Astra, Insignia and Cascada To Return in 2015

[csv8]

"Holden has confirmed it will revive four models left in the lurch after its European brand Opel pulled out of Australia late last year.

The iconic Aussie brand will build its performance car portfolio by adding the two sportiest versions of the Astra hatch and the high performance variant of the Insignia sedan to its line-up as well as introducing the Cascada convertible that was slated to arrive under Opel.

All four vehicles will arrive in showrooms during the first half of 2015, with Holden still to confirm final pricing and specification details.

The announcement has been expected ever since Opel abandoned its local operations in August last year.

And General Motors' President of International Operations, Stefan Jacoby, said the model expansion confirms the promise the company made to offer Australian customers the best vehicles from within the GM family as it prepares to cease manufacturing in Australia by 2017.

"Holden is one of the strongest brands in Australia and the introduction of Astra, Cascada and Insignia to the portfolio in 2015 will be a great addition," Jacoby said.

"GM is dedicated to building strong brands that connect with our customers. Holden and GM are undergoing a transformation that is committed to driving our markets towards success.

"We are focussed on the long term fundamentals, such as ensuring Holden retains its proud Australian identity and provides customers the best possible cars.

"It's critical we focus on consumer and market-driven product strategies that enable global scale while engaging customers at a local-market level. The Astra, Cascada and Insignia are proof positive of our strategy."

Holden's new Chairman and Managing Director, Gerry Dorizas, admitted the new additions will be niche models among the Holden line-up, but said they will play an important role in elevating the profile of its small and mid-sized line-ups before the Commodore finishes production in 2017.

"Astra, Cascada and Insignia will be niche vehicles in terms of volume for our company, and their performance credentials and premium execution are a perfect match for Holden and will provide yet more fantastic choice for our customers," he said.

"We are building a strong future for Holden by focusing on our customers, our dealers, our employees and our products."

Both the Astra GTC and VXR will be available only as three-door hatchbacks. The GTC is powered by a new generation 1.6-litre turbo charged four cylinder that produces 125kW and 280Nm. It is a newer engine than that offered in the Opel version and now features direct injection cylinder heads that, although it produces slightly less peak power than the 132kW version offered by Opel, has more 30Nm torque and uses 15 percent less fuel with a claimed average of 6.1L/100km.

The VXR, which was sold here as the Astra OPC and cost $42,990, will arrive with the same heroic 206kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo four and available only with a six-speed manual transmission. Similarly, the Insignia VXR is the same as the OPC version sold under the Opel brand with its 239kW/435Nm 2.8-litre twin turbo V6 (coincidentally built by Holden at its Fishermans Bend engine plant) and all-wheel drive transmission.

The Holden version will however arrive with a revised exterior and all-new interior as the Insignia has been updated in Europe earlier this year.

The Cascada, however, will be new to Australian showrooms and the first drop-top sold by Holden since the unloved Tigra was discontinued in 2007.

Based on the Astra's underpinnings with a folding metal hard top roof, the Cascada is powered by the same 1.6-litre turbo four from the Astra GTC and. It was slated to arrive in Australia by Opel with a price tag under $40,000."
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...501-37j5f.html