Astra is Back from $26,990..VXR $39,990

[csv8]

" AIMED to add some sophistication to Holden's line-up, the European-sourced Astra GTC, Astra VXR and Cascada convertible are rolling into showrooms.

While the Astras aren't new to Australia, they were here not long ago wearing Opel badges, the pricing is certainly keen. The Astra GTC starts from $26,990 plus on-roads, while the halo VXR hot hatch is below $40,000 - down about $3K when it wore the lightening strike moniker.

The Cascada offers a true four-seat drop-top from $41,990.

Holden has improved features on the Opel models last seen here, and said it can justify the lower prices by being able to spread the financial load across a much larger network.

Two engines will be used across the range, with a 1.6-litre turbo in the Astra GTC and Cascada, while the fire-breathing VXR features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-potter.

The new offerings are what Holden is calling an entrée to a new model onslaught which will see 24 new vehicles and 34 new powertrains introduced over the next five years. Next to arrive will be the Insignia sedan.

"Astra and Cascada exhibit all the hallmarks of premium European manufactured cars. Both are visually stunning with great road presence and exceptional build quality," Holden's sales executive director Peter Keley said.

"We are confident these are the right cars for Australia, giving buyers a vehicle to aspire to own and this is something echoed by our dealers.

"Dealers nationwide have expressed interest and excitement in Astra and Cascada and are looking forward to getting their hands on them."


Bottom line
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 "
http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au...41990/2622253/

[SensationFG8]

I think they look better with a lightning strike. The new badge just looks cheap and nasty.

[Vesper Martini]

So where are they made? didn't Opel in Belgium close down?

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

So where are they made? didn't Opel in Belgium close down?

I'd like to know also.

Is there a 5 door hatch variant? I couldn't find it in the article.

[csv8]

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...28-1mvef7.html
2 door only...

Google search has it being made in the UK..

[Joe5619]

I just don’t understand why they have Cruze & Astra. Stupid people running this company that is for sure!!

[deluxe_]

Automatic entry model is $30k

Cott dayyum, I think any person with some wisdom will surely pass on this.

[EgoFG]

They will sell because they are holdens, and holdens are better than any Japanese, Thai, or Europe crap !

[csv8]

According to May issue,Wheels ,Astra will replace Cruze 2017 and Insignia the Malibu same time,

[fgpsi]

I'd buy one only if they return the opel badges before it arrives for pickup

[fgpsi]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

I just don’t understand why they have Cruze & Astra. Stupid people running this company that is for sure!!

Isn't cruze medium sized and astra us classified as small?

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by csv8

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...28-1mvef7.html
2 door only...

Google search has it being made in the UK..

Unlikely there was a Vauxhall plant in Luton that closed around 2000.
I think Morgan is the only car produced in England now

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by fgpsi

Isn't cruze medium sized and astra us classified as small?

They are very close in size , definitely in the same category .

[Tokyo Geoff]

I quite like it

[SensationFG8]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Unlikely there was a Vauxhall plant in Luton that closed around 2000.
I think Morgan is the only car produced in England now

How do you figure that? England still build many cars, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls, Lotus, Jag...

The parent companies might be international but the cars are still built in England and in many cases designed there.

[csv8]

Astra is built Ellesmere Port England according to Wiki

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by fgpsi

Isn't cruze medium sized and astra us classified as small?

They share the same platform interior bits and engines they are essentially the same car.

[Bill M]

Yes they do still build cars in the UK.

Vauxhall is a major UK employer, with around 35,000 people employed directly or indirectly through our company activities. Our direct head count amounts to some 4,500 people at our Luton, Ellesmere Port and other locations. 23,000 people work within our Retail Network, and a further 7,000 are employed within our UK supply chain, providing all the millions of parts and many essential services we use every day.

Our Luton plant, with 1,171 staff, produces 67,000 units a year in two shifts, with the potential for as much as 100,000 units a year in three shifts. The Luton plant has not only produced a van that has won ’Best Medium Van’ at the Van Fleet Awards no less than seven times, but they have achieved 10.1 million hours worked without a Lost Work Day case.

Our Ellesmere Port manufacturing site has a headcount of 2,122 and a capacity of 187,000 units a year in three shifts. They produce the sixth generation Astra five-door hatchback, Astravan and the new Astra Sports Tourer.



In 1995, Ellesmere Port was the first manufacturing facility in the UK to be awarded the ISO 14001 environmental management standard. In 2008, it helped Vauxhall become the first UK manufacturer to receive the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Award. And since 2002, the plant has further reduced its energy usage by 54%.

http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/about-vaux...s/company.html

[Windsor220]

Is it just me or is that expensive

[Bossxr8]

Very. But the cruze is the budget bucket, the Astra is supposed to be more upmarket. It should fail as badly as it did as an Opal with those prices.