General Motors South Africa leaves me perplexed. In the December issue we tested the Opel Astra sedan with the firm’s 1,4-litre turbocharged engine and we walked away fairly impressed with the practicality and performance it offered. So, when I flew to PE to drive the Cruze with this same unit, I went there with similar expectations. But oddly the bow-tied equivalent didn’t follow suit.
Available in both the hatchback and sedan models, this 1,4 turbo unit pushes out 103 kW at 4 900 r/min and 200 N.m of torque between 1 850 and 4 900 r/min. Power delivery is flat and you really have to stir the six-speed ‘box to get the speed up. Consequently, overtaking requires a measured approach and heavy right foot. Granted, the Astra we tested had an auto ‘box, but the engine felt different. With performance across the rev range being more accessible, it wasn’t a struggle to get the most of the engine and it actually felt like a 103 kW turbocharged car. In the Cruze it didn’t have the same oomph. Given that the outputs on paper are identical to those of the Astra, I can only assume that economy-minded long gearing hampered proceedings a bit.
Dynamically, the Cruze was capable enough. While the suspension wallowed at slow speeds, handled uneven surfaces just fine at higher speeds. The steering is light and, while slightly vague, provides just enough feedback so as not to prove anodyne.
Styling wise, the Cruze is, well a Cruze. In both hatch and saloon guises, such features as the dual-port grille, chunky sheetmetal and swept-back headlamps lend it a neat and distinctive air. The interior is similarly neat with a dual-cockpit-effect centre console layout, three-point, leather-wrapped steering wheel and chrome highlights to lift the ambiance.
With luggage capacities of 413 dm3 (hatch) and 469 (sedan), ample interior room and a host of standard specification and safety, the Cruze isn’t a bad choice as a family car, but the powertrain just didn’t deliver on the promise it showed in the Astra.
For more details on the turbocharged Cruze, click here.
Specifications*
Model: Chevrolet Cruze 1,4T
Engine: 1,4-litre, 16 Valve DOHC, turbo petrol
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 103 kW @ 4 900 r/min
Torque: 200 N.m @ 1 850 – 4 900 r/min
0-100 km/h: 9,3 seconds
Fuel consumption: 5,8 litres/100 km
CO2: 135 g/km
Top speed: 195 km/h
Price: R242 100
Service plan: 3 years/60 000 km
Service intervals: 12 months/15 000 km
*According to the manufacturer