Holden Barina
| Holden Barina | |
|---|---|
_5-door_hatchback_(2007-08-31).jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Suzuki (1985-1994) Opel (1994-2005) GM Daewoo (2005-present) |
| Production | 1985–present |
| Assembly | Hamamatsu, Japan Zaragoza, Spain Bupyong, South Korea |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Supermini |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback 4-door sedan |
The Holden Barina is an automobile produced by General Motors since 1985 and sold by the Australian automaker Holden. Each of the five generations have been badge-engineered versions of General Motors vehicles: Suzuki Swift/Geo Metro, Opel Corsa, and Daewoo Kalos.
First generation (1985-1988)
The first generation MB Barina was launched in 1985 as a badge-engineered version of the Suzuki Swift, which was offered as a five-door hatchback. In the first year of production a Road Runner special model was offered complete with decals showing the Warner Bros. cartoon character. The high-profile marketing campaign featured the slogan Beep beep Barina, a catchphrase that remains in the consciousness of many Australians in the present.
The mildy facelifted ML Barina was released in September 1986.
Second generation (1988-1994)
The second-generation MF Barina was a badge engineered version of the Suzuki Swift Mk2. This version of the Suzuki Swift was co-developed with GM in USA and sold as the Geo Metro in North America. A three-door hatchback was first released in 1988, and was followed by the introduction of a five-door hatchback in 1990.
A facelifted MH Barina was released in October 1991.
Third generation (1994-2001)
The third generation SB Barina was based on the Opel Corsa B and imported from Spain. It was released in 1994 and was offered as a three- or five-door hatchback. Engine choices comprised of either a 1.2 or 1.4 litre four-cylinder engine. A 1.6 litre engine was also offered for the sporty range topping GSi. The second generation was available in the following models:
- 1.2 litre SB City 3-door
- 1.4 litre SB City 3-door
- 1.4 litre SB Joy 3-door
- 1.4 litre SB Swing 5-door
- 1.4 litre SB Grand Prix 5-door (special edition)
- 1.6 litre 16V SB GSi 3-door
- 1.4 litre SB Lambada 3-door (special edition)
- 1.4 litre SB Olympic Edition 3-door and 5-door (special edition)
- 1.4 litre SB Equipe 3-door and 5-door (special edition)
- 1.4 litre SB Cabrio
In 2001, Holden issued a voluntary recall of all Barina SB models, built between 1994 and 2001. This was due to a faulty seatbelt mounting on front bucket seats.
Fourth generation (2001-2005)
The fourth generation XC Barina was released in April 2001, based on the Opel Corsa C. It was available in Barina 3 Door and Barina 5 Door models with a 1.4 litre 16-valve engine. In September of that year a GSi model with a new 1.8 litre engine joined the line-up. The Barina was awarded the Wheels Car of the Year award for 2001.
In 2003 a decision by Peter Hanenberger's (Holden's then managing director) led to the importation of higher spec SXi three-door and the CD five-door models, to boost sales. The SRi remained unchanged. These newer models did not provide a boost to sales in the face of increasing pricing competition in the market.
In 2004 the 1.4 litre models were downgraded, reverting back to their original Barina 3 Door and Barina 5 Door model names.
Fifth generation (2005-present)
In December 2005 Holden dropped the Opel-sourced Barina and rebadged the Daewoo Kalos hatchback as the fifth generation TK Barina. In February 2006, a four-door sedan went on sale, the first sedan type for the Barina nameplate. It is also equipped with a 1.6 litre twin-cam 16-valve variation. The decision was made to ensure Holden remains highly competitive in the fast-growing small car market in Australia, facing competition from other South Korean-sourced models like the Hyundai Getz. The Opel-sourced model sold at a loss and was sold to build up a presence in the entry-level new car market in Australia. [1]
The Daewoo-sourced Holden Barina scored a lower (2-star) ANCAP rating than it's European-built, Opel-based predecessor[1]. The Holden Barina was sold at AU$12,990 for a base model car, which was later changed to AU$13,490, due to high demand.
Safety
In Australia, 1986-88 and 1989-99 Holden Barinas were assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "significantly worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash. The Barina SB was assessed as providing "worse than average" protection, [2] and the Barina XC as providing an "average" level of protection, with 4 out of 5 stars. [3]
Criticism was focused on the Barina TK, which achieved 2 out of 5 stars in the Australian New Car Assessment Program crash test results, one of the worst in history. [4] As a result, the Managing Director of Holden was forced to publicly defend his product. [5] Holden has gone on the record stating that "safety is not a concern in this segment and sales have proven this, therefore we will not be importing the Opel Barina" as quoted by Holden marketing executive Jason Laird.
In late 2006, Holden were rumoured to be considering alternative options for the Barina.[6]
Reflecting market priorities and price point control, some safety equipment is either unavailable or available only at extra-cost on some models in some markets -- including side airbags, ABS, foglights and a rear center position three-point seatbelts and headrests. So while the Holden Barina is itself a virtually identical iteration of the Daewoo Kalos and all its interations -- its safety content may differ critically from other market variations of the vehicle.
Footage of the Barina TK's frontal offset crash test can be seen on YouTube.