General Motors shocased the Cruze at the 2012 Auto Expo. The American automaker will be launching a small upgrade or facelift to the Cruze in the coming months. The Cruze displayed had different head lights (projector ones) and new tail lights. The alloy wheels were also different and were the 5-spoke ones, instead of the 7-spoke ones. The headlights of the Chevrolet Cruze also feature day time running lights, while the brakes lights are now made of LEDs. A shark fin antenna is present instead of the glass antenna. It must be noted that the glass antenna has reception issues when the defogger is activated.

Although the Chevrolet Cruze pictured here might just be for eye candy at the 2012 Auto Expo, the facelifted models most significant change would be the new Z-series engine. The 2.0-liter unit produces 163 BHP of power and 350 Nm of torque, which is a slight bump over the current engine. This engine is slightly better on NVH and cabin insulation has been improved. The interiors get a few upgrades too in the form of two-tone treatment along with the addition of LED illumination. No petrol engine is expected on the Cruze as GM feels that there are very few buyers opting for a petrol powered vehicle in that segment.

The Chevrolet Cruze has surely been a life saver for GM in India, With car companies always launching niche cars for the Indian market, Chevrolet went a step ahead an launched the Cruze which was not a typical Indian car. The Cruze has American styling and aggressiveness written all over it. Chevrolet was skeptical about the sales of the Cruze but the car is selling volumes and created its own space in the D-segment which has cars like the Skoda Laura, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta. The Cruze has been in India for a while and although the car looks always fresh and new in styling, Chevrolet will be launching the a slightly facelifted model in India by next year.

There are no major visual changes to the Cruze and the car still wears that aggressive look and the huge Chevy badge at the front. However slight changes to the exteriors has been done with the fog lamp design looking straight from the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. There are new interiors which are now in two-tone colour and features LED illumination. The boot space was always generous in the Cruze which is retained. The outside noise levels are better controlled in the new Cruze which makes the cabin seen very quiet. The American version of the Cruze is available only with a petrol engine but India will continue to use a diesel heart. The Cruze facelift will see the debut of a new 2.0-liter, Z-series engine which produces 163 bhp of power and around 350 Nm of torque. Expect slight price hike with the launch of the Cruze facelift, which will debut early next year.

General Motors will facelift the Chevrolet Cruze by the end of the year. The American automaker will launch the Cruze facelift with an updated engine. The car will now get a new engine from GM’s family of Z-series engines. The new engine in the updated Cruze will use a 2.0-liter, DOHC, common rail diesel motor, producing 163 bhp of power. A 13 bhp increase from the 150 bhp that the current Cruze produces. The increase in power will be accompanied by a slight boost in torque levels too (around 30 Nm) and the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze will also feature a mild cosmetic update. The Cruze is a rocket (read our Cruze review here) and the increase in power will only make it quicker.

The Chevrolet Cruze is a fantastic car, but lacks the comfort at the rear seats which customers expect from a car of this segment. Thus, taking customer feedback into due consideration, GM has also redesigned the rear seats to improve headroom. The recent entry of rivals in the D-segment has created stiff competition for the Cruze, which still manages to sell in decent numbers. GM don’t want the entrance of new cars to affect the sales of the Cruze and thus have decided to keep the Cruze competitive enough to be the segment leader. With the new Volkswagen Jetta being launched on the 17th of August, the Cruze facelift is being done at a very right time. Expect slight increase in prices to the tune of Rs. 20,000/- with the launch of the updated model.

Source – ACI

The Chevrolet Cruze is one car, which came and conquered the D-segment owing to the sheer value it offered its customers. However being a luxury car, it never looked sporty. But we Indians love sports car more than we like luxury automobiles. Thus a Cruze owner has gone ahead by changing the headlights, wheels, bumper of his car. The new headlights look smashing with DRL (day time running lights) and projectors. The wheels and skirts make the Cruze look sporty at the side, whereas the rear now sports a subtle rear spoiler, new bumper and dual twin exhausts. Overall the Cruze looks sporty, yet the modifications don’t look overdone.

General Motors India has launched the new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Jet Black, priced at Rs. 11,92,602/- (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Cruze Jet Black as the name suggests features jet black interiors with titanium stitching, iPod docking facility, single CD changer, vanity mirror with light, bluetooth audio system with mobile pairing and improved plastic quality. There are no mechanical changes to the car whatsoever and the Cruze continues to be powered by the fantastic 2.0 Liter VCDi Diesel Engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is now available in two new colours, Switch Blade Silver and Sandrift Grey. Do you like the new Chevrolet Cruze Jet Black edition?

“The new Cruze combines powerful performance with jet-black interiors that redefine luxury. The introduction of the new Chevrolet Cruze is a testament to the importance that GM India attaches to maximize customer satisfaction. At GM India, we always try to work on the feedback we receive from our customers. We have made some exciting changes in the Cruze to make it even more alluring and attractive,” Karl Slym, President and MD, GM India said.

The full production version of the new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback is shown for the first time at Geneva. The launch is perfect timing for Chevrolet, with the manufacturer celebrating winning the World Touring Car Championship for the first time with the Cruze four door in December, 2010. The introduction of a new hatchback version gives customers an alternative body style to the award-winning sedan and is further evidence of Chevrolet’s intention to bring value for money to all mainstream segments in Europe. The compact segment in Europe represents a quarter of the total market and hatchbacks play a critical role, representing around 65% of all compact segment sales. Launch in India is highly unlikely as hot hatches don’t really sell here.

With its attractive sweeping coupe roofline and short overhangs at both the front and rear, the new Cruze hatchback has the same dynamic ‘stance’ as the sedan and will be instantly recognizable. The hatchback uses the same body-frame integral system (BFI) to ensure taut ride and handling, well suited to European tastes. It has already convinced Chevrolet customers around the world , with the Cruze notchback exceeding forecasts in 2010 to become the brand’s best-selling passenger car. Cargo capacity for the Cruze hatchback is close to 400 liters and it will feature 60/40 split rear seating. On sale is scheduled for mid 2011.

Chevrolet’s designers developed the Cruze Z-Spec concept to reflect the car’s global roots, but give it a uniquely American aesthetic. The Z-Spec concept demonstrates a cohesive design with a family of factory-engineered accessories and the best of the aftermarket under a single theme. The Cruze’s JDSU SpectraFlair Orange Metallic exterior color and racing-inspired graphics give the car can’t-miss-it distinction, while the ground effects, rear spoiler and other exterior cues are de rigueur among tuner enthusiasts. The same goes for the car’s interior trim kit, shift knob and racing-style pedals. The Cruze Z-Spec concept is powered by the Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine and a six-speed manual transmission.

Chevrolet Cruze Z-Spec Concept Highlights : -

Exterior
* JDSU Medium Dark SpectraFlair Orange Metallic color
* Custom Z-Spec graphics
* Gloss white and matte gray custom graphic stripes (Graphic Concepts)
* Ground effects kit
* Rear spoiler
* High-flow grille with body-color surround trim
* Accessory front fog lamp kit
* BBS 19-inch wheels

Interior
* Interior trim kit with custom perforated, leather-trimmed instrument panel and doors
* Custom flat-bottom, leather-wrapped steering wheel with Z-Spec logo
* Recaro leather-trimmed, racing-style seats
* Custom Z-Spec embroidered floor mats

Performance
* Pedders sport springs and suspension components
* Brembo brake kit
* Borla high-flow exhaust system
* K&N cold-air intake system

General Motors has announced a demonstration project to explore market needs and customer acceptance of battery electric vehicles in Korea. The project involves a fleet of electric vehicles based on the successful Chevrolet Cruze. The result of shared development with GM Daewoo, LG Chemical and LG Electronics, the electric Cruzes will be part of a demo fleet that will operate in South Korea’s capital, Seoul. On a standard household 220-volt outlet, the Cruze EV can be fully recharged in 8 to 10 hours. Part of the demonstration fleet’s task is to test a “quick charge” application that could reduce the charge time significantly. While battery packs often occupy trunk space, the Cruze EV’s battery pack is mounted on the underbody. This gives the Cruze EV the same trunk space as conventional vehicles with gasoline engines.

The Cruze EV is equipped with an LG Chemical 31-kWh battery that delivers a maximum power of 150 kW. Analysis and early testing done by GM and LG Chemical indicate the demonstration vehicles may achieve a range of up to 160 km (100 miles) on specific test schedules. The demonstration fleet will be monitored closely to determine the amount of real-world range achievable by a vehicle of its size. The vehicles can go from 0 to 100 km/h (60 miles per hour) in 8.2 seconds with a maximum speed of 165 km/h (102.5 miles per hour).

The Cruze EV demo fleet will be the first compact sedan electric vehicles to hit the road and will be powered by batteries from LG Chemical and propulsion systems (motor/inverter) from LG Electronics. GM’s EV demo fleet in South Korea will consist of Chevrolet Cruzes and GM Daewoo Lacetti Premieres. GM currently markets the vehicle under the local brand in South Korea.

Contray to what Mr. Karl Slym recently said, General Motors is planning to launch a petrol version of the Chevrolet Cruze. The company is in its final stages of launching the Cruze Petrol which is expected to sport a 1.4 liter turbo-charged ECOTEC motor. Enhanced with its exhaust driven turbocharger, the Chevrolet Cruze’s Ecotec 1.4L turbo performs like a larger engine when needed, but retains the efficiency of a small displacement 4-cylinder in most driving conditions. It is standard on LT and LTZ models, with power ratings estimated at 138 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque. The launch is expected this festive season.

Well don’t get confused reading the title of this post. General Motors has indeed asked its 3,000 Chevrolet dealers in the U.S to purchase a Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Now you would think why would the company do that? Well for obvious reasons. The Cruze is one of GM’s biggest bets in the States and its imperative the car hits the right chords and becomes a success. Thus, to showcase the Cruze to be a better alternative then its Japanese rivals, the company has chosen to let the buyer decide for himself by looking at all the alternatives at a Chevy dealer. The Cruze will be launched in the States by the end of this month.