Test Drive Chevrolet Cruze since 2009 Sedan

Chevrolet Cruze: A pleasant surprise

In recent years, we somehow began to forget that Chevrolet is not a Korean lots, but a firm with nice long-standing traditions. And from the new Cruze I was waiting for it would be just a mass car. It turned out that it was possible to wait more.
 
The Cruze design was developed on a competitive basis, initially all 11 Design Studios General Motors presented his vision of a new car. The Korean project was defeated, headed by Tevan Kim. According to him, inspiration he screamed in nature, but Cruze is far from the roundish biodide. Mixing smooth lines and clear faces called the new corporate style GM. Cruze is not the first machine of the concern, made in such a way. Recall at least the last Cadillac, for example, CTS and SRX, to which stylistically Cruze is very similar. Another thing is that it came out not so aggressive and tough, but much more friendly. Thanks to the road lines, the jeemmen even dare to call this sedan four-door coupe. Apparently, they do not give rest of the sizes of German marketers, which, in fact, this term was invented and embodied in the metal. The new sedan, as it is none called, looks great, and from any angle. Someone will say that the rear lights resemble Honda Civic, Tevan Kim agrees that they are similar to the lanterns of the new bmw seven, and everyone who spends such parallels fashion dictates a similar parallel. In other times, elements of design of different cars were also similar to each other.
Spacious
Salon caught the most stylish, with textile inserts on the front panel. Tevan Kim, answering the question, why on the front panel fabric, replied that plastic or imitation under the tree was already fed up, and he wanted to make freshness in the interior. Happened. Yes, he is aware that the fabric is harder to laugh, but, in the end, it is used on the seats and door panels for a long time and successfully, and these elements are subject to pollution even more.
 
I sit behind the wheel and trying to lower the seat as much as possible. The point is not in the desire to feel like a rider, just with an increase in 187 cm I do not want to drop your head in the roof, which in some machines it happens. The reserve of the move is pleasantly surprising: the seat is lowered slightly to the floor, and above the head remains with a dozen centimeters of space. A huge range of steering adjustments by departure is clearly hinting a new GM global platform on which Cruze is based on the next generation Opel Astra. I speak a colleague, say, is ready to argue that the rear suspension is now not independent, as it was in Lacetti, but with a twisting beam of a characteristic closed U-shaped section, as on two generations Astra. We did not argue, but looked at the rear bumper and made sure that I was not mistaken.
 
The seats are very good: moderately soft, with excellent profile and developed lateral support, and not close. Another pleasant news came from the rear row I am placed there with comfort. Places enough for feet, although the front seat is also adjusted for my rather big height, and even despite the roof, which in favor of the same fashion torments no pleasure on the heads of the rear passengers. The beauty! Having settled more comfortably, drag off the parking lot in anticipation of pleasure from the ride.
Lit, but not quite
At first we took a car with a manual gearbox and a 113-strong 1.6-liter engine. Here is the engine and turned out to be not quite. It is difficult to say why it seems such an impression ... In the end, passports 12.5 seconds up to a hundred not a catastrophe at all. Probably the fact is that an excellent chassis and good elgonomics of the cabin give rise to some expectations, it seems that you have a gas, and - nothing. The overclocking is so-so, except after 3000 rpm, the motor does not want to wake up. But he bursts diligently, and this either does not like it. At a speed of 120 km / h on the fifth gear, the tachometer arrow rolls over the mark 3000, and if you move at such a speed, the noise of the motor on the road may be bored. Moreover, neither the work of the suspension, no tire noise is especially heard. In general, the budget version of the engine spoiled a common benevolent picture. However, this is not surprising - the motor is not new, from the current Lacetti. But I would not say to buy Cruze with such a motor if you need to just ride - this is a completely acceptable option, because the spacious salon, and a good chassis, and excellent ergonomics are not going anywhere, and the price will be lower and the cost of gasoline is less.
We moved to the top version with a 141-strong 1.8-liter engine and a new 6-speed automaton. Yes, we will not have a 2-liter diesel engine, and there are no 2-liter gasoline engines even in plans. Just because the demand for him is small, because Cruze is a massive, and, therefore, an inexpensive car, and buyers are accustomed to count money.
The 1.8-liter motor is good, although it is also heard in the cabin: when you click on the gas pedal, the acceleration is not so much so that it is very tangible. And for the passport, the car is not much more dynamic, overclocking up to hundreds in 11.5 seconds, but larger torque, especially on low and medium-sized revolutions, provides active acceleration.
I liked the work of the box: switch quick and smooth that down, that up, the automatic mode is so good that the manual had to include only on the slopes of the mountain serpentine to slow down the engine. And on the motorway, at a speed of 120 km / h, due to the presence of the sixth transfer of turns barely exceed 2000, and the motor works quietly, not taking the passengers. By the way, with an engine of 1.6, you can order the same machine that it may be an excellent option if you are not used to rush.
Perspectives
Cruze will be collected in our country at the GM plant near St. Petersburg. It pleases, because a clearly very good car will also be relatively inexpensive. How inexpensive, in GM, it is difficult to say, they say, for Russia they are not defined finally configuration and, accordingly, prices. The only thing that can say with certainty is about the changed characteristics of the suspension and the increased road. But you can still buy: in Europe, Cruze will be 6-8% more expensive than Lacetti, for example, in Bulgaria and Romania, the price will meet within 12,700-18,000 euros.
What can be obtained in the database? Six airbags, one-piece CD player with the ability to play MP3, ABS with an electronic brake force distribution system. Air conditioning or climate control, anti-test system and stabilization system. Leather interior and navigation with a 7-inch display will have to be ordered additionally. At least it is a specification for the European market, however, everything can be different in our other.
Among competitors, GM marketers call Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Skoda Octavia, as well as Kia Ceed and Hyundai I30 brothers. You can continue the list themselves, competition in this segment is cruel. Therefore, the main question in price. If it is at the level of the main competitors, Cruze has every chance to take one of the leading positions on the market, because neither design, nor the quality of the assembly, nor on the materials of the interior, nor by the challenge qualities, is not inferior to any of the competitors, but In the edge of the inner space, he is altogether leader in the class.
Russian assembly gives hope that the price will be acceptable, but wait for the summer. In the meantime, Cruze exceeded my expectations.
Body
Body created joint engineers GM from Germany, USA, Australia and Korea. Cruze has the most tough in its class carrying the body: its stiffness torsion compared to the previous model is increased by 140% and is 17.66 kNm / degrees. The basis serves a single design, assembled from steel beams, stamped parts and box elements. About 65% of the mass of the body's carrier structure falls on high-strength steel grades (HSS) is approximately 50% more than that of the preceding model. In the design of Cruze approximately 30% more welding points distributed throughout the body than Lacetti. Durable, hard body allows not only to increase passenger protection at an accident, but also to improve controllability, as well as significantly reduce the level of noise and vibrations transmitted from the road and from the operation of the power unit.
Sport
This year will be for the brand Chevrolet the fifth year of participation in the World Cups among body cars WTCC, however, Cruze is the first brand car that was originally created with an eye to participate in this competition. His predecessor Lacetti sedan a total of 14 times won in WTCC and 38 times occupied prizes. A racing debut of a new car took place on March 8 at the first stage of the WTCC in Brazilian Curitibe and went pretty well in one of the races Swiss Alan Menu behind the wheel Cruze showed the best time of the circle, and the team was able to earn the first glasses in the World Cup.

Specifications
Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 MT (AT) / 1.8 MT (AT)
Power, l. with. at rpm
113 at 6400/141 at 6200
Moment, nm at rpm
153 at 4200/176 at 3800
Maximum speed, km / h
185 (180) / 200 (190)
Acceleration 0-100 km / h, with
12,5 (13,5) / 10 (11,5)
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km
town
9 (11,2) / 9,3 (11,3)
route
5,5 (5,8) / 5,3 (5,8)
average
6,8 (7,8) / 6,8 (7,8)
Length / Width / Height, mm
4597/1788/1477
Wheel base, mm
2685
Curb weight, kg
1285 (1310) / 1290 (1315)
Pros: Good Salon, Excellent Ergonomics, Good Chassis
Cons: noisy engine operation, Motor 1.6l Weak
Leonid Klimanovich
 
 
 
 

A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"