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By
EWAN KENNEDY
7 August 2006
Diesel engines are all the rage in new cars in Australia at present and
Holden is the first local maker to offer a turbo-diesel option in a
passenger car. Of course, Holden has given us the choice of diesel
engines in 4WDs and light commercials for many years, but this is the
first time since the Gemini of the 1980s that we have been able to buy a
Holden diesel car.
Europe has been the home of the
diesel engine in passenger cars for many decades. Principally
because of high petrol prices due to government taxes introduced
to combat air pollution and crude oil consumption.
The European designed, by Opel,
Holden Astra now gets the choice of a pair of turbo-diesel
powerplants. One is a twin-cam unit that displaces 1.9 litres and
is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It produces 110 kilowatts,
and 320 Newton metres at 2000 rpm. The recommended retail price is
$29,990.
The other engine has the same
1.9-litre capacity but uses a simpler single-cam design so its
power peak is only 88 kW and top torque is 280 Nm, between 2000
rpm and 2750 rpm. This engine is mated to a sophisticated
six-speed automatic transmission.
The dual-engine decision has been
made to keep the automatic car’s price down to only $1500 more
than that of the manual.
Turbo-diesel engines are inevitably
more expensive than petrol units. There are two main reasons for
this: the diesel has to be of more rugged construction as there
are higher internal stresses; and a turbocharger adds
significantly to the cost of any engine, be it petrol or diesel.
Fuel consumption during our recent
week’s test of an Astra turbo-diesel with a manual gearbox
showed it will typically use six to seven litres per hundred
kilometres if used on motorways and in easy country running. This
figure will rise to about seven to eight litres per hundred in
suburban driving.
We haven’t tested an Astra with
automatic transmission at this stage. The auto is an efficient
one, though it’s mated to a less efficient engine design. We
would anticipate its fuel consumption to be about five to ten per
cent higher.
A warning here. Do your homework
before falling in love with the lower running costs of a
turbo-diesel compared with a petrol. Unless you are doing a lot of
driving you may be better off sticking with a petrol unit.
The twin-cam turbo-diesel is an
impressive unit in the manner of all latter-day passenger car
diesels. Only at idle is the engine obviously a diesel, with that
distinctive clatter. It’s certainly not obtrusive and you will
probably soon cease to notice the sound.
The engine has minimal turbo lag
and the excellent amount of torque lets you bypass the lag if you
keep it in the correct gear. Overtaking is simple if you use a
reasonable amount of anticipation.
On-road noise and vibration levels
are almost as low as those of a petrol-engined Astra. The interior
is comfortable, with seats that support well and complement the
Euro dynamics to perfection.
The design of the cabin is pleasing
and the trim materials are to a high standard. There's a real
feeling of European class in this small-medium Holden that will
appeal to those who like a car to be something more than merely
transportation.
Handling is virtually neutral,
though there's always that feeling of nose-heaviness that you get
in any car with a transverse engine and front-wheel drive. The
added weight of the diesel engine may further add to this.
Pushed hard the Holden Astra
turbo-diesel is most pleasant to drive, with good steering
response and feedback and the ability to change direction with
little fuss. It will look after its occupants well thanks to
mechanical and electronic aids in the suspension and driveline.
Only five-door Astra hatches are
being imported by Holden at this stage, though we may see Astra
turbo-diesel station wagons later if there's favourable buyer
response to the diesel hatches.
Keen drivers will like the Astra
and those able to think laterally will put the Holden on their
shopping list of Euro cars. It certainly compares favourably with
more prestigious European machines that often cost significantly
more.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
CDTi 1.9-litre diesel manual five-door hatch - $29,990
CDTi 1.9-litre diesel automatic five-door hatch - $31,490
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in both models
Air Conditioning: Standard in both models
Automatic Transmission: $1500 option (see text)
CD Player: Standard in both models
Central Locking: Standard in both models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Driver Airbag: Standard in both models
Passenger Airbag: Standard in both models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in both models
SPECIFICATIONS (Holden Astra
CDTi 1.9-litre diesel manual five-door hatch)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.910 litres
Configuration: Transverse, four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 17.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 82.0 x 90.4mm
Maximum Power: 110kW @ 4000rpm
Maximum Torque: 320Nm @ 2000-2750rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Not offered
Final Drive Ratio: 3.65:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4249mm
Wheelbase: 2614mm
Width: 1753mm
Height: 1460mm
Turning Circle: 10.6 metres
Kerb Mass: 1249kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 52 litres
Towing Ability: 630kg (1300kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, coil
springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Compound torsion beam, twin trailing arms, coil
springs, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: NA
Standing 400 Metres: NA
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Fuel Type: Diesel
Fuel Consumption - Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.0 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000km
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Marque Publishing Company
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