[Shreyas Aterkar]

Just posted the following in the Indian Car scene

Certain changes that I would want to highlight

LT gets
6 way power adjutstable driver seat
Tilt and telescopic steering (earlier it was just tilt)
Clutch pedal (dead pedal I guess - which was sorely missed)
PEPS (which was only in LTZ earlier)
Fog lamps (again only in LTZ previously)

LTZ
6 way power adjutstable driver seat
Clutch pedal (deal pedal I guess - which was sorely missed)

Starts from 13.85 lakhs ex showroom delhi (already mentione above)

LT has become feature rich now though at a cost.

Link to the website from where the above information hs been taken Chevrolet Cruze LT Technical Specifications, Chevrolet Cruze LTZ Specification

And the heart transplant:

We already know but its 166 ps @ 3800 rpm and 380 Nm @ 2000 rpm (older one had 150 ps @ 4000 rom and 327 Nm @ 2600 rpm), even the specs say that low rpm driveability would have improved

[Turbokick]

Cruze remains the most appealing in its segment it seems. Changes are intime and encouraging.
Chevy seems to have learnt lessons from the late entry and failure of Optra Magnum

[drchernish]

Originally Posted by Shreyas Aterkar

Just posted the following in the Indian Car scene

Certain changes that I would want to highlight

LT gets
6 way power adjutstable driver seat
Tilt and telescopic steering (earlier it was just tilt)
Clutch pedal (dead pedal I guess - which was sorely missed)
PEPS (which was only in LTZ earlier)
Fog lamps (again only in LTZ previously)

LTZ
6 way power adjutstable driver seat
Clutch pedal (deal pedal I guess - which was sorely missed)

Starts from 13.85 lakhs ex showroom delhi (already mentione above)

LT has become feature rich now though at a cost.

Link to the website from where the above information hs been taken Chevrolet Cruze LT Technical Specifications, Chevrolet Cruze LTZ Specification

This seems too good to be true.After this the LT model becomes value for money.I think no other manufacturer has such a loaded base model.

[rahul_sinha]

My car is just back from 20k service. Pashankar Auto @Pune takes great care of the car. Did tyre rotation, wheel balance-alignment (was drifting a bit to the right), interior cleaning, fog lamp rubber replacement (was broken), left side door rubber replacement (was broken) & diagnostic checks. Got the car back the same day itself.

Total cost: Rs 4000
Car feels much smooth now (probably owing to tyre rotation)

Must comment on the A.S.S. of Chevy handled by Pashankar Auto - thorough professionals, good system - for appointments, separate driver and owner lounge, and overall terrific customer experience.

[Torquedo]

Originally Posted by mobike008

I was afraid of what they may price and my fears have come true. Cruze prices have risen substantially from the time of its release in 2009.

Mobike -

For once I beg to differ from your statements here -

The comparison on the pricing should be between the pricing on the Cruze on the 26th and 27th of July 2012.

I don't see a point comparing the Oct 2009 to the pricing as on date, over the years, the inflation, the input costs, labor charges, the rising $, just about everything has gone UP !!

More to the rationale, the launch pricing in always on the lower side to woo in customers to the showroom to seal the deal and once the product is a HIT they companies usually jack up the prices, look at how Mahindra has been be-fooling people, jacking up prices, phased launch of the XUV 500 across the nation (nation wide bookings have now been opened thanks to the impending Duster launch), smart A$$es they have up there in Mahindra, I must admit !!

The Civics, the Altis, the Laura, the ...., prices on all these vehicles have risen over the years with NO substantial improvements on the mechanical aspect if things, heck with the 166 PS Cruze available for 15L OTR (Gurgaon) who the hell will go for a 88 PS Corolla for the same price.

GTO has initiated a thread on the diminishing value of D1 segment, the reason behind the D1 segment losing out to me is, rising prices with NO substantial gain in either features or an engine upgrade.

Look at it this way -

1)I got my Swift Vxi for an OTR of 4.8 in Sep 2009, as on date it retails @ 5.45 OTR, what has Maruti done, killed the Swift with ZERO low end torque, where have the numbers changed, from a G13B, 87 BHP to a 84 BHP K12M.

2) When I bought the Figo in April 2011 for my dad, I got it @ 3.88 OTR, today it retails @ 4.17 OTR.

3) Santro - Classic case, in October of 2010 with all the discounts was retailing @ 3.5 OTR, today it retails @ 4.1 with discounts of 30K.

There are loads of examples there, the crux of the matter is:

1) The launch price of a vehicle should not be compared to the current pricing.

2) Just about all vehicles across all segments have seen the pricing go UP, the companies today are throwing up marketing gimmicks, they jack up the OTR price, offer hefty discounts and basically bring the car back to the same price as the original price luring the customer by showing them that they have been offered HUGE discounts.

3) I am appreciative of GM pricing, their efforts to provide Indians with MUSCLE cars at an affordable pricing, hell, the closest thing (specs wise) that comes close to the 2012 Cruze is the Passat, which costs at least 9-10L more than the Cruze, this gap would widen in case of a resale, maintenance costs etc.

4) Who in the right mind would buy the Vento HL TDi @ 12L and ignore the Cruze @ 15L, heck the other day, I read someone comparing the Cruze with the Verna on the D1 segment thread, this just left me in raptures, how on this earth can someone compare the Cruze with the Verna.

5) The C 220 CDI offers - 170 BHP with 41 Kgm, heck who'll pay 20L for 5 BHP and 2+ Kgm of torque. Make it 30L when compared to the E 220 CDI elegance.

6) The 2012 Cruze makes the 2012 A4 look hollow on papers & i'm sure even on the roads the A4 cannot justify the 18L price difference.

All in all the 2012 Cruze LT is sheer VFM Muscle car.

PS: I still prefer the older Cruze to the new one, just the love the spike once the turbo kicks in, it is a very good time for someone to lookout for HUGE discounts on the older Cruze and enjoy the beast.

Happy Motoring !!

[superutp]

A rather noobish Question but here it goes-

Why is the new Cruze faster in roll on times yet slower to the 0-100 and 0-160kmph mark than the old one?

Of course, more BHP & torque doesn't always equate to faster acceleration times but is it got to do with the gearing?

[iceman7]

Originally Posted by Torquedo

heck with the 166 PS Cruze available for 15L OTR (Gurgaon) who the hell will go for a 88 PS Corolla for the same price.

I know someone who did just that. Albeit they bought the Altis D over the old Cruze

Originally Posted by Torquedo

GTO has initiated a thread on the diminishing value of D1 segment, the reason behind the D1 segment losing out to me is, rising prices with NO substantial gain in either features or an engine upgrade.

And I was in 100% agreement with that thread... Until I read about the Cruze launch. I think the Cruze is now maximum Bang for Buck in the D1 segment.

Originally Posted by Torquedo

3) I am appreciative of GM pricing, their efforts to provide Indians with MUSCLE cars at an affordable pricing, hell, the closest thing (specs wise) that comes close to the 2012 Cruze is the Passat, which costs at least 9-10L

4) Who in the right mind would buy the Vento HL TDi @ 12L and ignore the Cruze @ 15L,

6) The 2012 Cruze makes the 2012 A4 look hollow on papers & i'm sure even on the roads the A4 cannot justify the 18L price difference.

GM have really played a masterstroke here, and I am appreciative of the fact that they aren't too worried to introduce powerful cars here. And it seems to be fuel efficient too!!

Between the Highline Vento and the bare bone Cruze (LT??), I am assuming the price gap is a few lakh rupees. I would hope that many people would jump this divide and opt for the Cruze. An additional 3-4 lakhs over the Vento gets you an additional - 400cc, 65-66HP, and a segment upgrade. Not bad. I'd make the switch.

Regarding the Cruze beating the Audi - The A4 takes you in a different segment altogether. Combine this with the aspiration of owning an Audi or a Merc or a BMW, and suddenly the 18L price difference doesn't look too huge. But, I hear ya!!

[shivasuma]

Originally Posted by iceman7

Between the Highline Vento and the bare bone Cruze (LT??), I am assuming the price gap is a few lakh rupees.

The bare bones LT is better equipped than the highline Vento. The OTR price in Bangalore for Highline is about 12.91L and that for the LT is 17L. I would definitely opt for the Cruze over the Vento.

[Torquedo]

Originally Posted by shivasuma

The bare bones LT is better equipped than the highline Vento. The OTR price in Bangalore for Highline is about 12.91L and that for the LT is 17L. I would definitely opt for the Cruze over the Vento.

+1 Shiva, LT and barebones ?? Iceman you got it wrong there and as you move upwards on the luxury part, sky is the limit.

For someone going in for a Vento TDi HL, I would be highly suggestive that he/she should wait for sometime, save a bit and go for the Cruze.

Deepawali, New Year, old 2012 stock in 2013 would be a great time to get some discounts.

You just cannot compare the 380 Nm with the 250 on the Vento and even the differential 60 odd BHP.

Happy Motoring !!

[anb]

Originally Posted by superutp

A rather noobish Question but here it goes-

Why is the new Cruze faster in roll on times yet slower to the 0-100 and 0-160kmph mark than the old one?

Of course, more BHP & torque doesn't always equate to faster acceleration times but is it got to do with the gearing?

This is a very good question. not a noobish one :-)
New Cruze has shorter gearing as it has one more additional gear. So the faster acceleration times of old cruze are not related to gear ratios. This new engine has more lower end torque and higher maximum torque. My guess is that the torque curve after 2500 RPM might be lower than the previous engine.

[SkyWalker]

Originally Posted by superutp

Why is the new Cruze faster in roll on times yet slower to the 0-100 and 0-160kmph mark than the old one?

The 0-100 and other drag times are calculated by holding on to a lower gear as much as possible. I am guessing the previous one managed to hit the ton in 2nd gear, and the new Cruze - due to the additional gear, and adjustment of the gear ratios - would do that in 3rd. A quick check of test data by an AutoMag would confirm it. Similarly the 160 would probably now come in 5th instead of 4th.

In practice, hardly anyone drives the car at 100kmph in second gear, so this normally does not impact you. Unless, ofcourse you are into drag racing in traffic signals Instead most users would appreciate the newer gear ratios and better in gear acceleration in 3rd and 4th and its response in the low end.

However the thrill seekers, who love the edge of the seat feel as the turbo spools and you get pushed back to the seat would miss out.

Given a choice I would take the new engine, compared to the old one. Hope this helps.

[anb]

Originally Posted by SkyWalker

The 0-100 and other drag times are calculated by holding on to a lower gear as much as possible. I am guessing the previous one managed to hit the ton in 2nd gear, and the new Cruze - due to the additional gear, and adjustment of the gear ratios - would do that in 3rd. A quick check of test data by an AutoMag would confirm it.

100 in second gear for a diesel car . This is not a petrol car. I'd like to know which auto magazine is that . My Cruze hits redline in 2nd gear around 80 Kmph.

[SkyWalker]

Originally Posted by anb

100 in second gear for a diesel car . This is not a petrol car. I'd like to know which auto magazine is that . My Cruze hits redline in 2nd gear around 80 Kmph.

That was a guess buddy. And yes, i am still in the petrol world Since you say the old one redlines at 80 in 2nd, its got to be the torque curve that's making the difference.

[kch82]

Alright..I finally got a test drive of the new Cruze AT today. My brief views as under (have an early morning flight):

Pros:
- More refined engine in terms of smoothness and less noise.
- Partially automatic adjustable driver seat.

Cons:
- No real "upgrades" besides the engine
- Though the engine is more refined, but it now seems to lack the "rush". I noticed that when I was trying to overtake a Honda City and lost at the last second due to the absence of the burst of power.In short the Cruze looks more calm and stable now.
- The minimum GM could have done was given a colored touch screen multimedia system with blue tooth connectivity to justify some of the price hike.
- The driver seat could be fully automatically adjustable - the back still needs to be set by lever, so does the height. Or the front passenger seat could me made automatic too, considering the Cruze in my view is primarily a comfortable 2 seater.
- The back seat still is cramped. In fact I did not notice any change in the seating.
- The climate control knob on the driver side still rotates accidentally on touching the left knee - increasing the blower speed immediately and startling the driver, which can be risky at times.

Bottom line: The new Cruze does not justify the price hike from any angle. It now costs 18.25 L on road - Delhi. Also there are also talks of the Real - New Cruze to be launched next year. The present one just seems to be going through mid life crisis and hence the so called "upgrades".

I think it make more sense to buy the old Cruze and save some good money, until and unless you want to spend extra for the "refined" engine and partially automatically adjustable driver seat.

Well this is atleast my angle on the new Cruze. Leave you to judge the rest and provide your views as well.

[iceman7]

Originally Posted by shivasuma

The bare bones LT is better equipped than the highline Vento.

Originally Posted by Torquedo

+1 Shiva, LT and barebones ?? !!

Small Clarification - What I meant by the bare bone Cruze LT is the entry level model for the Cruze. I agree that the Cruze LT is nowhere near bare bone. I stand corrected.