Cruze Fastback

A fastback future

Although Chevrolet has had a growing presence in the German market over the last couple of years the penetration of the marque… with cars mostly built in South Korea… has not been satisfactory for the concern. The compact Cruze is up against rivals made in France, Italy and the Far East and has sold only slowly. 2,200 new vehicle registrations this year amount to just a tenth of the sales of the Volkswagen Golf in a single month. But the importer based in Rüsselsheim is optimistic. Until now the Cruze was only on sale in in an unloved notchback version… the five-door model should find greater acceptance, particularly with an entry-level price-tag of just 14,990 Euros.

Automatic transmission is offered with the 1.8 litre petrol fuelled motor with 141 horsepower or the two-litre diesel with 163 horsepower (120 kW). But for this latter the price rises to 23,850 Euros.

Automatic only with the bigger engine

This investment gives the buyer an auto powered by a 1.6 litre petrol engine putting out 124 horsepower (91 kW). This motorization comes only with manual transmission since it is believed that an automatic will have little appeal at this level of performance. Automatic transmission is, however, offered to those who go for the bigger 1.8 litre petrol fuelled motor with 141 horsepower (104 kW) or the two-litre diesel with 163 horsepower (120 kW). But for this latter version the price rises to 23,850 Euros.

Chevrolet managing director Steffen Raschig didn’t hesitate to compare the car’s cockpit configuration with that of the legendary first-generation Corvettes.

Corvette fantasies

Anyone with celebrated ancestors happily basks in their reflected glory. And so when the fastback Cruze was presented to the trade Chevrolet managing director Steffen Raschig didn’t hesitate to compare the car’s cockpit configuration with that of the legendary first-generation Corvettes. It was the ‘dual cockpit’ look, with the central console shaped that so that both driver and front-seat passenger are embraced by their own nacelle and this is reflected in the new Cruze. The materials used in the car’s interior are varied but fail to conceal the fact that this is an auto which has been subjected to stringent cost controlling in its manufacture. Instruments and controls are nevertheless well organized and legible.

The Cruze claims a standard load volume of 413 litres, but due to the sharply sloping roof line this rises only to 883 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Limited practicality

The Cruze claims a standard load volume of 413 litres, but due to the sharply sloping roof line this rises only to 883 litres with the rear seats folded down. The loading sill is also a bit to high off the ground. The front seats are comfortable and stable but three adults in the back will be unhappy on longer journeys. With a fully loaded car it will be evident that the rear axle damping is not all that it might be particularly when driving on an uneven surface.

The petrol fuelled engines tend to be sluggish and need to be kept at high revs in order to move along in a satisfactory manner. The diesel is a better… and more costly… choice.

The diesel option

Buyers looking for a car with a reasonable amount of temperament need to take a closer look at the diesel option. With a maximum torque of 360 Nm this is a version which can be quite quick and which makes surprisingly little noise. With manual gearbox a consumption of 5.6 litres of diesel per hundred kilometres driven is promised although the computer calculated 6.3 litres after our short test drive. This is a value which corresponds to the EU norm for vehicles with automatic transmission. Steering and handling properties are perfectly adequate.

The fastback Cruze has an entry-level price-tag of just 14,990 Euros.

Some sluggishness

Our test showed the smaller petrol fuelled engine to be less convincing than the diesel. Here a mere 124 horsepower has to deal with a car weighing 1.3 tons. The 154 Nm of torque produced at 4,200 RPM implies a performance which must be termed sluggish whenever the revs fall as the driver takes a corner. Some hard work with the gear-shift can lessen the consequences but anyone intent on keeping the smooth sounding motor constantly producing satisfactory RPMs will find it hard to match the claimed averaged fuel consumption of 6.6 litres per hundred kilometres driven. Buyers preferring not to opt for a diesel… whether for reasons of price or performance… would be better advised to choose the 1.8 litre petrol fuelled engine which delivers more torque at lower revs and also demonstrates a bit more temperament. In February 2012 Chevrolet plans to add a 1.7 litre diesel to the range of motorizations available for the Cruze.

Three adults in the back will be unhappy on longer journeys.

Decent equipment level

Chevrolet are counting on the value-for-money proposition they are offering. Buyers should appreciate the fact that even the entry level LS version has a computer onboard, electrically height regulated front seats, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors with heating, CD radio unit, central locking and engine immobilizer, and a sectioned foldable rear seating. Buyers who want an adjustable steering column, however, must go for the next level LT version.