General Motors SA has added two hatchback models to its Chevrolet Cruze range, together with a number of mechanical and trim revisions for the five-model sedan range.
New features include a headlamp levelling system, steering wheel-mounted satellite controls for the audio system, cruise Control, new 16” alloys rims and re-styled front and rear bumpers.
Higher-specced models also get Bluetooth music streaming, a height-adjustable passenger seat and an electronic stability programme with traction control.
The new Cruze hatchback has an arching roofline that extends from the steeply raked windshield through the sloped rear hatch, with a distinctive concave shoulder styling-line and short overhangs front and rear to give it a wheels out, body-in stance on the road.
That arched roofline also gives the hatch more rear headroom (974mm) than the sedan's 963mm, while 60/40 split rear seats provide pass-through access to the luggage compartment. Cargo capacity is 413 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to 883 litres with them folded.
BELLS AND WHISTLES
The Cruze hatchback is available in LS trim with either 1.6 or 1.8-litre petrol power, in each case driving through a five-speed manual 'box.
The 1.6 is now rated for 91kW at 6000rpm and 155Nm at 4000 (more about that later) taking the new hatch from a standing start to 100km/h in 12.8 seconds, while the 1.8 delivers a quoted 104kW at 6200 revs and 176Nm at 3800, 85 percent of which is on tap from 2000 to 6300rpm, pushing the hatch to 100km/h in 11 seconds flat.
Standard kit includes a 60-litre fuel tank, 16” alloys with 205/60 tyres, antilock braking with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, an electronic stability programme with traction control, power steering, tilt and reach-adjustable steering column, power windows front and rear, power side mirrors with heating demist, aircon, cup holders front and rear, alarm/immobiliser with deadlocks, remote central door locking with speed-sensitive locking, six airbags, radio/CD/MP3 player with auxiliary input, trip computer and front foglights.
MORE POWER
The all-aluminium, twin-cam, 16-valve, 1.6-litre engine with variable valve timing on both inlet and exhaust camshafts now has a variable-volume intake manifold and revised engine mapping, pushing power from 80kW to the aforementioned (and very welcome) 91kW.
The two-litre turbodiesel is all new, with dual cams operating 16 valves, intercooler, electronically controlled turbocharger and high-pressure, common-rail fuel-injection.
It's rated for 120kW at 4000rpm (compared to 110 on the previous model) and 360Nm (up from 320) at only 2000 revs. Drive is now via a six-speed manual 'box on the LS, and six-speed auto on the LT.
GM also quotes fuel consumption below six litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 150g/km.
FIVE SEDAN MODELS
The Cruze sedan range now comprises five models - three petrol-powered, with a choice of 1.6L, 1.6LS and 1.8LS variants, and two two-litre oil-burners, the 2.0LS with six-speed manual, or the top-specification 2.0LT with six-speed auto transmission.
The base L trim includes the 60 litre fuel tank and 16” alloys with 205/60 rubber, headlamp levelling, antilock braking, cruise control, power steering, tilt-adjustable steering column, steering-wheel satellite audio controls, sports front seats, height adjustment for the driver's seat, power windows front and rear, power side mirrors, aircon, rear-seat armrest with storage facility and two cup holders, alarm/immobiliser system with deadlocks, remote central door locking with speed-sensitive locking, front airbags, four-speaker radio/CD/MP3 player with auxiliary input and a trip computer with graphic info display.
The LS spec adds reach adjustment for the steering column, front-seat side airbags and curtain side airbags, height adjustable passenger seat, a six-speaker sound system with USB port and Bluetooth music streaming, an electronic stability programme with traction control, front foglights, a rear centre head restraint and a triple-info graphic display.
The top-of-the-range 2.0D LT has 17” alloy rims with 215/50 tyres, leather seats, dual-zone climate auto aircon, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and wipers and power-folding mirrors.
PRICES
Hatchbacks
1.6 LS - R212 400
1.8 LS - R224 800
Sedans
1.6 L - R201 800
1.6 LS - R215 400
1.8 LS - R227 800
2.0D LS - R265 300
2.0D LT A/T - R285 700
All Cruzes come with a five-year or 120 000km warranty with Roadside Assistance for the full warranty period and a three-year or 60 000km service plan. Service intervals are 12 months or 15 000km, whichever comes first.