2009 Holden Cruze: Small Car Big Future

That's the short message from Holden as it launched the new small-big-car, Cruze in Melbourne.  As Holden seeks to grab a bigger share of sales in the small car segment, Astra has fallen victim to currency rates, while poor-selling Viva fell on its sword. Astra and Viva will continue to be available, but no orders are being taken from Holden dealers, who, along with GMH, will pour their efforts into the $4 billion global development Cruze sedan.

Cruze is set to shake up the small car segment through offering stability control and six airbags as standard, and starting from $20,990 a package not available from any major Cruze competitors. Cruze will hit Holden showrooms in mid-June with six variants including two engines, a 1.8 litre petrol and a 2.0 litre diesel, two transmissions and two equipment levels, CD and CDX.

“This car is a big launch for us, as big as any Commodore launch in history,” said Alan Batey, Holden's executive director, sales and marketing.

“This is the car we wanted. It makes a major statement in regard to safety and economy,” he said.

“And the styling fits Holden as a brand.”

Although it could never be mistaken for a Holden Commodore, Cruze bears some resemblance to its bigger sibling. Even the car's road stance is wide like Commodore and the shape not dissimilar. Holden is seeking to `simplify' not only its model line-up, but also the variants within models. The Cruze now sits above light-car Barina and below medium size Epica and in effect replaces Viva and Astra in the small car segment.

For a small car, the Cruze is big in size. It is 4579mm long and has a 2685mm wheelbase and offers excellent leg and shoulder room for rear seat passengers.The rear seats have a 60/40 split and gives access to the boot, with the seats folding to almost flat. The boot offers 400 litres of storage space, although the boot hinges intrude into the cargo area.

                                    Cruze underwent more than a million kilometres of testing

GM Holden chairman and managing director, Mark Reuss said Cruze was a `world-class small car, delivering performance, safety and value for money.'

“There are no excuses need for this car,” he said.

Cruze CD comes with a host of standard inclusions including Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Tract Control, Brake Assist, six airbags, collapsible pedals, auto headlamps, six speaker audio system with MP3 compatible in-dash CD and radio. The steering wheel has audio and cruise controls, there's a trip computer and power windows, front and rear. CDX gains 17 alloy wheels (CD has steel wheels), front fog lamps, leather steering wheel, leather appointed seats and heated front seats, rear parking sensors, body colored door handles and chrome inserts and interior sports accents.

The petrol engine puts out 104 kW of power and 176 Nm of torque with 90 per cent of the torque available between 2200 rpm to 6200 rpm.

The 2.0 litre common rail diesel produces 110 kW of power and a substantial 320 Nm of torque of which 90 per cent is on tap between 1750 rpm and 3500 rpm.

FIRST DRIVE

We were able to drive four variants of the Cruze, the CD petrol auto, CDX petrol manual, CD diesel auto and CD diesel manual. NVH levels are low and comfort levels high.The car has excellent all-round vision and the steering wheel has reach and height adjustment. It's a good driving position, no matter the driver's height or build. We really liked the car's fit and finish, inside and out.

In fact we preferred the CD variant's cloth trim over the leather in the CDX. The petrol and diesel auto variants were responsive, but the petrol seemed at times to hunt between the gears as it sought to deliver the goods. The diesel simply answered every questioned asked of it.The manual variants were different. The diesel is beautifully matched to the five speed transmission and supplies plenty of grunt, but can be a little noisy, unless you are accustomed to diesel.

At the same time the petrol/manual variant seemed to pale in comparison to the diesel. We did not get the opportunity to test handling to any great degree, but for this car in this market we could detect no shortcomings. There is no CDX diesel variant, but Holden say if there's demand for it, they will include it in the range.

PRICING

Cruze CD 1.8 litre petrol man/auto $20,990/22,990

Cruze CDX 1.8 litre petrol man/auto $23,990/25,990

Cruze CD 2.0 litre diesel man/auto $23,990/25,990