Holden Unleashes Turbo Diesel Power In Astra Hatch

[cwhast]

Australia ’s biggest-selling European imported car, the Holden Astra, is now available in two turbocharged diesel five-door hatches.

The feature-packed Astra CDTi models boast 1.9 litre turbo diesel engines delivering the outstanding performance and improved fuel economy for which diesel-powered vehicles have become renowned.

The availability of diesel power in one of Australia’s most popular nameplates will add significant momentum to local buyers’ growing interest in diesel fuel.

Astra CDTi will be available in six-speed manual and six-speed automatic variants. The six-speed automatic transmission is a first for Holden passenger cars.

The 110 kilowatt manual is priced at $29,990* and the 88 kilowatt automatic model is $31,490*.

Highly specified, Astra turbo diesel’s standard features include Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with traction control, ABS, driver, front passenger and front side impact airbags, full length curtain airbags, 16-inch alloy wheels (steel spare), fog lamps, cruise control, air conditioning and trip computer.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director Denny Mooney today said it was the first time Holden’s second biggest-selling car line had offered diesel engines.

Mr Mooney said diesel vehicle sales in Australia were on the rise as they offered performance, economic and environmental benefits.

“Combining Astra’s great looks with new diesel technology and a sharp price is sure to draw Australian motorists to these cars,” Mr Mooney said.

“Astra turbo diesel delivers great performance, improved fuel economy and fewer emissions.

It builds on what is already Australia’s most comprehensive small car range.”

The six-speed manual DOHC Astra diesel produces 110 kilowatts of peak power at 4000rpm and 320Nm of peak torque at 2000rpm.

The six-speed automatic SOHC Astra diesel variant produces 88 kilowatts of peak power at 3500rpm and 280Nm of peak torque at 2000rpm. An Active Select feature allows the driver to shift manually for a sharper driving feel.

A Garrett turbocharger with charge-air intercooler and diesel fuel feed via common rail and a multiple direct injection system contribute to a vigorous, smooth-running brand of performance

with powerful torque at low engine speeds, higher top-end performance and lower fuel usage.

Astra turbo diesel has undergone extensive field evaluation by Holden engineers, with 50,000 Australian test kilometres augmented by impressive performances in the 2003 and 2005 Darwin to Adelaide World Solar Challenge Greenfleet Class. A recent win in the 2006 Greenfleet Technology Trial in Victoria further boosted its credentials.

Astra CDTi turbo diesel’s fuel economy performance (ADR 81/01) is 6.0 litres/100km for the manual variant and 7.4 litres/100 km for the automatic transmission and emission levels meet Euro 4 standards.

Chassis dynamics

All the controlled, predictable ride and handling attributes that have helped to make the Holden Astra so consistently successful are present in full measure.

They are supplemented in both Astra CDTi variants by the pre-emptive active safety benefits of an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control, four-channel ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and larger diameter (308mm) ventilated front disc brakes.

The advanced ESP system uses sensors to detect critical driving situations, helping the driver to maintain optimum vehicle stability by intervening to apply the brakes individually or alter engine torque. The traction control system monitors grip via brakes and engine output.

The 110kW Astra turbo diesel with manual transmission also offers a sports chassis pack which features a firmer sport-tuned suspension, lower ride height, quick rack steering ratio and a sport switch that recalibrates the electronic throttle and power steering for an even more responsive handling character.

Safety features

Six airbags ─ f ront and thorax/pelvis side airbags for driver and front seat passenger,

head curtain airbags in front and for outer rear seats

Three height-adjustable head restraints in rear

Three-point safety belts for all seats, height-adjustable in front

Safety belt force limiter and pyrotechnic belt tensioner in front

High-strength safety body with crash boxes and sensors

Side impact protection

Warning control light for unfastened seat belts in front

Safety steering column (height and reach-adjustable)

Automatic release safety pedals

Mountings for child seats

Child safety catch on rear doors

Automatic activation of hazard warning blinkers and unlocking of doors after airbag or belt pre-tensioner is triggered

Styling and feature highlights

The Astra CDTi turbo diesel shares the same well-balanced proportions and striking Euro body design of its petrol-powered five-door hatchback siblings.

It is identified externally by unique twin-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and CDTi badging at the rear.

The spacious and cleverly-packaged interior features a smart charcoal fabric trim, contoured seating, comfortable cockpit layout and 60/40 rear fold flexibility.

Standard equipment includes a leather-wrap steering wheel (sports style in the manual model) with remote audio controls, single CD player with MP3 function, power windows all round, cruise control, trip computer, air conditioning, graphic information display, remote external mirrors and six-way adjustable driver’s seat.

Exterior colour selection

Black Sapphire (metallic)

Star Silver (metallic)

Casablanca White

Ultra Blue (metallic)

Pannacotta Gold (metallic)

Moonland (mid grey metallic) – new to Astra

Selected Holden accessories

Five-door hatch body kit, (lower and rear roof spoiler).

Range of 17- and 18-inch alloy wheel options.

Astra CDTi recommended retail pricing

(excluding delivery and government charges)

$29,990 (manual transmission)

$31,490 (automatic transmission)

Metallic paint $360

On Sale

June 2006

* Excluding dealer delivery and government charges.

http://img125.imagevenue.com/loc46/th_64869_CDTi_Diesel04.jpg (http://img125.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc46&image=64869_CDTi_Diesel04.jpg)http://img34.imagevenue.com/loc28/th_64874_CDTi_Diesel06.jpg (http://img34.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc28&image=64874_CDTi_Diesel06.jpg)http://img40.imagevenue.com/loc283/th_64878_CDTi_Diesel12.jpg (http://img40.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc283&image=64878_CDTi_Diesel12.jpg)
http://img139.imagevenue.com/loc262/th_64883_CDTi_Diesel14.jpg (http://img139.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc262&image=64883_CDTi_Diesel14.jpg)

[VYBerlinaV8]

I drove the manual at my local dealership on Saturday. Torquey beyond belief, supposed to very economical, and nicely equipped. Didn't like the digital indicator stalks much, but the rest was very good.

I wouldn't buy one, because I'm not prepared to pay that level of price premium over a base model petrol. Interesting drive, though.

[Black AH CDX]

Didn't like the digital indicator stalks much, but the rest was very good.




thats only cause u don't know how to use them:doh:

[Tre-Cool]

my sister baught one of the petrol models recently and i just hate the electronic throttle, if you dont lift your foot from the pedal the car revs between gear changes, very annoying even at light throttle.

Much prefer using a throttle cable.

[Marco]

Sounds like a nice car, although you'd have to do a fair few km to see the savings. Then again, the diesel has considerably more power and torque than the petrol 1.8 (at least as a manual) so you might even buy it from a performance point of view.

[Marco]

my sister baught one of the petrol models recently and i just hate the electronic throttle, if you dont lift your foot from the pedal the car revs between gear changes, very annoying even at light throttle.

Much prefer using a throttle cable.

Easy fix for that is to lift off the throttle before hitting the clutch. Works for me.

[Angeldust]

nice torque figure at low revs.

Unfortunately, peak power of 110 KW at 4000 rpm really means it will be quite breathless at the top end, and run out of push really early...:headbang:

[McobraR]

320nm @ 2000rpm? sheesh. Man im gonna start losing to more astra's at the lights now with my ecotec crap

[Black AH CDX]

nice torque figure at low revs.

Unfortunately, peak power of 110 KW at 4000 rpm really means it will be quite breathless at the top end, and run out of push really early...:headbang:


just like any other diesel engine

[X BC X]

the 6 speed auto is interesting.......like to know the specs

[cwhast]

the 6 speed auto is interesting.......like to know the specs

1st: 4.15
2nd: 2.37
3rd: 1.56
4th: 1.16
5th: 0.86
6th: 0.69

is that what you wanted?
the auto has 88kw/280nm for some reason, compared to the 110kw/320nm in the manual version.

[Tre-Cool]

Easy fix for that is to lift off the throttle before hitting the clutch. Works for me.
i do lift off, but the poxy thing is that sensitive you have to completly remove your foot from the pedal.

Dont have to do that with the mighty ls1.

[Danv8]

nice torque figure at low revs.

Unfortunately, peak power of 110 KW at 4000 rpm really means it will be quite breathless at the top end, and run out of push really early...:headbang:


but why would you want to rev a diesel engine hard anyway use the strong bottom to mid range torque to pull you along. Truck I drive has 575 hp at 1800-2100 rpm and well over 2000 nm at 1200 rpm I rarely hit 2100 rpm to get going. :)

[Danv8]

1st: 4.15
2nd: 2.37
3rd: 1.56
4th: 1.16
5th: 0.86
6th: 0.69

is that what you wanted?
the auto has 88kw/280nm for some reason, compared to the 110kw/320nm in the manual version.


The automatic version cannot handle the toque thats why its been detuned.

[X BC X]

1st: 4.15
2nd: 2.37
3rd: 1.56
4th: 1.16
5th: 0.86
6th: 0.69

is that what you wanted?
the auto has 88kw/280nm for some reason, compared to the 110kw/320nm in the manual version.

cheers mate,
yeah 22kw and 40nm is a big difference.....wonder why ? surely its not due to
capability of the transmission ???

[Black AH CDX]

Its because the automatic and the manual are two different engines


Manual is DOHC, auto is SOHC

[cwhast]

it says the manual version has 'electronically powered swirl control'...
whatever that is... must have something to do with the diff in fuel economy

[Pickles]

The fact that the Manual diesel Astra has 110kw, & the Auto diesel only 88kw, with similar differences in torque, is an absolute blunder by GM/Holden, & will certainly cost them sales in the auto buyer segment. Here they had a chance to do something really good, as there's nothing wrong with the Astra chassis that a bit more power wouldn't fix.
Yeah, I've heard all the stuff about the auto not handling the torque etc, etc, but that's my point--GM should have found/designed a suitable auto--others have!!
Cheers, Pickles

[Black AH CDX]

the fact is the manual dieseel will be marketed as a sports model and the auto to the granma/girlie crowd who don't give a rat's ass about power and can't be assed learning to drive manual, or don't have the mental capacity

[VYBerlinaV8]

thats only cause u don't know how to use them:doh:

I know how to use them, just didn't like them. I'm not a fan of this sort of thing, because it inevitably costs heaps when it breaks, and it isn't really functionally better anyway.

Nice car though. I have a 1 yr old Astra Classic Equipe that the wife drives, and I like that it's a well known and tested unit. Not as comfortable as the new one, though.

Has anyone driven the wagon version of the new Astra? Does it feel any different?

[CharlieDontSurf]

The reason that the auto has the lower spec engine is cost. Denny Mooney in Drive says that the gap between manual and auto prices would have been too high(greater than $1500 I think)
But I reckon its a bad move also. Turbo diesels and autos go better than manulas due to the torque converter anfd lower reving engines. Comparing a manual(sprint shift) MB sprinter and 5 speed auto is chalk and cheese in power delivery, smoothness and response, with the same engine

[Swordie]

Here’s my 2 cents worth.

I’ve driven the current Prado TD, it has a 3 litre 4cyl, 4-speed auto, 96Kw with 343 Nm @ 2000rpm and weighs around 2900Kg.

On paper it seems like the Prado TD would be a slug. I took my friends brand new one out for a spirited test drive and was very surprised. Acceleration and torque is quite adequate for a car in its segment. The lesson I learnt here when it come to diesels is paper analysis doesn’t always stack up.

[P-1]

It needs to look tough. ATM it doesn't look anywhere near it.

[all4ford]

The manual is quite impressive, I better watch out next time I'm cruising in the XW.

[handyphil]

I recently test drove both the auto and manual versions.
Very impressive, especially the manual. After an initial slow takeoff, it rockets away like a missile. The box is obviously tied to a lot of torque. Gears shift as if there's a V8 out front. Clutch is nice and light though.
I don't think ladies will like it if they're used to Japanese shifts.

The auto is very smooth. There's no lag from a standing start and it pulls away smoothly and strongly. It's disappointing that it comes with the detuned engine. There seems to be no reason for it. It uses 15% more fuel than the manual, with less power/torque.
At 100kmh it trickles along @ 1800rpm. Should last forever. I noticed though, at 100kmh it stayed in 5th. I had to select 6th with the selectronic. Is this a bug? Or built for autobahns? 5th and 6th are tall overdrives.

GMH has missed out on what should be a very worthy competitor to the Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI DSG.

Aussy's will soon let GMH know . . . . . .

[Guzzles]

even in Europe the 88 kw diesel is the only one to come with the 6 speed auto in fact it's the only diesel astra available with a slushbox. 110kw only comes with the M6. so do the smaller engines with 74kw and 66kw. Autos aren't popular in small/compact cars in europe...

[Dacious]

Autos are notoriously difficult to mate to diesels. Given the regular Astra only has around 90kw, the buyer who buys a diesel for economy is not likely to complain. If looking for performance, look elsewhere. Diesel ain't it. Even the 110kw manual won't be quick compared to the 1.8 petrol.

The auto has more than enough power to get out of it's own way, and importantly, the torque means they don't suffer much when loaded. Why they do so well in 4WDs and trucks. The reason, the one and only reason you would buy one: it will probably get 800-900km from a tank of juice around town = 3-400km more than a petrol version. The Megane we had did 900km and easy had 100km of fuel left. Plus as the engine runs on oil as distinct from petrol which washes oil off the cylinder walls it should last a long time. Fuel savings wil be substantial. I'd own one as a town hack.

Having driven a diesel Megane the performance is adequate but not startling. If you rev one with the foot flat, you will not go as fast. The way with diesels is to let them rev on part throttle and short-shift at mid revs, as they have lots of torque. Put it this way: the 1.9 I was driving was pulling 1700rpm at 70mph in top = about what the Monaro does! Power starts at less than 1,000rpm, is going strong by 2,000rpm and starts to top out over 3500rpm. You can rev it past that, but it' (more of) a slug. It means a bit of cog-swapping to keep it in that 2-4K band but progress is good if not spectacular. As long as you keep the engine percolating it will run up big hills on light throttle.

For bumper-bumper commuting, just fine.

[Black AH CDX]

If looking for performance, look elsewhere. Diesel ain't it. Even the 110kw manual won't be quick compared to the 1.8 petrol.

.


You obviously have never driven the AH Astra.

The 1.8 is a slug, the CDTi, particularly in Manual for shits all over it.

It leaves it for dead. Modern diesels are performance engines. Thats why the CDTi manual sits on the Sports Chassis of the Coupe, with the lower ride hight, firmer suspension, and IDS Plus

go drive one, u will be suprised.


In fact i remember wheels magazine saying they would take a CDTi manual over a SRi Turbo

[ANDREWGEN3]

Autos are notoriously difficult to mate to diesels. Given the regular Astra only has around 90kw, the buyer who buys a diesel for economy is not likely to complain. If looking for performance, look elsewhere. Diesel ain't it. Even the 110kw manual won't be quick compared to the 1.8 petrol.

The auto has more than enough power to get out of it's own way, and importantly, the torque means they don't suffer much when loaded. Why they do so well in 4WDs and trucks. The reason, the one and only reason you would buy one: it will probably get 800-900km from a tank of juice around town = 3-400km more than a petrol version. The Megane we had did 900km and easy had 100km of fuel left. Plus as the engine runs on oil as distinct from petrol which washes oil off the cylinder walls it should last a long time. Fuel savings wil be substantial. I'd own one as a town hack.

Having driven a diesel Megane the performance is adequate but not startling. If you rev one with the foot flat, you will not go as fast. The way with diesels is to let them rev on part throttle and short-shift at mid revs, as they have lots of torque. Put it this way: the 1.9 I was driving was pulling 1700rpm at 70mph in top = about what the Monaro does! Power starts at less than 1,000rpm, is going strong by 2,000rpm and starts to top out over 3500rpm. You can rev it past that, but it' (more of) a slug. It means a bit of cog-swapping to keep it in that 2-4K band but progress is good if not spectacular. As long as you keep the engine percolating it will run up big hills on light throttle.

For bumper-bumper commuting, just fine.

Have driven both the petrol and diesel manual and auto and there is definitely a performance advantage to the diesel ,chalk and cheese. The Auto is less powerful but seems to deliver the torque low and smooth giving the impression of having more power. Definitely feels stronger.

[Dacious]

That's interesting - the Megane we had could dust things like smaller petrol cars, but my SOTP impression was the Missus' Astra would leave it for dead. Then again, 110kw is a lot more power. If it is that quick with diesel economy it'd be a good buy.

You couldn't tell on the little Renault except when starting and idling it was an oiler. I didn't like the waft of rapeseed oil with a window down, but it was good to drive - even fun.

Like I said - I'd definitely consider one for town driving, and the Renault would happily wind out to 80-90mph with little prompting - even overtaking wasn't bad.

[Swordie]

Generally I don't think of Diesels as performance cars, there are exceptions. I think of them as cars with good torque and fuel economy.

[hdj105]

The fact that the Manual diesel Astra has 110kw, & the Auto diesel only 88kw, with similar differences in torque, is an absolute blunder by GM/Holden, & will certainly cost them sales in the auto buyer segment. Here they had a chance to do something really good, as there's nothing wrong with the Astra chassis that a bit more power wouldn't fix.
Yeah, I've heard all the stuff about the auto not handling the torque etc, etc, but that's my point--GM should have found/designed a suitable auto--others have!!
Cheers, Pickles

Although a diesel fan, I agree I'd probably ignore the auto based on it's specs on paper, the manual sounds much more impressive and compares more favorably with the competition eg. Golf 2.0 TDI.

My guess is like Pickles - the new A6 is not suitable for the DOHC's torque (yet).

Does anyone know who actually makes the diesel engine? (Opel, Isuzu?)

SOHC auto & DOHC manual.... smells like Camira over again?

[chevypower]

I've had a look at the Astra TD and Golf TDI - There is no significant price advantage over the Golf TDI, and the equipment levels and engineering in the Golf Comfortline is exceptional, far superior to the Astra - I suggest go and have a close look at both, and once you drive the Golf 2.0TDI with the 6 spd manual, you would be convinced... I understand RRP to be $29,000 for the Astra 1.9TDI and $34,000 for the Golf 2.0TDI - pretty basic interior in the Astra

[QLDer]

Does anyone know who actually makes the diesel engine? (Opel, Isuzu?)

I've read elsewhere that it's sourced from Fiat, who make one of the best modern diesel engines...


the equipment levels and engineering in the Golf Comfortline is exceptional, far superior to the Astra

I think the Astra is more sports-orientated, with the sports chassis and lowered suspension, bigger alloys (and bigger brakes maybe?)

Also, does the Golf have DSC (or their equivalent?)

The Astra CDTi is pretty well specced too!

[VYBerlinaV8]

Hey why don't they put the diesel drivelines into the Astra wagons? As a small family car that would be really good.

[Danv8]

Generally I don't think of Diesels as performance cars, there are exceptions. I think of them as cars with good torque and fuel economy.

I use to think almost the same thing until I drive a Kenworth truck without its trailer. 575 hp and over 2000 nm of torque yeah it sure can gallop.
:bow:

[chevypower]

check out the Peugeot 908 4 seater luxury car concept with the rear mounted designed for Le Mans endurance races 5.5L twin turbo V12 diesel. 515kw and 1200Nm from an engine similar size to an LS1 or Boss 5.4V8- top speed of over 300km/h and literally half the fuel consumption of an F1 car

http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,20150684-21822,00.html

But Swordie is right, diesel is not for performance cars, i would much rather a petrol engine that gets half the power and torque, and uses twice the fuel (not)