VTC-Hotnews

[Cartoday]

Last week General Motors unveiled its new saloon, the Chevrolet Cruze, to the world. The Cruze will go on show at the Paris Motor Show in October, and GMSA has confirmed that it will arrive on our shores in 2010.

The front styling of this saloon features strong lines that connect to the Chevrolet grille and a dual front end derived from the American marque’s Malibu saloon, which hit showrooms in the states towards the end of 2007.

Chief designer Taewan Kim says that the new Cruze’s design is meant to be “…bold, not evolutionary. We wanted to take a big step forward, making a strong design statement for Chevrolet products around the world.”

This new Bowtie saloon is expected to be a direct competitor to the Toyota Corolla. Therefore, it seems that the engine line-up for Europe could be the perfect set for local models as well. The line-up includes a 16-valve four-cylinder 1,6-litre unit that delivers approximately 84 kW, as well as a 1,8-litre unit with a claimed output of 104 kW. Diesel power comes courtesy of a 112 kW 2,0-litre turbo diesel unit that delivers 320 N.m torque. These units will be mated with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Another Chevrolet rumoured to arrive in South Africa in the near future is the new Spark, which is said to be the production version of the Chevrolet Beat concept that did its rounds at various motor shows last year. Tim Hendon from GMSA says that they are not sure about the exact timing, but the local arrival of the new Spark will probably happen in 2010.

The Beat is, a front-wheel-drive, three-door hatchback concept that is powered by a 1,2-litre turbo charged unit that is mated with an automatic transmission. The concept is filled with new technologies and gadgets that, of course, will not make it to the production version. It’s also unlikely that the concept’s navigation system and sound system will make it in to the production version. The Spark is, after all, one of Chevrolet’s cheapest buys, so GM will be doing everything possible to keep cost low.

The Chevrolet Beat is one of three small concept cars that went on show at last year’s New York Motor Show. The other two in the trio are the Trax and Groove concept vehicles.

The Chevrolet Trax is, according to Chevrolet, “an urban crossover concept that’s equally at home on the trails or in traffic. It gets a low-cost all-wheel-drive system and looks the part of a rugged SUV many times its size, thanks to a voluminous one-piece bumper and fender system in the front and back, a rear-mounted spare tire and a roof rack.” This concept is host to a 1,0-litre petrol unit.

The Groove concept is a front-wheel drive concept that gets its power from a 1,0-litre diesel engine. Chevrolet describes this vehicle as “a ‘funkastalgia’-themed vehicle too tough-looking to be cute. The Groove concept is a retro-inspired vehicle with bodacious fender flares and an upright windshield.”

The Beat, Trax and Groove will all be on show at the Johannesburg International Motor Show (previously Auto Africa) in October.