Refreshed 2017 Holden Barina gets Camaro front fascia

Having been responsible for designing the Holden Colorado Extreme and Trailblazer Premier show cars, General Motor’s Australian design team is at it again, this time designing the refreshed 2017 Holden Barina with a distinctly grown-up feel.

“It was time for the Barina to grow up at bit and expand its global appeal beyond the young adult market,” said Justin Thompson, GM Australia’s Exterior Design Manager.

The changes are centred around the front of the city hatchback, with a new fascia inspired by the Camaro sports car, a redesigned front grille and LED lighting completing the new look.

“We were challenged to explore what Barina could be; to create a more athletic exterior whilst providing an interior that people can enjoy their time in,” said Mr Thompson.

Keeping drivers more connected than ever, the interior of the refreshed 2017 Barina is structured around technology and connectivity introductions including passive entry, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Rear View Camera and push button start complete the cabin update – all supported by a 5 star ANCAP safety rating.

“Barina has always been a fun-to-drive car and we wanted to somehow maintain that quality but also offer a more mature and sophisticated design for a more complete package overall.”

“With its trademark wheels-at-the-corners stance and dramatic changes to its front grille and fascia, Barina’s design really points to its pleasurable driving dynamics and technology inside.”

Underlining the strong global reputation the GM Australia Design studio has earned itself, the Barina design changes fashioned in Port Melbourne have been adopted by other GM markets using the Chevrolet Sonic nameplate.

The 2017 Barina range has been restructured to offer two variants, LS hatch and LT hatch, both powered by the carried over 1.6-litre petrol engine from its 2016 predecessor. Pricing starts from a sharp $14,990 for the entry-level LS manual, before working its way up to the full fat LT automatic at $20,390. All stickers are before on-road costs.

Holden’s Executive Director of Sales, Peter Keley, said the 2017 Barina offered customers style, technology and safety in one smart package.

“With the GM Australia-led redesign and new technology, we’ve given Barina an injection of energy for 2017,” said Mr. Keley.

“We know our customers place a great deal of importance on staying connected and feeling like their car is an extension of their lives, and we’re confident that Barina delivers this and more with its new phone projection connectivity and passive entry/push-button start technology.

“We’ve also added to Barina’s maximum five star ANCAP safety performance, adding Rear Park Assist and Rear View Camera as standard across the range.”

2017 Holden Barina Feature Highlights

LS

• 1.6-litre petrol engine
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• New front fascia, grille and rear fascia
• 7-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay® and Android® Auto*
• Rear View Camera with Rear Park Assist
• Auto headlamps with LED DRLs

LT (above LS)

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Passive Entry and Push Button Start
• Leather steering wheel
• Sportec seat Trim
• Heated front seats

2017 Holden Barina Recommended Retail Pricing

1.6-litre LS manual $14,990
1.6-litre LS automatic $17,190
1.6-litre LT automatic $20,390