First Look: Holden's New Baby Barina!

[JoeT]

First Look: Holden's New Baby

Marton Pettendy
14 August 2007
www.goauto.com.au

Here it is: Our first look at what should become GM Holden's next answer to everything from Toyota's top-selling Yaris to the Kia Rio.

Holden is desperate for its expanding Daewoo model sourcing policy to be judged not on the meat pie brand's current Asian-built offerings, but the next generation of small to medium models from its sister company - and the redesigned Aveo sedan is the first product of collaboration between General Motors' Australian and South Korean subsidiaries.

Taking its name from the newer Kalos sedan, the Aveo hatch replaces the Kalos, which is known in Europe as the Chevrolet Kalos and in Australia as the Holden Barina.

The Kalos replacement was revealed late Monday by Chevrolet Europe ahead of its official public debut at the Frankfurt motor show on September 11 and its European release in March 2008.

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Holden Considering New Baby Daewoo's For Australia

Holden's Barina replacement lurks within the all-new Chevrolet Aveo hatch

[macneil25]

hmm,
doesn't look to bad. good competitor

[JazzyChef]

Quite a good looking upgrade I saw one doing it's testing in the way to Phoenix heading from Payson on the beeline highway. A red one and a silver one, they looked great in person!

[asylum]

the "new" body is only a front-end swap, and they wanna put in smaller engines? its slow enough as it is, they better be little screamers!

and the interior, while acceptable in the current model, is definately FAR behind the opposition. so it better be upgraded to the quality of the current sedan.

good to see australia's investment in Daewoo is finally coming through (Captiva has been a moderate success) hopefully they can get close to the popularity of the previous opel models

[asim]

Originally Posted by asylum

the "new" body is only a front-end swap, and they wanna put in smaller engines? its slow enough as it is, they better be little screamers!

and the interior, while acceptable in the current model, is definately FAR behind the opposition. so it better be upgraded to the quality of the current sedan.

good to see australia's investment in Daewoo is finally coming through (Captiva has been a moderate success) hopefully they can get close to the popularity of the previous opel models

I just hope the new engines are more fuel efficient. Having the Aveo here only get MPG in the mid-20s is absolutely disrespectful to all Aveo and small car buyers.

[Ssom]

Argh, the front end is ruined by the awful "beard" grille. At least the current Barina is mildly good looking, this facelift takes away the one good thing it had.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by asylum

the "new" body is only a front-end swap, and they wanna put in smaller engines? its slow enough as it is, they better be little screamers!

and the interior, while acceptable in the current model, is definately FAR behind the opposition. so it better be upgraded to the quality of the current sedan.

good to see australia's investment in Daewoo is finally coming through (Captiva has been a moderate success) hopefully they can get close to the popularity of the previous opel models

The refreshed Aveo has new front styling and rear updates as well as the newer sedan interior. The smaller engines listed are for the European market, we will probably keep the same ol' 1.6L unless they make some changes for 2009 (when the refreshed Aveo goes on sale here).

[mikmak]

Wow, that's still...um a POS.

They just put an Audi grille on it and coloured in the middle bit.

[ZvetteGuy]

Originally Posted by JazzyChef

Quite a good looking upgrade I saw one doing it's testing in the way to Phoenix heading from Payson on the beeline highway. A red one and a silver one, they looked great in person!

When was this?! I travel the 87 going to Heber/Overgaard and I missed seeing the little boogers... I will hold my judgement on the styling until I get to see one in person! Hope it isn't a disappointment... maybe some of you should do the same! Ahem... judgement before you see the actual car! Tisk tisk tisk...

GO GM GOOOOO!!!!

[ZvetteGuy]

Originally Posted by asylum

the "new" body is only a front-end swap, and they wanna put in smaller engines? its slow enough as it is, they better be little screamers!

Why do we complain about the lack of fuel economy and then cry about a motor that should deliver the goods in fuel economy... besides... the last time I checked no one is out there racing these things... they are fuel sipping grocery getters and college student vehicle... bring on the small motor and the higher fuel economy... bring it on!!! Not just for those Euros... bring it to N/A!!!

[mikmak]

I based my assessment on the fact that it is still the same car. As for the grille, it looks more coesive on the Malibu and even the aveo sedan.

[rueben44]

You all really need more vision. The problem is that you are looking at it with those small wheels. Once you put some nice 17's on it it will look sweet. Use your minds eye to see what is possible you can not go with Gm photography.

Oh and that is not an Audi grill...I see why you say that but Audi just borrowed from old design almost everyone has sported a grill in that fashion at some point.

[ford&holden]

Originally Posted by mikmak

I based my assessment on the fact that it is still the same car. As for the grille, it looks more coesive on the Malibu and even the aveo sedan.

Agreed, it is the same car with a new front end. I like the front but it doesn't gel with the old body and rear end.

[Aych Es Vee]

my ex's sis is gonna spew, she just bought a Barina the other day, haha

I like this more than the current. But it still looks INCREDIBLY cheap

[redimpss5]

To small! Looks like the Aveo.