First arrivals of Holden’s all-new, fully-imported model lineup are here now – the Astra GTC, VXR and Cascada Convertible.
Sourced from Europe, the Opel-origin Holdens are the first of 24 new models and 36 powertrain combinations to hit Australia within the next five years.
Of course the Astra nameplate is familiar to ASustralian new car buyers – various models have been sold here starting back in 1996.
However the new lineup is the best yet, headed by the sporty VXR model powered by a 206kW/400Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre exclusively engine driving six-speed manual transmission.
The Holden Astra VXR looks the business with a sports body kit, 20-inch alloy wheels and red-highlighted Brembo brakes.
Specifications are appropriate for its $39,990 sticker – including Nappa leather seats, three-mode adjustable suspension (the most sporty ‘VXR’ setting also adjusts throttle mapping) and satellite navigation.
The Holden Astra GTC and GTC Sport are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivering 147kW/280Nm with a manual transmission or 125kW/260Nm with an automatic.
Astra GTC Sport adds 19-icnh alloy wheels, leather trim, alloy pedals and a sports bodykit.
The nicely styled Holden Cascada convertible arrives also powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and inside are four leather-trimmed seats.
The triple layer acoustic hood operates in just 17 seconds.
To kick things off Holden has also introduced a limited edition (50 only coming to Australia) Cascada Launch Edition model which adds Nappa interior leather, 19-inch alloy wheels (18-inch alloys on the regular Cascada) and adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights.
The lineup and pricing is:
| Astra GTC manual | $26,990 |
| Astra GTC automatic | $29,190 |
| Astra GTC Sport manual | $29,990 |
| Astra GTC Sport automatic | $32,190 |
| Astra VXR manual | $39,990 |
| Cascada automatic | $41,990 |
| Cascada Launch Edition automatic | $44,990 |
