Super TestCar reviews - Holden - Viva - rangeHolden modelsResearch Holden OverviewA sharp $17,990 pricetag is the headline act for Holden's Astra Classic replacement14 Oct 2005 HOW do you replace a Classic? If it’s the Holden TS Astra Classic, then the answer is by benchmarking it, which is what Holden says it has tried to do with the new JF Viva, a Daewoo Lacetti-derived small hatchback, wagon or sedan that it hopes will win the hearts and wallets of middle Australia like its Opel-based predecessor. And on paper, Holden may have succeeded, especially when you factor the high-specification levels into that sharp $17,990 opening price. But what of the TS Astra’s quality and charm? And do they matter anyway? Only time and sales figures will tell. Model release date: 1 October 2005 to 1 May 2009 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelONE of the small-car legends of recent years, the TS Astra was a quality item. Underneath its very German styling lay the foundations of modern small-car value: a peppy 90kW 1.8-litre twin-cam four tied to a five-speed manual or four-speed auto, a comfortable and quality cabin, high refinement and specification levels, and a quality persona to match those of premium rivals like the VW Golf. Three bodystyles (three and five-door hatch four-door sedan) also offered plenty of variety. Holden's TS Astra contined (in base guised dubbed Classic) alongside its all-new AH Astra replacement, which was launched in November 2004. Now out of production, it's replaced by the Korean-sourced Viva, which has very big shoes to fill in indeed. |
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