2010 Lotus Exige S Type 72 Special Edition

The Lotus Exige S Type 72 celebrates the most successful F1 car of all time, the Lotus Type 72 Formula One car, which achieved 20 Grand Prix victories between 1970 and 1975.

The Lotus Type 72 was driven by such Lotus greats as Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ronnie Peterson and Jacky Ickx and won three Formula One Constructorsâ€TM Championships (1970, 1972 and 1973) and two Driversâ€TM World Championships (the first being won by Jochen Rindt in 1970 and the second by Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972).

The colour scheme of the Exige S Type 72 commemorates the famous and easily recognisable black and gold Lotus Type 72 livery and is finished by the same sign writer who painted racing cars for Team Lotus.

Performance through light weight has long been a Lotus philosophy. The 935kg Exige S Type 72 sprints to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 145 mph, 233 km/h. The Exige S Type 72 also offers class leading fuel economy and emissions, with fuel economy of 6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg) on the Extra Urban Cycle and CO2 emissions of 199 g/km.

The Exige S Type 72 is a powerful supercharged mid-engined sportscar that is equally at home on the racetrack or open road. The intercooled engine has VVTL-i technology ensuring impressive performance all the way to the rev limiter at 8500 rpm.

The Sport Pack comes as standard on the Exige S Type 72 which has a bespoke high quality interior, including black micro fibre ProBax sports seats with gold stitching. Each car comes with a special build plate commemorating one of the F1 car's 20 Grand Prix victories. The exterior of the Exige S Type 72 features unique black and gold light weight wheels and is finished with hand-painted gold Type 72 and Exige S logos, (the Sport Pack also includes a T45 steel main roll hoop, Lotus Traction Control, twin oil coolers and an adjustable front anti-roll bar).

All Lotus cars offer outstanding handling and performance, and the Exige is no exception offering excellent dynamics and great driver involvement. Lotus ride and handling gives an inspiring driving experience and the mid-engined layout of the Lotus Exige S Type 72 offers fantastic balance and agility.

Luke Bennett, Operations Director for Lotus Cars Limited stated, "The Lotus Exige S Type 72 is an evocative sportscar, combining cutting edge handling and performance with the iconic Type 72 colour scheme, one of the most famous racing liveries of all time. The Exige provides an intense driving experience either on road or track and this limited edition is a worthy car to celebrate such a legendary racing car."

Clive Chapman, Director of Classic Team Lotus said, "The Type 72 was a very significant car for Team Lotus and indeed for the world of F1. It was a revolutionary design that pioneered the use of side mounted radiators to achieve its distinctive "wedge" profile, which delivered a significant aerodynamic advantage. Furthermore, by minimising unsprung weight and using a torsion bar, rising rate suspension, tyre performance was excellent. The Lotus Type 72 design was so advanced that it was competitive for an extraordinary six years."

The Exige S Type 72 options include: Air Conditioning, Limited Slip Differential and the Performance Pack, which includes a power increase to 240 PS, larger AP Racing brakes, enlarged roof scoop (compared to the standard Exige S) and Lotus variable traction control and Lotus launch control.

To commemorate the impressive number of Grand Prix wins the Type 72 achieved, Lotus will be producing 20 of this special edition for the UK, a further 20 cars for mainland Europe and there will be a limited run of cars in Japan and selected markets around the world.

Lotus Exige S Type 72 prices:

UK Price: £35,995 MRSP, excluding on the road costs of £950

Euro zone price: €40,332, including delivery and other on the road costs, excluding local country tax.


Exige S:
199 g/km CO2

8.5 l/100 km (33.2 mpg) Combined Cycle

11.9 l/100 km (23.7 mpg) Urban Cycle

6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg) Extra Urban Cycle

First Drive: 2011 Toyota Sienna

2011 Toyota Sienna minivan early next year.

The Sienna looks new inside and out, though careful reading of its spec sheet reveals it's got a lot in common with the last version. It just makes economic sense--though some shoppers will wonder if it made more sense to tear up the Sienna's floorpan and install fold-away second-row seats. The Sienna goes without that clever arrangement, while Chrysler and Dodge and Nissan tease shoppers with the promise of a two-seat, cargo-filled van.

To counter those come-ons, Toyota's putting a few spiffs in the Sienna. For one, you can haul a full 4x8 sheet of plywood inside, if you have to--even if you have to remove the second-row seats or scar them for life. If you treat your Sienna with more respect--and your passengers too--Toyota's seen fit to fit a pair of aircraft-style first-class seats on some Siennas. Tilt them back, tune in two videos on the 16.4-inch-wide LCD screen, and you could practically live in the Sienna, if you parked it on the right side of any Manhattan street. You could probably charge $1200 a month, in fact.

There are other arrows in its quiver, too. The Sienna still offers all-wheel drive, unlike every other minivan. A new SE edition has tighter tuning and 19-inch wheels, for those who refuse to give up the tendency to rub sidewalls for guilty pleasure. And for 2011, Toyota's turned back the clock to fit a four-cylinder engine in the Sienna--and with 187 horsepower and a six-speed automatic, the four-cylinder will give frugal shoppers a serious, convincing alternative to lavish V-6 power.

Toyota says the base price of the 2011 Sienna will come in below the current vehicle's $25,000 price point. At that point, it's a worthwhile investment that gives the Sienna a fighting chance against the plasticky Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, the price-cutter Kia Sedona, the also-ran Nissan Quest and TheCarConnection.com's favorite minivan, the Honda Odyssey.

2010 ART Mercedes G55 AMG G streetline

2010 ART Mercedes G55 AMG G

2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic Pictures

The new 2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic takes a successful formula to the next level by combining new technology with clever details, making the most fuel-efficient Ford Focus up to now.

2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic

2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic

Dedicated Ford Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo and Transit ECOnetic models have already established themselves as credible alternatives for customers prioritising low carbon motoring and high levels of fuel efficiency. Now, the next-generation Ford Focus ECOnetic changes the rules again, and introduces Ford of Europe’s first production application of the optional Ford Auto-Start-Stop system.

Ford Focus ECOnetic

Ford Focus ECOnetic

Rinspeed's EV rental car-train combo

Every year, Swiss tuner Rinspeed dreams up another wild car for the Geneva Auto Show, from tuned Porsches to a submersible Lotus to last year's iPhone-controlled EV.

This year's car is tame, even — gasp! — production-capable when it goes on display in March. At 8.2 feet long, the two-seat electric UC? (Urban Commuter, you see) is Smart-sized, yet takes design cues from the larger Fiat 500. The car's 75-mile range and 68-mph top speed don't break any EV barriers, a helpful way to trim costs for Rinspeed's grand plan: an electric car-sharing service integrated with an elaborate electric train network.

Should you wish to travel more than 75 miles, simply drive to a designated station and pull up to a reserved spot on-board, where the QC? can be charged as you're whisked away to your next leg. With Europe's high taxes and sophisticated mass-transit systems, it actually sounds practical.

So far, other companies have taken small steps. In October, an California fleet company said it would rent electric cars at Danish train stations by 2010. Last month, Daimler began producing its electric Smart ForTwo in France, and also started a pilot car-sharing service in Austin, Texas, of gasoline ForTwos. In June, Ontario battery manufacturer Electrovaya
offered hourly EV rentals in Baltimore, and Paris is trying to build a rental fleet of 2,000 electric cars by 2010.

Electric Renault Zoé Z.E. Confirmed for Launch in 2012

Renault Zoé Z.E. EV Concept Picture

Renault's new electric-car concept, the Zoé Z.E, will go on the market in 2012.

Rinspeed UC Electric Concept Set To Jolt 2010

Rinspeed UC? Picture

The two-passenger UC? electric concept car is slated for a Geneva show debut from Swiss specialty carmaker Rinspeed.
In what may be the first instance of a question mark's use in a vehicle nameplate, Rinspeed on Wednesday previewed its two-passenger UC? electric concept ahead of its debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. The Swiss specialty house said the name is short for "Urban Commuter" or "You see?"

The UC? is described as a "lightweight lovebug" and bears a passing resemblance to a Volkswagen New Beetle. It has a top speed of 68 mph and a range of 75 miles. It is operated with a central joystick and delivers 91 pound-feet of torque, said Rinspeed in a statement.

"The most important aspect of the vehicle is that there is a good chance that it will be built in series production," Rinspeed said.

In an intriguing twist, the UC? is designed to link individual and public transport. Its makers envision that it can be loaded off and onto railway cars "to cover long distances by train, comfortably, without traffic jams and stress-free." Users would book time to recharge the UC? at a mobile carport with an integrated battery charging station.

Rinspeed said it envisions that large-volume manufacturers will build the car and says "intensive dialogues at the highest levels are already well underway" but does not disclose which companies could build the UC?.

Mini Beachcomber

Gah! Are they serious? What were they smoking in the Mini design studio when they came up with this?

What you see here is the Mini Beachcomber Concept, the 1960’s Mini Moke reimagined through what had to have been a purple haze. BMW’s bringing it to the Detroit auto show, though why is anyone’s guess. There’s been a lot of talk about a Mini crossover utility vehicle in the pipeline, and we can only hope this isn’t what it will look like.

“MINI crosses borders, enters new dimensions of driving pleasure, and wins over additional target groups” is what BMW says about the concept car. Sounds like something the marketing wonks at Pontiac could have been saying at an Aztek product review meeting. Seriously guys, WTF? This kinda goes against everything the Mini embodies, no?

It’s not that the Beachcomber is without its merits. It has such usable features as all-wheel-drive (which Mini terms the “ALL4 all-wheel drive”) and the four seats can be shuffled around to allow you to do a variety of tasks. But Mini has seen fit to do away completely with the roof and doors. Mini says it did this so as not to “limit the intensity of the occupants’ encounter with their surrounding world. This makes the driver and up to three passengers one harmonious entity communicating directly with their surroundings – whether cruising through town, enjoying rough tracks in the mountains or breezing along the beach.”

Or getting whacked in the face by a branch, but don’t let us ruin your fun being one harmonious entity.

And this quote from the press release had us chuckling: “Access to the front and rear seats is nevertheless exceptionally convenient and easy thanks to the omission of doors and the entry cutouts extending all the way down to the seat bottoms, allowing the driver and passengers to get in and out in one smooth and flowing process.”

Yeah, notice how smoothly you flow through those entry cutouts when you hit that huge rock in the trail and the Mini Beachcomber comes to an abrupt halt.

But c’mon, that’s not really going to happen, is it? There’s no way Mini is going to produce this, although the all-wheel-drive and such will be in their upcoming production Mini-ute. Seriously, can you just imagine the reaction from other 4X4 owners at the rock crawling competition if you were to show up in the Mini Beachcomber?

Photos: BMW

Mini previews the Countryman with Beachcomber concept

Mini provides the best clues yet to the appearance, size, interior layout and mechanical makeup of its upcoming small SUV at next month's Detroit auto show with the latest in a long line of production-based concept cars named the Beachcomber.

The flamboyantly styled off-roader borrows directly from Mini's upcoming Countryman--its new four-wheel drive planned to go on sale in North America in 2011, sharing key elements of its four-door steel body and four-seat interior together with its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and newly conceived four-wheel-drive underpinnings.

Inspired by Mini's legendary Moke--a simple but robust, go-anywhere version of the original Alec Issigonis engineered Mini produced in small numbers between 1964 and 1968--the Beachcomber is not only being used to preview Mini's new urban off-roader but is also to explore design ideas that could find their way onto future derivatives of the Countryman, which is due to get its first public outing at the Geneva motor show next March.

“It's an ideas car that, depending on the sort of feedback we receive, may have a bearing on a future Mini production car,” Mini design boss Gerd Hildebrandt says of the Beachcomber. “It's based on our upcoming SUV but we've injected some added fun and off-road ability into it that we think could appeal to a certain type of Mini customer.”

Central to the Beachcomber's appeal are pillarless body sides and the lack of any real doors or central roof panel--a layout that takes from the Moke and aims to place the driver and passengers closer to the action. The new Mini also features a series of fabric and composite panels that clip into place to provide occupants with protection from the elements.

Despite giving the Beachcomber open-air appeal, it is clear the open body design would be hard to produce given today's tough safety regulations. Although Mini is renowned for producing rigidly structured cars, it would also require some major modifications to the floorpan. Still, Mini officials do not rule out the possibility of the upcoming Countryman receiving a full-length fabric roof arrangement like that featured on the new concept car as optional equipment when it goes on sale.

Along with the open body, the design of the Beachcomber also places a big emphasis on off-road ability with generous ground clearance, cladding within the wheel arches and lower body sides, sturdy kick plates front and rear and 17-inch wheels shod with chunky tires clearly suited more at churning through mud than whisking you down the street. Further enhancing the go-anywhere ambitions are traditionally short overhangs, which help provide excellent approach and departure angles.

Concept car flourishes aside, the Beachcomber's exterior styling combines the retro inspired appearance of the existing Cooper with a more technically orientated approach that Hildebrandt says will become more and more evident on upcoming Mini models. Eschewing the current trend toward edgy detailing and taut surfacing--as exemplified by parent company BMW's newly introduced X1, the exterior flaunts an almost old fashioned roundness, most notably within the front wheel arches, that is enhanced by modern detailing, as seen in the unusual shape and positioning of the headlamps, which have been taken from the Countryman in unchanged form.

Traditional cues include a negative radius grille and wrap around glass. Despite the apparent similarities with its existing siblings, however, the Detroit show car is much bolder and considerably larger than any Mini model that has gone before it. A body-colored grille, distinctively shaped headlamps and a high-set clam shell style hood dominate the front end. It also boasts a more heavily raked windscreen, a higher belt line and far greater ride height than any other Mini model down through the years. The side-opening tailgate mirrors that of Mini's early Cross concept shown at last year's Paris motor show and, in keeping with the robust nature of the Beachcomber, supports a spare wheel, although it will be replaced on the Countryman by a conventional hatchback.

At 160.2 inches long, the Beachcomber is 5.3 inches longer than Clubman--to date the longest Mini model to be placed into production. It also rides on a wheelbase that is 2.3 inches longer than the Clubman's at 102.6 inches. The increased dimensions might call into question the relevance of the Mini name sitting up front on the hood and projected in oversized form upon the spare wheel carrier at the rear, but they have also provided scope for a roomy four-seat interior with individual sliding rear seats and a generously sized boot.

The dashboard with its large central monitor and toggle switches, and seats with their rounded forms, mirror the themes established in other Mini models. In keeping with the Beachcomber's apparent ruggedness and open air design, it receives rubber floor mats and neoprene upholstery for the seats. However, they will be replaced by more conventional trim on production versions of the Countryman, which will be produced at Magna in Austria rather than Mini's traditional manufacturing plant in Oxford, England.

Bentley Azure T: imperious luxury

A new high-performance version takes this classic cabrio to another level

Bentley has got luxury down to a 'T' - meet the Azure T, a new high-performance version of the ultimate money-no-object cabrio.

Under the expansive bonnet is the firm's long-serving 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8. However, power is now wound up to 500bhp – that's 11 per cent more than the standard Azure – and there's 1,000Nm of torque to play with, so acceleration is incredible.

Push your right foot to the thick carpet and, with little more than a whistle from the turbos, you're whisked from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds. It's an amazing sensation considering the car's 2.7-tonne kerbweight, but you'll pay the price at the pumps. Single-figure economy is more than likely, especially if you cover significant miles in town.

Turn a corner and there's little evidence of chassis flex, thanks to new carbon fibre cross-members at the front and rear. There's no hiding the Azure's size and weight, though. Even with the suspension set to Sport mode, it is best to save the storming performance for when you're pointing straight ahead.

Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom Only a Year Away

Rumors of an electric Rolls-Royce Phantom are back, with the word being the super-luxe automaker could have one on the road within 12 months.

We’ve been hearing mumbling about this car for more than a year. It started when CEO Tom Purves said an e-Rolls would be perfect for well-heeled city dwellers. The car, he said, could build upon the drivetrain in the Mini E. The rumors picked up again in September when a Rolls spokesman let slip that an electric Phantom was under consideration back in Goodwood (or, more likely, Munich, since BMW owns Rolls).

Now AutocarUK cites an unidentified “company source” saying the e-Phantom could be on the road by the end of next year. Why the rush? Because BMW is a big sponsor of the 2012 Olympics in London, and my wouldn’t it look green bringing a flotilla of electric land yachts to the games?

Personally, we think an electric Rolls makes perfect sense. Most owners simply tool around town, so range isn’t a big issue. It could save owners some serious coin on emissions and road taxes in cities like London. And electric motors provide boatloads of torque and they’re quiet — two hallmarks of a Rolls-Royce.

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG straightens up

On one hand, it may seem like an odd time for Mercedes to be jumping back into the ultra-premium end of the car market, particularly in light of its recent less-than-standouts efforts (think: McLaren SLR and the salesproof Maybach).
But this isn’t the case with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. In fact, this isn’t really a Gottlieb and Karl joint at all – at least not by any traditional definition.

The SLS is actually an Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach project. Huh? It’s AMG’s first bumper-to-bumper, start-to-finish project – and having just torn around the California countryside and hot-lapped around Laguna Seca, we’re left wondering only one thing: Why did it take more than 40 years for this to happen? Well, perhaps we should cut Mercedes some slack, as it has only owned the high-performance arm since 1999, so perhaps the appropriate thing is to look at the SLS’ 2009 rollout as something of a tenth anniversary present to itself. In that light, the folks from Stuttgart know how to throw one hell of a party.

Chevrolet Cruze LTZ road test

GM India intends to change the perspective of the Indian consumers by setting up Chevrolet as a young brand. The Cruze is the first one with the distinct new Chevrolet family look. The current Chevrolet range in India has different origins from different brands owned by General Motors across the globe like the Subaru, Holden, Chevrolet, Daewoo etc. Does the Cruze have what it takes to give GM a brand new identity?

The Chevrolet Cruze is based on the new Global Delta Platform or the 300 series platform with the Cruze’s project name being J300. This is GM’s new platform for compact front-wheel drive sedans and hatchbacks. The Delta platform uses independent suspension for the front and torsion-bar type suspension at the rear. The upcoming Chevrolet Beat is also based on the 300 series platform.

The Chevrolet brand in North America retains a family look which is what GM India is trying to do for the Indian market also. The new family look will retain a similar front fascia with a dual port grille with a new bowtie logo.

The Cruze carries a very bold and modern hood with a high crown and prominent strakes led by a large bowtie Chevrolet logo. The front grille is a black honeycomb mesh separated by a body-coloured crossbar with chrome surrounds, and dual bezel headlamps which protrude till the front fenders. The headlamps aren't capable enough considering the speeds the car is capable of. They need improvement.

The roofline of the Chevrolet Cruze is very coupe-like and the crisp swage line makes the shoulder of the Cruze look low. The apparently low shoulder and large wheels give the Chevrolet sedan a sportscar-like look, and the C-pillar reminds us of the old Audi TT. The sedan’s long wheelbase of 2685mm with little overhang front and rear, shallow greenhouse, flared wheelarches, seven-spoke alloys and the lightline above the rocker panels all make the Cruze look sporty.

The Cruze’s monocoque has a Body-Frame Integral structure made of high-strength steel. The Chevrolet Cruze has scored a 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP ratings. The Cruze scored well in both occupant and pedestrian safety. Look the EuroNCAP’s Chevrolet Cruze assessment video.

To enter the Cruze, all you have to do is walk up to the car with the key in your hand or pocket, and pull on the door handle. The PEPS system will detect the key and unlock the doors automatically! The Cruze's interior looks modern and eye-catching. The dashboard is clearly divided into sections for the driver and the passenger, with the passenger getting a clear two-tone light and dark blue expanse of plastic which looks good but doesn't feel so good to the touch. The instrument cluster is dominated by the speedometer and tachometer, which sandwich a multi-function display that gives the driver all the information he could require. Above the display are the temperature and fuel gauge.

From the driver's seat, everything feels good - the car doesn't feel big except for the long bonnet. The steering wheel feels meaty and is just as big as we'd like it to be. The mirrors are usefully large, but we'd have preferred them to be a little bit bigger for our crowded traffic conditions. We don't like the seats of the Cruze too much, because they seem to be bolstered a little too much at the sides - only thin people will not feel a little uncomfortable in these seats. However, the Passive Entry/Passive Start system makes the driver feel like a million bucks, with a button to start or stop the engine present on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. This feature is a segment first. There is an emergency slot in the cubbyhole behind the gear lever into which the key can be inserted, but getting that flap open can be quite a task, as we discovered when we tried it. We recommend keeping a flathead screwdriver handy if you own a Cruze.

The centre console is topped by the display for the audio system. This blue-on-black display is easy on the eyes, especially at night. The controls for the six-disc changer are situated underneath the display. The system plays clearly and loudly - however, we'd have liked more punch at the low frequencies. The audio system also has an auxiliary input in the centre armrest, but no USB or iPod connectivity. The design element that makes up the 'V' at whose centre the hazard button is is an eye-catching one. The door locks can be activated or deactivated with the button on the right and on the left the button is blank. We assume that it is for the ESP switch that other markets have. The last row houses the controls for the climate control, which is quite effective. It chills the cabin sufficiently in a reasonable period, but directing the airflow wasn't something easily achieved.

There is more than enough legroom and headroom for the front passenger, although a tall driver who likes to sit high might find his head quite close to the roof. It's a different story in the back, however - not only is getting in and out hard thanks to the car being low, the big wheel arch and dipping roofline contribute towards a shape which is not conducive to weak knees, bad backs or graceful exits. Once inside, things don't get much better - the roof is quite low, and the lack of legroom is quite shocking. This car will sell in a primarily chauffeur-driven segment in our market, which is something the Cruze needs to cater to as well if it needs to be popular. Boot space is reasonable, although the high sill can make putting heavy objects into the boot a task for short people.

A feature worth a special mention is the lighting: our test car's exterior color matched the ice-blue lighting of the dials, which looked good. The dashboard illumination looks good at night, and a nice touch are the backlit buttons on the steering wheel.

Powerplant

The Cruze is powered by a transverse 2.0-litre VCDi motor (engine code: RA 420 SOHC) which even does duty on the Chevrolet Captiva. This common-rail diesel engine is designed by V.M. Motori S.p.A. which is an Italian based manufacturer. The engine is currently produced under license by GM Daewoo and not V.M. Motori; and the engine is BS-IV ready and is already serving in European nations with Euro-IV norms. This is a 16-valve belt-driven SOHC 1991cc engine which churns out 150bhp@4000rpm power and produces a maximum torque of 327Nm @2600rpm powering the front wheels of the Cruze through a 5-speed manual transmission.

The turbo lag can be felt as the engine struggles to push when at speeds lower than 1800rpm. However, when the speed crosses 1800rpm and the variable geometry turbocharger spools up, the engine surges forward as it unleashes its power and it is highly responsive within its powerband. Twin gear-driven balance shafts and the four-point cradle engine mountings cut down on noise and vibration.

The engine is quite clattery at idle but is otherwise refined. During testing, the Cruze galloped from 0-100kph in 10.3 seconds which is only 0.2 seconds slower than a Civic and completed the quarter mile run in 17.5 seconds and clocked a top speed of 201.8kph.

Transmission

The Chevrolet Cruze in India is available only with a five-speed manual transmission (D33 transmission). The gearbox has been designed with tall gear ratios to obtain the maximum efficiency from the powerhouse of an engine.

Accelerating from very low engine speeds can become a problem and shifting to lower gears is the only option to overtake quickly. The short-throw lever makes shifting easy; however, due to a very close gate, the driver can mis-shift into the wrong slot. During our testing, the Cruze clocked 30-50kph in the third gear in 6.1 seconds and took 11.2 seconds in the fourth to attain the same speed, in the fifth gear in the 50-70kph, the Cruze took 15.3 seconds. The overdrive gear is a very tall gear and perfect for highway cruising.

Fuel Efficiency

The Chevrolet Cruze returned us an overall fuel efficiency of 11.2 kpl and in our test, which is mostly pedal to metal drive, the Cruze travelled 10.5 kilometres on a litre of diesel.

The suspension of the Cruze comprises front McPherson struts and rear torsion beam with gas-filled dampers which gives the occupants a firm and composed ride at both low and high speeds. The gas-filled shocks absorb most of the ruts and jounces well without affecting ride quality. Chevrolet India offers only a single tyre size (205/60/R16) compared to the Australian variants which have an additional option of 215/50/R17s.

The engineers in Chevrolet have tweaked the handling characteristics of the Cruze. The Cruze handles brilliantly and is one of the best handlers in its segment. Whether on straight roads, sweeping corners or winding hills, you won’t be let down. Our test car rode on JK Vectras which gripped well but squealed loudly at high cornering speeds, undermining driver confidence. However, the long wheelbase of 2685mm and a wide front track of 1544mm kept the Cruze firm on most surfaces. Even at speeds in excess of 190kph, the car felt well planted with no signs of nervousness. We would have loved to see the Cruze on a softer tyre compound like the Michelins or the Pirellis have which are also quieter on concrete roads compared to the Vectras. The U-shaped suspension with torsion beams at the rear help to reduce the body roll which is quite negligible due to the long wheelbase and low ride height; and the roll steer is designed to cut out tyre slip angle while cornering as the Cruze has wider rear track of 1558mm compared to the front track of 1544mm.

The steering wheel of the Cruze is connected to the wheels by a simple rack-and-pinion steering linkage system. The steering wheel is light at low speeds and weighs up a little at high speeds. Even though the steering is light, it doesn’t feel artificial at any point and is always responsive. The powerful motor along with excellent ride and handling characteristics make the Cruze stand out in its segment. The Cruze has a ground clearance of 165mm which isn’t bad; however the approach and departure angles of the car can cause some moments of worry for drivers.

The disc brakes at the front and rear of the Cruze are quite effective and brake progressively. Brake feel is good and in our brake test, the Cruze travelled 36.5 metres from 80kph to a complete halt.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Live From Los Angeles 2009

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Los Angeles 2009

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact car promises to redefine fuel efficiency for the small-car segment, and its 1.4-liter four-cylinder range of engines could herald a new era of fun-to-drive cars for Americans, even if the SS version of the Cruze never materializes.

Europeans are, of course, neck-deep in such cars, but American buyers have only recently come to appreciate the virtues of such vehicles--and U.S. fuel economy regulations have only recently come to incentivize their production and sales.

But beyond the efficiency of the car, Chevrolet hopes to make the Cruze something of an enthsuiast car, seeking "excellent fuel efficiency and durability--while also being fun to drive." That bodes well for the Cruze-based Buick sedan also expected to be coming soon. That car will take its place below the recently revealed Regal in the new Buick lineup.

Leveraging Chevrolet’s design and engineering talent in Asia, Europe and North America, the Cruze brings to market a globally engineered and designed car with strong levels of quietness, quality and attention to detail.

There will be three different time levels, LS, LT and LTZ trims. The engine lineup includes both naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines, including a 1.4-liter turbo and a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated mill. Six-speed automatic and manual transmissions are available.

The turbo is standard on LT and LTZ models, with power ratings estimated at 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. The 1.8-liter naturally aspirated mill, meanwhile, will be rated at 136 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque.