Turbo twins head Astra expansion

HOLDEN will expand its Astra range with turbo versions of the SRi and convertible, and a new top-spec luxury model.

The SRi turbo and the convertible turbo will share the same 143kW/250Nm, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine, just as their siblings share the 108kW/203Nm, 2.2-litre, normally-aspirated four-cylinder.

The hot-hatch is tipped to arrive late this year while the convertible will not be seen until 2003.

Both models have recently gone on sale in the UK, the three-door receiving strong reviews from the press while response to the drop-top has been a little more reserved.

The SRi is actually being sold as a 500-off limited edition in the UK with Vauxhall saying an even hotter Astra GSi turbo will arrive before the end of the year.

Claimed performance figures for the SRi in the UK are seven seconds to 60mp/h and a top speed of 152mp/h. The convertible clocks in at 7.5 seconds and 151mp/h.

The luxury Astra is expected around the same time as the three-door, with plenty of trimmings including a wood and leather interior.

It should be badged CDX, a label that has been dropped in the UK and replaced by Elegance.

All three cars will be the most expensive vehicles in their segments while the turbo convertible would also be the most expensive member of the Astra range.

"I just think it (adding the Astra models) further enhances the Astra brand and the Holden brand," said Holden small and medium car marketing manager Andrew Rau.

"The CDX is an extension of the current CD. As we have done with the Astra convertible, it introduces new customers to the range, and it just offers the customers a wider choice.

"In terms of something like the SRi turbo, that's really adding some exciting performance to the range.

"If I look at the spec line-up for line-up with the WRX for example, this thing throws out a huge amount of grunt - you're looking at 140 kilowatts." The chassis set-up of the SRi turbo is the same as the Bertone-built Astra Coupe turbo not sold in Australia, with 215/40 R17 tyres mated to alloy wheels and 308mm ventilated disc brakes with 264mm discs at the rear.

Standard UK features include ABS, air-conditioning, twin front airbags, non-switchable traction control, sports seats, cruise control, radio/CD, remote central locking, power windows, front foglights, Xenon headlights and a body kit including a sizeable rear wing.

Exclusive to the turbo convertible are 17-inch alloys and styling enhancements like an oval exhaust. That's on top of ABS, ESP and an electric roof.

The addition of these models should help the Astra in its fight for sales leadership in the small car class - a fight in which the Toyota Corolla has been gaining ascendancy in recent months.

"We can't keep up with demand for Astra convertible at the current time," Mr Rau said.

"We could easily sell twice as many as we currently are if we could get the product here." "Astra SRi is another one that's doing exceptionally well and again we have material shortage problems at the source plant that's restricted our ability to grow that segment of the Astra line-up." But expect Toyota to hit back with a hot three-door Corolla in the first half of next year.

VFACTS results Astra v Corolla

	Astra	Corolla
January	2613	2121
February	2086	2677
March	2032	2881
April	2148	2735
Total	8879	10,414
2001 sales to May	7261	8530