Holden » Australian Car Advice

Holden Commodore celebrates 30th anniversary

October 27th, 2008 48 Comments

The Holden Commodore has celebrated a milestone anniversary over the weekend, marking 30 years since the first ever VB series sedan rolled off the production line at Holden’s former assembly line at Pagewood, New South Wales on the 25th of October 1978.

Holden has since built over 2.5 million Commodore sedans, utilities and wagons, contributing to its status as the brand’s longest-standing and most successful nameplate.

2008 Holden Astra TDCi Wagon Review

October 26th, 2008 47 Comments

2008 Holden Astra TDCi Wagon Review & Road Test

Astra TDCi Wagon looks great in the drive-way

Model Tested:

2008 Holden AH Astra TDCi Wagon 1.9-litre, turbo diesel, six-speed automatic - $32,490 (RRP)

Options:

Metallic Paint $360 (Fitted)

Strong Engine, Elegant Looks, Well Kitted, Great Brakes
Average Transmission, Rear Leg Room, Stereo Controls

CarAdvice Rating:

- by Matt Brogan

In retaining the Astra wagon, Holden has placed itself in the unique position of being the only car company in the country to offer the body shape on this size of car. Furthermore the added incentive of a frugal diesel under the bonnet should be enough to send most family buyers into a spin.

From the outset Astra looks terrific, it has for some years now, and perhaps that’s part of the problem. For as handsome as it is, we’ve all seen it, and maybe it’s time for a little nip and tuck. Still with 16-inch alloy wheels, front and rear fog lamps, adjustable halogen headlamps, chrome accents and roof rails, as well as that imposing angular front end, Astra is still a great looking car in spite of its age.

The cabin space too is enjoyable and youthful without being so bold as to date quickly, and for the most part is usable and ergonomic with good all round visibility. Some plastics are a little on the cheap side, namely atop the dashboard, but they don’t detract from the appearance too markedly.

Seating for five is both generous in proportion and rather on the supportive side of comfortable, but around town where Astra spends the majority of its time, this is off little consequence.

If you have older kids or lanky teenagers, the rear leg room may be a touch on the tight side for longer trips, especially if the front seat passengers are reasonably tall. For a young family with kinder or primary school kids it’s more than ample.

The 454-litre cargo area offers a large usable space and the addition of a retractable cargo blind to keep your belongings safe, or your groceries out of the sun, is a bonus. Better still, the weekend trip to the nursery or hardware store needn’t be a bother with the overall area able to be expanded to 1549 litres using 60:40 split fold rear seats.

There’s a good list of standard features in here too with cruise control, power windows and mirrors, flip key remote central locking, semi-automatic climate control, single MP3 compatible CD tuner (with auxiliary input and steering wheel controls), adjustable steering column, full function trip computer and finally electronic indicator switches that are this time located on the right-hand side of the steering wheel.

The cloth trim has a pleasant feel to it and is seemingly durable - great for those with kids and dogs - while the leather steering wheel is very nice under hand, especially on long trips when urethane ones seem to give you sweaty palms.

If I was to fail the Astra’s interior on one thing along it would be the stereo control buttons of the centre fascia. They are far too plentiful, fiddly and distracting, and as the stack is set at 90 degrees to the floor, you do have to pull back in your seat a little to see exactly what you are pressing.

I found it’s best to think of this whole cluster as ’set and forget’ when you’re on the move and stick to using the steering wheel controls until you have a chance to stop. Get the whole thing as you want it in your garage before setting off, it’s not only safer, but far less frustrating.

The orange centre screen whilst informative, can be a little hard to read when you’re on the go thanks to its smaller lettering, and is difficult to see in daylight hours, especially if you’re wearing polarised sunglasses.

It does however offer a wide array of information which is beneficial to the driver including audio settings, trip computer stats, fuel usage and ambient temperature, but again, perhaps save reading these until stopped at the lights or the servo.

Up front the Astra is motivated by a rather antiquated 1.9-litre turbo-diesel featuring a single overhead cam with two valves per cylinder. The engine is turbocharged and uses a common rail injection set up which affords the little oiler 88kW at 3500rpm and a rather strong 280Nm of torque from just 2000rpm.

Noise levels at idle are however rather intrusive but these do calm down once you’re moving. There’s also a substantial amount of turbo lag off the line which buyers more familiar with the instant response of a petrol engine may take some time in getting used to.

The six-speed automatic too is a little off the mark and can be overly eager to kick down a gear, even under very slight acceleration. It is also reluctant to select sixth gear until well above 90km/h which does little to improve what should be an economic driving experience around town. I find it is best to override the gearbox by using manual mode for this reason and select top gear yourself. For the record our urban average was 8.2 litres per 100km.

Once you’re out of stop-start traffic though, the Astra livens up and becomes a very different car. With long legs and remarkable pull from north of 80km/h, highway cruising is effortless and the engine seems to barely have to work at all, even with four adults on board. Overtaking is brief and rewarding especially when utilising the dash-mounted ‘Sport’ button to further sharpen response.

Astra uses electro-hydraulic power steering which has a nice enough feel to it under most circumstances, and let’s face it, most buyers won’t exactly be throwing the little wagon around too hard. Should you wish to though, you may find a little inconsistency in the level of feedback offered and a substantial amount of rack chatter through the wheel on mid-corner bumps.

Though the Astra feels a little on the stiffer side, the strut front/torsion beam rear suspension setup remains uniform and very predictable with reassuring levels of settled handling despite the load carried. Coupled to standard ESP and Traction Control you’re left with a car that feels sure footed on the road, and who doesn’t appreciate that?

Strong brakes and a superb pedal feel seemingly offer shorter stopping distances thanks to Astra’s standard Cornering Brake Contol, Electronic Brake Assist and Brake Force Distribution (all part of the four-wheel disc brake ABS system), features more often seen on more expensive prestige brands.

With dual front and side airbags rounding out the safety list it is easy to see how Astra offers such safe family motoring, even managing a maximum five-star EuroNCAP rating.

So if you’re after a safe, reliable and torquey little European styled wagon that’s reasonably good on fuel, the Astra may be worth a serious look. It’s a pleasant drive has a solid feel about it and above all else, looks great in the drive way.

CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:

Specifications:

Engine: 1910cc OHC four-cylinder (8-valve)
Power: 88kW @ 3500rpm
Torque: 280Nm @ 2000rpm
Induction: Common Rail & Turbo
Transmission: Six-speed Automatic
Driven Wheels: Front
Brakes: Disc with ABS, CBC, EBA & EBD
Top Speed: 194km/h
0-100km/h: 9.8 seconds
0-400m: Not Tested
CO2 Output: 192g/km
Fuel Consumption: 7.1 litres/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity: 52 litres
Fuel Type: Diesel
EuroNCAP Rating: Five Star
Safety: Front & Side Airbags, ESP & TCS
Spare Wheel: Full Size Steel
Tow Capacity: 1250kg (Braked)
Turning Circle: 10.85 metres
Warranty: 3 year/100,000km
Weight: 1350kg (Tare)
Wheels: 16 x 6.5-inch Alloy

Road Test the Rivals:

Astra TDCi Wagon currently has no direct competitors.

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Pontiac to drop VE-based G8 range?

October 24th, 2008 53 Comments

Holden’s largest export market could potentially dry up with inside sources reporting that Pontiac will not carry over to the next-generation rear-drive platform of the Australian-developed Commodore.

Pontiac could discontinue its entire VE-based G8 range when the next Commodore arrives in about five years time, citing limited corporate resources and fear of rising fuel-economy standards as the main motives.

2009 Holden VE & WM specification changes

October 21st, 2008 79 Comments

All Holden VE & WM models (dubbed MY9.5) ordered from today will see a slight specification change with Berlina losing the optional V8 engine. It will now be offered, along with all Omega models, exclusively with a 175kW variant of the 3.6 litre Alloytec V6 coupled to a four-speed automatic. SV6, Calais, Calais-V, Statesman and Caprice models featuring the V6 will be afforded the 195kW version.

The Dual-Fuel variant of the Alloytec V6 engine will also receive some minor fuel economy improvements in the near future and V8 models pick up Active Fuel Management (or cylinder deactivation) - more on this in coming weeks.

Chevrolet Camaro US pricing announced

October 13th, 2008 17 Comments

General Motors has announced official US pricing for the Australian-designed Chevrolet Camaro range.

The first customer orders have begun as of today, with production slated to begin by February 2009 at GM’s Oshawa, Ontario production facility rather than here in Australia.

Hat Trick for Ford at Bathurst

October 13th, 2008 72 Comments

It was three in a row for Ford and a case of history repeating itself for Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes who come from fifth on the grid to take out this year’s Bathurst 1000.

The result recalled memories of Lowndes’ friend and mentor the late Peter Brock taking triple victories in the ’70s and ’80s, but was said to me even more impressive in this era of tougher more competitive racing.

HSV GTS 40th and Senator SV08 2008 AIMS

October 9th, 2008 33 Comments

HSV has unveiled two new models at the Australian International Motor with the new 40th Anniversary GTS and Senator Signature SV08.

This launch also marks the introduction of the new TR6060 manual gearbox into the range, which will become standard across the HSV model line-up later this month.

Chevrolet Volt 2008 AIMS

October 9th, 2008 16 Comments

We had our first look and feel of Chevrolet’s environmental champion this morning with a reveal finally introducing us to the Prius killing Volt.

The plan is to have preproduction models built mid-late next year and 2010 before the Volt goes into final production by late 2010. A European (and perhaps Australian) version will follow in 2011.

Holden cruising to build “smaller” car

October 8th, 2008 28 Comments

Holden has let slip on plans that it will build an all new “smaller” car at its Elizabeth plant in Adelaide.

At this stage it is unknown as to whether the vehicle will be manufactured from the ground up (think Torana) or assembled from “knocked down” kit using parts made off-shore.

The union representing the Adelaide plant’s 3,400 workers, the AMWU (Australian Manufacturing Workers Union), wants the car to be built at Elizabeth and will take up the issue in the next round of enterprise bargaining negotiations.

AMWU secretary John Camillo says he does not know which option has been submitted to Holden’s international bosses.

“At this stage management haven’t been too clear in regard to what they are seeking other than to say that they have put a plan in place and it’s only a few weeks away whether they would know that will go ahead or not,” he said.

“They’ve indicated that the need to take the plan to Asia-Pacific to speak to the senior GM management at Asia-Pacific and, if they approve it, they then need to go to Detroit to seek their approval in being able to produce the small vehicle at the Elizabeth operation.”

Mr Camillo says the car will cater for market trends, as larger cars now produced at the SA plant are becoming less popular with consumers.

“We see quite clearly that the Australian consumers of vehicles are targeting the smaller vehicles, so I think if Holdens can get a small vehicle on the production line at Elizabeth by 2010 they would do extremely well in selling that product,” he said.

This new development lends even more credence to our belief that the vehicle could be the partly Australian designed Chevrolet Cruze.

GM Global Vice President of Design Ed Welburn introduces the Chevrolet Cruze at the Paris Motor Show

These first photographs of Chevrolet’s all-new Cruze sedan, which made its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show, reveal a dynamic four-door coupe that proves exciting design and value are not mutually exclusive.

On sale beginning in Europe from March next year, Cruze features a dramatic re-interpretation of the traditional sedan featuring Chevrolet’s new global design language that is becoming a signature on all new products carrying the gold bowtie, or perhaps even our own Holden lion.

Cruze’s arching roof-line, extending from the steeply raked windshield to its sloping rear pillars and short rear deck, brings coupe-like proportions to a compact sedan.

Wider and longer than most of its competitors, Cruze has a purposeful stance with its wheels located at the outer edges of the tautly drawn bodywork. Noticeably tight body panel fits and a restrained use of exterior trim add to a high quality, “hewn from solid” appearance.

Cruze’s dramatic profile is matched by bold front styling, with large headlamp housings that wrap around the front corners and sweep up, arrow-like, into the fenders and sculpted hood.

Other distinct design themes include a concave shoulder line, the two-tier grille and a “wheels-out/body-in” stance. Inside, Cruze features a “twin cockpit” design motif, first introduced in the iconic Corvette sports car.

“Our goal in designing Cruze was to be bold, not evolutionary,” says chief designer Taewan Kim. “We wanted to take a big step forward, making a strong design statement for Chevrolet products around the world.”

Visitors to the Paris show will see how Chevrolet’s progressive design is also reflected in the quality of Cruze’s interior. The use of grained surfaces, soft-touch materials and low gloss trim panels ensures a quality ambience that echoes the clean, harmonious design of the exterior.

At launch in Europe, Cruze will be available with 16 valve, 1.6-litre (82 kW) and 1.8-litre (103 kW) petrol engines featuring variable valve timing (VVT) on both inlet and exhaust sides, giving more power as well as better fuel economy and lower emissions.

An all new 2.0-litre turbo diesel, developing 110 kW and 320 Nm of torque adds power with even greater frugality. Five-speed manual gearboxes and an all-new automatic transmission, Chevrolet’s first six-speed application in the compact segment, complete the powertrain menu.

With sales in Europe up by 23 percent for the first six months of 2008, Chevrolet is GM Europe’s fastest-growing mainstream brand. The arrival of Cruze spearheads an exciting new product roll-out program that is expected to propel the brand to even greater success.

“We are proud that Europe is leading the introduction for this global product,” said Wayne Brannon, Executive Director, Chevrolet Europe. “Chevrolet has always stood for expressive value and Cruze delivers on that promise like never before. It further redefines Chevrolet with its design, quality, materials and great style inside and out. The fit and finish for gaps and interfaces sets a new standard for this segment in Europe and around the world.”

Cruze is the result of a development process harnessing GM’s global expertise and is the first of a new family of compact products that will deliver world class quality. It will be backed by expected highest scores in all major crash safety ratings.

The Chevrolet Cruze will be available in Europe from March 2009, followed by other global markets with regional-specific engine choices.

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TGA ratings hit a bump in the road

October 7th, 2008 99 Comments

With just two episodes under their belt, the Top Gear Australia team has taken a battering with only 674,000 viewers returning for the second episode, a drop of over 250,000 viewers compared to the premiere episode.

TGA finished last in its time slot to become the 26th most watched show last night, hinting that the new series may be taking a while to bed in with Aussie audiences.

CarAdvice does the Deni Ute Muster

October 6th, 2008 5 Comments

This weekend saw Deniliquin, situated in the Southern Riverina region of NSW, host the annual “Play on the Plains Festival & World Record Ute Muster”.

What is perhaps the most unique and quintessentially Australian event on the CarAdvice calendar, we couldn’t turn up in anything less than one of Australia’s finest.

-by Matt Brogan

Now given this was a Holden sponsored event, we thought we’d throw a cat among the pigeons and arrive front and centre compliments of FPV’s stonking new F6 Ute, which turned quite a few heads in CarAdvice livery (we thought it looked pretty specky too).

The Muster celebrated its tenth anniversary this year, so the expectation was that this was to be a big one. Just a few short clicks from Melbourne that sentiment was confirmed with the road to ‘Deni’ paved nose to tail with utes big and small - and of course the obligatory Mr Plods.

Driving in convoy is great fun. Nods and waves from window to window, chats at the road house sharing the love and adoration these guys and gals have for their utes, and of course the request for a look under the bonnet. It’s an admirable and instant comradeship, the kind you only seem to get in the bush.

The convoy also attracts its own records with one group leaving from just outside Melbourne doubling the previous US held title with 600 registered utes.

When we arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed at the main gate for the 5am unveiling, the scale of the Muster really grabbed our attention, it is quite a staggering site. In fact it’s so big, you have to see it from the air to truly appreciate just what 7242 utes (and any number of other vehicles) in the one spot looks like.

The queues extended for kilometres in each direction leading to the main gates and given the dawn opening, an early start is required to secure a spot close to the action. Good spirits, prominently ‘Bundy’ flavoured, were enjoyed to pass the time with entry a surprisingly smooth flowing affair given the populous number of utes on hand.

The event brings not only utes to Deniliquin, but much needed revenue in this time of drought. Last year’s turnover exceeded $10 million and with the tenth year celebrations seeing the 50 hectare site overflow into neighbouring paddocks, that amount is sure to set a record of its own this year.

With the utes parked, camp sites pegged and the gates to the Festival Arena thrown open, the crowd was treated to a fly over from the RAAF’s Roulettes signalling Deni 2008 was open for business.

The CarAdvice team even managed a quick chat with Roulette #7, Flight Lieutenant Ben Miedecke. Trained at #2 Training School (Advanced Training School), and as the only full-time Roulette (the others are weekenders and are mainly flight instructors), Ben commentates for the Roulettes at events such as the Deni Ute Muster.

He was kind enough to run us through the Roulettes normal performance and told us that during maneuvers the team can pull up to 7g which means Ben weighs roughly 700kg during this time.

His Australian built Pilatus PC-9 is good for 950 shaft-horsepower (de-rated from 1200) and weighs in at just 1800kg. To prepare, a few loops and barrel rolls are done to increase blood pressure and prepare blood vessels for high G. The team will typically fly three 90 minute sorties a day.

Back on the ground though, the fun had begun in earnest with Lawn Mower racing kicking off proceedings in the main arena. These things are manic and require not only forged steel wedding tackle to race, but a sixth sense to know where you’re going with the drought making the powdery Deni dust diabolical.

In keeping with tradition, and the organiser’s belief that “behind every good looking ute is a good looking Aussie wearing a blue singlet”, the Bluies are also tallied each year with 2702 Bluies counted in the one place at the one time, just over one-tenth of the overall population at the Muster.

But it’s not all Bundy, Blueys and Blunnys, the Muster also has a carnival atmosphere with competitions, concerts and a huge array of stalls and supplies catering to any discerning ute driver.

A lot of the non-wheeled events are family orientated too with farming families coming from as far as Western Australia and New Zealand to enjoy and compete in the festivities and competitions.

Go-to-whoa and the ever popular circle work championships were of course an event highlight with entrants presenting utes of all ages for a crack at the title.

The often elaborately dressed utes really don’t hold back out here with some of the prizes up for grabs almost worth risking an engine for, and before you ask, no the F6 didn’t make an appearance in the ring.

If the four wheeled entertainment wasn’t to your liking there was also shearing demonstrations, bush poetry, whip cracking, wood chopping and country music featuring artists including The Living End, Kasey Chambers, James Reyne, Mark Seymour, Paul Greene, Lee Kernaghan, The Songbirds, Steve Forde, The Sunny Cowgirls, Morgan Evans and Deniliquin locals The Lincons, just to name a few.

The always popular Holden “Grunt Off” saw some very hung-over competitors race to tow a Holden ute on Saturday morning, which given the 7mm of rain Friday night made for a challenge across a course now ankle deep in wood chips.

Saturday arvo saw the Yamaha boys put on freestyle motorcross demonstrations in the main arena and in keeping with the theme of the show, they jumped two massive tractors.

“It’ll be very unique to jump over New Holland tractors, and a great spectacle for the crowd”, lead rider Matty McFerran said.

The circle work finals and bull riding led the evening into a close before the final concert and fireworks wrapped up the night.

So if Deni sounds like something you wouldn’t mind checking out next year then be sure to circle October 2 and 3 on the 2009 calendar, polish up the ute and shake the red backs from the swag - it’s sure to be a big one.

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