The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is longer, lighter and gets about 40 m.p.g. on the highway with the available six-speed automatic transmission from its 1.4-liter, four-cylinder direct injection Ecotec turbo engine sporting an SAE-certified 153 horsepower. Stop/start technology helps enhance the Cruze’s efficiency in stop-and-go driving.
Packed with new technologies such as available Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and new active safety features, as well as a more spacious interior and an athletic, aerodynamically optimized design
Slated to go on sale in more than 40 global markets staring spring of 2016 in North America, the Cruze will be the fifth redesigned car model Chevrolet is launching in 2015 .
Earlier this year, Chevy unveiled redesigned versions of the Volt, Camaro, Malibu and Spark.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra took the cover off the new Cruze Wednesday night at the Fillmore Detroit.
“It’s a beautiful vehicle. It’s one of the most important we have in the Chevrolet portfolio,” Barra said. “40 miles per gallon, midsize roominess. I’m really excited about the car.”
“The new Cruze is truly one of Chevrolet’s most global vehicles,” said Alan Batey, president of GM North America. “With content variations dictated mostly by local market demands, customers in every corner of the globe will enjoy the same fundamental dynamics.”
Cruze will weigh about 250 pounds less than the 2015 model it replaces. This is accomplished through an aluminum engine block and increased use of press-hardened steel, a process of heating steel blanks until they are malleable. Then they are formed and rapidly cooled in specially designed dies.
This give the owner a lighter weight, but stronger auto that is equally or more crashworthy than thicker heavier pieces that would be welded together.
GM says the new car trims more than a second off 0-60 mph acceleration.
The longer wheelbase and wide front and rear tracks further contribute to a lower, wide “footprint,” which enhances agility and the feeling of control. Additional features include:
- A proven MacPherson strut front suspension design with specially tuned bushings and geometry intended to balance handling with comfort
- A torsion beam rear axle on L, LS and LT models; and an enhanced Z-link design on Premier. It helps deliver a more balanced driving experience, as the rear suspension better follows the lead of the front suspension
- Rack-mounted electric power steering is standard on all models. It enhances efficiency because it removes the conventional power steering pump from the engine’s driven accessories
- Four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife longer-life rotors are standard on all models
- StabiliTrak electronic stability control, with traction control, rollover mitigation and anti-lock brakes, is standard
- Wheel sizes ranging from 15 to 18 inches.
The Cruze is third in sales in the compact segment behind Toyota’s Corolla and Honda’s Civic, it sold 105,291 through May, down 11.8 percent from the previous year. The compact segment has shrunk this year mainly due to lower gasoline prices.
The new Cruze takes several strides forward in safety technology. There are 10 air bags, rearview camera , a side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure alert and forward collision alert.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto tie smartphones to the infotainment screen. OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi is standard.
The 2016 Cruze will be available in L, LS, LT and Premier trim levels and a sportier RS package. Pricing has not been announced, but the current car starts at about $17,000 for a base L model with manual transmission. A 2015 LTZ Cruze automatic lists at about $25,000.
Vehicle Highlights
- Next-generation Chevrolet MyLink with smartphone integration capability, including a standard seven-inch-diagonal screen and available eight-inch-diagonal screen (at launch, eight-inch screen only with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto coming later)
- New 1.4L turbo engine with direct injection and stop/start technology matched with a standard six-speed manual or available six-speed automatic transmission (North America)
- Maximum highway range of 530 miles per tank
- All-new, stronger and lighter body structure enhances agility, efficiency and safety – with an approximately 250-pound (113 kg) lower curb weight
- Class-leading 106.3-inch (2,700 mm) wheelbase enhances roominess, contributing to greater rear-seat legroom and more rear knee room
- Projector headlamps with light-emitting diode (LED) signature lighting – and LED daytime running lamps on uplevel models
- More standard features than most competitors’ small cars such as 10 air bags, four-wheel disc brakes, rearview camera and available OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot
- New, available features including wireless phone charging, heated rear leather seats and heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Available advanced safety features include Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Alert
- New model range for North America including L, LS, LT and Premier – and a more expressive RS package.
