Autoblog

2012 Chevrolet Cruze not so hot with zombies

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet

Zombies are more like us than you'd imagine - although they have different reasons, they hate flossing as much as many humans. That's one of the insights gleaned from a new web commercial for the Chevrolet Cruze in which one of our "zombie overlords" shares his feelings on various topics, including The Bowtie's small car.

It's too soon for Chevrolet's new agency to have done this, and we know giving the thumbs up to an ad is a matter of opinion, but as far as we're concerned, to the agency that's responsible for this, we offer our kudos. Scroll down to check it out.

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Cruze not so hot with zombies

2012 Chevrolet Cruze not so hot with zombies originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2,500 Chevy Cruze sedans recalled for "improperly fastened" steering wheels

Aaron Richardson — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Chevrolet

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chevrolet has reportedly issued a recall of 2,100 of its Cruze compact car in the U.S. and 400 units in Canada after one car was found to have an improperly attached steering wheel. While the defect sounds terrifying, Chevrolet says the mishap hasn't caused an accident or any injuries.

According to The Detroit News, Chevy is confident that only one car had the issue, and the recall is a precautionary measure. According to the story, Chevy says it inspected more than 2,000 vehicles at the plant where the defective Cruze was built and several hundred more at dealerships and didn't find any with a similar fault.

Those affected by the recall will be asked to take their Cruze in to the dealership to be inspected for the fault, which will be repaired for free if a problem is found.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT: Review

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: The Detroit News]

2,500 Chevy Cruze sedans recalled for "improperly fastened" steering wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: There will be no Chevy Cruze SS... or will there?

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Australia, Rumormill

2011 Chevrolet Cruze LT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Anyone who was holding their breath waiting for General Motors to announce an SS version of the Cruze can officially breathe. However, what you can't do is get excited; the Cruze will not be wearing the double-S badge. What GM is reportedly considering instead is to offer a more luxurious Cruze. That version would feature a more powerful optional engine, but it's certainly not the version SS fans were hoping for.

However, rumor has it that our Aussie friends could still get a sporty Cruze. Motor Trend has heard rumblings of a sportier Cruze powered by either the 177-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four or 268-horsepower twin-turbo four-cylinder found on the Opel Astra OPC.

This just proves... well, nothing really. We'll just have to wait and see what GM actually has in store.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT: Review

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Car and Driver, Motor Trend]

Report: There will be no Chevy Cruze SS... or will there? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

Chris Paukert — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Chevrolet

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last Fall, we spent some quality time debunking the myth that American consumers don't buy hatchbacks. The Europeans, however, need no such convincing, as five-doors and wagons rule the roost in many a segment overseas. Chevrolet understands this, which is why it has rolled out the Cruze hatchback in Geneva. With General Motors estimating that 65 percent of all compact sales in Europe are of the hatchback variety, this model is arguably more important than the sedan in much of the world.

Slated to go on sale in the middle of this year, the Cruze's 60/40 split rear seat and around 14 cubic feet of cargo space should add some utility to Chevy's very mature compact offering. Check it out in the gallery below and then hit the jump for GM's official presser.

Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback: Geneva 2011

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

Continue reading Geneva 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

Geneva 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden Series II Cruze checks in Down Under

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Holden, Australia, Diesel

2011 Holden Series II Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery

Holden has unveiled the Holden Series II Cruze, the latest edition of its locally-built compact car. If the name and face look familiar, that's because the Holden is nearly identical to our good ol' American Chevrolet Cruze.

The Aussie version, however, gets a wider range of options, and some interesting versions we won't see Stateside. In particular, Australia will get two performance variants of its locally-built small car, the SRi and the SRi-V. There's also a 2.0-liter turbodiesel version available, which joins the 1.4-liter turbo and 1.8-liter naturally aspirated gas engines. Holden claims the diesel mill is good for 42 mpg, making the diesel Cruze the most fuel-efficient car built in Australia. The entire range meets strict Euro5 emissions standards.

The SRi-V is the top-dog Cruze in Australia. While it doesn't carry a much bigger punch than the others under the hood, it's loaded down gadgets and an complex infotainment system. The SRi-V sports keyless entry and start and remote key technology. The stereo has a 10-gig internal hard-drive, which Holden says will hang on to 2,000 of your favorite tracks.

Power is up across the range, starting with the 2.0-liter diesel, which now churns out a more impressive 160 horsepower and 265 pound feet of torque. The 1.4 turbo, which powers both the SRi and the SRi-V puts out just 138 horsepower, but has 147 pound-feet of torque available between 1,850 and 4,900 rpm.

Check out the differences for yourself in our massive high-res gallery below, or check out the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Holden Cruze Series II

[Source: Holden]

Continue reading Holden Series II Cruze checks in Down Under

Holden Series II Cruze checks in Down Under originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Cruze hatchback design submitted for trademark

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Design/Style

Chevrolet Cruze hatchback design drawings - Click above for high-res image gallery

Most cars never look quite as cool as their conceptual and pre-production versions, and it would appear that the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback will be no exception. Carscoop was able to get its hands on design drawings of the car used for trademark filings with the European patent office.

The good news is that the Cruze hatchback manages to stay fairly faithful to the version shown off at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The predictable bad news is that the front fascia looks less aggressive and ditches the LED light strips for standard fog lamps. What's more, the wheels will be smaller than the oversized auto show setup seen in Paris, and the rear taillamps will most likely be toned down a notch. The design and the show car are actually very similar looking. However, you can't have the sweet without the sour, so the really bad news is that the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback has not been greenlit for U.S. roads.

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback design renderings

[Source: Carscoop]

Chevrolet Cruze hatchback design submitted for trademark originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevy goes free-hand for its latest billboard spot

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, GM, Middle East

Chevrolet creates a cost-effective billboard advertisement - Click above to watch video after the jump

An affordable car should get an ad campaign to match. Following that logic, Chevrolet's Middle Eastern advertising team put together a spot to highlight the low price of the all-new Cruze. Rather than slapping some highly-stylized photography work or clean studio images onto the side of a billboard, Chevy had an artist set to work on the blank canvas with a blue marker. For over eight hours.

Click past the jump to watch it come to life.

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Chevy goes free-hand for its latest billboard spot

Video: Chevy goes free-hand for its latest billboard spot originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco rated at 42 mpg highway

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has released official fuel economy numbers for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco, and the automaker's original target of 40 miles per gallon (highway) has been surpassed. The Cruze Eco is officially rated at 28/42 mpg with the six-speed manual transmission, making it the segment-leader in terms of efficiency.

To achieve this, the Eco uses GM's latest 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, rated at 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. On its own, the engine is efficient enough to deliver 24/36 mpg, but a host of aerodynamic changes and weight reductions on the Eco account for the extra bump in fuel economy. In addition to a lower front air dam extension, rear spoiler, lowered ride height and revised underbody panels, the Cruze Eco rides on lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low-rolling-resistance tires. What's more, a front grille shutter has been developed to improve airflow at higher speeds, thus accounting for a 10 percent coefficient of drag over standard Cruze models.

The Cruze Eco is priced from $18,895 and hits dealerships in January of next year. For the full details, hit the jump for GM's press blast.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco rated at 42 mpg highway

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco rated at 42 mpg highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevy Cruze used to play live action game of Pac-Man

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevrolet Cruze playing a full-size game of Pac-Man - Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is a nimble, compact sedan that could potentially turn into a top seller for General Motors. Apparently, it's also a fan of classic video games. Well, at least the Chinese ad agency that dreamed up this interesting ad for it certainly is. A large room serves as the stage for a full-size representation of the Pac-Man universe. A white Chevy Cruze plays the part of Mr. Pac-Man while a series of Black Cruzes represent the ghosts.

The video is well made but could use a little more substance beyond the driving and background music. However, the song will be with you all day. A bit of a warning though, the song has a few swears in it, which is funny because either the ad agency didn't notice them or just doesn't care. Also, the ghosts should be multi-colored, and it would have been really hilarious if they were old Cavaliers.

Check out the commercial after the jump. If you end up enjoying the music, the name of the band is The League and the song is called "F* RNR".

Warning: Possible NSFW language.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze: First Drive

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL
[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Chevy Cruze used to play live action game of Pac-Man

Video: Chevy Cruze used to play live action game of Pac-Man originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Chevrolet Cruze hatchback looks good in Paris, would look better in America

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery

You know, the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback is a pretty good-looking little C-car. Sure, many of the show car bits will be removed when this five-door Cruze goes into production, but on the whole, General Motors has impressed us with this attractive hatchback version of its new compact car.

Unfortunately, the five-door Cruze is not slated for North American consumption - we'll have to make do with the still-good but less-functional (and less-attractive) sedan. GM may think that Americans don't buy hatchbacks, but according to recent sales data of hatches versus their sedan counterparts, The General would be very, very wrong. Regardless, Europeans will get to sample the Cruze Hatchback when it goes on sale in the old country in mid-2011.

Thus, we are left to sit and stare at the Cruze hatchback as it shines under the lights of the Paris Motor Show. Get a look at the five-door Chevy for yourself in the high-res image gallery below and check out Chevy Europe's official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

Continue reading Paris 2010: Chevrolet Cruze hatchback looks good in Paris, would look better in America

Paris 2010: Chevrolet Cruze hatchback looks good in Paris, would look better in America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chevrolet Cruze could get the HSV treatment Down Under

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Holden, Australia

Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors is betting on the Chevrolet Cruze sedan to boost its small-car image and sales here in the United States. Overseas, however, GM will be offering the Cruze in an attractive five-door bodystyle, and a report from Australia's Drive.com states that Holden's in-house HSV tuning department is considering a high-powered Cruze.

HSV doesn't outright confirm that a performance Cruze is in the works, but the company has stated that it is strongly considering adding a four-cylinder model to its lineup and that the Cruze would be the "best option for showing progress." If the HSV Cruze were to be produced, our bet is that it will be based on the new five-door hatch body style that we won't get here in the States. This means the Volkswagen GTI and upcoming Ford Focus ST could have some seriously stiff competition from the likes of General Motors.

As for timing, don't expect to see a HSV Cruze anytime soon - the tuning company's current focus is making sure that its V8-powered cars have a solid, sustainable future. Still, news of a tuned-up Cruze certainly piques our interest, if only to be a lusted after piece of forbidden fruit.

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

[Source: Drive.com]

Report: Chevrolet Cruze could get the HSV treatment Down Under originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy gets cracking on Cruze EV fleet testing

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Technology, Chevrolet, Electric, South Korea, Daewoo

Chevrolet Cruze EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Chevrolet Volt hasn't yet gone on sale, but General Motors is looking at ways of expanding its electric vehicle lineup. Chevy, along with partner LG, is employing a group of all-electric cars in the form of the Cruze. The sedans are part of a demonstration fleet which is located in Seoul, South Korea and is being used to provide data in an electric vehicle research project. The goal is to gather information on driving patterns and charging behavior in addition to consumer acceptance.

The Cruze EVs, along with some Daewoo Lacetti Premieres EVs, are the first fleet of full-size electric vehicles and should provide invaluable information for The General. Staying full-size means not sacrificing cargo space, so the battery pack is mounted to the underbody, leaving the trunk area open for plenty recyclable, canvas grocery bags.

The current range of the Cruze EV is around 100 miles and the car is capable of a 0-60 run in 8.2 seconds. The Cruze EV can hit a top speed of 102.5 miles per hour. Currently, the Cruze EV can be recharged via a standard 220-volt outlet in 8 to 10 hours, however the researchers are testing "quick charge" methods to reduce that figure.

The program, which begins at the end of October, is currently a demonstration and research project for South Korea only. There have been no announcements made discussing the Cruze EV coming stateside.

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze EV

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Chevy gets cracking on Cruze EV fleet testing

Chevy gets cracking on Cruze EV fleet testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevrolet Cruze ads ramp up

Chris Shunk — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM

First Chevrolet Cruze commercials - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

The first production copies of the 2011 Cruze are likely heading to a nearby Chevrolet dealer as you're reading this, and that means that General Motors' advertising blitz can't be far behind. Actually, it starts after the jump. From where we sit, it appears that the Bowtie's new C-segment sedan is ready to do war with the competition, and Chevy clearly has its eyes trained on the segment's sales leader. The first 30-second spot with actor Tim Allen's voiceover is aptly titled "Dear Corolla," and it chides the Toyota mainstay for not offering as standard equipment keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation.

The second spot doesn't aim directly at any one competitor, choosing instead to play off of the Cruze's role as the new kid in the C-sized segment. Chevy's ad gurus chose to pull out a pair of brief quotes made by auto news outlets that liken some of the Cruze's best attributes to that of distinctly pricier competition, and we're betting that at least one of those publications will sound familiar.

Both spots strike us as a bit paint-by-numbers marketing for such an important launch, though it's good to see that GM isn't shrinking away from one of its biggest competitors. Hit the jump to view both videos and judge for yourself. The Corolla commercial comes first, followed by the "New Kid" spot.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Video: Chevrolet Cruze ads ramp up

Video: Chevrolet Cruze ads ramp up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: GM unveils Chevrolet Cruze hatchback for Europe

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors will be expanding Chevrolet of Europe's lineup by adding a five-door Cruze, and while we won't get our first look at this new hatchback for a few weeks, GM has decided to preview it early with a few pictures on the web. Sure to be one of the major draws at the Paris Motor Show in just a few weeks, the liftback ought to compete nicely with the 2012 Ford Focus five-door, but don't expect GM to offer the more functional Cruze in the United States. "Americans don't like hatchbacks," remember?

Much like the Aveo RS and Buick Regal GS from this year's Detroit Auto Show, GM calls the Cruze hatchback a "show car," but in this case, that means that it's somewhere between the stages of concept and prototype. Don't expect the body to change, but we can easily see the front LED light bar and larger wheels being scrapped for the sake of cost-cutting.

Chevrolet says it will begin selling the Cruze hatchback across Europe in mid-2011 and pricing will be announced closer to the model's on-sale date. Follow the jump for the full details in GM's press release. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Paris Preview: GM unveils Chevrolet Cruze hatchback for Europe

Paris Preview: GM unveils Chevrolet Cruze hatchback for Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM asks Chevy dealers to buy Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla for Cruze comparisons

Chris Shunk — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery

Even with the impending launch of the Volt later in the Fall, the Chevrolet Cruze may be the biggest vehicle General Motors will launch in the U.S. this year. The reason is money. The Cruze should make some of it, while the Volt and its pricey development and battery packs likely won't for a long time.

The Cruze looks pretty good to us, but we know that the new sedan will only be successful if it is properly launched and marketed. So how do you best show off a refined interior, 10 standard airbags and more hip- and shoulder-room than the top sellers in the class? Automotive News reports that The General will ask its 3,000 dealers to purchase a Toyota Corolla and a Honda Civic so Bowtie shoppers can compare and contrast the newest Chevrolet against the C-Segment stalwarts from Japan.

Since the Cruze is all-new in the U.S. market and both the Civic and Corolla are a bit long-in-the-tooth, we're thinking the Chevy will win more than its fair share of buyers, but we'd like to see Chevy stores step up to the challenge of the Mazda3, as well. Perhaps the bigger challenge, though, will be to get customers who would traditionally buy a Honda or Toyota to shop at a Chevy store in the first place. GM plans to officially launch the Cruze in late September.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze: First Drive

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: GM asks Chevy dealers to buy Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla for Cruze comparisons originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM to show Cruze hatchback at Paris Motor Show?

Zach Bowman — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, GM, Holden, Australia

The internets are aflame with word that General Motors will unveil a new Cruze hatchback at this year's Paris Motor Show. According to Go Auto, the concept was worked up by none other than The General's Down Under contingent at Holden. Now, before you start hoping for a more functional version of the Chevrolet Cruze to show up in a showroom near you, know that the production version of the car will be built in Australia and sold to, you guessed it, Australians. Chances are looking slim that the long-roof Cruze will ever make it to the Land of the Free in any official capacity.

Shucks.

GM has made it clear that it will debut no less than four new models in Paris, including production versions of the Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Orlando. While the Orlando is another piece of forbidden fruit from the General, buyers in the U.S. can look forward to getting their hands on the Ford Fiesta-fighting Aveo sometime soon. From what we've seen of the new subcompact, the car looks galaxies better than the outgoing model - of course, that's not hard...

[Source: Go Auto]

GM to show Cruze hatchback at Paris Motor Show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet UK launches Cruze CS aero kit with contrasting wheels - Will it come here?

Zach Bowman — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, UK

2011 Chevrolet Cruze CS - Click above for high-res image

Well, now - look who got themselves a set of fancy new dancing shoes. Chevrolet Cruze buyers in the UK can now outfit their thrifty little sedans with a trick lowered suspension, rear spoiler and contrasting wheels, straight from the factory. The look helps the car resemble the Silverline Cruze currently bashing around the British Touring Car Championship. We certainly dig on the white 18-inch multi-spoke alloys. They look right at home on the blue car in the high-res gallery shown here, especially given the more aggressive stance served up by the reworked suspension.

General Motors is calling the package the CS styling kit, and those wanting a little extra menace with their Cruze better get ready to shell out £1,595, or $2,410 at current exchange rates. As the Cruze starts at around $15,500, that's a not insignificant amount of dosh, but it also adds a good amount of presence to the visuals and hopefully improves handling.

Either way, we have a sneaking suspicion that we're not likely to see the CS package on our shores. Most Americans have no clue what the BTCC is all about, and while the add-ons certainly sharpens the appearance of the Cruze, we're more likely to get a mild body kit and not much else. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze CS

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Chevrolet UK launches Cruze CS aero kit with contrasting wheels - Will it come here?

Chevrolet UK launches Cruze CS aero kit with contrasting wheels - Will it come here? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM to launch compact van in several markets... is it the Chevy Orlando?

Dan Roth — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Etc., Buick, Chevrolet, GM

2009 Chevrolet Orlando concept - Click above for high-res gallery

During a marathon presentation on Tuesday, General Motors Vice Chairman Tom Stephens showed off slides of a new family van based on the company's compact car platform. The van and other vehicles were shown as part of the session detailing a new Chevrolet SUV, a compact car concept and a three-row Buick van for the Chinese market. The images shown were not released to journalists.

While executives were intentionally vague about the new van, the production version of the Chevrolet Orlando immediately springs to mind, as it would seem to fit that description. Based on product-man Stephens' assertion that the van will launch soon in multiple markets around the world, the Cruze-based Orlando seems a logical assumption. The Cruze is already on sale in Europe and Asia, so production kinks have been smoothed, and a platform variant seems like the most likely step. Worldwide markets have plenty of MPV options, and the Orlando slots right in. GM's moves have defied logic in the past, but CEO Ed Whitacre characterized yesterday's presentation as an introduction of a new GM. We've heard talk like this before, of course, but maybe this time they mean it.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Chevrolet Orlando Concept

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: GM to launch compact van in several markets... is it the Chevy Orlando? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy builds Cruze-engined Super Spark for WTCC duty

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Spark turbo - Click above to enlarge

Chevrolet has built a special edition of its new Spark runabout for use as a pace car during World Touring Car Championship races this year. The Spark is powered by the new 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four that will power the Cruze when it goes on sale in the United States this fall. The turbo-four produces 140 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque while standard production Sparks are powered by 1.0 or 1.2-liter engines generating 67 and 80 hp, respectively, so this figures to indeed be a significantly hotter drive. The Spark turbo will make its first WTCC appearance during the event at Zolder, Belgium on June 19-20.

Before it gets down to business, the Spark and a WTCC Cruze will be displayed with the Corvette C6.R at the kickoff of this week's activities for the 24 hours of Le Mans. The GT2 Corvettes ran second and third in the opening qualifying session on Wednesday.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Chevy builds Cruze-engined Super Spark for WTCC duty

Chevy builds Cruze-engined Super Spark for WTCC duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All hail the cartridge filter! 2011 Chevrolet Cruze makes changing oil a breeze

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 13 May 2010 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, GM

Anyone that's ever done their own oil changes is familiar with the joys (or, ya know, not) of trying to access and then remove the filters on their engines. If you do manage to get it loose, there is the inevitable mess of oil dripping down your arm as you spin the filter off.

When the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze goes on sale later this year, both engines for the first time will feature a cartridge type filter that can be removed from above with almost no muss or fuss. Cartridge filters are basically just the internal paper element from traditional filters and they drop into a housing that's integrated into the cylinder block. GM has been using the same type of filter on the 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4-liter Ecotec engines for several years.

Besides being easier to change and tidier, they are also more environmentally friendly. There is less material from the filter itself to dispose of or recycle and any oil that spills with old-fashion filters often ends up in the local water supply. Also, having the cover with its seal on the top of the filter makes it far less prone to leaks that mess up your driveway. All hail the cartridge filter!

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading All hail the cartridge filter! 2011 Chevrolet Cruze makes changing oil a breeze

All hail the cartridge filter! 2011 Chevrolet Cruze makes changing oil a breeze originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 May 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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