World premiere for Chevrolet Cruze station wagon
03/06/2012
Chevrolet
The Cruze station wagon, the latest bodystyle of Chevrolet's top selling nameplate, celebrates its world premiere at the 82nd International Geneva Motor Show today. It is immediately recognizable as a new variant of the Chevrolet Cruze, which has conquered the hearts and minds of more than a million motorists globally and has helped Chevrolet retake the passenger car crown in the U.S.
"The Cruze station wagon ticks all the boxes for European drivers in terms of distinctive design, dynamic driving, space and economy," said Chevrolet Europe President and Managing Director Susan Docherty.
Apart from its generous storage space, the new station wagon features a choice of new powerful and efficient engines as well as the state-of-the-art MyLink onboard infotainment system.
More power, lower CO2 emissions
A choice of five powertrains will be available for the entire Cruze line-up as of summer 2012. A new 1.4L turbo gasoline, a new 1.7L diesel and a 2.0L diesel engine with start-stop technology will now complement the powertrain offer in addition to the current 1.6L and 1.8L gasoline engines,
The turbo-charged 1.4L gasoline engine, coupled with a six-speed manual transmission, delivers 140 hp @ 6,000 rpm. The much-anticipated manual 1.7L diesel churns out 130 hp @ 4,000 rpm, produces CO2 emissions of 119 g/km and boasts a fuel consumption of 4.5 liters per 100 km.
The 1.4L gasoline, 1.7L diesel and 2.0L diesel engines will come with start-stop technology as standard. All engines are Euro 5-compliant.
The station wagon, at 4,675 mm, is slightly longer than the hatchback (4,510 mm) and sedan (4,597 mm) models. Load space ranges from 500 liters up to the window line in the rear to nearly 1,500 liters up to the roof top with the rear seats folded down.
"The station wagon is a vehicle that naturally appeals to families, but also to people who want a compact car with more carrying space to fit an active lifestyle. Equipped with the new 1.7L or 2.0L diesel, the Cruze is a great value proposition for fleet customers, too," Docherty said.
Refined design and new technologies
The station wagon complements the sedan and hatchback versions, which together have sold more than one million units globally since the carline's launch in 2009. The exterior design features a single arch roofline that tapers off and contributes to a drag coefficient of 0.34. The vehicle, which comes with roof racks as standard, has a poised and sporty look.
A number of styling changes are being introduced in 2012 for all Cruze models. The most significant design change can be found in the remodeled front fascia, modified head-lamp interiors and fog lamps, and new wheel styles. A choice of 10 exterior colors is available.
The design of the interior remains unchanged from the Cruze hatchback version apart from additional refinements to the center console and a greater choice of seat finishes. The wrap-around design of the front fascia flows into the driver and passenger door, creating a dual cockpit feel that has become as much a trademark of Chevrolet as the dual grille and golden bowtie.
New Cruzes are equipped with keyless entry, allowing the driver to access the vehicle with the key safely tucked away in a bag or pocket. Additionally, the system allows the engine to be turned on or off by pressing a button without the need to insert the key into the ignition. The Cruze station wagon will be also available with a rear-view camera and a new cluster display with eco-drive assistance menus for vehicles equipped with Start-Stop functionality.
Safety is a priority, which is why the station wagon is fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution, and six front and rear airbags. The Cruze sedan, like five other Chevrolet carlines, has been awarded a five-star safety rating by the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP).
MyLink infotainment system enables easy smartphone connectivity
A brand new Chevrolet infotainment system, called MyLink, is being introduced in higher trim levels in the Cruze line-up and in the Chevrolet Aveo as of July. It brings owners' smartphone capabilities into the vehicle.
"Customers told us they have set up their smartphones exactly how they want them, and the ideal car infotainment system should extend the capabilities of their smartphone rather than try to duplicate them. And that is what MyLink is all about," says Susan Docherty.
MyLink aggregates content from the smartphone onto the seven-inch diagonal, high-resolution, full-color touch-screen display. Compatible devices can be connected via USB or Bluetooth. There is also a dedicated plug-in outlet for certain personal music devices and smartphones that do not use USB or Bluetooth connections.
Once the smartphone is connected, personal playlists, photo galleries, phone books, videos and other stored media and data, such as a special navigation app, can be accessed through the touch-screen.
The seven-inch color-touch-screen infotainment system is produced by LG Electronics.
Lessons from the track
The experience gained on the track in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), which the Cruze has won for two years in a row in 2010 and 2011, were put to good use in the further development of the Cruze.
The ride and handling experience is enhanced through the use of a highly rigid body structure with strategically applied high-strength steel. A wide track, 1,544 mm front and 1,558 mm rear, helps provide first-rate traction while hydraulic suspension bushing and an isolated front sub-frame mounting further contribute to the vehicle's refined drive.
Technical data preliminary (Status: February 2012)