Cruising along on the freeways of the country will get an all new meaning in 2011, once Chevrolet launches its all new Chevrolet Cruze, a succcessor to the soon to be defunct Chevrolet Cobalt.
Already available in various markets across the world, Chevrolet is perhaps leaving the best for last – for it’s home country when it brings in the truly futuristic 2011 Cruze into the US market as Chevy’s all new entry into the compact segment [Take a peak at what it will look like here].
Developed by a global design and engineering team, the Cruze brings to the fore, all that Chevy has been trying to deliver to its customers for a while now – exceptional value in a compact that offers a truly smart design.
Although originally in production since 2001, the Cruze actually spans across two different generations of two completely unrelated vehicles, which came out of two different ventures of Suzuki-GM and Subaru-GM. It is only 2008 onwards that the Cruze was brought within the fold of GM in its entirety and therefore, came to be known as the Chevrolet Cruze, replacing both the Chevrolet Cobalt and the Daewoo Lacetti Premiere, again two completely unrelated cars.
Not much is known about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze just yet as its predecessor, the Cobalt is still in production. However, considering the fact that the Cruze is already available in other markets of the world, we will look at the specifications of some of the Cruzes in other parts of the world and cruise along from there…!
The places where the Cruze is currently in production across the world include Bupyeong-gu in Incheon, South Korea; Halol in India; Shenyang in China; and Saint Petersburg in Russia. 2010 onwards, the Cruze will begin to be manufactured at the following other locations – Elizabeth in South Australia, Australia; Lordstown in Ohio, United States; and in Rayong, Thailand.
The European Chevrolet Cruze as seen at the PSM 2009 in Poznan, Poland
Specifications-wise, the Cruze is a front-engine, front-wheel drive, 4-door sedan compact car, built on the GM Delta II platform. The Cruze has a wheelbase of 2,685 mm (105.17 in), with an overall length of 4,597 mm (181.0 in) and a width of 1,788 mm (70.4 in) as well as a height of 1,477 mm (58.1 in). The body structure is 65 percent high-strength steel. While MacPherson struts have been used in front, the rear has a solid torsion beam axle, forgoing the more costly multi-link independent rear suspension, commonly seen in similar offerings from Chevy’s competitors.
Noise isolation is one aspect that has been particularly looked into, in the Chevrolet Cruze. In addition to an isolated four-point engine mount which by itself helps to cut down external noise, vibration and harshness getting to the interiors, sound damping material has been put inside various parts of the car including the front-of-dashboard panel, luggage compartment, decklid internals, doors, carpet and headlining. Additional efforts have been made to cut out exterior noise (the Chevy guys really seem to detest noise in their business, quite literally!) by using a triple-layer sealing system in the doors.
A Peak Into the Interior of the European Chevrolet Cruze
Engine options on the Cruze include the 1.6 litre Family 1 four-cylinder, a 1.8 litre version of the same and a 2.0 litre VM Motori RA 420 SOHC turbocharged common rail diesel engine. All the three are in turn coupled with either a five-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic transmission that features Porsche’s manumatic automatic transmission technology, Active Select.
In terms of markets, as mentioned earlier, the Cruze will replace the Cobalt in the North American market. Production will begin only in the spring of 2010, for the car to finally emerge as a 2011 model. This particular version will be powered by a turbocharged 1.4 litre gasoline direct injection engine. Other markets where the Cruze is already available include various parts of Europe wherein the Cruze is being exported from the South Korean factory in Incheon; in India where the Cruze, manufactured at GM’s own factory at Halol in the state of Gujarat, was launched on 12 October 2009 with two variants, LT and LTZ, both powered by a diesel (VCDi) engine [Get a complete lowdown on the Indian Cruze here]; China; Egypt and South Africa.
In conclusion, looking at all of the car’s features and the prices at which the car sells in the markets it is currently sold in, the Cruze offers excellent value for money in the compact car segment. With oodles of style and charisma, this is one bow-tie offering you would love to adorn…and cruise along!