Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze is a General Motors (GM) automobile, spanning two unrelated models. The original iteration, a subcompact crossover SUV, was manufactured by Suzuki in Japan between 2001 and 2008 under joint venture with GM. Since 2008, the "Cruze" nameplate has referred to a globally developed, designed and manufactured four-door compact sedan, which was complemented by a five-door hatchback body variant in 2011.

Badged Holden Cruze in Australasia and Daewoo Lacetti Premiere (from 2008 to 2011) in South Korea, the new generation model does not serve as a replacement for its identically badged predecessor, but rather replaces the Chevrolet Cobalt and Daewoo Lacetti compact sedans. GM phased out production of the Chevrolet Cobalt and its badged engineered counterpart, the Pontiac G5 in 2010, on the introduction of the Chevrolet Cruze in North America.significant new vehicle introduction into North America since the Chapter 11 reorganization in 2009, and is GM's latest attempt to build a small size car that North American consumers would "buy because they like it — not simply because it is cheap".^[21]

Development

Underpinned by the front-wheel drive GM Delta II platform, GM has confirmed the Cruze development program occurred under a global design and engineering team.^[22] Most of the design work was conducted by GM Daewoo (now GM Korea), with GM's Opel division responsible for most of the engineering.^[22][23] This development program spanned over 27 months at a cost of US$4 billion. A total of 221 prototypes were tested in Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.^[24]

According to GM, the Cruze's body structure is 65 percent high-strength steel.^[25] MacPherson struts are utilized in the front suspension with a solid torsion beam axle for the rear, avoiding the cost and complexity needed for a modern multi-link independent rear suspension used by some more expensive rivals.^[24][26]
Hydraulically-assisted (electric for North American market) rack and pinion steering gives for a 10.9-meter (36 ft) turning circle. Braking-wise, ventilated front, and solid rear disc brakes are employed, both using piston steel calipers.^[24] 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, decklid internals, doors, carpet and headlining. Further noise suppression through the use of a triple-layer sealing system in the doors has also been employed.^[24]
A five-door Cruze hatchback was unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show on October 1, 2010. The Cruze hatchback is currently slated to be released for Europe in mid-2011.^[27][28] Holden in Australia were responsible for the design and development of the hatchback body variant.The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) announced in May 2009 that it has awarded the Cruze a full five stars in their independent crash safety test, with 35.04 out of a possible 37 points.^[30] The following July, the China New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) awarded the Cruze a maximum five stars in their independent crash safety test. The Cruze SE 1.6-liter tested scored a maximum of 16 points in side-impact collision, 14.44 in front-end collision, and 15.73 in the 40 percent frontal offset collision.^[31] Euro NCAP released its rating in November, with the Chevrolet Cruze again receiving the full five-star grading. While the Cruze scored 96 percent for adult protection, and 84 percent for child occupant protection, Euro NCAP's figure for pedestrian protection is quoted at significantly lower 34 percent.^[32] In December 2009, the South Korean-specification Cruze—the Daewoo Lacetti Premiere—received the top rating of five stars from the Korean New Car Assessment Program (KNCAP). According to KNCAP, the Lacetti Premiere received the five-star rating in the frontal, offset frontal, side, and whiplash tests.

Chevrolet Cruze

Daewoo Lacetti Premiere (J300; South Korea)

Africa: The Chevrolet Cruze was launched in the Egyptian market during mid-2009.^[41] South African sales of the Cruze commenced in September 2009.^[42]

Asia: The Chevrolet Cruze was launched in the Chinese market on April 18, 2009.^[43] Manufactured at GM India's Halol factory,^[15] the Chevrolet Cruze was released in India on 12 October 2009.^[44] It is offered in only two versions: LT and LTZ in diesel form only (VCDi).^[45] During the course of 2009, there were reports that the Cruze was to become available in Malaysia with the 1.6 and a 1.8-liter engines.^[46] The Naza automotive group in Malaysia has announced that it's expecting to launch the Cruze in the Malaysian market for the first time in the second quarter of 2010 and they are expecting to sell 1,200 to 1,500 units in 2010.^[47]
Europe: 1.6 and 1.8-liter petrol and 2.0-liter diesel engines are currently offered in the European-specification Cruzes. Exports from the South Korean factory began on February 24, 2009.^[48]
North America: Mexico became the first North American country to receive the car, going on sale as a 2010 model in late 2009. Imported from South Korea, the Cruze in Mexico replaces both the Astra (last sold in 2008) and Optra as the compact offering there.^[49][50]

2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT (J300; US)

Holden Cruze interior

The U.S. version of the Chevrolet Cruze entered limited production at Lordstown, Ohio, in July 2010 as a 2011 model, replacing the Chevrolet Cobalt.^[51] Full production began September 8, 2010.^[52] For the American and Canadian market, the Cruze utilizes a more advanced Watts Z-link rear suspension from the Opel Astra (J).^[53] Offered in LS, LT, LTZ, and Eco trim lines,^[54] both the 1.8-liter and the turbocharged 1.4-liter engines are offered, coupled with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.^[54] With a starting price of US$16,995, higher than most compact competitors, the base model Cruze LS is equipped with the 1.8-liter gasoline engine and comes with air-conditioning and power locks, the higher-level LT and LTZ models is fitted with the 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine.^[21][55] For the Eco model, aerodynamic improvements have been made such as an electronically controlled air shutter that adjusts air flow to the engine depending on the temperature, wind speed and tow weight.^[56] To save weight, Chevrolet replaces the space saving spare tire and jack on the Eco model with a tire inflator kit, reducing weight by 12 kilograms (26 lb).^[57]

Standard safety equipment includes electronic stability control and ten airbags, including side rear-seat and front knee airbags not fitted on models produced in the original South Korea facility.^[58] The Cobalt's badge engineered twin, the Pontiac G5, has not been replaced by a Cruze-based equivalent, due to the Pontiac brand being phased out during 2010.^[59] The Cruze is built on the production lines that were used to build the Cobalt and Pontiac G5 in Lordstown, Ohio.^[60] Cobalt production ended in June 2010 and the Cruze started production in July 2010. GM has allocated three shifts to produce the Cruze and it arrived to dealers in September 2010, giving all dealers time to deplete their inventories of Cobalts.^[61]
GM announced in April 2011 that 2,100 North American-market Cruze models will be recalled following a report of the steering wheel breaking away from the steering column during motion.^[62]

Daewoo Lacetti Premiere

South Korean-market versions of the Cruze entered production there in 2008 as the "Daewoo Lacetti Premiere".^[10] The Lacetti debuted on October 30, 2008, featuring the 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine.^[63] On January 30, 2009, GM Daewoo introduced the turbodiesel engine variant.^[64] Inline with the February 2011 renaming of "GM Daewoo" to "GM Korea", the Lacetti Premiere, adopted the international "Chevrolet Cruze" name from March 2, 2011.
The Australian arm of GM, Holden, announced at the Melbourne International Motor Show on February 27, 2009 that sales of the South Korean-produced Cruze would begin under the Holden brand.^[67] Replacing the Holden Viva, the Cruze reached dealerships on June 1.^[68] The Cruze also became the replacement for the Holden Astra, dropped from the Holden lineup the following August.^[69][70]

Given the model designation JG, the Holden Cruze launched with the 1.8-liter petrol engine and optional 2.0-liter turbodiesel. Both engines are mated to the five-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic. Electronic stability control (ESC), seat belt pretensioners and six airbags were standard fitment across the range.^[25] Specification-wise, the "CD" opened up the range, finished off with a more upmarket "CDX". The "CD" equipment list comprised 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, a trip computer, power windows and automatic headlamps.^[71] "CDX" versions add 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and upholstery, heated front seats and rear parking sensors.^[72] Initially a petrol-only model, diesel availability was expanded to the "CDX" trim in early 2010.^[73][74]
On March 18, 2010, Holden issued a recall for 9,098 petrol-engined 2010 model year Cruzes in Australia and a further 485 in New Zealand over a faulty fuel hose. According to Holden, some hoses on 1.8-liter cars had developed a leakage, although no accidents or injuries had been reported prior to the recall.^[75] The recall followed a stop-delivery notice issued by Holden to its dealers on March 3 while the automaker conducted an investigation into the matter.At a media event on February 28, 2011, Holden unveiled the Australian assembled Cruze sedan in facelifted "Series II" guise,[82] otherwise known as the JH series.^[83] Prime Minister Julia Gillard attended the February launch to drive the first example off Holden's production line before full-scale production commenced in March.^[19] Holden has confirmed an initial local content level of between 40 to 50 percent if assessed by retail value, with an aim of increasing Cruze localization over time.^[84][85] Series II styling revisions to the grille, lower air intake, and bumper have softened the front-end to bear a closer resemblance to Holden's larger VE II Commodore.^[82] Further differentiation from the original has been achieved via the fitment of amber front indicator lights, jewelled bezel headlamps, remodelled wheel trims, and through adjustments to the lower portion of the rear bumper.^[82][86] Carrying over largely unchanged is the 1.8-liter petrol inline-four, tweaked to yield slight enhancements in drivability.^[87] When automatic transmission is specified, the 1.8-liter is now teamed with GM's six-speed 6T30 unit, lighter and more compact than the previous 6T40.^[83] Diesel remains optional for "CD" and "CDX" specifications over the standard 1.8-liter petrol.^[87] Alterations to the 2.0-liter turbodiesel have resulted in an additional 10 kilowatts (13 hp) and 40 newton metres (30 lb·ft) and a slight reduction in fuel consumption for the manual variant, now a six-speed unit.^[86] However, the headline change is the release of the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, dubbed iTi by Holden for intelligent turbo induction.^[86] The inclusion of the 1.4 also brings an upgrade to electric (as opposed to hydraulic) power steering and affixes a Watt's linkage to the torsion beam rear suspension.^[19] Linked with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, the 1.4 is fitted as standard to the new "SRi" and "SRi-V" sports-oriented trims, but is available at extra cost on the base "CD".^[86] The new "SRi" and "SRi-V" models have their respective badges embossed onto the grille insert, are fitted with their own front bumper design, and feature side skirts, chrome exterior door handles, a rear lip spoiler, and five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.^[82][88] Over the "CD", "SRi" gains a leather-covered steering wheel rim and shift lever, with the "SRi-V" extending this upholstering to the seating.^[88] A heat function for the front seats, keyless entry with push-button engine start, reversing sensors, and seven-inch LCD multimedia unit are also part of the "SRi-V" equipment list.^[88] This multimedia system integrates satellite navigation, the CD and DVD players, and a 10 GB internal hard disk drive.