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By
EWAN KENNEDY
9 March 2009
Holden
unveiled its new Cruze at the Melbourne International Motor Show
though it won't go on sale for at least a month. Indeed, it may be
as long as four months before we see the car on our roads. The
company is playing this new model coyly, anxious to gain feedback
from the media and the general public before launching the Cruze
onto a savagely waning car market.
Cruze (not to be confused with the small Suzuki-sourced 4WD of the
same name that sold here from 2002 until 2006) is a small-medium
sedan with elegant styling. It looks considerably more upmarket
than the Holden Viva that it will eventually replace. Like the
Viva, the Cruze comes from GM's subsidiary Daewoo in South Korea.
It looks to have a lot more international input from countries
like Australia, the USA and probably Europe as well, which should
result in a superior vehicle in a number of ways.
The interior has an upmarket quality and ambiance that bodes well
for Australian drivers considering moving down from a large car
due to concerns about future fuel costs and exhaust emissions.
Holden Cruze will be sold with the choice of a 1.8-litre petrol
engine or a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. Transmission options will be
five-speed manual or an ultra-modern six-speed automatic.
As with other Holden models the Cruze will be sold in two formats:
CD or an upmarket CDX. Both will have advanced safety features
including ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and six airbags.
We haven’t had an opportunity to drive the new Holden Cruze as
the Melbourne appearance was very much a teaser appearance to whet
people’s appetite. As soon as we can put in some serious test
driving we will bring you a report.
Holden announced last year that it will be building a new
four-cylinder car in Australia from 2010. Though it's likely to be
based on the same overall structure as the new Cruze, the rumour
mill is suggesting it will have a different body, perhaps one with
a more sporting flair. We await that with interest, as well.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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