Review: Holden PJ Astra VXR (2015-16)

Overview

Released in Australia in April 2015, the Holden PJ Astra VXR was a three-door, hot hatch. Manufactured in Gilwice, Poland, the front-wheel drive PJ Astra VXR was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Astra VXR: A20NFT engine

The 2.0-litre A20NFT petrol engine had a twin-scroll turbocharger (with maximum boost pressure of 1.5 bar or 21.76 psi), a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, high-pressure direct fuel injection, dual camshaft continuously variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder (with sodium-filled exhaust valves) and a compression ratio of 9.3:1.

To minimise fuel consumption, the A20NFT engine had a Start/Stop function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic. Furthermore, the Astra VXR could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds.

Dimensions, suspension and FlexRide

The Holden PJ Astra VXR was 4466 mm long, 2020 mm wide, 1489 mm tall and had a 2695 mm long wheelbase. The Astra VXR had ‘HiPerStrut’ front suspension which, compared to conventional MacPherson struts, reduce kingpin inclination by 44 per cent and shorten spindle length (kingpin offset) by 46 per cent with a reduced lever arm. By reducing kingpin inclination, less camber loss is experienced while cornering, while torque steer reactions are also reduced. The Astra VXR also had torsion beam rear suspension with a Watt’s linkage.

As standard, the Astra VXR’s suspension included General Motors’ ‘FlexRide’ system which continuously monitored the roll, pitch and yaw of the vehicle, adjusting damping rates on each wheel to optimise ride and handling. The FlexRide dampers contained magnetorheological fluid which consisted of magnetic particles suspended in a synthetic fluid; when an electric current was applied, it created a magnetic field that changed the direction of the magnetic particles and, hence, the flow rate of the fluid.

Within FlexRide, the driver could also select from three pre-configured settings:

• Standard;
• Sport: for firmer damping and more direct steering; and,
• VXR: for even firmer damping and maximum throttle response.

Steering

The Astra VXR had reack-and-pinion steering with electrohydraulic assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Holden PJ Astra VXR included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with dual pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Holden PJ Astra VXR had 355 mm by 32 mm ventilated and cross-drilled front brake discs with four-piston Brembo calipers and 315 mm solid and cross-drilled rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the related Holden Astra GTC received a five star safety rating including a 91 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 79 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the front offset test, protection of the driver’s chest was rated as adequate, while lower leg protection for both front occupants was also rated as adequate. In the side impact and pole tests, protection of the driver’s chest was rated as marginal.

Features: Holden Astra VXR

Standard features for the Holden PJ Astra VXR included 20-inch alloy wheels with 245/35 R20 tyres, a seven speaker sound system with a digital radio tuner (DAB), an MP3-compatible CD player, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod/SD card reader) and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with voice control (including audio streaming), Holden’s MyLink infotainment system with a seven-inch colour display and satellite navigation, perforated Nappa leather upholstery, eight-way power adjustable front seats (including power adjustable bolsters), heated front seats, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, daytime running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a power-operated park brake, 12 volt power outlet, tyre pressure monitoring, ‘VXR’ floor mats, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Drexler limited slip differential (LSD)

The Holden PJ Astra VXR was fitted with a Drexler limited slip differential (LSD) which used a series of clutch plates to limit differences in rotational speed between the front wheels. Specifically, acceleration or deceleration caused pressure rings next to the clutch plates to push sideways and compress the clutch stack, thereby reducing the speed variation. Furthermore, shaped cams on the differential axis reacted to differences in torque within the differential to vary the amount of compression in the clutch stack, changing the amount of rotational difference between each wheel. The speed of reaction and the amount of rotational difference were determined by the ‘ramp angles’ in the pressure rings – for the Astra CXR, the ramp angles provided a 45 degree ramp angle under acceleration and 90 degrees under deceleration.

Paint colours

The Astra VXR was available in the following paint finishes:

• Summit White;
• Power Red;
• Carbon Flash Black;
• Sunny Melon Yellow; and,
• Arden Blue.

Brochure

• Brochure: Holden Astra GTC and VXR (May 2015)

Related links

• Holden Media: Holden Cascada Convertible to Debut in Australia in 2015; Joined by Astra and Insignia (May 2014)
• Holden Media: Holden Astra and Cascada Launch (April 2015)
• Holden.com.au: Holden Astra VXR
• Wikipedia.org: Opel Astra J