Oct 16, 2011

5-door Chevrolet Cruze ready to revive the segment



Since its debut in 2009, Chevrolet Cruze has won the hearts of many motoring enthusiasts around the world. With an original body, well-defined lines, proposed a revolutionary design language for Chevrolet. With the arrival of Cruze 5-door, Chevrolet will be there with all their forces in the competitive European compact segment. 5-door Cruze will offer customers the style and versatility of a 5-door car, whilst retaining the qualities of the award-winning Cruze sedan. "5-door Cruze will give us the opportunity to extend the presence of Chevrolet's compact car segment," said Wayne Brannon, President and CEO of Chevrolet Europe. "If we think of the results obtained with the sedan, the Chevrolet's best-selling in the world in 2010, we have every reason to believe that the 5-door will contribute significantly to the continued growth of Chevrolet in Europe." As they began to devote himself to the creation a 5-door car based on the Cruze sedan, Chevrolet engineers and designers have had to take into account the fact that the clientele of the compact 5-door is very heterogeneous. The result is a car that is unmatched with its main European competitors.

Featuring original and expressive design, Chevrolet Cruze 5-door combines an elegant interior and modern at the top of its segment in terms of space, with a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines. In the field of safety, 5-door Cruze has a lot to offer, with a full range of safety equipment standard on all models.

"The Chevrolet real cars for real people. Our goal has always been to offer attractive products for people of all kinds, regardless of social position. 5-door Cruze is the expression of this philosophy and has much to offer at an affordable price. Communicates a clear message in terms of design and style without compromise on safety, convenience or economy, "he said Brannon.

Sporty, plenty of space and plenty of technical

The 5-door Cruze body suggests movement and kinetic energy are ready to break free. The main stylistic features that underline this impression are the sleek roofline, the beltline gently sloping and concave and the front lights, shaped, pointed. The proportions of the 5-door, short overhangs front and rear, and sides slightly inclined towards the inside, the show looks safe and well planted on the floor of the car.

"The sleek profile and sporty look and wide and safe are the elements that distinguish 5-door Cruze cars from many of the contemporary, more static. We were lucky enough to be able to start from the excellent proportions of the Cruze 4-door, "said Martin Love, Chevrolet Cruze design manager.

As the Cruze sedan, the 5-door has an aggressive front with the radiator grille split by the dual halogen headlights and front. Turning to the rear spoiler mounted on the roof and almost invisible in the mast bend that goes to the base of the rear window visually emphasize the idea of ​​speed. The rear lights show the attention to detail and contribute to the appearance of a higher class of 5-door Cruze.

Inside, Cruze features a fluid layout, plenty of space and plenty of versatility. As for the elements that attract a sporting icons such as the Chevrolet Corvette, Cruze has a split of the dashboard, center stack separated from the integrated flows into the center console. Together with the central instrument, made of fabric or vinyl technician, instrument panel and LED backlight, these elements contribute to the feeling of comfort and relaxation.

The cargo compartment is 413 liters with the rear seatbacks in place and passengers enjoy good 974 mm high. The 60/40 rear seats can be folded, thus increasing the load volume to 883 liters. You can use different storage spaces in a two-level glove box, center console and door pockets for storing a large number of everyday objects such as books, CDs and small laptops.

Who leads the Cruze 5-door hatchback and will have experience of this. Below is a list of other technological features and amenities:

Information center equipped with numerous features (DIC) system AM / FM / CD with MP3 player function and digital signal on the radio for up to six speakers 



Video infotainment 
USB jack in the center console on LTZ versions *, to connect iPod or MP3 

Climate manual controls with a particulate filter on LS and LT models, automatic climate control, automatic air recirculation and humidity sensor on LTZ models; 
Engines efficient, excellent traction and excellent handling

It 'can choose from three engines, one petrol units, a petrol / LPG and diesel *. In early 2012, will also be available the new diesel engine 1.7. All engines are four cylinder engine with dual overhead camshaft, 16 valves and multi-point fuel injection, or in the case of diesel common-rail technology.

The petrol engines and 1.6 petrol / LPG 1.8-liter double feature continuously variable valve timing. Among the changes for the 2011 model year, new inlet manifolds on both units. The engineers also increased the compression ratio of 1.6 liter and adjusted the calibration of the 1.8-liter engine.

At 6,400 rpm, the 1.6-liter petrol engine with manual gearbox generates 124 hp. The 1.8-liter engine delivers 141 hp at 6,200 rpm. The maximum torque is 176 Nm at 3,800 rpm.

As one of the most powerful engines in the compact segment, the 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine * available on the new Cruze Cruze sedan and 5 door 2011 model year, can count on higher peak pressure in the combustion chamber and distribution chain.

Excellent acceleration, impressive torque 360 ​​Nm at 1750 well ~ 2750 rpm and compliance with Euro 5 (147 g / km of CO2. In combination with the manual transmission) are the main features of this engine that produces 163 hp at 3,800 rpm with the manual gearbox and reaches a top speed of 205 km / h Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 8.5 seconds. The diesel engine can be chosen with manual or automatic six-speed.

Traction and handling of the Cruze 5-door are excellent, thanks to the wide track, the body structure and advanced suspension system. 5-door Cruze is equipped with an integrated body and chassis (BFI) among the most rigid segment, made of high strength steels.

The BFI achieves the characteristics of dynamic, agile, swift yet quiet, typical of the Cruze. It also makes more effective interventions to reduce noise and vibration.

The MacPherson strut front suspension is equipped with modules to compensate for lateral loads and springs from the special configuration. The hydraulic bearing loads due to effectively absorb road irregularities and ensure a high level of isolation. The torsion beam rear suspension (torsion bar) helps to lower the center of gravity and allows weight savings and a consistent control of the camber of the wheels.
The steering is hydraulic or electric power-assisted and sends the driver a feeling of security and stability.

Safety is a priority

For the materials used and quality of execution, 5-door Cruze represents a significant improvement over the previous 5-door compact Chevrolet. The structure of the 5-door Cruze is almost identical to the Cruze sedan, which received a 5-star NCAP in 2009.

The car is equipped with many electronic systems that help prevent the occurrence of an accident. In an emergency, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control (TCS) and Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) intervene to help the driver keep the vehicle on track and assist in case of hard braking or acceleration maneuvers.

The heart of the security architecture of the 5-door is the integrated body and chassis made of a single element composed of welded bars, full-length, printed items and box. The bars of the doors in high-strength steels provide excellent protection from side impacts.

The six airbags and five three-point seat belt anchorage are controlled by the Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) of the car, a device connected to sensors placed in the front bumper and the B-pillar. The car seats for children can be set according to ISOFIX.

To reduce the risk of damage to the driver in an accident, collapsible pedals gives when the shocks of moderate or severe. The bonnet is constructed so as to leave more space between it and the engine, much less likely to make contact between pedestrians and motor block. Even the bumpers have been configured to reduce the likelihood that pedestrians suffer injury by the structural components of the vehicle.

The European launch is planned for summer 2011.