MY14 Cruze

[Marco]

$22,490 for the SRI with the 1.6 turbo engine sounds like a good thing. Wonder what gains could be had with a little exhaust work and a tune maybe?

[falcom]

When Cruze was released in 2009 it was better value than the opposition but over time it lost that advantage where it was actually expensive when compared.

It looks like Holden has been listening and has made the MY14 Cruze worth considering again.

The only thing I would add to complete the value equation is a 5 year warranty.

Good job Holden.

[super coach]

SRi-V sounds the good, like the wheels and also you get Bridgestones. would be good if self park was an option on this thats the only thing missing from the Commodore. Apart from that I'm liking what I read! Think might order one in the Fantale colour

[Pickles]

I reckon the 1.6 Turbo engine is, at least, a step in the right direction.
I've ALWAYS said that Cruze is under powered....and so do a lot of others, some of whom may have been buyers, with a better engine.
Anyway, if ya've got the Melbourne Sun today, there's a double page feature on the "new" Cruze with the 1.6 Turbo engine.....the writer is literally "over the moon" with the new drive train.....he says it addresses just about all the deficiencies that were there...he says Focus etc had better look out...because this Cruze is GOOD.
Anyway, I hope Holden sell heaps.
Cheers, Pickles.

[redvxr8clubby]

I'm not so sure that Holden has dropped the 1.4 turbo engine on the base CD (which is now the Equipe). It may be that the 1.6 turbo will be kept for the SRi and SRiV to differentiate
from the Equipe, and the Equipe will keep the 1.4 turbo. Have to wait and see I guess. Note from the first post by falcom that the 1.6 turbo is only mentioned in relation to the sportier models. That doesn't necessarily mean the Equipe doesn't keep the 1.4 turbo. I also have a feeling the electric power steering (if true) and the new 6 speed auto may make quite a difference to the 1.8 Cruze, relatively speaking. I would imagine that most people would be happy with an improved drive feel in the 1.8 base model, coupled with better fuel economy. That may be enough to get more bums in seats. Those who want more power are more likely to go for the 1.6 turbo in the sportier models, which could also equate to more bums in seats.

From Holden website

The new 1.6 litre turbo engine, now standard in both SRi and SRi-V sport models, replaces the 1.4 litre turbo engine which remains an option on the Equipe.

[planetdavo]

I'll slow it down for you in hope that you understand this time, NO ONE expects it to be a "high powered" car but just a bit more than what it has would improve the car alot as otherwise the car is reasonably good!

Obviously Holden have taken more notice of real people and missed your 1 track thoughts on the new version as they have given it more power....this must be hard for you given that they have done what you keep saying they don't need to do....

Like i said before, no one is not going to buy it because it has too much power.

So sorry to have questioned your post. Clearly, with Cruze comfortably entrenched in the top 3 of small car sales around 4 years after launch, and most sales being of the apparently hideously crap and underpowered 1.8 petrol engine, I obviously have no absolutely no idea what I'm talking about...
They could stick a V6 in the thing and people will still sook and b!tch their little vaginas off over a lack of power somewhere out there, but these days, most small car buyers are most interested in economy, hence the lack of priority over power outputs...
They've put a slightly more powerful engine into the "sporty" models as a running change, and massaged other parts of the car. As tends to happen at some point. Gives something new to advertise. Mostly a shuffling of the parts bins.
One day you'll understand why "no one is not going to buy it because it has too much power" is of little importance to this class of car. You'll never please everyone in life...and some just never want to be pleased in life. Think about it.

[zorro]

$22,490 for the SRI with the 1.6 turbo engine sounds like a good thing. Wonder what gains could be had with a little exhaust work and a tune maybe?

Check out what's been done in the states with the 1.4iti engine. Comparatively a small helping of capacity should yield some great results. Also if you don't know it is possible to run an ethanol sensor in the Cruze and with the PCM can run them as a full flex fuel vehicle

[redvxr8clubby]

They've put a slightly more powerful engine into the "sporty" models as a running change, and massaged other parts of the car. As tends to happen at some point. Gives something new to advertise. Mostly a shuffling of the parts bins.

Slightly more power? Unless these figures don't translate in the real world, the current 1.8 and 1.4 iti are 104 and 103 Kw, the iti having 200nm of torque at just 1850 RPM. The 1.6 turbo is claimed to 132 Kw and 230 nm, almost a 30% increase in power, and 15% increase in torque. Most on here would sacrifice a family member for those increases on their V8's. I guess the weight of the Cruze is working against it. I wouldn't mind that puppy in my little Fiesta (89 Kw and 150nm), it would really hoot, given it only weighs about 1100Kg.

[redvxr8clubby]

but these days, most small car buyers are most interested in economy, hence the lack of priority over power outputs...

I don't disagree with this statement, but it will be a bit sad if there isn't even a blip on the sales radar with the new 1.6 turbo. It's getting good write ups, should help to boost sales I would think, wouldn't mind one myself.

[planetdavo]

Slightly more power? Unless these figures don't translate in the real world, the current 1.8 and 1.4 iti are 104 and 103 Kw, the iti having 200nm of torque at just 1850 RPM. The 1.6 turbo is claimed to 132 Kw and 230 nm, almost a 30% increase in power, and 15% increase in torque. Most on here would sacrifice a family member for those increases on their V8's. I guess the weight of the Cruze is working against it. I wouldn't mind that puppy in my little Fiesta (89 Kw and 150nm), it would really hoot, given it only weighs about 1100Kg.

If you look at it from the on-road performance rather than the dyno sheet performance perspective, it is only "slightly" more performance. That was what I was trying to get at. Perhaps I should have said (on road) "performance" rather than (dyno sheet) "power".
Neither engine makes it a competitor for Focus ST, Mazda MPS, Megane RS265 etc. They're not trying to compete with that (small) market.
The engine will most likely gain "some" sales (initially anyway), but like anything in this industry (and something many seem to forget on the internet), the sales gain must be balanced against the MILLIONS of dollars required to fund the change. Yes, it is actually that much. It's no cheap thing to introduce an engine option into a new car, and when you are trying to recoup your costs on a car that will mostly sell in the red hot 20-30K ish region, margins aren't exactly huge...
As always, time will tell just how much the market appreciates this (apparently hugely necessary to some) more powerful engine. Fact is most buyers want the illusion of sporty, rather than the reality of sports. So, the "look" is the most important thing...

[redvxr8clubby]

All fair enough Davo and if you look at it rationally, it is really torque that you perceive as power when driven normally, and this is a 15% increase over the 1.4 turbo, it's not massive but it definitely is a worthwhile improvement, I hope they sell plenty, good for Holden and Aussie jobs. In some respects Holden may even attract some buyers of SP25 and Lancer VRX etc to an SRI and SRI-V. The SP25 and the VRX are pretty pricey, and an SRI maybe something like $10K cheaper, I fugure even an SRI-V probably $5K cheaper. I figure a lot of SP25 and VRX buyers simply want something a bit more powerful than the standard 2.0 litre engines and decently equipped. I also wonder what Opel are thinking given their Astra 1.6 turbo is a little bit less of a niche market now. Main thing I see as a downer for the Cruze is the looks department certainly not as good looking as an SP25 hatch for example. I agree they are no competition for the 2.0 litre turbos like GTI and ST, MPS and RS265, and realistically I think beyond the current Cruze body styles to compete in that market place. Overall well done Holden, this should sell, Holden should be shouting this and the Aussie made angle from the rooftops.

[C4B]

The Mazda SP25 is a corker of a car. Holden offerings wouldn't hold a candle to the 25.

[Smashfist]

The Mazda SP25 is a corker of a car. Holden offerings wouldn't hold a candle to the 25.

True, but while the SRI and SRI-V won't compete fully on a feature/power scale, you can bet with that pricing some people considering other turbo hatches will jump ship. If I was looking for a smaller car I'd be all over an SRI manual like a fat kid on a box of tim tams.

So far the JH/series 2 Cruze has shown itself to be quite a solid little car. Holden/GM have come a long way since the early Daewoo days.

[ti0350]

True, but while the SRI and SRI-V won't compete fully on a feature/power scale, you can bet with that pricing some people considering other turbo hatches will jump ship. If I was looking for a smaller car I'd be all over an SRI manual like a fat kid on a box of tim tams.

So far the JH/series 2 Cruze has shown itself to be quite a solid little car. Holden/GM have come a long way since the early Daewoo days.

The only thing I can see the 25 gets over the Cruze is bi zenons and led tail lights the 1.6 has more power and torque at lower revs, think the SRi is going to steel a few sales with the pricing. While it can't compete with the hot hatches Holden hasn't aimed it at them either, they are going Opel to that with the OPC Astra.

[Pickles]

The only thing I can see the 25 gets over the Cruze is bi zenons and led tail lights the 1.6 has more power and torque at lower revs, think the SRi is going to steel a few sales with the pricing. While it can't compete with the hot hatches Holden hasn't aimed it at them either, they are going Opel to that with the OPC Astra.

+1.
It's a shame Holden didn't get the Astra "franchise" 100%.......aaaahhhh, the "Politics"!
Cheers, Pickles.