Back in 2009 General Motors India brought a magnificent car, the Chevrolet Cruze, that mixed luxury, comfort and technology in the right proportions. Since then it has been a best seller and that is only because over the years the Cruze was treated to subtle facelifts as and when needed. I say subtle because it was already such a great car that not a lot needed to be changed. Recently we got our hands on the 2016 facelift of the Chevrolet Cruze and it looks pretty!
When you take a look at the front end of the car, you will notice some subtle changes. It looks more rounded than before. You have the signature chrome finished dual port radiator grille. Between the grilles is the golden Chevrolet bowtie that is now a tad bit smaller than it was in the last iteration of the Cruze. The headlamps come in dual bezel design and just below them are projector fog lamps that now come with LED daytime running lights (DRLs). Apart from that there is not much to note at the front. You get chrome strips on the door handles and the ORVMs are embedded with turn indicators. The rear remains more or less the same and we have no problem with that since it looks great with the twin-port tail lamps and its chiseled looks. The 15 inch alloys also have also seen some changes in styling.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
1,998cc / VCDi 16V DOHC
Transmission
6 Speed Automatic
Power
164 bhp @ 3800 rpm
Torque
360 NM @ 2000 rpm
Fuel
Diesel
Brakes
Disc
Suspension
Front: McPherson Strut with Linear Cylindrical Coil Spring and Tubular Stabilizer Bar System
Rear: Compound Crank Type with Non-Linear, Mini-Block Coil Spring
Tyres
205/60 R16
Kerb Weight
1560 kgs
Ground clearance
165mm
Length x Width x Height
4,597x 1,788 x 1,477mm
Price (ex-showroom Delhi)
Rs 17.81 lakh
Get inside the car and you will instantly appreciate the beauty of the Corvette inspired dual cockpit design. The premium jet black interiors give you a feeling of luxury and class, just like when you wear an expensive black ‘Suit & Tie’. The car comes with a start/stop button and you get steering mounted controls for the infotainment system. Speaking of the infotainment system, you now get an all-new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with support for CD, Aux. USB and Radio supported by a premium sound system. You can also connect your mobile to the infotainment system using Bluetooth. So basically you get a nice little place of your own that is comfortable and filled with quality music. To add the icing to the cake, you get a sweet sunroof!
The seats are comfortable and the side bolsters keep you padded and in place. The front row passengers won’t have to fight for leg room and head room, there is enough of that. The driver seat is a 6 way power adjustable so finding a sweet spot is easy. Although sadly the same cannot be said for the rear. The low floor combined with an inclined roof can make it slightly less comfortable for anyone above 5’ 10”. The presence of a tunnel in the middle means inconvenience for a third passenger seated at the back. The boot space is enough to carry enough stuff for your weekend picnic. There is also a compartment beneath the boot area that holds a spare wheel. The Cruze also has many pockets and cubby holes to hold any small belongings of yours. In terms of safety there are 4 airbags in total, 2 at the front and 2 on the side. Other features include a rain sensing wipers and a passive entry/ passive start (PEPS) which enables operation of central locking system, anti-theft alarm system without use of mechanical key.
The Cruze is still powered by the same 2.0L VCDi engine. It is actually 1998cc so rejoice as the 2 litre plus ban does not apply to this beauty. It still roars and runs like a beast. The variable geometry turbo charged engine with common rail direct injection produces 164bhp @ 3800rpm and a lovely torque of 360Nm @ 2000rpm. In simple terms, prepare to be thrown back into your seat if you floor the throttle. The engine is mated to a Gen2, 6-speed automatic transmission that makes the ride a breeze. The only hassle here is that when you floor the throttle, it takes about 3 seconds for the expected response to kick in. But fear not, for you can shift the car into manual mode by simple putting the gear to the left. This makes the throttle response more accurate.
The suspension is on the softer side so expect a comfy ride over broken roads. But you have to be a little careful not to damage the underbody. I felt confident while braking due to the presence of Disc brakes in all four wheels and ABS. Cruise Control and automatic headlamps add to your driving comfort. Reaching high speeds is not a problem with this car and the stability is commendable. Taking sharp right turns can be a bit frustrating as the A pillar is thick enough to give you a blind spot and you have to be careful.
While this new facelift of Cruze might not look as Camaro-ish as the North American release, it still looks great!
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