Second Generation Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

Up front, it looks like the latest generation of the Chevrolet Cruze. It has the same front view as the saloon, the same five-seater capacity, the same grim reality of having a touch-screen with added connectivity standard, the same peppy 1.4L turbo engine as before, and the same premium amenities you can expect on the latest generation. But look behind and you can see that the Chevrolet Cruze got a different back. In other words, it's a hatchback.

What it is is not a Chevrolet Cruze as we know it and with that striking rear view reminiscent of the Kia K3 Euro, this is the future. This is the first-ever Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback. The most obvious difference you can observe on this model is the extra space on the back and with the rear seats folded, the Cruze hatchback provides 47.2 cubic feet of boot space, more than enough to fit whatever activities they want. 

So, why the Cruze hatchback? In the beginning, the Cruze hatchback sold exclusively in Europe, South Korea, and Oceania, with some countries except the United States. However, with Chevrolet pulling out from the European market and with numerous stuff I don't really understand, looks like they made the perfect timing to introduce the hatchback version of the second-generation Cruze to the American market. If Europeans come across through this car, this is something they would really miss ever since Chevrolet departed from the European market for good to make room for Opel. Hmmm....

Sadly, today's Chevrolet Cruze is available only in the North American market and looks like the South Koreans won't be having this kind of Cruze any day now unless GM Korea Company changed their minds into selling the latest Cruze in sedan and hatchback forms. The rest of the world are begging to have this kind of car but for now, the second-generation Cruze, in saloon and hatchback forms, will remain exclusive to North America (well, save for China because they had one, only different) and for the hatchback version, starting at 22,115 US Dollars MSRP, it sounds reasonably priced but the whole world's going to beg for this kind of car which has the same tech, the same 1.4L turbocharged petrol engine, and the same world-class quality they expect for a Chevrolet. Sadly, the world should wave hi to the hatchback from far between the Atlantic and the Pacific. That's a shame...

Photo: General Motors

Chevrolet Spark (M400, US Spec) and Second Generation Chevrolet Cruze

Two new Chevrolets are ringing the new year with a boom on the compact car markets in their classes. On the compact side, the Chevrolet Spark has been given a much mild-mannered regeneration while the Chevrolet Cruze, in the compact midsize sedan stakes, got fully regenerated for the new generation. So, what lies ahead of these two?

2016 Chevrolet Spark

2016 Chevrolet Spark interior

Of course, you might think you are already familiar with the new generation Chevrolet Spark because South Korea already has one last year and you are already familiar by how it looks because as told, the design looks not very premium-ish for the new model. That's just half of the story because apart from its rather unpleasant looks for a compact car, the inside is worth questionable because with technology continue to evolve, the rather cheap but comfortable interior doesn't come with a CD player and instead, it comes with a standard touchscreen with the Chevrolet MyLink that now comes with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. Apart from that, like all good Chevys, 4G LTE connectivity is standard as well. It's hard to think why things like these would evolve into something more smartphone-ish or maybe they're trying to adapt through the easy life just like us?

Here in the USA, the new Spark is powered by a bigger and more powerful 1.4L petrol engine mated with either a more enjoyable 5-speed manual gearbox or a more casual CVT. This engine produces 98P of power and 94lb-ft of torque, and whichever gearbox you're on, you can expect an EPA estimated fuel economy of 41MPG highway, which is rather impressive for a compact car of such size, although it remains irrelevant in American roads dominated by Focuses, Darts, and many others.

While this is a compact car for the city roads, it's not surprisingly half bad to handle although the compound crank rear suspensions doesn't feel as sophisticated as any European compacts do. It's ashamed why this new Spark is not offered in European roads, where in turn gets a more similar Vauxhall Viva or Opel Karl.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze

2016 Chevrolet Cruze interior

Okay, if the new Spark doesn't suit your taste as your first car if you recently got your driver's license, perhaps why not consider the all-new Chevrolet Cruze? Yep, the all-new model and while it doesn't look as pleasant as the previous model, at least it's not as dull as what the Chinese had. It's surprisingly bigger than the new model, more rakishly stylish, and more high-tech features than any other compact midsize saloons of its class, which really sets the competition apart.

On the inside, it still has the grim reality of having a touch-screen with added connectivity standard, meaning there is no place for your CD collection, which is very very sad why we are now living in the age where cars have irreplaceable radios, no place for CD players, and so on like what cassette players happened. Better get those CD content be ripped through your smartphone if you got enough space to do so.

Anyway, while this is basically an Opel/Vauxhall Astra K underneath, the new Chevrolet Cruze features handling similar to European compacts, making it a well-sophisticated compact saloon fit for daily uses. Under the hood, the new Cruze comes with a more peppy 1.4L turbo engine, which produces 153 horsepower and promises a EPA estimated fuel economy of 40MPG highway.

Should you buy either of those two? The new Spark starts at $12,660 while the new Cruze starts at $16,620, so whichever Chevy you choose, these new Chevys have features that will set the competition apart. Although some purists will never like the design of both of these cars, which some say it's deemed ugly, the premium amenities are what made these two compensated from their looks.

It's a shame that Europeans will miss out on those and they have to make do with their highly similar Opels or Vauxhalls, in the case of the Karl, Viva, and the Astra K.

Photo: General Motors

GM Korea Chevrolet "The Perfect Cruze"

It's been a year since GM Daewoo is now GM Korea Company and the transition from Daewoo cars to Chevrolet cars (with the exception of Damas, Labo, and Alpheon) under the supervision of CEO Mike Arcamone but hey, this became the most successful transition yet. This Chevrolet Cruze here, made in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, South Korea, is just one of the many examples why the Korean subsidiary of General Motors became a world-class hit.

It has been here for four years since the Lacetti Premiere but the Chevrolet Cruze, in sedan and hatchback form, are getting their very own minor change and dubbed as "The Perfect Cruze" because there are some features that will make you addicting, including the new Chevrolet MyLink feature.

2013 GM Korea Chevrolet "The Perfect Cruze"

2013 GM Korea Chevrolet "The Perfect Cruze5"

Judging from its facelift, "The Perfect Cruze" sports a re-trimmed front grille featuring thick horizontal slabs and smaller vertical slats instead of a honeycomb scheme, and a redesigned front bumper with a different lower grille and fog-lamp surrounds similar in shape to those used on the Aveo/Sonic.

2013 GM Korea Chevrolet "The Perfect Cruze" interior

What amazed us on this minor change is on the inside, we'd expect keyless entry and start, a rear view camera, auto start-stop and Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system. Speaking of which, WHAT IS MYLINK?

The new Chevrolet MyLink system has three points of view; GET CONNECTED, GET ENTERTAINED, and TAKE CONTROL. This telematics system allows you to initiate phone calls, hands-free, while on the go, enjoy music, DMB, Navigation, watch movies, and so on. MyLink may also provide you with this addicting touch screen, Bluetooth connectivity, USB connectivity, and pairing up your device. For more info:
http://www.chevrolet.co.kr/mylink/index.jsp

You still expect the same and untouched 1.8 DOHC ECO-TEC engine and the 2.0L VCDi Common Rail diesel engine. The 1.8 DOHC engine produces about 142ps/6200rpm of power output, 17.8kg·m/3800rpm of torque output, and the fuel economy of 13.7km/L. The Cruze5's 2.0L CRDi engine releases a powerful 163ps/3800rpm of power, 36.7kg·m/2750rpm of torque, and the fuel economy of 15.9km/L. Consider the CRDi engine equipped on the Cruze5 a perfect balance of power and ecology because of its Euro V compliance. Most of them are fully equipped with the 6-speed Hydromatic transmission that allows this automatic transmission to go from AUTO to MANUAL for fun driving.

Available colors are; Espresso Brown, Pure White, Switchblade Silver, Velvet Red, Gunsmoke Gray, and Carbon Flash Black.

My comment:

This facelifted Cruze is definitely a head-turning fetish with an addictive Chevrolet MyLink feature that makes it more fun to enjoy. I am so really want one of these because not only it looks good at the start but the features are what made me pleased. A car with such perfect balance of style and performance made it ever perfect with "The Perfect Cruze".

Photo: GM Korea Company

Forte Hatchback vs. i30 vs. Cruze5

2011 Kia Forte Hatchback

2012 Hyundai i30

2012 GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze5

The Forte Hatchback, new i30, and the Cruze5. What does these three have in common? They're both made in Korea and these Korean-made hatchbacks deserve a ship's passage to Cagayan, well kind of...

First off, the Kia Forte Hatchback was launched in South Korea since September 2010 as the expansion for the Kia Forte lineup. As of now, all Kia Forte models are equipped with the 1.6-L Gamma GDI I4 petrol engine that produces 140hp of power and 17.0kg-m of torque. AT versions can accumulate 15.7km/L while MT versions can accumulate 16.6km/L.

Then, the Chevrolet Cruze5 is the debutante and an additional model to the Korean-made Chevrolet Cruze. Since March 2011, the Daewoo Lacetti Premiere has been renamed to Chevrolet Cruze as part of shaking off the criticized Daewoo brand to make way for Chevrolet's South Korea launch. Unlike the Forte Hatchback, which is available only in petrol engine, the Cruze5 is available in 1.8L ECOTEC petrol and 2.0 VCDi diesel engine. Sadly, no manual transmission offered, just a 6-speed automatic transmission. First, the 1.8L ECOTEC petrol engine produces 142hp of power and 17.8kg-m of torque. It can achieve a fuel economy of 13.7km/L. That petrol engine powered the Cruze5 is proven to be more powerful than the Forte Hatchback. Here on the 2.0L VCDi engine, it produces 163hp of power, 36.7kg-m of torque, and 15.9km/L of fuel economy.

Lastly is the second-generation Hyundai i30. Launched in Korea since October 20, 2011, the second-generation Hyundai i30 is the second member of Hyundai's new Premium Youth Lab sub-brand. Like the previous model, the Hyundai i30 uses a platform lifted from the Hyundai Avante/Elantra. It follows the "Fluidic Sculpture" design philosophy and this design for the new i30 is dubbed as the "Aero Active" concept. Surprisingly though, the new i30 features Flex Steer, which allows the driver to switch through three different modes; Comfort, Normal, and Sport. I kinda like the Sport mode because it sharpens the suspension system and this makes the new i30 feel more European to handle. Although it has a GDi 1.6L engine lifted from its Forte Hatchback cousin, the new i30 also comes with a 1.6 CRDi-VGT diesel engine that produces 128hp of power and 26.5kg-m of torque. An i30 1.6 VGT with 6-speed auto can go as much as 20km/L while the i30 1.6 VGT with 6-speed manual can go as much as 23.0km/L. Unlike the Forte Hatchback, the new i30 has a BlueSaver variant which uses IDLE STOP & GO that allows its 1.6 GDi engine to shut off automatically when stopped, providing reduced emissions and 17.3km/L of fuel economy.

So the verdict is that the new i30 is more fuel efficient and more fun to drive than the Kia Forte Hatchback and the Chevrolet Cruze 5. That's not the end of it because the new i30 has an impressive looking design but that's only in the front. The Cruze5 has a better looking rear that is somewhat original. The Forte Hatchback? Well, better luck next time.

GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze5

2012 GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze5

When the Chevrolet Cruze arrived in South Korea in March 2011 (when Chevrolet is officially official in South Korea) as a replacement to the highly criticized GM Daewoo Lacetti Premiere, it became the status symbol of being a global compact sized sedan targeted against the Kia Forte and the Hyundai Avante/Elantra. When Summer 2011 begins in South Korea, GM Korea Company sizzles up the heat with the addition of the 5-door variant of the Chevrolet Cruze known as Cruze5 (쉐보레 크루즈5).

GM Korea's Chevrolet Cruze5 has the same "perfect balance" of style and performance of its sedan counterpart now with the added space that makes it a decent rival to the Kia Forte Hatchback and Hyundai i30. The South Korea's "Big 3" are ready to lash out their blend of hatchbacks and this Cruze5 tops it all with its European design, dynamic front view, attractive rear view, and the same interior styling from the sedan. As a hatchback ready to take on Europe soon and the rest of the world, the Cruze5 is designed to fit the most out of everyone with its 5-seater capacity and the seating arrangements that will surely fit your personal preferences.

Two engine types are available of the Chevy Cruze5 such as 1.8 DOHC ECO-TEC engine and the 2.0L VCDi Common Rail diesel engine. The 1.8 DOHC engine produces about 142ps/6200rpm of power output, 17.8kg·m/3800rpm of torque output, and the fuel economy of 13.7km/L. The Cruze5's 2.0L CRDi engine releases a powerful 163ps/3800rpm of power, 36.7kg·m/2750rpm of torque, and the fuel economy of 15.9km/L. Consider the CRDi engine equipped on the Cruze5 a perfect balance of power and ecology because of its Euro V compliance. Most of them are fully equipped with the 6-speed Hydromatic transmission that allows this automatic transmission to go from AUTO to MANUAL for fun driving.

My Comment:
A perfect balance of style and performance is what you expect on the Chevrolet Cruze sedan that was made in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon. With the hatchback brother, the Chevrolet Cruze5, you can expect the same perfect balance of style and performance from a sedan, now with the added space perfect enough for the long Korean summer getaway. This looks great for the young adults when they want to do some free time anywhere at the streets of Seoul.

If only The Covenant Car Company Inc. has the chance to bring the Korean-made Chevy Cruze5 to the Philippines, this could be the perfect rival to the Mazda3 hatchback, Hyundai i30, or even the Ford Focus.





Photo: GM Korea Company

GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze

2011 GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze

The GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze (쉐보레 크루즈) is the new name of GM Daewoo's Lacetti Premiere as part of changing the name GM Daewoo Auto and Technology into GM Korea Company and it's not part of the eight new vehicles to be launched in South Korea this year. This is the response from 50% of the Lacetti Premiere customers the option to change nameplates to Chevrolet Cruze according to GM Korea CEO, Mike Arcamone.

What retains are the 1.6L petrol engine and the 1.8L petrol engine. The 1.6L petrol engine offers 124ps/6,400rpm of power output, 15.7kg.m/4,200rpm of torque output, and it can go for about 13.0km/L for the 6AT grade to 15.0km/L for the 5MT grade. The 1.8L petrol engine, on the other hand, offers 142ps/ 6,200rpm of power output, 17.8kg.m/3,800rpm of torque output, and 13.7km/L of fuel economy. The 6-speed auto is standard on this one.

COLOR VARIATION:
1) Gunsmoke Gray
2) Olympic White
3) Velvet Red
4) Pewter Grey
5) Switchblade Silver
6) Carbon Flash Black

My Comment:
Get used to more Koreans, because this is what you demanded for. The GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze can always look at its best. It is a world-proven medium sedan. The North Americans, Europeans, and Asians are already indulged with the Cruze's global success. Now it's the Koreans' turn to fall in love with the Cruze because this is the response from 50% of the Lacetti Premiere owners the option to change their badges into Chevrolet Cruze, that's what Mr. Arcamone said.

Photo: GM Korea Company

A Perfect Balance of winning the 2010-2011 Philippine COTY and bragging them to others with the Chevrolet Cruze

In the 2010-2011 Philippine Car of the Year, presented by the Car Awards Group, there were fourteen category winners;

1) Ford Fiesta

2) Chevrolet Cruze (also available in South Korea as the GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze)

3) Hyundai YF Sonata

4) Jaguar XF line

5) Subaru WRX STi 4-door (GVB/GVF)

6) Kia Soul

7) Mitsubishi RVR/ASX/Outlander Sport

8) Hyundai Tucson iX/ix35

9) Hyundai Santa Fe

10) Nissan Murano Z51

11) Foton MPX

12) Toyota Alphard

13) Mitsubishi Pajero Sport/Montero Sport/Nativa

14) Foton SUP (known as the Blizzard in the PHL market)

The winner is...

THE CHEVROLET CRUZE!!!

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/chevrolet-cruze-named-philippine-car-of-the-year

A perfect balance between winning a contest and a victorious reverberation. The Chevrolet Cruze is proven worldwide and we award this car because of its style, performance, and fuel efficiency. It's world proven.

Congratulations to the Cruze for winning the Philippine COTY and for a bonus;

THREE CHEVROLET CRUZE SUPER BOWL 2011 ADS FOR US TO ENJOY! Time to say "Facebook News Feed" and we will hear "First Post: Chevrolet Cruze wins the 2010-2011 Philippine Car Of The Year! Epic Win!"

CONGRATULATIONS!

Aggressive Cruze for Malaysian customers

Chevrolet Cruze Special Edition '11

Exclusively for the Malaysian market and up to 300 units available, this Special Edition model of the global medium sedan, the Chevrolet Cruze (known in Korea as GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze), is loaded with some cosmetic mods from the front bumper, sporty rims, side skirts, and the rear bumper.

It pays tribute to the Cruze WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) car that won the Manufacturer's title and Yvan Muller for driver's title last year!

This kind of Cruze looks cool and I guess everyone's salivated it over for this! Especially the seniors who don't understand what 40 MPG (miles per gallon) is.

Scoop: http://paultan.org/2011/03/31/chevrolet-cruze-special-edition-300-units-same-price/

And Cruze CRDi has landed...

2011 GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze

What a stroke of luck for those who are waiting for the diesel-fed Cruze to arrive in the Philippines for a long time. It seems that TCCCI has finally launched the Chevrolet Cruze 2.0L Diesel variant and this is what we've been waiting for!

Scoop:

http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/and-now-the-diesel-cruze-is-finally-officially-in-the-philippines

Lucky for you, GM Korea sold this variant and we happy to see the Korean-made Cruze come equipped with this diesel engine, packed with 150 PS of power output (eh? the Korean-spec Cruze Diesel packs about 163 PS of power) and it's mated with a six-speed AT.

Pricing starts to a modest 1,288,000 Philippine Pesos, which is a not bad pricing, and best to hurry up because of its limited availability. First come first serve!!!

Now on, Daewoo Matiz and Lacetti will be known as GM Korea's Chevrolet Spark and Chevrolet Cruze!

GM Korea Chevrolet Spark and Cruze

GM Daewoo's Lacetti Premiere (launched since late 2008) and GM Daewoo's Matiz Creative (launched since Autumn 2009), will be renamed as GM Korea Chevrolet Spark and GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze (differentiating from the US Chevrolet Cruze, launched since Autumn 2010) as part of the Korean launch of Chevrolet and the renaming of "GM Daewoo Auto and Techonology" into "GM Korea Company" starting late March 2011.

Despite renames, they are not counted as one of the eight new Chevrolet models coming to South Korea this year, ranging from the Orlando ALV, Aveo Sedan and Hatch, the Camaro (CBU from America), Captiva SUV, new midsize sedan, an unnamed imported Chevy model, and something that will built at the Bupyeong plant.

We already have these two in the Philippines so the new naming will take effect to South Korea this March.

Glee x Chevrolet Collaboration?

I noticed something...

During the Super Bowl XLV commercial breaks, I saw the Glee x Chevrolet collaboration commercial where the cast of the popular teen comedy drama, Glee, gets to be on the commercial for Chevrolet and each of them will receive a Chevrolet Cruze. That's what Sue said.

Later on, during the commercial of the Football episode of Glee, here it goes:

"See the USA", that's brilliant for the Glee-Chevrolet collaboration! At the end, Sue thinks this is ridiculous.

"I was going to donate my Chevrolet Cruze to Charity. Charity's my cat. She totaled her SUV last weekend."

Brittany said that line. LOL

Thank you FOX and General Motors for this wonderful collaboration!

Chevrolet Cruze -U.S. Spec-

Chevrolet Cruze

While most countries, including the Philippines, enjoying the breathtaking experience of Chevrolet's new compact sedan, the Cruze, it seems that North American Chevrolet fans are finally getting a piece of action on a true global cars. I am glad this global car finally reached its home market, even when sourced from South Korea as the GM Daewoo Lacetti Premiere.

By gaining a world-level reputation, the Chevrolet Cruze will not be beaten by the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla in terms of style, packaging, and performance. I am glad that this car made the right move against Japanese compact sedans.

Two engine choices are available for the Cruze, such as the high-performance 1.4L turbo engine and the high-end 1.8L engine. Most variants are offered with 6-speed automatic transmission but the high-end Cruze 2LS grade offers not only the 6AT but also the fun-to-shift 6-speed manual transmission. If I were to choose between those, I would start with the 1.4L turbo engine because it is a wild ride but unfortunately, this variant does not have a manual transmission. Only the 1.8L Natural Aspiration engine comes with that kind of transmission.

When approaching to the Cruze's interior, it offers a wide array of technology you will never find it on the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. The Cruze offers Bluetooth connectivity, USB connectivity, available Turn-by-Turn Navigation, XM Satellite Radio, and Pioneer Premium Audio System. With these features, you will never turn back from your boring old sedan ever again because the Cruze was made to be premium compact sedan for the world market.

My thoughts about the Cruze:
Now on sale on the world market, from Korea, Europe, Asia Pacific, and now the North American market, the Chevrolet Cruze will always maintain the reputation as the excellent premium compact sedan. In the Philippines, the Cruze amazed us with its intuitive design, unquestionable packaging, and superb performance. Coming late 2010, there will be a Cruze Eco, engineered to be the world eco-car for the masses.


Photo: The Covenant Car Company Inc. (Asian model shown, US Version will vary)