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CHEVROLET CRUZE: ALL-NEW SEDAN DELIVERS GREAT LOOKS AND OUTSTANDING FUEL ECONOMY

Posted on 19. Dec, 2008 by webmestre in North America, Uncategorized

CHEVROLET CRUZE: ALL-NEW SEDAN DELIVERS GREAT LOOKS AND OUTSTANDING FUEL ECONOMY

DETROIT – The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze makes its North American debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The all-new, compact sedan with coupe-like design proportions, midsize-like interior and trunk space, and great fuel efficiency will go on sale in the United States and Canada in the first half of 2010.

In North America, the Cruze will be powered by an optional new, 1.4L Turbo engine that is expected to deliver better fuel economy than the current leader in this segment, the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE that is rated at 37 mpg on the highway.

“Around the world, Chevrolet stands for expressive value and that’s exactly what the Cruze delivers,” said Ed Peper, GM North America vice president, Chevrolet. “The Cruze’s combination of great design, strong performance and outstanding fuel economy makes it a compelling choice.”

Cruze is the result of a development process harnessing GM’s global expertise and is the first of a new family of compact products that will deliver world-class quality. It will be backed by expected highest scores in all major crash safety ratings.

Vehicle highlights include:

* New 1.4L four-cylinder turbo engine with E85 capability
* New 1.8L four-cylinder
* Six-speed automatic and manual transmissions
* Front, side-impact and roof rail head curtain air bags
* OnStar
* Bluetooth and USB connectivity
* Electronic stability control with rollover sensing

The Cruze will be offered in base, LS, LT and LTZ models. Production for North American models will take place at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant, while the 1.4L Turbo engine for North America will be manufactured in Flint, Mich.

“The Chevy Cruze built and sold in North America will differ only slightly in markets around the world,” said Peper. “Only market-specific features will distinguish the global models and all will proudly wear the Chevy Bowtie on the grille.”

Arching roofline

The new Chevy Cruze’s design is distinguished with a bold “face” that is becoming the signature look for Chevrolet models around the globe, as well as an arching roofline that gives the car a sporty, coupe-like proportion.

“The Cruze reinterprets the traditional sedan with drama, confidence and a decidedly upscale presence,” said Taewan Kim, chief designer. “It is a refreshing, exciting design that advances Chevrolet’s character around the world.”

Large headlamp housings are incorporated in the front-end design. They wrap around the corners and sweep upward in the fenders and sculpted hood. The headlamps flank a two-tier grille that features the iconic Bowtie logo between the horizontal openings.

An arching roofline extends from the Cruze’s steeply raked windshield to fast-sloping rear pillars, culminating at a short rear deck. It’s a profile typically found on sports coupes and gives the Cruze a decidedly aggressive look that is complemented by a wide, confidant stance.

The Cruze is wider and longer than most of its competitors, with minimal overhangs around the wheels. Taut, tightly drawn bodywork conveys solidity, while restrained use of exterior trim enhances the car’s high-quality feel.

That bold yet purposeful design ethic and attention to detail carries over to the interior, where a Corvette-inspired twin-cockpit motif is matched with high-quality materials and exceptional assembly tolerances. Grained, soft-touch components and low-gloss trim panels exude a quality that is uncommon in the segment, while conveniences such as Bluetooth and USB inputs offer customers the latest connectivity options.

Turbocharged efficiency

Pumped up with its exhaust-driven turbocharger, the Cruze’s 1.4L Turbo performs like a larger engine when needed, but retains the efficiency of a small-displacement four-cylinder in most driving conditions. Its power-boosting advantage comes from forcing more air into the engine than a non-boosted engine would draw normally; power ratings are estimated at 140 horsepower (104 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm).

The 1.4L Turbo is part of GM’s family of global small-displacement engines. They are designed with fuel efficiency in mind, including technology such as full variable valve timing that optimizes performance and fuel economy across the rpm band. Carefully matched transmissions, including a six-speed automatic available on the Cruze, further enhance performance and fuel economy.

In addition to the 1.4L Turbo, the Cruze will also be offered in North America with an efficient 1.8L four-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable camshafts. It is rated at an estimated 138 horsepower (103 kW).
Source General Motors

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Tags: Chevrolet, Cruze, Motorshows, NAIAS