Chevrolet Cruze goes on sale in the U.S. this month

When the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze goes on sale in the U.S. this month, it�s going to bring a whole new experience to the compact car segment, including a brand-new approach to fuel economy. The Cruze is expected to deliver a best-in-segment 40 mpg highway, and that comes courtesy of some impressive work on the part of Chevrolet engineers. For example, a unique variable-displacement oil pump rests under the hood of the Cruze, helping both reduce strain on the engine and increase fuel efficiency.

Here�s how it works: The pump features a pivoting control-chamber mechanism and sliding vanes that allow its displacement to be varied based on engine rpm. When the engine�s first warming up, or when its operating at high speeds, the pump�s displacement is reduced as compared to during other conditions.

�By lowering the volume of oil we reduce the amount of energy, or torque, required to pump the oil, without taking necessary lubrication away from the engine,� said Mike Katerberg, assistant chief engineer for the 1.4-liter engine used in the Cruze. �Reducing the torque demand reduces fuel consumption. It�s a simple, durable, maintenance-free design that we have used in our transmissions for years and more recently in our hybrid vehicles.�

It�s just another way Chevrolet is taking fuel-efficiency to the next level with the Cruze, which will also feature such technologies as variable valve timing and, on the Cruze Eco model, a unique grille-shutter system. The latter automatically opens or closes slats in the car�s grille to optimize engine cooling and aerodynamics based on driving conditions. Other efficiency enhancers for the Cruze Eco include 17-inch alloy wheels with ultra low-rolling resistance tires, as well as a comprehensive aero-oriented body-kit.

The bottom line on the all-new Chevrolet, according to Margaret Brooks, the brand�s marketing director for small cars: �Cruze delivers the amenities, quietness and roominess you expect in larger, more upscale vehicles with the fuel economy of a compact.�

Posting Pertawa Saya tentang Chevrolet Cruze

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is a good car, although at least part of its goodness comes from the fact that it isn�t really that small. It�s well-positioned against the Civic and Corolla. I believe that it beats both of those cars in significant, measurable ways. This is what it is: a good car, a bold car, a car for which no purchaser need make an excuse or feel any concern. This is what it might be: great. That�s for the buyer to decide. This is what it is not: American.The issue of American engineering for the Cruze hardly came up. In the modern era, GM seems to source its electronics in China, its major systems in Europe, and its brainpower in Korea. It�s smart business � TTAC readers know about China�s market and the limitless potential there � but for those of us who wanted an all-American small car to draw a line in the sand, there�s only disappointment.

The rest of you can buy a Cruze with a clear conscience. It�s built here, it�s feature-packed, it doesn�t lag behind the competition, and it�s likely to be a reliable, decent vehicle. That�s all this segment asks for. Anything else can be dismissed as the worthless dream of a wandering dreamer like myself, a pair of ragged claws scuttling across the floor of silent seas, wishing for the day that General Motors shows us a great American small car.

2011 New Chevrolet Cruze Angle view

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is a good car, although at least part of its goodness comes from the fact that it isn�t really that small. It�s well-positioned against the Civic and Corolla. I believe that it beats both of those cars in significant, measurable ways. You are looking at the Cruze�s not-so-secret weapon: an interior that represents a Cloverfield-sized leap past the competition. It�s part Cadillac CTS, part Buick LaCrosse, part Chevrolet Malibu, and unmistakably GM in the way the exterior does not quite manage to be. Forget the Civic or Corolla. From the touchable dash panels to the big, comfy seats, the Cruze is fitted-out to compare directly with Accords and Maximas. The interior is spacious.

2011 New Chevrolet Cruze Interior

2011 New Chevrolet Cruze rear view