Safety in the compact class is always a challenge, with cost and size the two largest factors. Chevrolet stepped up to the plate though and installed a total of 10 airbags in the new Cruze. That’s six MORE than the Cobalt it replaces.

Scott Thomas, among the engineers associated with the Cruze’s double-digit air bag count, has some 30 safety patents to his credit – most of which were awarded for new or improved air bags and restraint systems.

The Cruze features frontal, head curtain side, front and outboard rear seat side-impact and knee air bags.

“My co-workers and I have put a lot of personal effort and thought into Chevrolet products like the Cruze,” says Thomas. “Anyone who buys this car will have peace of mind knowing that they are driving a vehicle with some of the most advanced safety technology in the segment.”

The new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze ‘Eco’ model has been touted as one of the most fuel-efficient small cars on the market. To accomplish this, the new Cruze Eco has a new innovative feature that can automatically shutter air literally changing the vehicles shape based on wind and temperature conditions. The new shutter system uses an electric motor to open and close the shutters redirecting air thus allowing for better fuel efficiency up to an estimated 40mpg on the highway. That means the Cruze Eco gets hybrid-like efficiency without the hybrid cost.

The Newcastle-educated former champion had been trailing Team Honda Racing’s Matt Neal by eight points as the series returned after its summer break.

But, after taking two wins out of three races, he now has a comfortable cushion at the top of the points table.

Plato, who had qualified second on the grid behind his Silverline Chevrolet team-mate Alex MacDowall, led from lights to flag in both the first and the second of the day’s races – despite his Chevrolet Cruze being laden with 36kg of success ballast in race one and 45kg in the second.

He also set the fastest lap in both to ensure he grabbed maximum points.

In the third race he brought his car over the line in fifth spot, grabbing more points to leapfrog Neal in the standings, who suffered mixed fortunes at the fast Norfolk track.

With BTCC wins now under his belt, Plato is just three shy of Andy Rouse’s all-time record of 60, although he admits his only concern is to win what would be his second title in the class.

He last won in 2001 while driving for Vauxhall.

Plato said: “I expected us to be strong here and so it has proved.

“The team has used the summer break really well and dug deep into all the data.

“We have improved two key areas, and the result is a fantastic race car now in the Cruze.”

Plato’s season is turning into a carbon copy of last year, when he upped his championship charge towards the end of the season – although this time he is gunning for better than runner-up sport.

He added: “This is where last year we really got our championship going, and I have a sneaky feeling we are going to be very strong again from here on in.

“I am feeling very confident for Silverstone. What you are seeing is a result of all the hard work we have put into the car during the summer break.

“The Cruze is a great race car which does not deteriorate over a race distance.”

Neal, meanwhile, was forced to retire from race one when his Honda Civic picked up a puncture, and was only able to limp home ninth in the second.

In race three he managed to grab a third place. He warned that the rest of the season looks very close thanks to Plato’s strong form.

He said: “I knew we were in for a tough weekend and it has been a case of damage limitation, whereas Jason has gone and pulled a rabbit from the hat. That is ominous for the rest of us.”

Sunday’s result means Plato now has 151 points in the Drivers’ Championship, with Neal second on 131.

[source]

Up until recently, the US consumer really couldn’t expect much from the compact car segment. Did it have four wheels, a cheap price, and get decent fuel economy? If so, then that was all you could really ask for. Special features like USB ports, heated seats, or a decent comfortable interior were, at most, a pipe dream. Small cars were only for folks who couldn’t afford a larger one.

Then, as is always the case, things changed. The precipitous fuel price increase to near four dollars a gallon in 2006/2007 time frame drastically changed the buying habits of the American consumer. Small cars were suddenly looking at a rather large increase in popularity. The problem was that while the compact car buyer had changed, the compact car had not.

This has led to a rather fierce battle among the automakers for current and future small car buyers. A once neglected group of vehicles is finding new found glory as Ford and Chevrolet introduce brand new models in 2011. The idea of a full featured compact car, once laughable, is turning out to be the fuel both companies plan on using to propel themselves into profitability for the foreseeable future.

[source story]

Internationally, customers have purchased 140,000 Cruze in the first six months of 2010 and a total of 270,000 since Cruze launched in the spring of 2009 in Europe, followed by other major markets, such as China in summer of 2009.

Cruze is currently available in more than 60 countries, with China, Russia, Mexico, India and Spain as the top five sales markets. Including Holden and Daewoo versions sold in Australia and South Korea, total sales exceed 340,000 vehicles across five continents.

Cruze will begin arriving at U.S. dealerships in September. With U.S. models produced in Lordstown, Ohio, Cruze will be the only compact car built in the U.S. for the 2011 model year. Production at the Lordstown complex will begin with three shifts, assembling Cruze models around the clock to meet expected customer demand.

“Customers around the world have already made Cruze an international success, setting the stage for it here in the U.S.,” said Margaret Brooks, director of marketing for Chevrolet small cars. “For U.S. customers, Cruze will be priced to compete with compact cars while offering more interior room, more miles per gallon in the Eco model, and more standard safety features.”

In the U.S., Cruze models will start at $16,995 for the LS model, equipped with the most standard safety features in its segment, including 10 air bags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing, traction control and anti-lock brakes.

The Cruze Eco model starts at $18,895, featuring a standard 1.4L Ecotec turbo and six-speed manual transmission. With ultra low-rolling resistance tires, and an enhanced aerodynamic-performance package, Cruze Eco is expected to deliver 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

The top of the line Cruze LTZ model starts at $22,695 and features a standard six-way power driver seat, leather seating surfaces, cruise control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, USB port with audio interface, ultrasonic rear-parking assist, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

TIME was when the accepted mode of family transport was easily recognisable by the fact that it was usually a four-door saloon.

Although the saloon may no longer be considered a common or garden member of the UK motor world, there are still some around and one of the most recent additions is the Chevrolet Cruze.

Destined, says the US car maker, to be the most important Chevrolet to date, leading the way for a further eight Chevrolet newcomers by 2012, this four-door mid-sized saloon comes with distinctive design pointers aiming to make an indelible mark in the sector for quality, refinement and value for money.

Despite the five-door hatchback being a firm favorite for family car buyers in the UK, a Cruze hatch is not expected here until next year.

On offer to power the Cruze are four engine choices, two petrol in the 1.6-litre 111bhp and 1.8-litre 139bhp units while diesels are two 2.0-litre VCDi engines pulling 123bhp and 148bhp respectively.

Three trim levels, S, LS and LT, are progressively generous, the entry level 1.6 S coming with standard kit which includes air con, remote central locking, ‘follow me home’ lighting, a quality sound system with CD and auxiliary input socket plus electric front windows, all for a range price opener of a little over £12,000.

While the mid-range LS trim continued to be the range best seller during the first year of sales, driven here is the flagship range topper LT model which comes with leather upholstery, cruise and climate control, uprated sound system, electric windows all round, plus 17-inch alloys.

This car was powered by the 2.0-litre 148bhp VCDi turbo diesel engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, although, for a premium of just over a grand, there is a six slot automatic gearbox available for those who enjoy driving the auto way.

The cabin is a comfortable place to be, benefiting from some soft touch vinyls and plastics. The figure hugging front pews move fore and aft in very user friendly fashion and there is some extremely generous leg, height and shoulder room.

In addition, a pretty decent boot provides some 450 litres of stowage space in the neatly squared off luggage bay with all seats taken while some thoughtful storage areas on board include a centre console CD store, oddments tray atop the dash, plus cup and bottle holders.

A comfortable driving position is easily arrived at via height the adjustable driver’s seat and reach and rake adjustment of the steering wheel.

A neatly sculpted dashboard includes some attractive soft blue backlighting which I find decidedly soothing during night driving.

A handsome looker, the Chevrolet Cruze shows up good on the tarmac, its coupe-like outline featuring a sleek roofline while a decidedly muscular front end adds to its attractive profile.

Quiet and smooth on the move while sitting nicely on General Motor’s Delta 2 platform, the Cruze handles attentively. It’s nicely stable and a neat handler while there is some good quality comfort and refinement to be enjoyed in all parts when on the cruise – or should that be cruze.

Overall, this is a decent family affair, the 148bhp turbo diesel power source adding more than a touch of individual character to its roadway progress while a well appointed interior endorses its well deserved good value reputation.

FAST FACTS

Chevrolet Cruze LT 2.0 VCDi

Price: £16,045

Mechanical: 148bhp, 1,991cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 130mph

0-62mph: 8.7 seconds

Combined mpg: 50.4

Insurance group: 10

CO2 emissions: 149g/km

BiK rating: 21%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles

by Malcolm Robertshaw, drivingforce.uk.net

New Chevrolet Cruzes will roll out of the assembly line in September, with hopes of drawing the attention of younger drivers and emerge as a major player in the compact market dominated by Honda and Toyota.

The American company had long been struggling to build a steadily profitable line of compacts. Its Corvair and Vega were both safety and design disasters. Customers were more enticed with Corollas and Civic than Chevys. None of its small cars got the Recommended Buy rating from Consumer Reports’ April issue. Cruze’s predecessor, the Chevy Cobalt, sold only 105,000 units in the U.S. last year. In contrast to Japanese car makers Toyota and Honda, both of which drew more than 20 percent of its total auto sales from its compacts, GM only had an 8 percent share.

Furthermore, GM execs dismiss the compact line as an unwise investment due to their cheap prices compared to their expensive manufacturing cost, which is also the reason why its compact offerings, as one reporter observed, are compromised because of GM’s tight control costs.

“They really haven’t spent any time or money on these vehicles,” said Mr. David Champion, the senior director of Consumer Reports’ auto testing department.

Although GM may be lagging behind the compact race, particularly missing the industry boom last decade, the competition is far from over. Demand for compact and subcompacts in the U.S. is increasing phenomenally, from 21 percent in 2005 to 33 percent this year, and much bigger demand is expected from international market.

Early Cruze prototypes had issues of its own, and poor showroom performance resulted in delaying the production from April to August. Noisy tires, constantly shifting transmission, and lag between gas step and the turbocharger were among the major culprits of the delay.

According to Mark Reuss, GM’s North American president, all the problems had been fixed. The former head of engineering assured that the transmission was redone, the turbocharger lag was resolved, so as the transmission. He also added that an Eco version of Cruze will be available, and expected to run for 40 miles in one gallon.

However, many consumers are still skeptical about considering Chevy’s compacts. Previous offerings were often overlooked due to their outdated looks and mediocre performance.

Nonetheless, GM engineers are working hard to improve Cruze’s quality. Pitted against other models during one test ride, Cruze actually proved quieter and the handling seemed to fare better. A reviewer from Consumer Reports was also impressed with the car, from it looks down to its handling and performance.

A base Cruze will retail around $17,000, slightly more than those similar offerings from other companies. GM said that the price premium justifies Cruze’s additional standard features not commonly found in other compacts.

Mr. Tom Stephens, the Head of Product Development of GM said, the construction of the Cruze is better than that of Corolla or Civic.

“They’ve got quite a gap that they’ve got to close just to be competitive, let alone get ahead,” said Mr. Stephens.

ZURICH – WELLINGBOROUGH, 11th June 2010 – For the fifth round of the 2010 season, the WTCC is heading to Belgium, a country with a great touring car tradition but which has been visited only once (Spa, in 2005) by the world’s main touring car series. No surprise therefore that fans from Belgium and bordering countries are anxious to be at the gates of the Limburg track!

For the occasion, Chevrolet is entering a fourth RML-run Cruze that will be entrusted to local hero Vincent Radermecker, who earned for Chevrolet the German ADAC Procar title in 2006.

Having left Monza three weeks ago in the best possible position, as leaders of both the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ provisional standings, the Chevrolet boys are looking forward to further increase their points capital, in a track that should suit well the characteristics of the Cruze.

[source]

Jason Plato led home Championship rival Matt Neal in race two at Oulton Park, as both drivers came through the field to make the podium. Despite damaging his Chevrolet Cruze on the rears of both Team AON cars, Plato’s car held up to allow him to take his second win of the season, putting him back into the Championship lead.
Plato who began the race tenth, only just made the grid after his RML team had to change the clutch on his Chevrolet pre-race. But the 2001 BTCC Champion will be thankful for his team’s efforts, as he survived a late, light shower to hold off Neal and Tom Onslow-Cole for the win.

Post-race though, Plato was critical of Onslow-Cole’s tactics during their on track battle, whilst the Chevrolet driver echoed comments by Gordon Shedden and Rob Collard that the LPG powered Ford Focus was still too fast.

“We’ve got no weight on now and that Ford Focus has got 45kgs on,” said Plato to ITV4, “Yet it’s away down the straights like a lunatic. It must be the weather…”

Asked to reply to Plato’s comments about his driving, Onslow-Cole said of the lap ten incident that saw the Cruze take the lead at the Island hairpin, “I wouldn’t call it a move, I’d call it a crash!”

As in race one, Onslow-Cole had led from the start, holding the lead from Shedden, Collard, Jackson and Chilton.

Collard was removed from proceedings at Island on lap one, as Plato struck the back of Chilton, firing the Focus into the WSR car and rotating it mid-pack. Stranded in the middle of the track and facing the wrong way, MacDowall gently struck the BMW head on, further delaying both cars.

In the chaos Plato was the main benefactor, going around the outside of everyone to move up the order, while Martin Depper was another car facing the wrong way after being taken out by John Georg.

Shedden didn’t last much longer, his Honda Civic breaking its driveshaft at Knickerbrook before crawling back to the pitlane on the grass and out of the race.

Plato made his way past Chilton on lap three, taking a tighter line at Island before eventually out dragging the Focus over Hill Top. Jackson also fell victim to Plato at Island, with Plato giving the Airwaves BMW a rub on entry to force it wide, repayment for the race one clash between the two.

Chilton gradually fell away down the order, allowing Neal and Steven Kane up the ladder, while at the front Plato closed up on Chilton’s Team AON teammate. Despite having the lighter car, it took Plato some laps to get past, and when he eventually did it was with the help of a healthy dose of contact going into Island, that left the front of the Cruze flattened significantly.

With Onslow-Cole slowed at the hairpin, Plato then dived past under braking at the Knickerbrook chicane. Having passed Jackson when he ran wide at Old Hall, Neal then cleanly passed Onslow-Cole at Island and set off in pursuit of Plato.

A light shower towards the end of the race threatened to upset the applecart, but in the end the rain wasn’t enough to cause any changes, with Neal following Plato home, with Onslow-Cole, Jackson and Kane filling the next three positions.

Further back an impressive run from the pitlane by Lea Wood looked set to end in the points at only his second BTCC meeting, but John George had other ideas, piling into the back of his rival Integra runner at Lodge, sending Wood’s machine crunching into the back of David Pinkney.

Both Integra’s were damaged, with George’s eventually expiring in a cloud of steam, while Wood made it across the line in 11th, as in front of him MacDowall pipped Pinkney to ninth right on the line.

Post-race Paul O’Neill, who missed race two with a continuation of his gearbox problems, drew the number nine out of the hat, promoting MacDowall to the race three pole position, where he’ll be joined on the front row by Tom Boardman.

[source]

Those inclined to “buy Ohio” will be able to pick up a Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze this September with a sticker price starting at $16,995, General Motors said yesterday.

At that price, the Cruze, which replaces the Chevrolet Cobalt, will cost about $500 more than a Honda Civic, but GM contends that its car is the better value.

The company’s announcement yesterday included a side-by-side comparison, showing that the Cruze has nine standard features that cost extra on the Civic, including air conditioning, traction control and satellite radio.

“While some of our competitors may have a lower starting price, Cruze wins on value once these competitors are optioned up,” said Jim Campbell, GM’s vice president for marketing, in a statement.

Christina Ra, a Honda spokeswoman, said the comparison isn’t very useful because it uses a basic version of the Civic, without some of the most popular add-ons. Also, she sees little crossover between a potential Civic buyer and a Cruze buyer.

“The target customer may be very different,” she said.

Built at the Lordstown Assembly Plant near Youngstown, the Cruze is GM’s attempt to establish a presence among compact vehicles. In addition to the Civic, the segment includes the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla.

Ohio leaders have a lot riding on the Cruze, which they hope will mark a turnaround for GM’s fortunes in the state, after a long period of layoffs and plant closings. Lordstown was spared in last year’s closings partly because of the investment that had been made in developing the Cruze.

The model already has been introduced in international markets, with about 200,000 vehicles sold. GM had hoped to begin U.S. sales sooner, but there have been delays on the engineering side.

John Wolkonowicz, auto analyst at IHS Global Insight, says the Cruze is one of the most important new products for U.S.-owned automakers in the next year. The others include the redesigned Focus compact and Fiesta subcompact from Ford and the Chevrolet Aveo subcompact.

The four models take aim at parts of the market that have been dominated by foreign-based automakers.

“This is going to put some pricing pressure on the Japanese companies,” Wolkonowicz said.

His main concern about the Cruze is that its styling might be too bland, especially compared with the new Focus.

“The Cruze is a lot more conservative than the Focus,” he said. “That’s not by design, but that’s how it turned out.”

His company is forecasting that the Cruze will sell 169,000 units next year and increase to 180,000 a year by 2013.

Those numbers would be lower than those for the Cobalt, 212,000 of which were sold in 2006.

Wolkonowicz said GM made almost no profit on the Cobalt, but the Cruze is expected to be more of a moneymaker.