The first-generation Chevrolet Cruze is a commercial success story for the golden bowtie, but the second generation of the compact car is aiming at new heights. Larger, lighter, more agile, and far more equipped than ever, the 2016 Chevrolet is going on sale next year. A diesel model will follow in 2017.
Designed as a global car from the get-go, the all-new Cruze is underpinned by an all-new vehicle architecture dubbed D2XX. The curb weight is yet to be disclosed, but the strong and light platform promises to shed some 250 lbs (113 kg) over the first-gen Cruze. The class-leading 106.3-inch (2.7-meter) wheelbase ensures accommodation for up to 5 adults.
To be offered with 10 airbags, disc brakes on all corners, 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot, and a rearview camera as standard, one has to question what have the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Volkswagen Jetta on top of the 2016 Cruze. Pricing advantage? The Cruze has all the chances to one-up rivals at that as well. In terms of lineup, the Cruze can be had in L, LS, LT, and Premier trims, with the addition of an RS package.
To be manufactured at GM’s plant in Lordstown, Ohio, the all-new Chevrolet Cruze comes as standard with a 1.4-liter turbo four-banger with 153 horsepower (113 kW) and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm) of torque. 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h)? Eight seconds. If you feed it regular unleaded, Chevy estimates that you can get up to 40 mpg (5.9 l/100 km) highway and a range of up to 530 miles (853 km) on a single tank.
In terms of transmission options, customers are offered a six-speed manual or a Hydra-Matic 6T35 six-speed automatic. In terms of design and interior accommodation, we’ll let the clips and photos below do justice for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. Be warned though: the L, LS, and LT trim levels get compound crank (torsion beam) rear suspension technology. Only the Cruze Premier is granted Z-link rear suspension.
On international markets, the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze can be equipped with a 1.5-liter N/A four-cylinder with 113 HP (84 kW) and 108 lb-ft (146 Nm) of torque, paired to a five-speed manual. As for the turbo diesel engine, all we know is that it will be a B20-capable 1.6-liter oil burner “already proven in Europe.”
On the 2015 Opel Astra Kcompact hatchback, the 1.6 CDTI Whisper Diesel comes in 95 horsepower and 136 horsepower forms and promises to drink as little as 3.4 liters per 100 km (69.1 US mpg).
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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