ForceGT.com

2017 Holden Astra on sale this December priced from $21,990

Alvin Lee

Holden has announced Australian pricing and specification for the all-new Astra, as the first batch of the compact hatch makes its way Down Under for a December roll out.

Priced from 21,990 before on-road costs, the Polish-built Astra heralds the start of Holden’s huge new product onslaught, as the company commits to replace or refresh every model in its line-up as part of its plan to introduce 24 new models by the end of 2020.

Joining the new Astra in Holden’s range within the next six months will be the Barina small car, Trax small SUV and Trailblazer full-size SUV. An all-new, U.S.-sourced seven-seat Acadia SUV is also in the pipeline for 2018.

Holden Executive Director of Sales, Peter Keley, said the all-new Astra offered the perfect combination of leading design, performance and technology with exceptional customer value.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see the first all-new Holden Astra built and ready to ship – it’s a stunning car, packed with state-of-the-art technology, and another great example of the exciting future vehicles we will be introducing over the next couple of years,” said Mr. Keley.

“Astra’s premium European design oozes quality and style, and with Australian input and extensive global testing, you can be sure it will deliver the performance and refinement Holden has built its reputation on.”

Headlining the new model is a weight reduction of up to 130kg, depending on model and trim. The car’s bodyshell itself is 20% lighter than outgoing model while use of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels, more compact subframes and lighter front and rear axles contributes to a further 50kg reduction.

Despite some 5cm shorter overall than its predecessor and sitting on a 2cm shorter wheelbase, Holden claims the Astra is more spacious. Rear passengers enjoys 35mm more legroom thanks to improved packaging and newly-designed seats.

Standout features on the new Astra include IntelliLux LED Matrix headlamps. Consisting of 16 individual LED segments – eight on each side of the vehicle – the new LED Matrix system works with the Holden Eye front camera to automatically adapt length and distribution of the light beam, depending on traffic situations.

On the safety front, the new Astra introduces Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert and Active Lane Keep Assist. Rear view camera and rear park assist are standard across the range.

Inside, the 2017 Astra boasts European styling with a more upmarket ambience. A large colour touchscreen is linked to a new-generation IntelliLink infotainment system that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The Astra is available with two turbocharged petrol engine options – a 1.4-litre producing 110kW and 240Nm that sips a frugal 5.8L/100km, and a more powerful 1.6-litre boasting 147kW and 300Nm. Both powertrains are paired with either a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.

Read ForceGT’s 2017 Holden Astra Review here.

2017 Holden Astra Price and Specification

Astra R

RS highlights over R:

RS-V highlights over RS:

Special Packs

Driver Assist Pack (optional on R, available April ‘17) – $1,000

Touring Pack (optional on RS-V) – $1,990

Innovations Pack (optional on RS-V) – $3,990

2017 Holden Astra Pricing (excluding on-road costs)

1.4L turbo R manual                                         $21,990
1.4L turbo R automatic                                    $24,190

1.6L turbo RS manual                                      $26,490
1.6L turbo RS automatic                                 $28,690

1.6L turbo RS-V manual                                  $30,990
1.6L turbo RS-V automatic                              $33,190