I'M NOT sure what the local Holden dealer's plans are in relation to their inner-city Cashel St premises. It's located directly opposite the CTV site and has been on the verge of the red-zone since February 22.
In the interim, and the reason for raising this matter, is that the Blackwell Motor Group are operating out of their Sockburn business facility, a site shared with Canterbury Mazda, the Isuzu truck sales operation and workshop for both trucks and cars. When I went there recently to pick up a Holden Barina test car, the entire facility was so chock full of cars and trucks that there was hardly a place to park any extra vehicle, the place was buzzing.
The benefit for both Mazda and Holden sales staff is that it is a very busy place with both new and used buyers in abundance. I guess the downside is that the congestion isn't the ideal.
And it must be said that of all the Holdens I've picked up recently, each has been groomed, fuelled and ready at the pre-determined time, a legacy of the professionalism of the Blackwell's team.
The latest, the brand-spanking, Korean-sourced Barina, sits in the market at $22,990.
The newcomer is a totally new shape, and while it's not quite as eye-catching as, say, Kia's new Rio and Toyota's Yaris, it does get a 1.6-litre engine and collects a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Its shape is quite orthodox but that lends to practicality and driveability.
The Barina, historically, is a five-door hatchback, the rear load area swallowing up to 290-litres extending to 653-litres with the rear seats folded forward. I had reason to fold the seats down during my time with the test car, I had to pick up several plastic containers from my mother's Kirwee property and bring them into the city, I found the rear load space to be functional and the load lift wasn't taxing.
At the other ends sits a 1598cc, twin-camshaft engine which Holden rate at 85kW and 155Nm, it's pretty much a carryover engine which works the mid-range well. Coupled to a $2000 automatic six-speeder, the transmission doesn't hinder power flow. The low and close ratios let the engine breathe a little without it bogging down between ratio changes.
That's the beauty of a gearbox packed full of cogs, the short gaps between ratios allow the engine to work freely, and that has a beneficial effect on fuel economy. Holden claim a 6.8-litre per 100km (42mpg) figure for the newcomer. The Barina doesn't come with a trip computer so I couldn't compare figures.
The Barina isn't a quick car but it does have acceleration on a par with other 1.6-litre compact hatchbacks. It will reach 100km/h from a standstill in 10.9sec and will take 8.7sec to complete a 120km/h from 80km/h overtaking manoeuvre.
The automatic transmission is smooth, it ushers in each ratio with fluid change. There's a nifty manual sequential shift switch on the lever proper, it is unobtrusive and intuitive, quick shifts in either direction can be manipulated through the switch.
I took the test car inland from my mother's home. It cruised quietly the long straights and was a comfortable car in which to travel. When presented with the odd twist and turn it had satisfactory balance and control. Grip from the 195/65 x 15in Hankook Optima tyres is well provided, while steerage is precise.
The Barina could well be described as involving and that gives a safety-first feel from behind the wheel.
On that subject the newcomer bristles with safety gear. There are ISOFIX car seat tethers, six air bags, traction and stability control, and ABS.
For comfort and convenience there's digitally controlled air conditioning, cruise control, tilt and reach-adjustable steering column, and high-grade MP3/iPod/CD audio.
The facia and console area has a modern trendy design, the motorcycle-inspired dash cluster is mostly digital with easy-to-read graphics and displays.
If Barina sales continue as they have done in recent years, Blackwells are going to have a lot of them coming and going through their Sockburn operation, but I'm sure they'll be able to cope.