Holden has launched the locally-built Cruze Series II lineup hedlined by a new 1.4-litre engine and unchanged entry prices of $20,990 (1.8-litre CD) and $24,990 (1.8-litre CDX).
Major new is under the bonnet with extra refinement and performance.
Available in Cruze CD and two new sports-oriented models – Cruze SRi and SRi-V – is GM’s new Ecoline 1.4-litre ‘intelligent turbo induction’ (iTi) petrol engine delivering 103kW at 4900rpm and peak torque of 200Nm from as low as 1850rpm. Drive is via six-speed manual or automatic transmissions and Holden says the new powerplant returns fuel consumption as low as 6.4l/100kms.
For the 1.8-litre ECOTEC four-cylinder petrol engine, power and torque remain unchanged at 104kW/176Nm but Holden has fettled the engine management for enhanced acceleration and driveability. Fuel consumption is also unchanged – as low as 7.0l/100kms.
Big changes for the 2.0-litre DOHC common rail diesel which now drives through new six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Power is up by 10kW to 120kW at 3800rpm and torque has grown by 40Nm to 360Nm from 1750rpm while fuel consumption is down slightly to as low as 5.6l/100kms.
Externally the Holden Cruze Series II lineup boasts major changes.
Most noticeable is the front end which features new, chrome-trimmed trapezoidal grilles with hexagonal mesh, new headlights an bezels and a new fascia design. There’s also a new rear fascia with an aero look and a wider selection of paint colours (10 in all).
CD models run 16-inch steel wheels while CDX versions gain 17-inch alloys.
All-up Holden says the Series II Cruze is sharper and more muscular.
Amongst the interior enhancements are a new jet black seat trim for CD and sports-stitched leather appointed seats for CDX.
The newcomers, Holden Cruze SRi and SRi-V boast deep sports styled front fascias, fog lights and a large lower air intake with honeycombe mesh plus a rear spoiler and black diffuser. Both run five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside there is ice-blue LED illumination for the instruments, an optional Sonic Blue seat fabric for SRi and leather-appointed seats for SRi-V. Range-topping SRi-V also scores a seven-inch colour LCD screen with satellite navigation and a 10GB hard disc drive in its premium audio system.
Underneath, the 1.4-litre iTi-powered Cruze gains MacPherson strut front/watts link rear suspension for sportier driving dynamics.
The full Series II Holden Cruze range is:
CD 1.8l petrol $20,990
CD 1.4l iTi petrol $22,240
CD 2.0l diesel $24,990
CDX 1.8l petrol $24,490
CDX 2.0l diesel $28,490
SRi 1.4l iTi petrol $24,490
SRi-V 1.4l iTi petrol $27,990
For an automatic transmission, add $2,000.
