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

[fgpsi]

Opel badge looked better

[Focused]

That Cascada looks fantastic! It would have to best the best looking sub-100K convertible out there (that I can think of).

I wonder how the Astra will compare price-wise with the Cruze?

[Fordman1]

Astra looks better than Focus ST too. :(

[furiousgibbon]

the shift from Opel to Daewoo did Holden a lot of brand damage, at least they've come to their senses. I've only seen a couple of current gen Opel Astras and Insignias on the road, but they definitely look good.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by fgpsi

Opel badge looked better

Nah!! a bow tie badge !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

Astra looks better than Focus ST too. :(

I own an ST and i kinda agree, but OPC got nothing on the ST in the value dept. And it isnt all that much quicker.

Good to see some quality cars come back to Holdens line up.

[Bossxr8]

So they didn't sell as Opels, but will sell in droves with different badges on them?

And the reason Opel claimed they didn't sell was they were too expensive compared to rivals. How will this change with a different badge on the front?

Interesting.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

So they didn't sell as Opels, but will sell in droves with different badges on them?

And the reason Opel claimed they didn't sell was they were too expensive compared to rivals. How will this change with a different badge on the front?

Interesting.

Cause 'Strayan' made

But in all seriousness, i think the 'aussie' company may have something to do with any success they may have. But who knows you could be right and they dont sell.

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Cause 'Strayan' made

But in all seriousness, i think the 'aussie' company may have something to do with any success they may have. But who knows you could be right and they dont sell.

But I think everyone knows the 'aussie' company won't be making vehicles here for much longer. They won't be able to rely on that old chestnut anymore.

[Focused]

the shift from Opel to Daewoo did Holden a lot of brand damage, at least they've come to their senses. I've only seen a couple of current gen Opel Astras and Insignias on the road, but they definitely look good.

But the Opels just weren't profitable. I recall reading that Holden wasn't making any money on the AH Astra hence why they went begging to Daewoo.

Astra looks better than Focus ST too. :(

Agreed. I'm hoping that the latest Focus face-lift will help, though. There's potential in those new headlights.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

So they didn't sell as Opels, but will sell in droves with different badges on them?

And the reason Opel claimed they didn't sell was they were too expensive compared to rivals. How will this change with a different badge on the front?

Interesting.

make use of the extensive Holden dealer network, Holden badge alone sells badges...


Its what should have been done from the start...

[Bossxr8]

But GM know better. Oh wait....

[MethodX]

Great news, always liked and wanted an Insignia.
especially the OPC.

[Poetic Justice]

I still don't understand how you sell Malibu and Insignia side by side?

[UKXR8]

Ah, well done Holden, I hope you guys enjoy the mediocrity that is the Vauxhall Insignia and Astra...

[1TUFFUTE]

A whole bunch of women just went "yay"....new cars for the ladies!!

[GTP-RPD]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

A whole bunch of women just went "yay"....new cars for the ladies!!

Sounds about right.

Now time to make some noise for the big boys.

[Nic302ef]

and then maybe they will shoe horn a gen4 into it and call it the new torrana....

kinda a repeat of how the company first begun but at least the steel was pressed into shape here.