Cruze Chat » Chevy Cruze

GM Releases pricing for U.K Cruze

admin — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:08:20 +0000

Chevy U.K has officially released pricing and information on the upcoming Chevy Cruze. The Cruze will be offered in 9 different trim levels and 3 engine choices. Sometimes less is more, which we suspect will be this case. Too much complexity and the potential customers will be running away in confusion.

CHEVROLET ‘CRUZES’ AHEAD ON PRICE…

* Price announced for Cruze, from £11,545 on-the-road
* Exceptional spec levels even on entry-level car
* On sale from July 2009

Keeping an eye on money has never been more topical, and the good news for Chevrolet customers is that the all-new Cruze will be true to the brand’s traditional value-for-money ethics despite its premium styling and build quality.

The newcomer, which has the stance of a four-door coupe, will start from just £11,545 on-the-road, and will arrive at UK Chevrolet retailers in July.

It will be offered with a choice of four engines – 1.6 (113PS) and 1.8-litre (141PS) petrols featuring variable valve timing for maximum performance and efficiency, plus two diesels, both 2.0-litres and with a choice of 125PS or 150PS power outputs. Automatic transmission will be offered on the petrol models.

The range will kick off with the 1.6 S, which enjoys a comprehensive list of standard equipment despite its value price tag. As well as remote central locking, the model features follow-me-home lighting, a feature normally reserved for premium cars, a quality CD-radio system, electric front windows, a fully-adjustable driver’s seat and steering wheel, six airbags, ESC, upmarket soft-touch cabin materials, and premium blue-backlit dashboard dials. The 1.6S A/C model, at £11,995, also adds air conditioning.

The LS model, expected to be the best-seller in the range, starts at only £12,595 for the 1.6 manual variant and includes air conditioning as standard, plus other upmarket features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, a chrome edged radiator grille, front fog lights and reverse parking sensors.

Flagship of the range will be the LT, which comes in 1.8 petrol or 2.0-litre diesel guise, starting at £13,595. For that, you get a list of specification that’s truly befitting of a luxury car, including cruise control, climate control, an automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror, an upgraded high-output stereo, electric rear windows, chrome detailing and 17-inch alloy wheels, plus the option of an integrated satellite navigation system.

The Cruze will also spearhead Chevrolet’s campaign in the 2009 World Touring Car Championship, which kicked off on March 8 in Curitiba, Brazil. The UK round of the WTCC takes place at Brands Hatch on July 19 – just in time to coincide with the car’s UK introduction.

Chevrolet Orlando to be built on Cruze platform

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:15:17 +0000

General Motors has confirmed that it will bring a production version of last year’s Chevrolet Orlando concept vehicle to the United States in 2011, reversing an earlier decision to only sell the vehicle overseas. The Orlando will likely be built at GM’s Hamtramck plant in Michigan, however there is still a chance that a cheaper imported version may be sourced from South Korea.

Sitting on the same platform as the recently revealed Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan, the Orlando will be able to seat up to seven adults and will be powered by a range of engines displacing between 1.6 and 2.0L. The most powerful model will be a 2.0L turbodiesel with 150hp (112kW) and 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque. According to latest reports, GM is also considering using its Volt plug-in hybrid technology in the Orlando.

“I would point out that the Chevrolet Orlando is built on the same basic vehicle architecture and component set as the Chevrolet Volt,” GM’s vice president of global program management, Jon Lauckner, revealed to Automotive News. “So if it makes sense, it’s certainly something we can take a look at.”

Furthermore, GM’s president of North America, Troy Clarke, said the Orlando’s platform was “very adaptable” to sharing the Volt technology.

Even without any hybrid technology, Chevrolet promises highway fuel economy of around 40mpg (5.88L/100km) for a petrol-powered Orlando, and a more efficient diesel version also in the works is also being considered for U.S. sale.

Cruze Wagon a possibility

admin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:30:50 +0000

According to a recent interview by Hans Demant, vice president of engineering for General Motors Europe, the addition of a wagon or coupe style to the Chevy Cruze is only a matter of time. The possibility of a Wagon or coupe version of the upcoming Chevy Cruze is fairly cost efficient due to the already available tooling that the sedan version will be produced with.

“And as soon as you have a tool set, you have variation which you can create basically at no cost,” Demant told Automotive News. “You have a customer advantage if you make a little modification while you’re doing that.”

Hatchbacks are more popular in Europe, while in North America the Coupe is a sure winner after the success of the Cobalt SS.

General Motors is not confirming if they are bringing different bodystyles of the Cruze to this side of the pond, however the line would not be complete without at least a 2 door sports car.

GM Launched Cruze in Korea

admin — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:11:33 +0000

Branded as the Daewoo Lacetti, the Chevy Cruze has been passed onto the population of South Korea. A nation known for it’s small cars, the asian version of the Cruze will fit right in.

The same cannot be said about the European and North American versions. With the European economies declaring a recession and General Motors asking for government support, the future of the Cruze is uncertain.

The Cruze was to go on sale in Europe in March 2009 and in the United States in mid 2010 as a replacement for the aging Cobalt line. To be built in Ohio, the next generation global small car will have a fuel efficinent 1.4L engine along with a 6 speed transmission.

As of the latest news, GM will be delaying the Cruze for a year, along with most of it’s other vehicle launches as a result of weakening market demand and widening losses.

Cruze to debut in Paris

admin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:05:45 +0000

Well folks, the Cruze will be out in early October at the Paris Motor Show. Should be very interesting to see what other information leaks out in the meantime about it’s final design, as well as it’s option base.

I believe that North American manufacturers are trying to provide premium luxuries for compact vehicles, which we have seen in European markets, such as Navigation and distance control. It will enhance the current product offerings, such as the new redesigned Malibu and show that GM is serious about retaining market share by delivering vehicles the market wants.

PRESS RELEASE

Chevrolet Cruze

A new name and a new design for an all-new car

Detroit – Chevrolet announced today that its all-new entry in the compact segment will be called Cruze. The new Chevrolet will make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October.

Cruze was developed by a global design and engineering team and will be built in multiple locations around the world. The Cruze approaches an overall length of 4.6 meters and offers ample interior space and cargo capacity for five passengers, giving it an advantage over competition in the compact segment.

The Cruze features Chevrolet’s new global design language that will continue to be a signature element for future vehicles carrying the gold bowtie. Combined with high safety standards and excellent build quality, Chevrolet will again deliver on its promise of offering a very attractive package at an exceptional value.

The new Chevrolet Cruze will be available in European markets in Spring 2009, followed by other global regions.