Holden Astra 2003 review

German affiliate Opel is developing superb products - with the Astra just one of its global successes.

Like Holden, which is working feverishly to come up with niche derivatives of Commodore and Statesman, Opel has cashed in on the popularity of Astra.

It has come up with the SRi three-door hatch and elegant Convertible - both running a fiery 147kW 2-litre turbo engine.

The high-tail, low-nosed styling stance of the original Astra five-door was a perfect building block for a striking coupe and an equally stunning open-topper.

The excellent power characteristics of the turbo have transformed the standard car into an instant sports in both its body forms.

Holden and Opel chassis engineers have come up with the right balance between agility, active safety and a level of ride comfort suitable for daily use.

The end result is two cars with exciting driveability and wide appeal for buyers of coupes or convertibles.

The Astra Convertible already has been tested. This time around the Turbo Hatch is the subject of evaluation.

The model looks suitably sinister with black grille, tinted headlights and a sports bumper with integrated fog lamps and large intake - which ducts cool air to the large brakes and turbo intercooler - covered with a sporty black mesh.

The glasshouse is framed in matte-black trim. A high-set rear wing and subtle body kit completes the sports package.

The only relief from the black treatment is provided by five-spoke alloy road wheels and polished stainless steel tailpipe extension.

Inside, "Turbo" inscribed chrome sill plates leave no one in any doubt this is a special, and heated front sports seats, black leather trim, three-spoke steering wheel rimmed with perforated leather and alloy-finish pedals confirm the fact.

So do striking red instrument needles against a white background, ringed with brushed chrome.

Standard equipment includes climate-control airconditioning, trip computer, premium six-speaker sound system and "express" power windows.

The comfort and convenience packages include multifunction information display, cruise control, CD player, rear-seat entry with memory, adjustable lumbar support and fold-down rear-seat centre ski hatch for long objects.

Astra's safety arsenal includes rigid body structure, passenger safety cell, dual airbags, height-adjustable seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, and a pedal release system.

As one would hope from a well-sorted performance vehicle, the SRi Turbo hatch gets electronic stability program which co-ordinates the anti-lock brakes and traction control systems.

A range of sensors is used to monitor any deviation from the driver's desired direction of travel and assists in bringing the car back on course by applying brake pressure to individual wheels.

At $36,990, the SRi Turbo adds up to one of the most appealing sports packages in the marketplace.

So much for what it has to offer, now for its driving dynamics.

The 2-litre ECOTEC motor is fed by a constant-pressure turbo and breathes through four valves on each cylinder.

With an output of 147kW and 250Nm of torque peaking under 2000rpm, the turboed four is a willing power source.

The motor features sequential fuel injection, direction injection and a drive-by-wire accelerator. Response is spontaneous at low speeds and thrust is maintained throughout the mid-ranges.

The tuned exhaust emits a nice, sporty resonance as the engine goes to work, pushing the car along at a healthy lick.

While the car is not breathtakingly quick off the mark, it does offer good torque delivery which translates to good thrust out of bends.

One has to be impressed by the handling of the SRi.

The traction control gives the model excellent stability and generous safety margins, even when driven enthusiastically. Opel called in Lotus to tune the suspension geometry to ensure both the coupe and the convertible handled as per the script.

The British sports car company went for 10 per cent stiffer shock absorbers at the front and 15 per cent firmer dampers at the rear.

The bottom line is a car with a distinctly firm sports car road feel and precise steering - but not stiff enough to be too severe on passengers.

The effectiveness of the total set-up can be appreciated when the car is hunted through a corner at a speed high enough to tell all.

There is no awkward pitch or body roll. The car turns in nicely and tracks with only a trace of understeer which is soon controlled by the traction control.

At a glance

* A genuine sports car which is a treat to drive.
* The combination of anti-lock brakes, traction control and electric stability program, plus a superbly mapped chassis results in true performance-car handling.
* Changes via the five-speed manual are smooth enough, but the throw is a little long for a sports car.
* But on a car for your dollar equation, there is nothing on the market which comes close to the SRi.