Just a few days before its grand debut at the upcoming New York Motor Show, Chevrolet Cruze facelift has been unmasked officially by General Motors. A string of tweaks have been made to the new Cruze saloon, preeminent changes are visible in the form of dual-port front facade that shares similarity with Impala and Malibu. The front also gets new LED daytime running lamps, elongated head lights, revivified tail lights and revamped exterior shades.
Interiors have also been tweaked; the trunk release has been replaced to the centre console. Door lock switches have been moved from centre console to the front doors and cup holders have also been reshaped. Chevrolet has equipped new Cruze with many advanced safety features including 10 airbags-side, impact and knee air bags for the front passengers, besides this side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist and rear view camera are also available on the new Cruze. The 10 airbags are being offered as a standard safety feature.
Among the comfort and convenience features, new Cruze flaunts an array of additions-Text Message Alerts feature enables smartphone users to read incoming messages through the vehicle’s speakers when connected to Bluetooth profile (M.A.P). Siri Eyes Free will also be proffered for improved connectivity for iPhone iOS 6 and iOS 7 users. These features offer voice controlled connectivity so that the person driving the vehicle does not have to hold his/her phone while driving.
Various features are offered standard like the 7-inch diagonal colour touch screen and USB ports, Chevrolet connected by OnStar 4G LTE with in-built Wi-Fi hotspot, newly developed OnSTar and MyLink enhancements with natural language voice recognition etc.
Chevrolet could offer new Cruze in two engine options- a 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol motor and a 1.4 litre turbocharged petrol motor. The 1.5 litre gasoline mill engenders a top power and torque output of 112 Bhp and 146 Nm respectively. Chevrolet could couple 1.5 litre petrol mill to either a five-speed or a six-speed automatic transmission.
The 1.4 litre turbocharged mill is good for 148 Bhp and 235 Nm and it is expected to be harmonized to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG transmission.
