I’ve known about the Chevrolet Cruze for about two years now. Internationally it’s been around for just over a year and in South Africa it’s been about two months. Sorry to tell you about it this late but I only got my hands on it at the launch yesterday.
Having eyeballed left-hand-drive versions it was quite a pleasure to finally meet one eye to eye. I liked the pictures, especially the interior but I fell for the real thing. Admittedly I hadn’t expected miracles; after all, Chevy pulled out of the country during the days of apartheid and upon their return they gave us the Optra. Apparently while not a lot of motor media are fond of the Optra (I’m gobsmacked), it sells quite well and gives its owners endless pleasure.
Mind you the Cruze is set at a higher level. Its dimensions are 4.5m long, 1.8m wide and 1.5m high, making it a true family car with a spacious interior. The main development centres involved in its engineering are in South Korea, Australia, the US and Germany. It is the first General Motors car to use the new Delta II platform which now houses vehicles like the Astra. One Volt will also use same platform.
My feeling is the Cruze is headed in the direction of success with the correct powertrain setup. The two engine derivatives available in Mzansi for now are the 1.6-litre and the 1.8-litre. There is a 2-litre turbo diesel coming in late 2009 or in early 2010.
The 16V DOHC 1.6-litre comes in two trim levels, L and LS with different specification levels. Maximum power is 80kW at 6400 and peak torque is 150Nm at 4000. Our drive in the Durban/ Pietermaritzburg areas exposed this motor as being on the weaker side, so hopes lay thick on the more preppy 1.8-litre to redeem things. So it did. While the two are clearly not for robot-to-robot dicing, the 1.8 does provide brave acceleration and good in-gear performance. Its power and torque figures are as follows: 104kW at 6200rpm and 176Nm at 3800rpm. Trim levels for the 1.8 are the LS and the LT. All four models, except for the 1.8 LT, come fitted standard with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Said LT has a new 6-speed automatic which works really well for the fuel-saver.
Driver position is highly adjustable with the seat and the steering wheel able to set up to anyone’s taste and comfort. While on the steering wheel, I found it quite entertaining with loads of grip and sports appeal. You do just want to drive.
If you’ve ever laid your eyes on the Opel Insignia then you’d know what a stunning mid-sized car that is, inside and out. No wonder it was voted European Car of the Year. Sadly General Motors South Africa has no plans to sell that excellent-looking car here. Anyways the Cruze takes after it in its interior styling. The kinky V shapes seem to converge on the centre console where knobs and other controls are located. Its surfaces are smooth and feel solid, frankly something not recently associated with Chevys. Will let you know just how well-built (or not) the Cruze is when it’s done its time as our long-term car for the next six months or year.
Features included as standard across the range are power steering, a tilting steering wheel, colour coded bumpers, power windows all around, air conditioning (climate control in the LT), three airbags, an immobiliser, a radio/ CD player and an on-board trip computer.
The Cruze runs on 6.5Jx16/205/60R16 with 205/60R16-92V tyres in standard garb while the range-topping 1.8 LT gets 7Jx17/215/50R17 with 215/50R17-91V tyres.
All models come with a 3 year/60 000km maintenance plan, a 5 year/120 000km warranty and 15 000km service intervals.
Cruze goes on sale immediately at prices said to be competitive with its nearest segment rivals.
Chevrolet Cruze Pricing
Cruze 1.6 L (R174 192)
Cruze 1.6 LS (R186 126)
Cruze 1.8 LS (R204 133)
Cruze 1.8 LT auto (R244 440)
