Holden chose the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) to reveal its new-generation Barina, which the brand hopes will boost the appeal of its small car portfolio.
The interior and exterior design was led by Holden’s Ondrej Koromhaz while on assignment at General Motors’ South Korea design centre and takes design cues from Barina Spark and Cruze.
Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux said the Australian debut of the new-generation Barina marked a new chapter in the proud 26-year history of the popular light car.
“The introduction of this new model shows Barina has really grown up. This is a world-class vehicle with leading design and safety credentials. We think it’s going to be a real hit in showrooms around the country.
“Importantly, it represents yet another example of our product renaissance which is seeing our entire model line-up refreshed with exciting new vehicles designed to beat other entries, not just compete with them.
“The eye-catching design of the all-new Barina will make it stand out from the crowd and deliver what Australian small car drivers need and want.
“We’re excited about Barina’s potential and we think it will appeal to an even broader range of customers when it goes on sale in a few months.”
When it goes on sale around October, new Barina’s will be equipped with an array of ‘modern-convenience’ features, including Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, USB input with iPod connectivity, cruise control and steering wheel audio controls.
Under the bonnet will be a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, it’ll be available with either a five-speed manual transmission, or optional six-speed automatic.
New model pricing, full specifications and features will be announced closer to launch.
Cruze Hatch
Holden has been drip-feeding the media images of its Cruze hatch, and chose AIMS to reveal it to the public.
Displayed in stunning show form, the Cruze hatch show car premiered at last year’s Paris Motor Show and serves as a precursor to the production model, which will be built in South Australia. Designed and crafted by Holden’s Port Melbourne Design Studio, the Cruze hatch will join the successful Series II Cruze sedan line-up.
Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux said the introduction of the stylish Australian-born hatch would bolster the Cruze line-up.
“We think the hatch will hit a sweet spot with buyers looking for great design, versatility and practicality.
“We’re very proud of the finished product, our contribution to the global design program and that our Cruze hatch will be rolling off the Elizabeth assembly line and into dealerships later this year.”
The Cruze hatch show car has been adapted to reflect Holden’s design DNA with an almost coupe like appearance with a low sweeping roofline and rising belt line. Featuring the same dynamic proportions as the Cruze sedan, the hatch stands out for its short front and rear overhangs and wide stance, helping it appear planted and secure on the road.
Holden designer Martin Love, a key player in the hatch program, said Cruze hatch design had to appeal to a broad range of customers to compete in the booming small car market.
“The customer base for a compact hatch is perhaps the most diverse imaginable,” Mr Love said.
“A vehicle in this segment needs to appeal to families through to empty nesters, as well as young, urban professionals.”
“When we designed the hatch, we needed it to be eye-catching and youthful yet sophisticated, and still provide practicality, features and comfort families need.
“We wanted to do something sporty and dynamic that would stand out against conventional hatch backs and we’re really proud of the result.”
The Cruze hatch has already made its sales debut under the Chevrolet banner in several markets, including the UK and Korea.
Meanwhile, Holden is conducting its final pre-launch evaluation of Cruze hatch on Australian public roads and at the company’s Proving Ground in Lang Lang, Victoria. Pricing, full specifications and features of the full Cruze hatch range will be announced closer to launch later this year.
Colorado Concept
Holden has previewed its all-new Colorado 4x4 workhorse with a tough, Aussie-inspired show truck at AIMS in Melbourne.
The Melbourne show represents the latest step in General Motors’ multi-stage international reveal for the new light-commercial vehicle, which included two separate Colorado designs shown in Bangkok and Buenos Aires.
The five-seat crew-cab, styled and built in Holden’s Port Melbourne Design Studio, foreshadows the production version of the next-generation model launching in Australia in 2012.
Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux said the new generation Colorado represented Holden’s most significant play in the growing light commercial segment.
“Although this is a show vehicle, the fundamental design and proportions are true to form for the production version of the Colorado hitting Holden showrooms next year.
“As a show truck it’s designed to whet the appetite for another chapter in the Holden product renaissance – a series of new, world-class vehicles that are making people sit up and take notice of our new generation cars.
“Without doubt the new Colorado will be the biggest and toughest member of the Holden family – equally at home as a workhorse or active lifestyle vehicle. “And as our centrepiece for the Melbourne Show, it also demonstrates the capability of the Holden Design Studio, which is an industry leader in stunning global show vehicles.”
The top-secret project was led by 26-year-old creative designer Ben Last who worked closely with General Motors’ Colorado homeroom and design studio in Brazil along with operations in Thailand and US to develop the final Australian show theme.
Last, an industrial design graduate from Monash University, gave the Colorado’s Brazilian-developed architecture, a unique Holden appearance through a number of locally styled panels including the front fascia, bonnet, fenders and tail-gate.
Working to the brief of ‘refined ruggedness’, he also introduced a series of machined aluminium details to the vehicle including side steps, bumpers, rear step plates and side mirror attachment arms, as well as striking 20-inch satin-finished wheels fitted with Cooper Zeon LTZ 285/50/R20 tyres.
The Colorado’s exterior is enhanced by unique LED head and tail lamps, custom rear-vision mirrors with integrated turn signals, hard tonneau cover and a brilliant Red Rock metallic paint finish emphasising its strong surfaces.
Holden Design’s Colour and Trim team created an equally impressive interior treatment for the Colorado with a rugged yet luxurious theme that combines high-level craftsmanship with edgy street presence. The interior includes strong dark tones such as steel and black teamed with a rich dark blue leather wrapped instrument panel and seats with red stitching.
The designers used paper-thin lighting known as electro luminescent film to light the Colorado’s laser-cut metal circuit graphics on the front and rear door appliqués.
A 2.8L turbo-diesel engine powers the Colorado show truck, which is one of a number of engines that will be offered when it goes on sale in Australia next year.
