Review: Holden TS Astra (1998-05)

Review: Holden TS.I Astra (1998-00)

Overview

Released in September 1998, the Holden TS Series I (TS.I) Astra was initially available as a five-door hatchback, with sedans following in March 2000 (the Astra Convertible has been reviewed separately). Manufactured in Belgium, the front-wheel drive TS Astra was powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. Furthermore, the TS.I Astra range consisted of two variants: City and CD.

X18XE ‘ECOTEC’ engine

The 1.8-litre X18XE ‘ECOTEC’ four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast-iron cylinder block, an aluminium cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (belt-driven), four valves per cylinder, a variable intake manifold and a compression ratio of 10.5:1.

Dimensions

Compared to its TR predecessor, the TS Astra hatchback was 59 mm longer (at 4110 mm), 13 mm wider (1709 mm), 15 mm taller (1425 mm) and had an 89 mm longer wheelbase (2606 mm). Furthermore, engineering advances and the increased usage of high-tensile steels resulted in body torsion and bending resistance for the TS Astra being almost double that of its predecessor.

Compared to the TS Astra hatchback, the Astra sedan was 142 mm longer (4252 mm), though other measurements were unchanged.

Suspension

Both the TS Astra sedan and hatchback had ‘double-isolated’ MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the TS Astra included dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. For the CD, optional safety equipment included ABS, electronic brake force distribution and traction control.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 1999 five-door Opel Astra hatchback – sold in Australia as the Holden Astra – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 25. In the frontal offset impact test, chest protection was marginal for the driver and adequate for the front passenger. In the side impact test, abdomen and pelvis protection was marginal for the driver, with chest protection rated as marginal.

Features

Standard features for the Astra City included a six speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, tinted glass, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Astra CD was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, a more powerful 80 watt sound system with CD player, velour upholstery, cruise control, power windows and power mirrors with heating.

1999 Astra Olympic editions

In September 1999, Olympic editions of the City and CD variants were released. City Olympic models gained 15-inch alloy wheels, a CD player and air conditioning; beyond this, CD Olympic editions were also fitted with ABS and traction control.

Olympic editions of the City and CD were released again in July 2000. This time, the City Olympic gained 15-inch alloy wheels, a CD player, air conditioning and front fog lamps; the CD Olympic was further equipped with ABS and traction control. Visually, the Olympic editions were distinguished by special Olympic badging and key rings.

Review: Holden TS.II Astra (2000-04)

Overview

Released in November 2000, the TS Series II (TS.II) Astra sedan and hatchback introduced a more powerful 1.8-litre petrol engine, a close-coupled catalytic converter for lower emissions and ‘drive by wire’ electronic throttle control. The TS.II Astra range was subsequently expanded by the three-door City variant in June 2001, SRi in November 2001, SXi and CDX in December 2002 and SRi Turbo in May 2003.

Z22SE and Z20LET engines

For the new variants,

• The SRi was powered by the 2.2-litre Z22SE (or L61) four-cylinder petrol engine which had an aluminium block and cylinder, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, dual counter-rotating balance shafts and a compression ratio of 10.0:1; and,
• The SRi Turbo was powered by the 2.0-litre Z20LET four-cylinder petrol engine which 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.

Safety equipment

Like its TS.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the TS.II Astra included dual front airbags and front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters. The Astra SRi added ABS and traction control, while the CDX was further equipped with front seat-mounted side airbags. The SRi Turbo omitted side airbags, but was fitted with electronic stability control and traction control. From November 2001, active front seat head restraints were fitted as standard across the range.

Features: Astra City, CD and CDX

Standard features for the City were unchanged and included a six speaker sound system with radio and cassette player, remote central locking, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, tinted glass, trip computer and immobiliser; from November 2001, the City was fitted with a CD player as standard and improved cloth trim.

Compared to the City, the CD added 15-inch alloy wheels, a more powerful 80 watt sound system with CD player, velour upholstery, cruise control, power windows, power mirrors and heated mirrors. From November 2001, the CD was fitted with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, new velour upholstery and steering wheel audio controls.

The range-topping CDX was further equipped with 16-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, black leather interior trim, heated front seats with adjustable lumbar support, front fog lamps and dark tinted headlights and tail-lights.

Features: Astra SXi, SRi and SRi Turbo

Of the sports variants, the three-door SXi was similarly equipped to the City, but added 15-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, power front windows and a rear spoiler.

The Astra SRi was further equipped with 16-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels with low profile (205/50 R16) tyres, air conditioning, cruise control, contoured sports seats, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and front spoiler. From November 2001, the SRi was fitted with chrome surrounds in the instrument panel; from December 2002, the SRi was fitted with 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels.

The Astra SRi Turbo was differentiated by its 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, 80 watt sound system, air conditioning, black leather seats and door trim, heated front seats, front fog lamps and sports body kit.

Astra Equipe

During its production, four limited-run Equipe variants were released of the TS.II Astra, each based on the entry-level City variant. Released in April 2001, the first run of Equipes was fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, CD player and Equipe badging. When subsequently released in April 2002, the Equipe was fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control and front fog lamps; a similarly specified limited-run Equipe was again released in March 2003.

The final Equipe variants were released in September 2003; these Equipes were fitted with ABS, traction control, 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, rear head rests and a centre rear armrest; visually, it was also distinguished by its dark-tinted head and tail-lamps.

Related links

• Holden Media Archive: Holden’s Special Edition Astra Equipe (April 2001)
• Holden Media Archive: Holden’s Three Door Astra Hatch (June 2001)
• Holden Media Archive: The Spirited Astra SRi (September 2001)
• Holden Media Archive: 2003 Holden Astra Equipe (March 2003)
• Holden Media Archive: Holden’s New Turbocharged Astra SRi and Astra Convertible (May 2003)
• Holden Media Archive: Astra Equipe – Holden’s Latest Limited Edition (September 2003)

Review: Holden TS.III Astra (2004-05)

Overview

Released in July 2004, the TS Series III (TS.III) Astra sedan and hatch range was reduced to coincide with the introduction of the AH Astra. Compared to the TS.II Astra range, the TS.III Astra City variant was renamed CD and the CD became the CD Classic (solely available as a sedan); the CDX, SXi, SRi and SRi Turbo variants were all discontinued.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment included dual front airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters and active front seat head restraints. The CD Classic was further equipped with ABS and traction control.

Features

Standard features for the Astra CD included a six speaker Blaupunkt sound system with CD player, air conditioning, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, tinted glass, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Astra CD Classic was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, ‘Piazza’ black interior trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, power windows and power mirrors with heating.

2005 Astra Classic Equipe

In 2005, an Equipe edition of the Classic variant was released; compared to the standard Classic, the Classic Equipe was fitted with ABS, traction control, 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, power windows (front and rear) and heated mirrors.

Related links

• Holden Media Archive: Holden Astra Classic Equipe (February 2005)
• Wikipedia.org: Holden TS Astra