import_Date&Page=01

[Aus-SRi]

that is one UGLY stereo! and center console! i like the outside design though :)

[Mitch]

Anyone know what the controls on the steering wheel are for? Looks more than just stereo controls.

http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/PV__020785__.jpg
http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/PV__020784__.jpg

[wishbone]

maybe the two scroll buttons are for going up and down tracks??
and colume on the other side?
pfft.. i wouldn;t know unless i read the manual

[Degen-Astra]

I also beleive its for the info display (MFD) in the centre console. It maybe the CDXi Model. Which I beleive in the upper priced vehicles one can have their phone controls via the steering wheel if connected properly to the stereo system and the like.

[Mrs T]

that is one UGLY stereo! and center console! i like the outside design though :)

Your right there. that is terrible. I have a few requirements when i purchase a car, you have your colour, comfortability, performance etc but one thing i hate and i will not buy a car if it looks or feels tacky on the inside. I hate skinny steering wheels.

my 2 cents

[Anonymous]

Add 3g for on road costs.

8)

[Anonymous]

Add 2g for auto as well. :roll:

So, roughly, your looking at 28g drive away for a CD hatch.

[Seus]

one side of the controls might be cruise control

[BassyAstra]

How are you supposed to put a headunit in that center console pfff.
And then the remote control on the wheel will be useless and you cant take em off :screwy: ?

[Tom76]

Anyone know what the controls on the steering wheel are for? Looks more than just stereo controls.

http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/PV__020785__.jpg
http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/PV__020784__.jpg

The buttons on the right side are to switch betweens tracks / mp3s when listening to CD (don't know what happens during Radio mode, i almost never use that). The scroll wheel on the right is for the volume.

The buttons on the left hand are for a mobile phone in the first place. If you don't have one installed, the buttons switch through albums (when listening to an MP3 cd). The scroll wheel doesn't have a function.

Edit: It's quite a shame that the offer the MP3 radio only with the basic option. I had to chose between the two (MP3 and CD changer) and liked the MP3 way better.

[Tom76]

one side of the controls might be cruise control

Cruise control sits where you control the indicator ("turning lights"?)