New Adventra All Wheel Drive Wagon Is Holden's Local Hero

With the introduction today of its new Adventra all road wagon, Holden becomes the first manufacturer to offer an all wheel drive crossover vehicle that has been designed, developed and engineered in Australia specifically for unique local conditions.

The versatile V8-powered Adventra is the trailblazer for a range of advanced all wheel drive (AWD) Holden vehicles that the company believes will help to change the face of Australian motoring.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Peter Hanenberger, described the launch of the new Adventra as one of the most important events in recent Holden history.

"Adventra places Holden in a position to take advantage of a new automotive era, the multi-purpose crossover, that will develop over the next decade.

"Adventra is a logical successor to truck-based four wheel drives. It is far more user and family friendly and can handle a wide range of roads and tracks. Its Holden performance and drive character and ride and handling qualities are absolutely uncompromised," he said.

The product of a $125 million design and engineering program over three years, Adventra is the first of a series of upcoming Holden vehicles to incorporate advanced Cross Trac AWD technology. The traction-control based, permanent AWD Cross Trac system has been developed, extensively tested and fine tuned by Holden to suit the unique Australian driving environment.

"Adventra will provide controlled, predictable performance on a wide variety of surfaces - dirt, shale, sand, gravel and ice included," Mr Hanenberger said.

With its wide stance, high ride height, flared wheel arches, unique tailgate with folding glass, Euro-style roof rack and bold front end treatment, the Holden Adventra is dynamically different in appearance from the rear wheel drive wagon upon which it is based.

Buyers have a choice of two stylish, well-specified models: the Adventra CX8 and Adventra LX8, both powered by Holden's 235kW, 5.7 litre GEN III V8, teamed with automatic transmission. Features include driver, passenger and side airbags, six disc CD player, climate control air conditioning and rear park assist, while the LX8 model incorporates such extras as a sunroof, leather trim and premium audio system.

"Adventra is a smart innovation which showcases Holden's ability to develop a portfolio of niche vehicles quickly and efficiently. This benefits the car buying public, the Australian automotive industry and the health of our broader economy. We also believe it will ultimately reinforce our long-term viability on the world stage, " Mr Hanenberger concluded.

Adventra's good looks, passenger car virtues, go-anywhere functionality, effortless V8 performance and pulling power will appeal to a broad range of buyers, including current owners of family sedans, medium and larger-sized four wheel drives and conventional family wagons. Equally appealing is a value for money comparison which sees the comprehensively equipped Adventra priced up to $30,000 less than some competitors.

Developed for Australia's unique road conditions In developing the Adventra, Holden's major objectives were to produce a true crossover wagon, versatile enough to take most Australian road and track conditions in its stride and yet able to perform and handle on highways and city streets equally as adeptly as its rear wheel drive relatives.

That Adventra succeeds so well in meeting these objectives is largely due to the special qualities of Holden's advanced Cross Trac all wheel drive system, which provides high levels of traction on a wide range of surfaces and has a rear wheel drive-biased torque split for maximum flexibility, stability and 'driver's car' chassis dynamics.

While Adventra is not intended to be a 'rock hopper', its unique Cross Trac system, unmatched V8 power, good ground clearance and heavy duty componentry will allow it to meet most challenges its buyers are likely to encounter.

The strength of Cross Trac lies in the way its software is specifically calibrated to cope with the deformable surfaces, such as sand, gravel and loose dirt, that make up 65 per cent of Australian roads.

Cross Trac has 1781 calibration variables, which determine the wheel control strategies for all common driving scenarios inherent in Australian conditions. This means that there are hundreds of thousands of possibilities where Cross Trac will determine the optimum amount of torque split to provide maximum traction for optimum performance.

Holden engineers subjected Adventra to a punishing test schedule which took in some of the country's roughest and most remote regions, completing more than 600,000 durability, development and test kilometres and backing their field work with 1000 complex computer simulations. Adventra was rigorously benchmarked against a number of European all wheel drive wagons until its performance exceeded objectives.

Using automatic brake differential (ABD) software and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) to achieve desired levels of traction across all wheels, Adventra has the capacity to conquer stony shale track climbs, steep descents, desert tracks, beach and fire trails, shallow river crossings, slippery, muddy and icy surfaces.

With 235kW of power and 460Nm of torque on tap, it can tow boats up slippery banks, tour along bush tracks with a big load of gear on board and pull caravans and trailers with ease.

Extra Strength, Increased Durability Adventra chassis, underbody, key components and systems are engineered to cope with all-road applications. The significantly strengthened underbody includes front and rear 'bash plate' undertrays and a heavy duty engine cradle. Front strut bracing provides extra rigidity across the chassis. The modified transmission is mounted on a two-piece system that doubles as an extra body brace and acts to enhance safety performance in side impact crashes.

Front and rear suspension systems are reinforced, the front redesigned for better isolation and absorption of impact harshness. Brakes and cooling system are upgraded for heavy duty use, the steering system modified but retaining a sedan-like 'feel'.

Extensive testing also produced a specially developed, puncture-resistant all-road tyre for Adventra that maintains signature Holden ride comfort and handling characteristics in everyday driving situations.

Special Features The stylish Adventra takes on the full quota of feature benefits that make its rear wheel drive Holden relatives the most popular cars in Australia and complements this extensive offering with a range of thoughtfully designed extras that place it in a category of its own.

True to its intended purpose as a versatile recreational wagon with a family-friendly focus, Adventra delivers advanced safety technology, flexible, spacious and comfortably appointed passenger accommodation - there's room for seven with a rear seat option - and many practical convenience features.

The rear glass incorporated in Adventra's distinctive tailgate lifts separately and can be operated remotely, which makes for easy loading of small items such as shopping bags.

The tailgate lifts completely at the push of a button, opening up a rear compartment that is more readily accessible than most 4WDs due to its lower floor height.

Added features include aircraft-style cargo rails and multi-purpose hooks for extra tie-down security and flexibility, particularly useful in rough terrain. There are integrated side storage compartments incorporating an auxiliary power outlet and cupholder fitment, flexible straps in two locations to secure thermos or drink bottles upright, a load-covering retracting roller blind and a handy storage net (standard on LX8) which can cover the entire load floor or adapt to suit a range of uses. Rear seats have a 60/40 split feature and fold almost completely flat to provide a capacious 2683 litres of cargo space.

Above the tailgate, the rear spoiler with its full-width LED stop lamp extends into a full length, Euro style roof rack, which on the LX8 (optional on CX8) also includes an integrated load carrying frame and tie-down grid with an aluminium track and adjustable eyelets for extra adaptability.

Adventra's increased ride height - 80mm more than a conventional wagon - makes for easy entry and exit and provides the elevated driving position preferred by many 4WD owners.

High Style Adventra's rugged good looks are accentuated by a wide track, flared wheel arches and higher stature. Bold styling cues clearly advertise its active lifestyle and all-road capability while retaining a performance edge.

Stand-out features include a totally new, strong front facia design, single sports bar grille with hexagonal mesh insert grille, large Holden emblem and anodised aluminium underbody protector plate, flanked by wide black lower mouldings. These flow into the body side and over the wheel arches, the wide rocker mouldings highlighted by stylish aluminium inserts.

Adventra's distinctive profile is further differentiated by the exclusive design of its rear pillar, new rear window shape and full length Euro-style roof rack.

Rear end treatment is completely new and unique to Adventra. The cleanly styled tailgate, with its practical lift-open glass feature, features a relocated wiper and body-coloured license plate surround with integrated reversing lamps. Below, a full-width black decor panel tops a smart anodised aluminium protector plate which houses twin rectangular exhaust outlets, a concealed towbar and hitch. Specific tail lamps continue Holden's jewel design with see-through circular elements.

Equipment Highlights Both models are equipped to luxury levels. The Adventra CX8 has a standard features listing comparable to a Holden Berlina and the LX8 is equivalent to the Holden Calais.

The CX8 offers unique five spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, six disc CD player, rear park assist, electronic climate control, cruise control, trip computer, power windows, driver, passenger and side airbags, soft velour seat trim in Neutral Pewter, a re-designed instrument cluster, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped transmission shifter and handbrake with satin chrome highlights.

Adventra LX8 adds unique six-spoke 17-inch alloys, a factory fitted sunroof, leather-trimmed SS wagon-style sports seats in Anthracite black or optional Ochre, leather wrapped sports profile steering wheel with satin chrome spokes, premium audio system with subwoofer and 260W amplifier, eight way adjustable electric front seats, dual zone electronic climate control, active front seat head restraints, level ride suspension, fog lamps, heated exterior mirrors with memory, high-mounted pitch and roll gauges and stainless steel sill plates.

Safety Adventra inherits the complete Commodore safety system, and all the benefits that implies. The system is optimised to minimise occupant injury risks. Features include driver, passenger and side airbags, front seat pyrotechnic seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, anti submarining ramps in all positions, child restraint anchor points and active front seat head restraints (LX8). A wide track and low centre of gravity also enhance safety performance.

Colour Selection

Adventra is available in eight exterior colours: Cove - mid blue/green chromatic Phantom - metallic black with silver highlights Berry Red - rich crimson metallic Turbine - deep gunmetal metallic Martini - pale olive green metallic Shanghai - chromatic medium red metallic Vespers - dark inky blue metallic Quicksilver - sharp silver with brilliant highlights Holden Adventra Recommended Retail Pricing Adventra CX8 - $52,990 (automatic transmission only) Adventra LX8 - $60,990 (automatic transmission only)

Option Highlights Adventra buyers can choose from a wide range of Holden By Design accessories. Options include roof-mounted ski, bicycle and spare wheel carriers, towing mirrors, cargo restraints, pet net, third row, front-facing rear bench seat, weather shields, bonnet protector.CX8 buyers can also specify the factory-fitted electric sunroof and luggage carrier.

On Sale Late October 2003