Holden Astra SRi Turbo: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 15/June/2006

Later this month Holden will begin selling it's brand new Astra SRi Turbo coupe priced from $34,990, which is sure to pique the interest of hot hatch fans right across the continent.

At the present time in Australia, there are many hot hatches to choose from, some of them with forced induction (super/turbo charged). Ford's new Focus XR5 Turbo is looking like the model to beat at the moment, and you can read why in the Editor's hands-on report for Ford's super hatch here.

There's also models like the VW Golf GTI to contend with, and now that Holden has weighed into the battle with its torque-laden Astra Turbo, there are more choices than ever for people who want performance in a pint-sized package.

As Holden explains, the AH series SRi Turbo brings together turbocharged power, a striking coupe design and strong value, making it an obvious target for small car performance enthusiasts.

"We're delighted to bring back turbocharged power to the Astra nameplate, and we're doing it in a convincing fashion," said an ebullient Denny Mooney, GM Holden's Managing Director.

The new model takes the Astra range to six, broadening the vehicle's appeal considerably, while also creating an important halo model for the range.

Denny Mooney continued: "It highlights Astra's versatility, given that the turbo will join the naturally aspirated Astra coupe, 3-door and 5-door hatches, Astra wagon, convertible and the first-ever diesel models on the showroom floor."

Based on the Astra coupe, reviewed here, the new Astra SRi Turbo doesn't quite reach the high levels of torque of the Golf GTI or Focus XR5, but is expected to be very close performance wise, due to an expected lighter weight. But the Astra has an ace up its sleeve, something it's competitors don't offer, and Holden is calling it the adaptive Interactive Driving System, or IDS Plus for short.

According to Holden, IDS Plus gives the Astra a technological edge over its competitors, increasing the vehicle's cornering threshold, while at the same time making it a safer car to drive. By electronically adapting shock absorber response to respond to changing road conditions and vehicle movements on the run, continuous damping control (CDC) makes up one part of the IDS Plus system, improving the car's road holding.

Another integral part of IDS Plus is the ESP, which has been networked into the advanced chassis package, says Holden, in combination with a traction control system which regulates grip via the brakes and engine power output to keep the car firmly on the road. Even ABS with brake assist are part of the IDS Plus system, which we'll be able to tell you more about once we've reviewed the car.

For daring drivers, there's also a button activated 'sport mode'. Once initiated, the sport mode instantly alters the electronic throttle map for crisper engine response, while the electro-hydraulic power steering also changes, giving drivers a more direct input when turning the vehicle.

Holden says that the attractive-looking 3-door SRi Turbo is the fastest model in the European-influenced Astra range, whose 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine gets its boost from a Borg Warner turbocharger.

The 2.0-litre engine has 4-valves per cylinder and is coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission to make the most of the expanded torque levels. It's not the most frugal hatchback to hit the road, but considering its high level of performance, fuel economy figures of 9.4L/100km (combined cycle) is respectable, and the car also adheres to Euro 4 standards.

The 6-speed manual transmits the 2.0-litre turbo's engine power to the front wheels like most performance hatchbacks, and comes as standard with big 18-inch alloy wheels (plus one 16-inch steel spare), which will no doubt give the Astra superb cornering grip. Also standard on the new SRi Turbo Astra are things like climate control air conditioning, leather seats (with heated front sports seats), a 6-stack Blaupunkt CD player plus an aggressive sports body kit and fog lamps.

Standard features are so numerous that there's only a few cost options - metallic paint, rear parking sensors and a roof bar with ski carrier. Safety features are also impressive; the turbocharged Astra comes fitted with six airbags, including driver and front passenger, front side and curtain airbags, plus an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS, traction control and the icing on the cake, an adaptive sports chassis system.

The stoppers on Holden's new hero hatchback have been increased over the current top-spec Astra models in order to cope with the increased speeds the SRi Turbo is capable of. Up front, 308mm ventilated disc brakes take the brunt of deceleration, while 264mm rear discs contribute to slowing the car.

As is the norm in the hot hatch world, style is a key issue, and seeing as the Astra coupe was already a very forward-looking design, the Astra SRi Turbo builds on this and the result is powerful - the vehicle has a very strong road presence. Building on the curving roofline of the Astra coupe, the SRi Turbo gets a silvery radiator grille and a deep bodykit that spans exaggerated side skirts and larger bumper sections aft and fore, with the latter featuring enlarged air dams to provide the turbo engine with more air/cooling.

Other trendy modifications to the body include it's five spoke 18-inch alloys, a subtle rear spoiler and an emboldened aluminium exhaust tip. Holden has revealed that the interior has been improved too, featuring leather everything - steering wheel, gearshift lever and seat inserts. Chrome is also features strongly, surrounding the instrument dials, aluminium alloy pedals, door sill/scuff plates and there's matte chrome accents throughout the cockpit as well.

As mentioned, the new Astra SRi Turbo coupe will sell for $34,990 and will be on sale later in June 2006, available in just three colours: black (metallic), silver (metallic) and white.