Sports model enters range

The addition of the RS sports hatch model to the Barina range goes on sale later this month, featuring the same 1.4-litre iTi petrol engine as the Australian-made Holden Cruze. The RS comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, or an optional six-speed automatic transmission with active select for power output of 103kW and 200Nm of torque with fuel economy of 6.5l/100km. Its styling includes sports front and rear fascias, fog lamps and new 17-inch alloys, and the inside has a touchscreen for the marque’s MyLink infotainment system, which debuted in the Barina CDX. The CDX and RS are the only vehicles in the light car segment to offer seven-inch colour touchscreens that allow drivers to connect a compatible smartphone or device to access embedded apps including Pandora, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio and low-cost navigation app BringGo. Holden is the first car company in New Zealand to offer embedded apps, having introduced MyLink to about 70 per cent of new models over the past year. Its engineers were involved in developing the RS with counterparts in the US and Korea. A unique electric power-steering calibration, tailored for Australasian driving tastes, was developed at Holden’s proving ground in Lang Lang, Victoria. It has a quick ratio, ensuring a more reactive and sportier drive. To reflect the RS’ release, Holden will roll back pricing by up to $1,000 on the rest of the model year 2014 Barina range from December 1. The manual CB will be $22,990, the hatch and sedan with automatic transmission is $24,990, and the RS automatic has a price-tag of $27,990.