Euro Holdens to arrive mid-year

Holden has today confirmed its threesome of European-sourced models – the Astra, Cascada and Insignia – will go on sale by mid-2015, but not before its revamped Cruze arrives in late January.

"Other models" – likely including the renewed Barina Spark, Volt and Captiva – will come "toward the end of 2015 or early 2016", while a facelifted MY16 Commodore is also expected around September 2015, before production winds up in 2017.

The news comes just weeks after GMH confirmed the current Commodore will be its last rear-wheel drive V8 model to be offered in Oz though Holden today confirmed that the VF-series range will be updated "at least once more" before local manufacturing ceases in three years.

The Opel Insignia, the next generation of which will replace the Commodore, is one of three European-sourced models due to arrive in "late Q2 or early Q3", and initially will be sold alongside the Commodore (large) and Malibu (medium) ranges.

Holden says its growing line-up will also be joined by the Astra GTC and VXR hot hatches, and convertible Cascada, all of which are expected "around the same time" as the larger Insignia VXR.

Holden's executive director of corporate affairs, George Svigos, told motoring.com.au the brand is keenly anticipating the arrival of its European-sourced models.

"We are really excited about the Holden's product news for next year," said Svigos. "So far we can confirm that we plan to introduce the Astra, Cascada and Insignia, which have been sourced from Europe specifically for the Australian market. All three cars represent progressive styling and exceptional build quality."

In what is already looking like a busy year for the local manufacturer, it is anticipated that the new Volt will make landfall before the end of next year, with a new Captiva 5 and 7 "likely in early 2016".

At the smaller end of Holden's local line-up, the replacement for the Barina Spark – perhaps called the Viva – could also join the replenished portfolio next year, though there's little evidence the light-segment Barina will enjoy the same treatment.

Barring a mild update in 2013, the current TM-series Barina has already been on sale since late 2010, and is languishing 10th in the sales race in a segment currently topped by the Hyundai i20.

The refreshed Cruze will arrive with a remodelled front fascia, an improved infotainment system and minor stylistic and technical improvements aimed at extending the model's life until it is replaced with an all-new model as late as 2017.

The Cruze will share Holden's small-car line-up from mid-2015 with the high-performance Astra GTC and VXR variants. Last sold here under the failed Opel nameplate, the hot hatch variants will offer up to 206kW of power, placing them in the enviable position of competing against such names as the Volkswagen Scirocco R and previous Ford Focus RS.

The MY16 Holden Volt is expected to be quicker, quieter and able to travel further on electric power than is currently possible. It is slated to make its global debut at the Detroit motor show in January, before going on sale in the US in the second half of the year.

The heavily revised Volt will feature a 1.5-litre petrol engine in place of the 1.4-litre unit offered presently, while its T-shaped battery will offer range improvements of up to 12 per cent, significantly bettering the existing model's 61km all-electric cruising range.

For convertible fans, the Cascada – which has been on sale in Europe since 2013 – will bring four-seat folding-top fun to the Holden range for the first time since the Astra Twin Top was withdrawn from sale in 2009.

The Cascada, which shares its Delta II platform with the likes of Astra, Zafira and Insignia, will likely arrive with 1.6-litre turbo-petrol power, providing 147kW and 280Nm with fuel consumption of just 6.7L/100km (NEDC Combined). Holden has yet to release pricing, though we expect it to rival the now defunct Volkswagen Eos, which last retailed for $51,990 (plus on-road costs).

At the larger end of the scale, the new Captiva range – which will share its underpinnings with the next Cruze's D2XX platform – is perhaps the furthest away. The SUV's last significant upgrade came in 2011, though its Theta II architecture dates back as far as 2002, with the Captiva arriving in 2006.

In spite of its age, the Captiva continues to sell in steady numbers. To the end of November this year the larger Captiva 7 (seven-seat) sold 9543 examples, ranking it fourth in the large SUV (under $70k) category, but down almost 30 per cent on the year prior.

Sales of the mid-size Captiva 5 (five-seat), whose sales have been diluted somewhat by the arrival of the smaller (and successful) Trax, have fallen almost 10 per cent this year to ninth place in the segment with 5031 units (6283 for the same time last year).

Although some members of Holden's PR team were willing to speculate on next year's arrivals, Svigos would not be drawn on exact model timing, nor specification and price.

"Unfortunately we're not in a position to confirm any other future product plans for next year, but suffice to say that we are determined to bring the right products from across GM’s global portfolio to Australia," Svigos added. "We will also continue to ensure that our current products remain competitive and meet the demands of our customers."