The Chevrolet Cruze is based on the Global Delta Platform, GM’s platform for compact front-wheel drive sedans and hatchbacks – and last year’s Paris Auto Show revealed the Cruze hatch and gave hints as to where this might still be going.

The addition of a 2,0-litre turbo-diesel powered variant to the Cruze range adds a significant other to the range. The single overhead camshaft, 16-valve, intercooled turbo diesel – with electronic control of the turbo-charger – produces 110 kW at 4 000 r/min with maximum torque of 320 Nm delivered at 2 000 r/min. Drive is via a 5-speed manual transmission.

To keep the price low, Chevrolet does not use the latest engines but rather chooses proven technology off the shelf. The diesel engine performs well, but emits an old-fashioned lorry-like noise, while some of the most modern diesel engines run as smoothly as a petrol engine. Significantly, the Cruze 2.0D LT delivers exceptional fuel economy. Our test cycle got consumption as low as 5.2 L/100 km for the extra-urban cycle with an actual overall average of 6.1 L/100 km.

The Cruze carries a very bold and modern hood with a high crown and prominent strakes led by a large bowtie Chevrolet logo. The front grille is a black honeycomb mesh separated by a body-coloured crossbar with chrome surrounds, and dual bezel headlamps, which protrude until the front fenders. The roofline of the Chevrolet Cruze is coupé-like and the crisp swage line makes the shoulder of the Cruze look low. The apparently low shoulder and large wheels give the Chevrolet sedan a muscular look. The sedan’s long wheelbase of 2 685 mm with little overhang front and rear, shallow greenhouse, flared wheel arches, seven-spoke alloys and the light line above the rocker panels all make the Cruze look purposeful.

The Cruze’s monocoque has a Body-Frame Integral structure made of high-strength steel. The Chevrolet Cruze scored a 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP ratings and did well in both occupant and pedestrian safety. The side structure features two large, single-piece, body pressings that include the door openings. The inner and outer stampings are precision welded together with a tolerance of no more than 2 mm along the length of the vehicle. Apart from adding rigidity to the body structure, these side pressings enable the exterior body panels to be fitted more accurately for the quality finish and panel fit that characterises the Cruze. The engine and transmission are mounted on a sub-frame isolated from the main body structure by four rubber mountings. This helps minimise the amount of road noise and vibration transferred into the cabin of the vehicle and facilitates tuning of the ride and handling characteristics.

From the driver’s seat, everything feels good – the car does not feel big except for the long bonnet. The steering wheel feels meaty and is just as big as we would like it to be. The mirrors are usefully large. There is more than enough legroom and headroom for the front occupants and the 450-litre boot capacity is more than enough for most needs. Our only gripe, the slightly high sill that makes loading heavy items a bit of a chore.

On the road, the Cruze tends to lean towards a more relaxed driving style making an excellent motorway companion, clocking up miles with ease and making light work of overtaking with the available torque. Twisty roads are not the Cruze’s forte though as it struggles to keep pace with the more dynamic cars in its class. There is a tendency to understeer around tighter bends, and there is a helping of body roll when a quick change of direction is needed. MacPherson struts are utilised in the front suspension with a solid torsion beam axle for the rear, avoiding the costly multi-link independent rear suspension used by some more expensive rivals. Hydraulically assisted rack and pinion steering gives for a 10,9-metre turning circle. Braking-wise, ventilated front, and solid rear disc brakes are employed, both using piston steel callipers. The Cruze brakes very well and an emergency stop is performed with some drama (screaming tyres, not keeping a straight line), but the braking distance is very short indeed.

To counteract noise, vibration, and harshness, engineers have designed the Cruze with an isolated four-point engine mount and implemented sound damping material in areas including the front-of-dashboard panel, luggage compartment, deckled internals, doors, carpet and headlining. Further noise suppression using a triple-layer sealing system in the doors has also been employed.

The Cruze 2.0D LT offers excellent specification that includes alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, power windows front and rear, power side mirrors and central locking. With its ‘LT’ specification level, the new Cruze 2.0D LT expands on this to offer a full suite of luxury features including full air bag protection including curtain side air bags (six air bags), front loading six-CD sound system, leather covered steering wheel with satellite audio controls, leather seat covers, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, rear park assist, rain sensing windscreen wipers, cruise control and auto lights on function. Wheels on this model are 7JX17 inch alloys fitted with 215/50R17 tyres.

The diesel engine is an added dimension to the range that will provide many benefits to cash-conscious families and business people.

What we like…

• Fair performance and excellent fuel economy.
• Level of specification for the money.
• Solid build and plenty of space.

What we would like…

• An intelligent key system so you can’t lock the key in the boot 250 km from home on New Years day!

The all-new Chevrolet Cruze sedan has been launched in South Africa. The car made its first SA appearance at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in October last year and we had a sneak peak of the pre-production version in August. Now, finally, we’ve been able to get behind the wheel of the new Chevrolet Cruze to form our first impressions.

In a land of typically drab family four-door sedan’s, the new Cruze offers and edgy alternative. Bold looks defined by semi-flared wheel arches, 17-inch wheels on the range topping LT, large front grille, strong shoulder line and uniquely styled head and tail-lights provide the Cruze with enough design elements to distinguish it from those of its competitors – think Corolla, Focus, Mazda3 and most recently Cerato.

The distinct design of the outside is continued on the inside with a comfortable and well appointed interior. The centre console divides the cockpit in two and flows from the dashboard into the transmission tunnel, incorporating the handbrake and arm rest. The ‘dual cockpit’ experience is also echoed by the door trim, which extends from the dashboard along the driver and passenger doors.

The centre console, with its brushed aluminum look surrounds, houses the controls for the radio/6-disc CD-Changer, climate control and information display – all lit up in an attractive ‘ice white’ blue. The drivers instrumentation cluster is lit up in the same manner and provides all the necessary information one would expect to find, including trip computer and fuel consumption. Good insulation means wind and road noise do not intrude and the quality finish of the interior adds to the refinement.

Interior space is adequate with the cloth seats in the ‘L’ and ‘LS’ models providing good support. The driving position is adjustable both in terms of seat height and position, as well as steering wheel height and reach. Rear passengers receive a shared centre armrest with integrated cup holders, as well as a 12-volt power socket for keeping that Sony PSP, or other essential gadget, charged during long trips. The Cruze is a family oriented sedan and offers a large 530-litres of boot space, enough to comfortably swallow luggage for those school holiday trips.

The Cruze has been launched with the choice of either a 1,6 or 1,8-litre petrol engine producing 83 kW with 153 N.m of torque and 104 kW with 176 N.m respectively. A 2,0-litre turbocharged diesel engine is set to join the current model line-up towards the middle of 2010. Driving the cars through the hills of KwaZulu-Natal, we found ourselves swapping cogs to maintain our pace, however both engines performed as expected for their capacities. Interestingly, both the 1.6 and 1.8-litre models we drove averaged 9.6 l/100km on our 180 km route, although Chevrolet claim 6.7 l/100km for the 1,6-litre and 6.8l/100km for the 1,8-litre petrol engine on the combined cycle.

The ride is comfortable and we never found ourselves having to ‘shuffle’ in our seat during our time with the Cruze. Handling from the new Chev is adequate and carried us through KZN’s twists and turns like a bowl of vanilla ice-cream and hot chocolate sauce through dessert – it’s okay, but it wouldn’t crack a status update on Facebook. Steering input is responsive although somewhat ‘over assisted’ by the power-steering, meaning we occasionally found ourselves turning into a corner tighter than expected.

Overall, our initial impressions of the new Chevrolet Cruze are that of a well put together, well appointed, stylish and value for money addition to the family-sedan market. If you’re looking to cruise in relative style and comfort without breaking the bank, then the Cruze should be on your shortlist.

Early last month we made mention that the all new Chevrolet Cruze had landed on our shores for testing and homologation. Well, a month later Chev have given us a sneak peak of the new car, ahead of the scheduled launch at the end of September.

The new Cruze is the first ‘world car’ to be produced by Chev and paves the way for a plethora of small vehicles in the GM family, including the next generation Opel Astra and a compact MPV to replace the Zafira.

A pronounced grille, striking headlights and a high shoulder-line give the Cruze a unique and coupe-esque look. The Cruze will be available in three specifications levels – L, LS and LT. The L and LS feature a 5-speed manual transmission and 16-inch alloy wheels, while the LT model receives a set of 17-inch alloys and a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

GMSA has not finalised the product range and specification but it is likely that the Cruze will initially be offered with a choice of 1,6 or 1,8-litre VVT petrol engines, with a 2,0-litre common-rail diesel to follow. The 1,6 litre engine is said to produce 83 kW with 153 N.m of torque at 4200 rpm, while the 1,8-litre produces around 104 kW and 176 N.m of torque at 6200 rpm. With 110 kW and 320 N.m of torque from around 2000 rpm, the 2,0-litre turbo diesel offers a claimed 5.6l/100km in the combined cycle.

Watch this space as we’ll be bringing you our first impressions of the car in late September. In the meantime take a look at the all new Chevrolet Cruze in the gallery below.