The car comes out of Europe where the category for smart, stylish sporty coupe small cars has come on strongly. In Europe, like other Astras, this car wears Opel and Vauxhall badges. The factory in Antwerp in Belgium puts on some Holden badges and nameplates for the cars sent here – and Australian buyers are the beneficiaries.
To many people, the three-door hatchback was the best looking of the now-retired TS Astra range. But this new three-door hatchback of the current AH Astra range can use the word coupe with greater justification.
The Astra coupe is based on the AH Astra five-door hatchback and up to the windscreen it is the same. From there back, it becomes a whole lot more sporty, featuring a sloping roofline. This means headroom in the back seat is 44mm less than the five-door but if you were going to carry adults in the rear often and/or on long journeys, you probably wouldn't buy a small coupe in the first place.
Also, there is the added concern of passengers getting into and out of the rear. A simple catch on the front seat back allows them to flip forward and, once inside, rear legroom is tolerable for this type of car.
The priority given to styling also means the boot is down on space – 302 litres compared with 345 litres for the five-door hatchback. But, as we proved, it is more than enough for a long weekend away for two and can be increased by the rear seatbacks folding forward.
Inside, the driver can find a suitable position helped by height-adjustable seat and steering wheel. Like many coupes, over-the-shoulder vision is impaired but the shortness of the tail makes reverse parking no problem.
The heater controls are difficult to read. They are set low and angled away from the driver. Current AH Astras have the turning indicator stalk on the right but it is a touch-control and one has to get used to its sensitivity (it's easy to flash the indicators when switching on the cruise control).
The Astra does not get a temperature gauge nor cup holders if you don't count the door pockets. Also, the European-made Continental Premium Contact tyres conveyed obvious road noise on Aussie coarse-surfaced roads and much preferred smoother asphalt. The coupe carries a full-size spare wheel.
But that's really getting out the magnifying glass to find those quibbles. Overall, the car is a little beauty. Like all Astras, it steers well, rides well and feels well engineered – certainly not tinny.
The 1.8-litre engine remains from the TS Astra. It's a good honest worker. But while it once may have been a standard-setter its 90kW is not going to give a 1300kg car exciting performance. We've driven the manual gearbox Astra and found that has a bit more go than the automatic tested here. A turbocharged hot version of the coupe is on the way.
Certainly, the Astra Coupe is great value. The CD version starts at $23,490 and brings 15in alloy wheels, dual front plus side impact airbags, ABS brakes, cruise control, power windows, airconditioning and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
The CDX from $25,990 gains 16in alloy wheels, leather seats, heated front sports seats (welcome on chilly mornings when leather is otherwise cold), leather-wrap steering wheel, trip computer, six-stack CD, premium speakers and illuminated vanity mirrors.
The four-speed automatic is another $2000 on each car. We drove a CDX automatic on a trip to Mt Gambier and it did it with ease and excellent fuel economy. After getting 11.5 litres/100km in tight city and Hills driving, it then sipped just 6.7 litres/100km at sightseeing speeds. Even sitting at 110km/h on the return trip, we averaged 7.6 litres/100km. The automatic needs 2750rpm at 110km/h.
Astra Coupe is a fine car to drive – and to be seen in – and is very well equipped for the price. If you want the go to match the show, the more expensive 147kW SRi turbo coupe will be here next year.
SMALL TORQUE
Holden Astra Coupe CDX
Price: $25,990 plus $2000 for automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, dohc, 1796cc
Power: 90kW @ 5600rpm
Torque: 165Nm @ 3800rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic; front-wheel-drive
Brakes: All discs, fronts ventilated, ABS
Dimensions: 4250mm long, 1753mm wide, 1435mm high; 1296kg (automatic)
Wheels/tyres: (CDX) alloy 16 x 6.5; 205/55 tyres
Fuel: Regular unleaded, 52-litre tank; rated at 8.2 litres/100km. On test: (mostly country driving) 7.4 litres/100km
Holden Astra 2005: Cdx
| Engine Type | Inline 4, 1.8L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.2L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $2,090 - $3,300 |
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