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2018 Holden Trax
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GM’s new 2016 Cruze has been revealed today, but it is yet unclear when or even if we will see a Holden badge on this new sedan.
Unveiled today in the US, the new Cruze’s debut follows the international launch last year of a Cruze sedan developed specifically for the Chinese market.
But, while reports had hinted that western markets could be offered the same model, this new Cruze adopts a refreshed Chevrolet look that is more in line with models like the 2016 Malibu and new Volt.
Riding on GM’s overhauled D2XX platform, the new Cruze is both larger and lighter than the model it replaces.
At 2700mm, the Cruze sedan is now 15mm longer in the wheelbase, and overall length has increased 69mm to 4666mm.
Chevrolet says the stretch has resulted in more legroom in the rear, now measuring 917mm. There’s also an extra 51mm in knee room.
Despite the increase in size, the new Cruze is up to 113kg lighter than its sedan predecessor, without the use of any particularly exotic weight-saving materials.
Suspension is by MacPherson struts at the front, while a torsion beam design again features at ther ear in all but the top-spec model, which once more gets a Watts link setup.
A new 1.4 litre turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder petrol engine is standard, producing 115kW and 240Nm of torque. New diesel and top-shelf petrol options will join the range next year, GM says.
In Australia, the current Cruze range is driven by a choice of 104kW/175Nm 1.8 litre and 132kW/230Nm 1.6 litre petrol engines.
Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be offered with this new model, and GM claims a 0-100km/h time in base models of 8.0 seconds flat.
AUSTRALIA
GM says its new Cruze will make its way to “more than 40 global markets”, but it has yet to confirm any specific regions beyond North America.
Holden, famously tight-lipped on the topic of future product, has today confirmed only that it will take “a very close look at [the new] Cruze”.
In the meantime, Holden will continue to offer its recently facelifted first-generation Cruze sedan and hatch, alongside the newly reintroduced three-door Astra range.
It is also known that Holden will, over the coming years, source at least a third of its full line-up from GM’s Opel division in Europe.
Holden may yet launch a two-pronged attack on the small-car segment built around the new Astra hatch and Cruze sedans.
But, depending on factors like exchange rates and production capacity - and Holden's drive to be number one - we could yet see the Cruze line replaced entirely by the Astra hatch and its expected sedan sibling.
Watch for details on Holden’s new-generation small-car plans to surface in the year ahead.
MORE: CRUZE NEWS & REVIEWS
MORE: NEW ASTRA HATCH REVEALED
MORE: All Small-Car News & Reviews
- Interested in buying HOLDEN CRUZE? Visit our HOLDEN CRUZE showroom for more information.
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13 Comments
OK finally ... something that looks half decent. 8 second (0-100) engine - check. If it can back it up with fuel economy, build quality, service costs and initial purchase price I reckon it will be a winner.
The first GM mainstream car to look good since the GFC. Lets hope it doesn't try to burn people alive or need 100 recalls over its lifetime. Shame Australia won't built it as it looks far better then the current one.
A bit Honda-ish in the rear but quite nice looking overall. Surely the smart strategy will be for Holden to offer the Cruze sedan and Astra hatch? The only problem I see there is that hatches are more popular here, yet I doubt they will be able to price the Astra well enough to be competitive against Corolla or Mazda3. Unless Holden can compete on price in the small car segment, they have no hope of getting anywhere near no. 1. In fact, I can't see them being able to stay ahead of Mazda or Hyundai once local production ceases. From 2018 their struggle will be to remain in the Top 5.
Looks much better, however, I don't trust GM to build a reliable car... Care and interest factor = 0.
Which makes one wonder why, in the Camaro post, you described the absence of RHD as a fail. You wouldn't have bought one anyway...
From a product point of view it's a fail. Others unlike me, will buy GM. My comments stand.
Holden have implied that this version is very unlikely to come here. They may be looking at it, but it's highly unlikely that it will join the local range. As they are taking a larger percentage of Opel cars instead means that there will be little if any room to include the Cruze
They've officially ruined their small car line up
When did Holden EVER have a good small car line up?
when have Holden ever had a good car in their lineup- period?
oh steady on.
#hyundaielantra ? Looks good to me, but Im sure since they stop building them here the quality will be appalling (not saying it's that crash hot now).
I still can't believe it has a torsion beam rear end when the vast majority of cars in that class have independent. Even the 'Watts link' is still a torsion beam with a Watts Link tacked on.