Fits at the premium end

Holden has introduced a swish new Astra for sale alongside its current stable of TS Classic sedans and hatchbacks. And Australia has become the sixth largest of 80 international markets for the Opel-built AH hatchback, which makes its siblings look ordinary.

With this new, more spacious hatch, Holden expects to attract new buyers to what it calls the premium end of the small car segment. It sports a smart new body shape that clearly shows its European heritage. And Holden claims advancements in ride, handling, performance and safety.

AH hatch comes in three specification levels (CD, CDX and CDXi), which range in price from $21,990 (CD manual) to $31,990 (CDXi automatic).

All AH models are powered by the same 1.8-litre DOHC ECOTEC four-cylinder engine found in TS Astras. It delivers 90kW of power at 5,600rpm and 165Nm of torque at 3,800rpm, and features a new engine management system for optimum performance. Drive is to the front wheels via modified five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.

On a Police Journal test drive, the manual CDX was superb. Its body looks sporty, athletic, modern and purposeful. Its interior – also sporty and spacious enough to accommodate four adults with ease – comes with firm, comfortable seats. The driver scores a height-adjuster, while the small leather-bound steering wheel has reach and rake adjustments. Gauges are big and easy to read, but don’t search for a temp gauge – there isn’t one.

The central facia houses a comprehensive multi-function digital display, which features the time, date, outside temperature, audio settings, and a trip computer – with a stopwatch. High-powered Blaupunkt audio systems with seven speakers feature; and all models have steering wheel-mounted controls. Stalk controls for wipers and indicators are on the side most Aussies would call normal.

Astra’s bulky ignition key cleverly folds in half and springs open at the touch of a button.

Cabin storage areas are limited to a sizeable, two-tier glove box, door bins and a small console tray. For a short vehicle, the hatch is generous on space, which one can easily enhance by folding the rear seats forward.

On the road, the new hatch drives as good as it looks. It’s smooth and quiet – except when pushed hard. Its five-speed manual gearbox is light and easy to use. On the test drive, the trip computer showed average fuel consumption of 7.9 litres per 100km.

Holden has created a hatch with good levels of safety and plenty of standard features which, on the CD, include:

• Air conditioning.
• ABS.
• Driver and front passenger front and side airbags.
• Front power windows.
• Heated power mirrors.

The CDX also comes with alloy wheels, six-disc CD, cruise control and trip computer, while the CDXi has:

• Climate control.
• Curtain airbags.
• Fog lamps.
• Eight-way adjustable sports seats.
• Sports steering wheel.

This delightful car fits just where Holden wants it to: at the premium end.

…corners like a dream.
…one big, impressive sports coupe.

More power than ever!

Holden muscle cars of the 1970s have inspired the development of the new VZ CV8 Monaro. Among its cosmetic and mechanical changes, it features two sharp looking bonnet scoops, dual exhausts with chrome outlets, and a full compliment of gauges – including a volt meter and oil-pressure gauge.

From mechanical improvements comes a significant performance boost, which makes Monaro the most powerful mainstream Holden ever produced. Power from its 5.7-litre Gen III V8 has been increased by 15kW to 260kW at 5,600rpm, while torque is up by 35Nm to 500Nm at 4,000rpm.

Camshaft modifications improve low- to mid-range power delivery and provide Monaro with a more forceful launch feel. Its big-bore 95mm dual exhausts and improved induction system allow the big V8 to breath better – a further aid to performance. And giving the strongest hint of that better performance are the exhausts, which emit a superb V8 burble at idle and during acceleration.

Monaro’s six-speed manual transmission now has shorter ratios, which bring increased torque production. The four-speed automatic transmission has also been tweaked to carry increased torque loads, and now provides faster changes with a shorter final drive ratio.

Up front, red two-pot brake callipers glare out of Monaro’s new deep-dish 18-inch alloy wheels with bigger front and rear discs. A larger brake booster and the introduction of Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution further enhance brake performance.

External styling, in line with other VZ models, sharpens Monaro’s front end. The bonnet scoops make a substantial statement, while the larger air intake and new grille and fog lamps give Monaro a more aggressive yet sporty look.

Inside, things are pretty much the same. Monaro is luxuriously appointed with leather sports seats and a colour-coded gauge layout, which now includes the voltmeter and oil pressure gauges atop the central facia and angled toward the driver. All four seats are comfortable; and legroom in the back is sufficient for average-sized adults. Access to the back, however, is a little difficult.

The Police Journal test-drove a Devil Yellow automatic version of the CV8. This is one very impressive car to look at and drive. An absolute delight around town, it provides a firm but smooth ride, great sound, and reasonable economy for such a big motor. For what it costs, it is one of the best highway cruisers around, and absolutely at home on winding country roads. It has fabulous acceleration, very safe overtaking ability and corners like a dream.

For $60,490, you get a lot of car, especially compared to some of the sporty imports around. Monaro comes highly specified, with standard features akin to a Calais.

For its big pipes and wonderful exhaust note, however, Holden has sacrificed substantial boot space and included a space-saver spare wheel. The exhausts take up so much space underneath that the fuel tank had to be relocated into the boot, which has virtually been halved. Nonetheless, Monaro is still one big, impressive sports coupe.

Colt now modern, futuristic

The Colt 600 was the first to emerge, back in 1962. Later, the Colt 1100F made its mark in Australian rallies, while the Colt sedan and hatchback proved popular in the mid-1980s.

After a long absence, the Colt has returned in the form of an ultra modern, even futuristic-looking, five-door hatchback. Mitsubishi says its new Colt fits into the premium end of the light car segment against key competitors such as Honda Jazz and Mazda 2, and is a cut above Getz, Barina and Echo.

Mitsubishi wanted to build on the brand’s high residual goodwill, so the design brief included a classy interior and exterior and high safety at a reasonable price. It also had to deliver outstanding dynamic performance, with good fuel economy and clean emissions.

The Mitsubishi engineers seem to have delivered the goods. Two models, LS and XLS, come to the market at $18,990 and $20,990 respectively. Both are powered by a new generation 1.5-litre DOHC 16-valve MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve lift and timing Electronic Control) four-cylinder engine, which delivers a respectable 72kW of power at 6,000rpm.

Mitsubishi claims that the fuel economy of 6.4 litres per 100km is attributable, in part, to a more efficient air conditioner, electric power steering, and Colt’s slippery 0.31 Co-efficient of Drag.

Colt’s engine is mated with a new CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), which is operated via a column-mounted shifter and provides infinitely variable ratios between 2.319 and 0.445. Although Colt is the first Mitsubishi to use a CVT, it has appeared in the Civic and Prius Hybrids and Honda’s Jazz.

It is very simple to use: select “D” and away you go. Push the foot down harder and you won’t feel any gear changes; the sound of the engine changes as the CVT varies the ratio to bring on more power. Colt’s engine and transmission combination works extremely well and delivers willing and responsive performance throughout the rev range.

On the outside, Colt looks short, squat, cheeky and futuristic, and bears some resemblance to the Mercedes A-Class. Inside, it’s modern, functional and, surprisingly, offers enough space to carry four adults in comfort. Modern fabrics cover the seats; the driving position is good; and the dash is well laid.

The small steering wheel is a delight, and the quirky gear leaver leaves the area between the seats uncluttered. Several optional console bins are available, and hidden under the base of the front passenger seat is a useful concealed storage bin.

Colt’s rear seat has a one-piece base with 50/50 split seat backs. One can slide the whole seat forward to enhance cargo space, and then tilt, fold and tumble it forward to reveal a large, flat, useful cargo area.

Both Colt models come highly specified, with standard features that include:

• Air conditioning.
• Keyless remote locking.
• Power windows.
• Four-speaker CD audio.
• ABS with EBD.
• Driver and passenger airbags.

XLS also comes with:

• Tachometer.
• Leather steering wheel.
• Privacy glass.
• Alloy wheels with larger tyres.
• A number of exterior enhancements.

It won’t suit everyone but, overall, the new Colt five-door hatch is an accomplished and desirable package.

…Sports Mode sequential manual shifting.
…best use of the available power.

Popular wagon re-emerges

The car market offers plenty of small sedans and hatchbacks. For those who want more space in a small vehicle, however, options are limited.

Re-emerging after two years off the market is Mitsubishi’s wagon version of the popular Lancer.

Two wagon models add to the line-up of four sedans: the well equipped ES Sportswagon ($21,990) and the VR-X Wagon ($28,440).

Clearly, Mitsubishi sees the Corolla wagon as its main competitor, and hatches such as Pulsar, Astra and Mazda 3 as secondary competitors.

New Lancer Wagon is a pleasant-looking vehicle, with a profile like that of the Corolla and a sporty front end which is instantly recognizable as a Mitsubishi. Its pleasant rear end features a deep bumper, a large window with a high-mount stop light, a bee sting antenna, and long vertical tail lamps that stretch from the roofline to the bumper.

Inside, it is nicely finished with a modern, functional dash layout, a good driving position and comfortable seating for front and rear passengers. All-round visibility is generally good, but the large centre headrest can restrict rear vision from the internal mirror.

Lancer Wagon has 591 litres of cargo space with the second-row seat in its normal position. Folding the rear seat forward provides 1,079 litres of space and a 1650mm flat floor. Under the floor is a useful 28-litre storage box.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre SOHC 16-valve four cylinder engine that develops 92kW of power and 173Nm of torque. Drive is to the front wheels through either a five-speed manual or four-speed INVECS II automatic transmission, with Sports Mode sequential manual shifting. On VR-X auto models, Easy Shift control buttons are fitted to the leather-wrapped steering wheel.

While the power of the 2.0-litre engine is modest, the car (an ES automatic Sportswagon) proved particularly nice to drive on a test run. As reported in Motoring before, the INVECS II automatic provides the best of both words (manual and automatic) and certainly makes the best use of the available power.

ES is reasonably priced and well equipped with:

• Dual airbags.
• Air conditioning.
• Cargo blind.
• Remote central locking.
• CD audio with four speakers.

Regrettable, however, is that power windows were not included to complete an otherwise neat package.

…and the sensational sports sedan

One of the best drives in 2004 had to be the sensational new Lancer Evolution (EVO) VIII. Only 100 of these fabulous AWD sports sedans were initially imported into Australia under the Specialist Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme. They cost $61,990 – and another $3,000 for leather trim.

EVO VIII, the latest road-going version of Mitsubishi’s legendary rally winner, is fitted with an impressive 2.0-litre, 16-valve DOHC intercooled, turbocharged 4G63 four-cylinder engine. Power output is 195kW at 6,500rpm with 355Nm of torque available at 3,500rpm.

This Lancer sports:

• A close-ratio five-speed manual transmission.
• An Active Centre Differential.
• 17-inch x 8-inch ENKEI alloy wheels shod with 235/45R17 Potenza tyres.
• A huge rear wing.
• Big Brembo brakes.

Its on-road performance is exhilarating, and its power output truly heart stopping. The way it corners and brakes is simply breathtaking; and it just looks so tough.