Just to prove that German automakers aren't the only ones who plan products based on what their rivals have done, GM comes out with the Chevy Camaro--a retro-styled, two-door coupe with a honking big V-8 that harks back to the glory days of Motown. If that sounds familiar, that's exactly what Ford did with the Mustang. Hot on the heels of the Pony car's success, DaimlerChrysler has dusted off the Challenger and Chevy has produced a new Chevy Camaro, a nameplate that was more recently interred. The muscular Camaro concept is pure '69 updated, with the kind of subtle detailing that makes it look up-to-the-minute. The interior is very glitzy, and pays homage to the original, even down to the GM seat belt insignia and the twin instrument pods.
Chevy Camaro
The Chevy Camaro is 186.2 inches long and rides on a 110.5-inch wheelbase. The wheels are 21s at the front and 22s at the rear, shod with monster 275/30 front and 305/30 rear tires, which should be able to corral the 400 horses from the LS2 6.0-liter V-8 engine powering through a six-speed manual transmission. The show car has a cobbled together chassis with an all-independent suspension, but if it makes it into production, it will use the so-called Zeta Lite architecture that will be shared with Holden in Australia.
Chevy Camaro
The good news for GM is that the architecture--while hardly cutting edge--is far more sophisticated than the live-axle Mustang. Insiders say that a $20,000 base model production car could use an inexpensive V-8 (the LS2 would come in a costlier model), so a V-6 version would be offered only to make the Chevy Camaro easier to insure. The real car would have smaller wheels, but the overall diameter of the tires wouldn't be much changed. GM vice-chairman and product czar Bob Lutz apparently loves it and joked on the show stand "all I have to do is persuade this man"--referring to GM CEO Rick Wagoner--"to pay for it."
The Chevrolet Cruze is the first vehicle to use GM's revamped Delta 2 platform, an architecture that is also used on other GM small cars around the globe, including replacements for the Chevrolet HHR, Opel Zafira and its related siblings. The Chevrolet Cruze's bodywork carries a design vocabulary that is incorporated into all vehicles across the globe that carry the Chevy bowtie. Chevrolet Cruze is available in three variants: Chevrolet Cruze LT , Chevrolet Cruze LTZ and Chevrolet Cruze LTZ AT.
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Cruze is a looker - the huge double front grille dominated by Chevrolet's new logo in the centre is a show stealer. Cruze's arching roof-line, extending from the steeply raked windshield to its sloping rear pillars and short rear deck, brings coupe-like proportions to a compact sedan.
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Cruze features a dramatic re-interpretation of the traditional sedan featuring Chevrolet's new global design language that is becoming a signature on all new products carrying the gold bowtie. New Chevrolet Cruze is the result of a development process harnessing GM's global expertise and is the first of a new family of compact products that is expected to deliver world class quality.
Wider and longer than most of its competitors, Chevrolet Cruze has a purposeful stance with its wheels located at the outer edges of the tautly drawn bodywork. Noticeably tight body panel fits and a restrained use of exterior trim add to a high quality, 'hewn from solid' appearance. Chevrolet Cruze's dramatic profile is matched by bold front styling, with large headlamp housings that wrap around the front corners and sweep up, arrow-like, into the fenders and sculpted hood. Distinct Design Features Of Chevrolet Cruze include a Concave Shoulder Line, Dual Port Front Grille, Dynamically Shaped Headlamps, Chrome Finished Door Handles, 'Wheels-Out/Body-In' Stance and 'Twin Cockpit' Design Motif.
The interior is well-proportioned and the sculpted seats offer good support. The cabin is quiet, a good indicator of build quality. The interiors appear very attractive with dual tone beige dashboard and leather upholstery. It's stylish dashboard is packed with advanced instruments.
All the models of Chevrolet Cruze will be packed with an advanced music system with Radio/CD player with MP3 CD capability and Six CD Changer with six integrated speakers that offer high class entertainment. Its advanced audio system is available with MP3 Auxiliary Input Jack. The audio controls are steering mounted so that there is no need to distract your eyes from the road to operate the audio system.
Chevrolet India has launched the Chevrolet Cruze with a diesel engine and manual transmission, which is a 1991cc 4 Cylinder VCDi diesel engine. This engine generates maximum power of 148 Bhp at 4000 rpm and maximum torque of 327 Nm @ 2600 rpm. An automatic is also available and it is called the AT Cruze in the LTZ trim and features a 6-speed tiptronic transmission. Other then the AT badging and the AT gearbox, there is no visual difference in the Cruze AT.
Active safety features includes Dual Front SRS Airbags that offers safety in case of collision, ABS (Antilock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution), Front Ventilated Disc Brakes, Electronic Stability Control. The front wheels of Cruze come with large ventilated disc brakes while its rear wheels come with solid drum brakes. Its larger diameter disc brakes de-accelerate the car quickly.
Passive safety features include Side Impact Beams, Height Adjustable Front Seatbelts, Front Seatbelts with Pretensioner, 3x3 Point Rear Seatbelts, Warning Lamp for Driver Seatbelt, Front Seatbelt Reminder, Height Adjustable Headrest with Tilting Function, Knee Protector, ISOFIX Child Seat Restraint System (2nd row outer rear), Child Locks and Central Locking.
The Chevrolet Cruze is all about value, refinement and power-packed diesel performance clubbed together with an array of unique features. When you add it all up, the Cruze offers everything any discerning Indian car buyer could want in a Sedan at a price that represents unbeatable value for money.
