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By
EWAN KENNEDY
6 November 2006
Holden’s new Astra turbo-diesel is an important model in the Holden
lineup. Because it shows the local company is keeping in touch with the
swing to diesel fuel in other countries. Europeans are buying diesel
cars in ever-increasing numbers due to the uncertainty of fuel prices in
recent times.
Though Australian fuel remains cheap in
comparison with that in Europe, the sudden rises over the last
year have turned buyers’ minds towards diesel cars. It’s not
just saving money they have in mind, the latest generation of
turbo-diesel engines is also offering strong performance. And
those who care about problems being created by global warming
realise that diesels have lower emission levels that petrols.
Holden's new diesel engines come from its Euro
partner Opel. Two different diesels are offered: a twin-cam unit
of 1.9 litres that is used exclusively with a sporting six-speed
manual gearbox. It produces 110 kilowatts, and 320 Newton metres
at 2000 rpm. This is priced at $29,990 plus on-road costs.
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 and has been selected by Holden in order to keep the
car’s price down to $31,490.
Thus the price premium for the Astra diesel
automatic is only $1500. Had the more expensive engine been mated
to this transmission the chances are the auto option would have
been about $2500 higher, perhaps even $3000.
Which makes a lot of sense because the person
buying an engine to cut running costs isn’t prepared to pay a
big premium to do so.
The Astra CDTi turbo-diesel we road tested was
the six-speed manual. In equipment levels it is virtually
identical to the upmarket petrol Astra CDX. It features
climate-controlled air conditioning, alloy wheels, front foglamps,
a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cruise control. Safety items
included ABS brakes, an electronic stability program and six
airbags.
Only at idle is the engine obviously a diesel,
with that distinctive clatter. It’s not obtrusive from inside
the car, but your neighbours will have no doubt you are an early
adopter in the turbo-diesel race. In steady state running, noise
and vibration levels are almost as low as those of a petrol Astra.
The new Astra CDTi engine has some turbo lag but
it’s not too bad. Once everything has got itself up to speed
inside the engine there's an excellent amount of torque.
Overtaking is simple if you anticipate on the need for torque and
get onto the accelerator about a second before you move out to
pass. Give it a try for yourself if you haven’t driven a
turbo-diesel before to get a feel for what it’s all about. Most
drivers adapt to the technique easily and it soon becomes second
nature.
The fuel efficiency of diesel engines is well
known and most people will only use six to seven litres per
hundred kilometres in moderate country and motorway driving. That
will rise to about eight to nine litres per hundred in suburban
use, which is still pretty economical.
Though we haven’t done a full test on an
automatic Astra diesel, it’s officially measured fuel figure is
7.4 litres per hundred kilometres, compared with the manual’s
6.0 litres per hundred. We wouldn’t expect such a big percentage
difference in day-to-day running, but can’t comment correctly at
this stage.
But there's more to the new Astra CDTi than
simply its diesel engine. Styling is a major selling feature of
this car, with its neat frontal treatment and detailed touches
that give it an upmarket European flavour. The roof slopes sharply
to the rear to improve high-speed aerodynamics, yet this doesn’t
adversely affect rear seat headroom.
Moving the front seats forward a few notches on
their runners still leaves a decent amount of legroom and means
the Astra can be used as a full four-seater for adults. Five
occupants are only going to be comfortable if at least two in the
back are children. Front seat space is fine thanks to the
space-saving front-wheel drive.
Handling is everything you would expect from a
small-medium European car. Those who like their cars will love the
way the Holden Astra holds to the road with a minimum of fuss. It
answers commands to the steering wheel promptly and efficiently.
There may be some additional understeer if you really hustle the
turbo-diesel along, due to the extra weight in the front of the
car. But short of a back-to-back test it’s certainly not
obvious.
Is the extra cost of a diesel engine worth it?
At this time diesel fuel in Australia is about 15 to 25 per cent
more expensive than petrol, so the typically lower fuel usage of
about 30 to 35 per cent is partly negated.
There's no reason to believe that depreciation
on diesels will be any higher (or lower) than that on petrols.
Glass's Guide figures are suggesting they will be much the same,
though it’s still relatively early days for diesel cars in
Australia.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
CD 1.8-litre five-door hatch - $21,990
CDX 1.8-litre five-door hatch - $24,490
CDXi 1.8-litre five-door hatch - $28,990
CD Coupe 1.8-litre three-door hatch - $23,990
CDX Coupe 1.8-litre three-door hatch - $26,990
CD 1.8-litre five-door wagon - $23,790
CDX 1.8-litre five-door wagon - $26,490
CDTi 1.9-litre diesel five-door hatch - $29,990
CDTi 1.9-litre diesel five-door hatch - $31,490
SRi 2.0-litre turbo three-door hatch - $34,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Not offered in SRi, standard in all models
CD Player: Standard in all models
Central Locking: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Not offered in CD, standard in all other models
Driver Airbag: Standard in all models
Passenger Airbag: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all 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: 1372kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 52 litres
Towing Ability: 630kg (1300kg with braked trailer)
MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
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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