Hey, I just came across this! Thought someone might be interested! Taken from www.Drive.com.au http://www.drive.com.au/news/article.asp?article=http://drive.fairfax.com.au/content-new/news/general/2003/05/15/FFX836ZMPFD.html Astras go Turbo! It's been a long time coming but Holden has finally filled the performance gap in its small-car line-up with the arrival of the Astra SRi Turbo hatch and Astra Convertible Turbo. Both cars have been available in Europe, where they are sourced, for more than two years, but pricing and currency exchange rates issues have delayed their introduction here. Speaking at this week's launch, Holden managing director Peter Hanenberger said: "When I returned to Holden in 1999, I was keen to make sure that every car line had a performance vehicle in its range." Now, finally, Holden has bitten the bullet and in terms of pricing, it couldn't be sharper. The three-door Astra SRi Turbo hits the streets at $36,990, just $10 less than Ford's recently released hot Focus ST170, while the convertible is priced at $49,990. Like the Focus, the Astra Turbo is available as a manual only but, unlike that car, its 2.0-litre engine gains a turbocharger. As a result, its power and torque outputs are significantly greater than the Ford product with 147kW/250Nm versus 127kW/196Nm, which may well give the car the edge in the battle of the pocket rockets. Apart from the turbo engine -- which, incidentally, is based on the older-generation four-cylinder rather than the latest alloy unit -- the two Holden performance models also feature uprated firmer suspensions, slightly wider track with bigger 17-inch alloy wheels and bigger brakes. There is also the requisite body kit, internal sporty cosmetics and a longer list of standard features. To cope with the extra performance, traction control is joined by an electronic stability system. Other standard equipment includes air-conditioning -- climate control in the convertible -- heated front seats, power windows and mirrors, cruise control and a six-speaker CD sound system

wouldnt mind taking one of them for a thrash Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

It's about time Holden snapped out of it and equipped a hairdresser's car with a hairdryer Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

the astra looks very nice in the flesh, cameron mcconvilles racing one in targa tasmania.... theres some pics of it in action at the targa website. www.targa.org.au (http://www.targa.org.au) http:// http://www.targa.org....s/08FT6879.jpg (http:// http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003/spectatorimages/day4/highres/08FT6879.jpg) http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003...s/08FT6880.jpg (http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003/spectatorimages/day4/highres/08FT6880.jpg) http:// http://www.targa.org..../3TT137-05.jpg (http:// http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003/spectatorimages/day3/highres/3TT137-05.jpg) http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003...s/08FT6678.JPG (http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003/spectatorimages/day2/highres/08FT6678.JPG) http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003...s/08FT6421.jpg (http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003/spectatorimages/day1/hires/08FT6421.jpg) http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003...logue-4203.JPG (http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003/spectatorimages/highres/Targa%20prologue-4203.JPG) http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003...logue-4235.JPG (http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003/spectatorimages/highres/Targa%20prologue-4235.JPG) http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003...k_preevent.jpg (http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/2003/hires/mcconville&warwick_preevent.jpg) and incase u didnt hear about it, the two monaros in the race ran out of fuel the other day , because of a faulty computer which was telling them that they had about 17Litres left, when they were empty.. they ended up crawling to the end of the leg on fuel from spectators.. brocky was lucky enough to get a container of premium unleaded out of a spectators boot, but steven richards had to crawl along with lawn mower fuel from someones shed :roll: before this happened brock was coming 2nd overall ,, o yeah, btw the ford xr6 turbos sound like **** :twisted:...... if anyone wants to make me an offer on a signed astra turbo poster pm me, do i hear $600, $650..... Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

*Falls off chair with excitement* :roll: Are they FWD or RWD?

very nice !! but - a new TURBO model with only about 20kw more ??? wait till they start getting boosted hehe -

yer, with 60nm or so more of torque... torque has a lot more meaning than power...

Looks like they beefed up the tweaks already while keeping it safe - increased final drive ratio, and boost starting at 12 psi, wow.. not much u can really do with it considering the ho-hum powerplant.. but still, I'd give it a thrash! Being a FWD, I like to see that thing fanged around the twisties at higher boost Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Stupid Traction Control!

yeah i like the sound of the astra turbo.. looks like holden might be bringing out a few nice cars shortly.... the 1 tonner tray back... and the pannel van... they both look phat.

Australia needs the the Focus RS - AWD 2ltr turbo. I've been told it's the latest WRX ETA.

Who would be Ford's target buyer but for something like that?

Quote: Who would be Ford's target buyer but for something like that? I agree with you there INFLYT... there wouldn't be a market for it really.

same market as this Astra turbo?

Yeah but a 4X4 Turbo hatch Ford Focus would push the price up way over that of the Astra Turbo, making it unable to compete

Not a bad combo, but i think the convertible is Grossly overpriced..... who would pay 50 grand for that? Sure some rich prick would, but those people would be tasteless showoffs. 36 grand, not bad. What does teh BAt go for? around 45? the 40-50 bracket, your compeating with heaps of other cars, thats are turbo just as well. Reason why the cost is so high is because of a totaly re-thought and re-designed car, with the typical turbo mods that come standard on factory cars (brakes, etc). Not my cup of coffee anyway.

Seeing it's got as much power as a standard VLT, with a fair bit less weight, it shouldn't go too badly. It is FWD, but the traction control should make that a zero problem.

waste of money - piss poor effort by holden Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

I saw the add on tv for it today, bloody stupid.

I am going to take my Shar-Pei down to the local dealer for a test drive. Corsa Some original photos have not been recovered yet.