Holden Astra

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The Holden Astra is a compact car sold by General Motors in Australia and New Zealand. Between 1984 and 1989, it was an Australian-made, rebadged Nissan Pulsar, sold in Australia only. Nissan Pulsars sold in that market were, at the time, Nissan Langleys, while the Astra had a Pulsar-like grille (designed by Australian stylist Paul Beranger) with the Holden lion badge. These were known as the LB and LC series Astras.

As with the Pulsar, the Astra went through a model change in 1987. This LD Astra model was produced until 1989, Holden replacing the Astra with a rebadged Toyota Corolla, known as the Nova.

In New Zealand, the name was first used on imported versions of the Opel Astra F from 1995, with Australia following suit in 1996. These did not differ from their European counterparts in aspects other than name. In Holden terms, this was the TR series.

The TS Astra model change followed that of the Opel Astra G range, but the Coupé by Bertone was not offered with a Holden badge, though the convertible was; its drivetrain is the same as that on the rest of the Astra range, and as such, it is not a bona-fide sports car. Like the Astra A, the Astra B was available as a wagon in New Zealand, but not Australia.

The AH Astra (based on Opel Astra H) five-door was sold in Australia, from December 2004, selling alongside the Polish-built Astra G, which carried 'Astra Classic' badges. However, the Astra Classic was dropped in late 2005, and replaced by the new Holden Viva, a rebadged Daewoo Lacetti.

In August 2005, the Astra Wagon was released in Australia, but not in New Zealand. Diesel variants of the Astra were released in June 2006, a first for the Astra in Australia. 2 versions were offered: a 6-speed manual option mated to a 110 kW 1.9 litre engine, and a 6-speed automatic model with an 88 kW version of the same engine.

In January 2007, Holden released the Astra SRi and Twintop. Both come with a 2.2 litre petrol engine producing 110kw, available in 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. The SRi is available in hatch and coupe.

The current line-up consists of: CD, CDX, CDTi, SRi and SRi Turbo, the CDXi was dropped after the arrival of the CDTi

[edit] Model history

• 1984 - Based off Nissan Pulsar, but with 1.5-litre engine only (no 1.3-litre version); trim levels are base and GL.

There is no sports GT version, unlike the similar Nissan Pulsar/Nissan Cherry.

• 1988 - replaced.

[edit] Safety

In Australia, both the 1996-98 Holden Astra TR and the 1998-04 Holden Astra TS were assessed in the 2006 Used Car Safety Ratings as providing "better than average" protection for their occupants in the event of a crash.[1]