Holden · 1984–2020

Holden Astra

The Holden Astra is a small car formerly marketed by Holden. The first two generations of Astra were made only for Australia, and was a derivative of the locally produced Nissan Pulsar. With the Button car plan coming into effect, it was replaced by the Holden Nova, a rebadged Toyota Corolla. In 1995, Holden commenced selling the TR Astra in New Zealand. The TR was a rebadged version of the Opel Astra, which had been sold locally as an Opel since 1993. Holden discontinued the Nova line in Australia in favour of Opel's TR. Following its implementation as an Opel, it quickly became successful in its TS (1998) generation, where it came close to becoming Australia's best selling small car. The AH (2004) continued its success, before Holden discontinued Opel-sourced product range, replacing Astra with GM Daewoo's Cruze. On 1 May 2014, Holden announced plans to import the Opel Astra J GTC and Opel Astra J OPC with Holden badges into Australia and New Zealand, and the following generation replaced the Cruze officially in 2017. In late 2016 a new Holden Astra range was released comprising rebadged European Vauxhall/Opel Astra hatchbacks, (coded the BK series). This was followed in 2017 by rebadged Chevrolet Cruze sedans (coded BL), and rebadged Vauxhall Astra wagons (coded BK).

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Holden Nova · Successor: Holden Nova

All Holden Astra data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First generation (LB, LC; 1984–1987)

The original Holden Astra, introduced in August 1984 as the LB series was a badge engineered Nissan Pulsar (N12). The Pulsar, a Japanese designed model, sold alongside the unique to Australia Astra line-up. The Pulsar for Australia was assembled in Clayton, Victoria; however, for the Astra the body panels were pressed at Holden's Elizabeth, South Australia facility. Unlike its Nissan counterpart, the Astra was only offered as a five-door hatchback, with the three-door hatchback and four-door sedan body styles omitted from the range due to fears they would overlap with Nissan's own Pulsar range. However, Holden's continuation of the Gemini sedan range in 1985 was the nearest equivalent of this in the range. The only engine available was a Nissan-designed 1.5-litre engine, locally manufactured, this engine produced 52 kilowatts (70 hp) and 115 newton-metres (85 ft⋅lbf) of torque. Transmission options were a five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic. Compared to the N12 Pulsar, the Astra LB sported a distinctive grille, the work of Australian stylist Paul Beranger housing the Holden lion insignia in the centre. Also unique were Astra-only tail lamps, badging and decals. A revised LC model was released in April 1986. Unleaded-fuel requirements uprated the engine displacement to 1.6 litres, power to 60 kilowatts (80 hp) and torque to 124 newton-metres (91 ft⋅lbf). Model and trim changes were also a part of the update, including a new grille insert, and the addition of an SL model positioned below the SL/X and SL/E levels. The Used Car Safety Ratings, published in 2008 by Monash University, found that first generation Astras (LB/LC) provide a "significantly worse than average" level of occupant safety protection in the event of an accident. Specification levels. Two trim

Second generation (LD; 1987–1989)

For the second generation LD Astra, the Nissan Pulsar was again used as the basis, this time using the latest N13 series. Unlike before, the LD was the result of a proper joint venture development programme. That is, Nissan provided the bodywork and Holden supplied powertrains for fitment in both applications. Launched concurrently in July 1987, both the LD Astra and N13 Pulsar were offered in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. Outside of Australia though, three-door hatchback and station wagon body variants of the Nissan were also available. Both 1.6 (55 kilowatts (74 hp); 135 newton-metres (100 ft⋅lbf)) and 1.8-litre (79 kilowatts (106 hp); 151 newton-metres (111 ft⋅lbf)) displacements of Holden's Family II engine were offered in the Astra-Pulsar models. Badged as 1.6 and 1.8 injection, respectively, the term "injection" denoted the utilisation of fuel injection. In July 1989, all associations with Nissan were severed and a new agreement between Toyota was formed. This relationship, known as the United Australian Automobile Industries (UAAI) was a continuation of the Australian Government's Button Plan that started with Nissan. Nissan continued to use the Holden engines until 1991 before replacing their N13 Pulsar line with the N14, while at the same time entering a new model sharing alliance with Ford. The Used Car Safety Ratings evaluation from 2008 found that LD series Astras provide a "worse than average" level of occupant protection in the event of an accident. Specification levels. Of the three trim specifications offered, the SLX and SLE nameplates no longer featured the "/" symbol, as in SL/X. Besides this anomaly, the LD range mirrored that of the LC Astra: SL: entry-level variant, available only as five-door hatchback, featuring the five-s

Third generation (TR; 1995)

In 1995, the Holden Astra name was used again, this time in New Zealand for a model based on the Opel Astra F, Opel being the General Motors subsidiary in Germany. Imported from Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant in the UK, this third-generation Astra model and was sold as a four-door sedan, five-door hatchback and five-door wagon. The exterior styling also featured Vauxhall's new corporate 'V' front grille first seen on the 1994 Vauxhall Omega. Holden in Australia did not sell the Opel-based Astra, known as the TR series, until September 1996, after the dissolution of Australian Government Button car plan. This resulted in the collapse of UAAI, the Holden-Toyota alliance, and as result Holden opted to return to marketing rebadged General Motors vehicles. Between 1989 and 1996, the Astra's role was fulfilled by the Nova, Holden's version of Toyota's Corolla (E90 and E100). Unlike New Zealand, the wagon was not offered. During this period of badge engineering in Australia, General Motors New Zealand had used Opel as one of its main marques alongside Holden and Isuzu. Because the Button plan or local equivalent never existed in New Zealand, the two initial generations of Holden Astra (LB/LC and LD) were thus never available in that market. Like the two previous generations, TR Astras were assessed in the 2008 Used Car Safety Ratings, and shown to provide an "average" level of protection. Specification levels. City: was the introductory model featuring a driver's airbag, central locking, and power steering. The engine and transmission combination consisted of a 1.6-litre C16SE engine (74 kilowatts (99 hp); 135 newton-metres (100 ft⋅lbf)) with a five-speed manual. GL: editions were fitted with front fog lamps, electric side mirrors and a tachometer over the City, and also fea

Fourth generation (TS; 1998)

In September 1998, the Astra was replaced again with a German Opel-engineered, Belgium-built version. Known as the TS Astra, it was equipped with either a 90-kilowatt (120 hp) 1.8- or a 2.2-litre petrol engine and was offered in City, CD, CDX, SXi and SRi specifications. The SRi was three-door hatchback only, and the standard Astra was only available with a 1.8-litre 16-valve engine. Models with a 5-stud wheel pattern have the ABS option factory-installed. The Astra CD gained 15-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment in circa 1999, replacing the steel wheels with hubcaps previously standard. The TS Astra model change followed that of the Opel Astra G range, including the sedan, hatchback and convertible. However, the coupé by Bertone was not offered with a Holden badge. The drivetrain was identical to other cars in the Astra lineup, and as such, was not a bona-fide sports car. Like the Astra F, the Astra G was available as a wagon in New Zealand, but not Australia. In 2003, a 147-kilowatt (197 hp) 2.0-litre turbo engine became available. The standard Astra was only available with a 1.8-litre 16-valve engine, and lived on until 2005 as the Holden Astra Classic, alongside the new model. The philosophy behind this was for Holden to remain competitive in the market until the cheaper Viva model was introduced. In accordance to the Monash University's 2008 update to the Used Car Safety Ratings, TS Astra models were rated "better than average" in the field of crash safety protection. Specification levels. City: was the most basic TS model, available as a three- and five-door with a six-speaker audio system, dual airbags, disc brakes, adjustable headlamps, and triple information display. The engine was the 1.8-litre X18XE1 engine with 85 kW (114 hp) (1998–2000) and the uprated

Fifth generation (AH; 2004)

The fifth generation AH Astra, based on GM's T platform Opel Astra H was launched in November 2004 as a five-door hatchback only, manufactured in Belgium, selling alongside a Polish-built Astra TS sedan and hatchback. The sedan and hatchback TS Astra models carried an "Astra Classic" badge, but were finally dropped in late 2005, replaced by the Holden Viva, a rebadged Daewoo Lacetti. Between 2003 and 2004, the Holden Viva was marketed in Australia as a Daewoo Lacetti before Holden withdrew the brand from Australia due to unsustainably poor sales amid quality & reliability issues. Like the previous generation, the AH series was found to provide an "average" level of safety according to the 2008 Used Car Safety Ratings. At launch, AH Astras came with front- and side-impact airbags as standard inclusions, allowing the Astra to receive a three-star ANCAP crash safety rating. Holden did not offer the Astra H sedan due to the presence of the Vectra C, Holden Barina (Daewoo Gentra), Holden Viva (Daewoo Lacetti) and later Holden Epica (Daewoo Tosca) sedans. Holden suspended importation of the AH Astra on 20 April 2009, citing currency fluctuations, perceived poor resale value and build quality problems. Holden's import cessation, which resulted in no Astras arriving during June and July 2009, coincided with the introduction of the Holden Cruze, reported to be the direct replacement for the Holden Astra. On 31 August 2009, Holden confirmed that the cessation of Astra imports would become permanent, with no intention of further imports of either the then current AH series or the next generation car. Holden stated their small car efforts would now be focused on the new Cruze, instead of the unsuccessful Astra. Model year changes. MY05: the AH range expanded in August 2005 with t

Sixth generation (PJ; 2015)

The sixth generation Astra is based on General Motors' Delta II platform and went on sale in 2015. The same car, as the Opel Astra, was part of a failed attempt by Opel to establish itself in Australia between 2012 and 2013. The Holden Astra PJ range included the Astra GTC, GTC Sport and VXR three-door hatchbacks, sold at significant lower prices than the preceding Opel models. The VXR featured a turbocharged 2.0 L direct injection engine with a power of 206 kW (280 PS; 276 hp) and torque of 400 N⋅m (300 lb⋅ft). Safety.

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Specifications

name: Holden Astra
Manufacturer: Nissan (1984–1989), Opel (General Motors) (1996–2009, 2015–2017), Opel (Groupe PSA) (2017–2020), GM Korea (2017–2019)
Production: 1984–1989, 1995–2009, 2015–2020
Successor: Holden Nova (LD), Holden Cruze (AH), Peugeot 308 III (BK)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.