With its North American release in September, the Chevrolet Cruze is celebrating an encouraging start to life in global markets.
During the first six months of 2010, customers have bought 140,000 models making a total of 270,000 since it was launched in Europe during the spring of 2009. Indeed sales are rising at an average rate of 18 per cent per month.
Part of the appeal of the Chevrolet Cruze is its impressive engine line-up. The 2011 model is powered by a new generation of small displacement four-cylinder engines which include an Ecotec 1.4l turbo engine and an Ecotec 1.8l.
The Ecotec 1.4l helps the Cruze achieve an estimated 40mpg and is expected to offer the best fuel economy of any vehicle in the compact car segment when it launches in the US. Despite this achievement it delivers 138horsepower and 148lb-ft of torque between 1,850rpm and 4,900rpm.
The 1.8l Ecotec model meanwhile, features a variable intake manifold for optimal performance across the rpm range. It is rated at 136hp with 123lb-ft of torque.
When launched in the US, the Chevrolet Cruze will be produced in Lordstown, Ohio, making it one of the few compact cars actually built in the US for that model year. The models will have a retail price starting at $16,995, while the eco models start at $18,895.
