Holden Barina Turbo to hit Australian Shores

[hazrd]

http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2013...rbo-here-38702

GM Holden is ready to take on Ford’s new Fiesta ST with a turbocharged Barina hot hatch that will go on sale in November.

Motoring.com.au spotted the first shipment of new Barina Turbo models arriving at Holden’s Melbourne HQ today, and our sources have confirmed a local launch is just two months away.

The Barina Turbo will be a direct competitor for hot light-size hatchbacks like Ford’s new Fiesta ST, which was launched here last week priced from just $25,990, as well as Peugeot’s almost-as-new 208 GTi (from $29,990), Skoda’s Fabia RS and Volkswagen’s benchmark Polo GTI (both from $27,990).

Unlike all those turbocharged front-wheel drive models, however, the Korean-built Barina Turbo will benefit from local chassis tuning by Australian engineers at Holden, which is believed to have undertaken significant, ride, handling and steering upgrades.

First revealed as the Chevrolet Sonic Z Spec concept at the 2011 Detroit motor show and then in production form a year later, the Barina Turbo has been available since late last year in North America, where it’s known as the Chevrolet Sonic RS.

Australia’s version should be almost identical, apart from the grille, badges and the local tuning program, which is now a key part of the introduction of all imported Holden models, starting with last year’s updated Barina Spark and Barina CDX, and this year’s facelifted Cruze, new Trax compact crossover and new Malibu medium sedan.

The Barina Turbo is powered by the same 103kW/200Nm 1.4-litre Ecotec turbo-petrol engine seen in the larger and heavier Cruze and should therefore provide ample performance.

However, it’s not in the same league as the Fiesta ST, the 1.6-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol four in which produces 132kW/240Nm as standard – and 149kW/290Nm in overboost mode.

But while three-door manual-only availability makes the Fiesta ST (and 208 GTi) a purist’s hot hatch, the five-door Barina Turbo is expected to be offered with both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions – unlike the 132kW/250Nm 1.4 turbo Polo GTI, which is a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG-only proposition with three and five doors.

The Barina Turbo’s closest rival, therefore, is probably Suzuki’s five-door Swift Sport, which comes with a 100kW/160Nm 1.6-litre non-turbo four-cylinder engine matched with manual and CVT transmissions, priced from $23,990.

Like the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated Barina CDX flagship hatch (from $20,490), the Turbo will come with GM’s MyLink voice-activated infotainment system as standard, enabling navigation directions downloaded through a smartphone to be shown on the car’s touch-screen and personalised connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher internet radio apps.

Differentiating the hottest Barina from mainstream models cosmetically will be a more aggressive front bumper with fresh foglight designs and a specific grille, a similarly amped-up rear bumper with lower black mesh insert and chromed twin exhaust outlets, a rear spoiler, different side skirts, unique mirror caps and Turbo badging.

Outside the engine bay, mechanical changes will include specific 17-inch alloy wheels, a lower ride height, firmer suspension, sports-tuned dampers, retuned sports exhaust system and shorter final drive ratio.

Inside, Barina Turbo buyers will score new front sports seats, a flat-bottom sports steering wheel with thicker rim, a different gearshifter (in manual models), aluminium pedals, specific instrument cluster graphics and special trim colours for the dash and door inserts.

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[bpoin007]

Should be interesting, they should step it up and bring it out in a 2.0ltr

[poita]

Still looks like a hat full of assholes

[hazrd]

@DJM83 had a few comments over facey:

Looks like a dog chewing a wasp, a dropped pie, a sucked mango

[Theo]

Rather go for run-out OPC Corsa for $26k.

[Shaun]

There kills the Corsa being added to the Holden line up . Interesting to see Holden have released this but with less power then it's rivals in the market . Cheap Luke warm hatch though

[chris_r]

So, Holden now thinks polishing the turd that has been the Daewoo-built Barina is going to win buyers over. It's not like they don't have access to a 1.6 turbo either.

Maybe the fact it's only a 1.4 opens the door for HSV to use the 1.6 in a further up-spec model. Given that Commodore production is supposed to wind up in 2016, HSV would need to look at options of what product to sell. I wouldn't be surprised that since they have no intentions of using Opel OPC models in their range, that they would rice up the imported Korean models that Holden have now. As a result, given that Astra and Cruze are on the same platform, I wouldn't be surprised that we might also end up with a Cruze with Astra J OPC running gear.

[Shortstuff]

While the new Barina isn't much to look at, and has an interior made of recycled plastic bags, it actually handles like a Gokart.

I agree they should have put the A16NET in it, but I'm pretty sure it could be a lot of fun with a bit of tweaking. Walkinshaw did manage to get 180kw out of the A14NET in the Cruze!

[Silver Surfer]

I dont mind the look
The fiesta st is far more appealing for those who dont need 5drs

[ChrisMaz]

I was expecting to click this thread and see that Holden were going to import the Corsa OPC as a barina....
So much disappoint.