Carsales Staff•14 Nov 2013
NEWS
Barina RS priced at $21K
Holden's first hot(ish) light hatch arrives with 103kW turbo four... Standard Barina pricing rolled back to make spaceHolden has launched its first performance light car. The Barina RS arrives Down Under with a 103kW turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine and is priced from $20,990 plus on-road costs.
While 30kW shy of real hot hatch status, the Barina RS is being touted as a ‘pukka’ performance car. It features the same 1.4iTi turbo four-cylinder petrol engine as some versions of the Cruze and is available with the choice of six-speed manual or auto transmissions. The latter variant is priced from $23,190.
Holden says the new RS boasts peak torque of 200Nm and returns 6.5L/100km in ADR combined-cycle testing. No performance (acceleration) claims have been made for the car.
Like other Holden models the new RS features GM’s MyLink infotainment system. The warmed over Barina’s is app-ready, with embedded apps including Pandora, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio and navigation app, BringGo.
The new car features interior upgrades including heated “leather appointed” sport seats and piano black finishes.
Outside the RS features “unique styling” including sports front and rear fascias, fog lamps and new 17-inch alloy wheels. The optional ($550) ‘hero’ colour for the RS – Orange Rock – is new to the Barina palette.
The Australian-market Barina RS features unique electric power steering calibration. Local engineers were “heavily involved in the development of the Barina RS in conjunction with engineering counterparts in the US and Korea”, claims Holden.
Compared to ‘cooking model’ Barinas, the RS has a lower ride height, “Performance-tuned” dampers, increased spring rates and “additional body bracing which delivers a stiffer body structure”.
To deliver the RS breathing room in the very competitive Light car market, the pricing on other Barinas models has been reduced.
Effective December 1, pricing on the Barina CD manual hatch has been cut $1000 to $14,990. Barina CD ($17,190) and CDX ($19,690) auto models have each been reduced by $800.
Holden General Manager Marketing Communications, Teresa Basile stated the RS’ “combination of edgy styling, in-car technology and engaging driving experience” would “continue to extend Barina’s appeal to a broader audience”.
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Written byCarsales Staff
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
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