Review: Holden AH.I Astra (2004-07)

Overview

Released in September 2004, the Holden AH Series I (AH.I) Astra was initially available as a five-door hatchback, with three-door hatchbacks and five-door wagons following in July 2005. Manufactured in Belgium, the front-wheel drive AH.I Astra was initially powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engines following in June 2006. In December 2006, 2.2-litre direct-injected petrol and 2.0-litre turbocharged engines were introduced for the SRi and SRi Turbo variants, respectively.

Engines: Z18XE, Z22YH, Z19DT, Z19DTH and Z20LER

Of the engines,

For the Astra CD, CDX and CDXi, the 1.8-litre Z18XE four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast-iron cylinder block, an alloy cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (belt-driven), four valves per cylinder, a variable length intake manifold (‘Twinport’), an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve and a compression ratio of 10.5:1;
For the Astra CDTi, the 1.9-litre diesel engines had a cast-iron cylinder block, an alloy cylinder head, common-rail injection and a single Garrett turbocharger with intercooler. For models with automatic transmissions, the Z19DT engine had a single overhead camshaft, two valves for cylinder and a compression ratio of 18.0:1. For models with manual transmissions, however, the Z19DTH engine had double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 17.5:1;
For the Astra SRi, the 2.2-litre Z22YH four-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, direct fuel injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 12.0:1; and,
For the Astra SRi Turbo, the Z20LER four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, a single turbocharger which provided constant peak pressure of 0.85 bar (12.3 psi) from 1950 rpm to 5600 rpm, double overhead camshafts (belt-driven), four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 8.8:1.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to the TS Astra , the five-door AH Astra hatchback was 139 mm longer (at 4249 mm), 44 mm wider (1753 mm), 35 mm taller (1460 mm) and had an 8 mm longer wheelbase (2614 mm). The new bodyshell had a higher proportion of high-strength steel and achieved a 52 per cent increase in flex resistance and a 47 per cent reduction in lateral flexing.

Like its predecessor, the AH Astra had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.

Holden AH.I Astra specifications
Body	Variant	Years	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
5 door hatch	CD, CDX, CDXi	2004-07	1.8-litre petrol I4	4sp auto, 5sp man.	90 kW at 5600 rpm	165 Nm at 3800 rpm
	CDTi	2006-07	1.9-litre turbo-diesel I4	6sp auto	88 kW at 3500 rpm	280 Nm at 2000 rpm
	CDTi	2006-07	1.9-litre turbo-diesel I4	6sp man	110 kW at 4000 rpm	320 Nm at 2000 rpm
	SRi	2006-07	2.2-litre petrol I4	4sp auto, 6sp man.	110 kW at 5600 rpm	215 Nm at 4000 rpm
3 door hatch	CD, CDX	2005-07	1.8-litre petrol I4	4sp auto, 5sp man.	90 kW at 5600 rpm	165 Nm at 3800 rpm
	SRi Turbo	2006-07	2.0-litre turbo petrol I4	6sp man.	147 kW at 5400 rpm	262 Nm at 4200 rpm
	SRi	2006-07	2.2-litre petrol I4	4sp auto, 6sp man.	110 kW at 5600 rpm	215 Nm at 4000 rpm
5 door wagon	CD, CDX	2005-07	1.8-litre petrol I4	4sp auto, 5sp man.	90 kW at 5600 rpm	165 Nm at 3800 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the AH.I Astra included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, brake assist, anti-submarining seat ramps for front and rear seats and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The CDXi was further equipped with full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), while the CDTi, SRi and SRi Turbo were also fitted with electronic stability control and traction control. From June 2006, the CDX was fitted with full-length curtain airbags.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2004 five-door Opel Astra hatchback – as the Astra was sold in Europe – received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.54 out of 37 when fitted with dual front airbags, front side airbags and full length curtain airbags. In the frontal offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the front occupants. Furthermore, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury in the side impact test.

Features: Astra CD, CDTi, CDX and CDXi

Standard features for the entry-level Astra CD included 15-inch steel wheels, a seven speaker sound system with CD player and MP3-compatibility, air conditioning, steering wheel audio controls, rear fog lamps, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, front power windows and mirrors, heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, cargo cover, tinted windows and immobiliser; the CD coupe was fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels.

The Astra CDTi was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, six-way adjustable front seats, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power rear windows and trip computer with graphic information display; manual models also had a lower ride height, firmer suspension, quicker steering ratio and ‘Sport’ switch for sharper steering and throttle responses.

The Astra CDX added a six-stack CD player with graphic equaliser and digital sound processing, roof mounted sunglasses holder, scuff plates and floor mats; coupe models were also fitted with leather-faced seats and heated front seats. Beyond this, the CDXi featured climate control air conditioning, eight-way adjustable front sports seats (including lumbar adjustment), front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel and leather-wrapped gearshift lever.

Features: Astra SRi and SRi Turbo

Compared to the CDXi variant, the Astra SRi was differentiated by its 17-inch alloy wheels, charcoal leather trim, heated front seats, sports body kit and rear spoiler.

The Astra SRi Turbo was distinguished fitted with 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and continuous damping control, which constantly varied shock absorber characteristics to the road conditions and chassis movements. Visually, the SRi Turbo could be identified by its tapered bumper, modified radiator grille, larger air inlets, aluminium exhaust tip and body kit (including rear window spoiler, deep rocker mouldings and rear bumper).

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Review: Holden AH.II Astra (2007-09)