Cruiser CRUIZE: Chevy’s New Baby

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Of late, General Motors has been on a market recovery mode, offering service where no carmakers have gone, a three-year or 100000-kilometre warranty.

First of all you would like to go back to the Chevy dealership again unlike a Ford or a VW, because of the pleasant atmosphere and the courteous staff who make you feel at home.

Then you would like to take a look at Chevy's new baby the Cruize.

The Chevrolet Cruize is unlike other Chevy models - a Korean by design but the front reminds you a vintage growler driven by Mel Gibson in one of his movies. The engine is a 2-litre 2000-cc VCDi also available in the Optra Magnum. Emits on the raw power of a 150 BHP engine and throws out 370 Nm of torque. So this is quite the car you want to get your hands on for the raw power which combines luxury. This engine has been reviewed earlier in the Captiva; however there are a few tweaks done to enter the housing of the Cruize.

The Cruize is competition to the many cars in its segment like the Skoda Superb, Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. The mileage in city conditions is 14.5 to 15 km with the air-conditioner on, that's generous keeping in mind the 150 BHP. This car is sure to give its competitors a run for their money and not to forget the 3-year free warranty.

The car looks mean from the front with chrome handles, a treat to the Indian user. The car's boot space is a generous 500 litres of non-maneuverability. It is not easily accessible as the rear tapers down to the very back, hence the 500 litres of boot space is accessible with difficulty.

The car does not need a key to unlock or even drive. It opens up sensing your fingerprint. This is good news to people who often forget their keys and run back to get them. It runs on a PEPS system (Passive Entry Passive Start), also you might enter using the remote locking and quiz yourself where to put the key if you are not assisted. The start and stop button is located on the left side of the steering. The cabin is not as futuristic as the Civic. However you have a lot of features which the Civic lacks. The steering has the tilt and the back-and-forth (called telescopic) motion for better drivability. The steering houses the audio controls and the cruise controls. The dashboard middle occupies with the controls of the air-conditioner the music system and a wide screen monitor. This entire console is built around the PEPS system, which assists to the air con, entry, locking signals and rear back up signals. The hand rest in between the front seats opens up to utility as well as provides an aux out for the iPod.

The suspension is the usual one, the front uses Mac Pearson struts and the rear the twist beam axle supported by four discs and with 17" alloys.

The utility space in the dashboard is very slim and cramped and you may often have to adjust yourself to open. However, the door map pockets and the cup holders are generous to make up for that space. But you would still want the space with a little closures, I feel.

There is ample amount of leg room in the front and rear. The seats are pretty comfortable except for the material used for the cover. It might get irritable on a longer drive though. The back seats should have been better contoured for accommodating the back on the longer drives. The ideal seating would be in the front.

Alterations have been made to emphasise on safety. The fuel tank is now situated at the bottom rear between the tyres to take care of collision. With this alteration you feel the scare of sitting on some inflammable fuel but if it could help in some real damage control so be it. There are the usual couple of airbags in the front. However, a couple of more airbags on the side with the torque it breathes.

The throttle doesn't leave your head flinging back. But you may be shocked to look down at the speed meter closing in on a 150 kms without feeling a shiver in the cabin even with the glass down. The car has its feet steady on the ground doing the speeds.

The car is priced from Rs 13.5 lacs to Rs 16.5 lacs on road Bangalore, a very competitive price unlike is competitors another reason for sales. This car is value for every penny you spend.

This is a highway demon and not a bumper-to-bumper drive. To really enjoy this car you need to drive on a stretch with limited interruptions, it will just glide into your system.

GM has always been an understatement and not been much experimented by consumers but with the improvement in after-sales, the high-powered meanness and value for every buck you ought to give it a second coming.