Chevy recently unveiled the U.S. version of the Cruze, which has long been popular in Europe and China but has yet to hit the North American market. But once it does, Motor Trend says that it’ll rival the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic for the top spot for most popular compact car. Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet’s product marketing manager, stated in a press release that the Chevy Cruze “will shake up the compact segment, with a more spacious interior and more cargo room than the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.”
The North American of the Chevy Cruze will be built at General Motor’s Lordstown, Ohio plant and will feature a new engine turbocharged Ecotec 1.4-liter, DOHC I-4 with variable valve timing with a rating of 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. As a departure from typical turbocharged engines, the recommended fuel for Chevy Cruze is regular unleaded, rather than premium. This promises a bit more oomph than the Asian version of the Cruze, which was not turbocharged.
Another notable anomaly for its class – the Chevy Cruze is one of the few compacts to offer a six-speed manual transmission as an alternative to the standard automatic transmission. Other standard features include GM’s StabiliTrak stability control, 10 air bags, traction control, anti-lock brakes and electric power steering.
The Cruze is also touted for its efficiency, with an estimated 40 miles per gallon highway driving. The electric power steering mentioned above also helps save fuel by removing the conventional power steering pump from the accessories driven by the engine. The LS model of the Chevy Cruze comes with an Ecotec 1.8-liter four-cylinder which, like its 1.4-liter counterpart, utilizes “full variable valve timing” that “optimizes performances and fuel economy across the rpm band.”
In-cabin amenities are also a strong selling point for this car with Bluetooth, USB connectivity, navigation system, XM Satellite Radio and OnStar as available features. The interior is inspired by the Corvette’s twin-cockpit motif and features LED backlit instrument panels with a combination of analog displays and a digital driver information center.
On the outside, the Cruze is attractive, albeit not particularly groundbreaking. The Cruze sports a two-tier grille with Chevy’s bowtie logo and an arching roofline that connects the steeply raked windshield to the sporty, coupe-like rear pillars. The headlamp housings are swept back and upwards and the wheels have minimal front and rear overhangs that give the Cruze an overall “aggressive look that is complemented by a wide, confident stance.”
The public is expected to get its first glimpse of the Chevy Cruze at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show on December 2 and the car is expected to be on sale in the U.S. by Fall 2010.
