Cruising Peachy: Chevrolet Cruze Is Engineered For Efficiency, Refinement And Driving Fun
With purposeful technologies that benefit consumers, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze will be one of the most fuel-efficient and refined vehicles in its segment. It includes a new family of refined four-cylinder Ecotec engines featuring variable valve timing and the application of numerous acoustic treatments that work harmoniously to give the Cruze the driving experience of a midsize car and the fuel economy of a compact.
Highlights include:
- A new, 1.4L Ecotec turbo engine with variable valve timing helps the high-efficiency Cruze Eco model achieve an estimated – and segment-leading – 40 mpg on the highway
- Fuel-saving six-speed automatic and manual transmissions
- Fuel-saving, rack-mounted electric power steering
- Decoupled MacPherson-strut front suspension and rear torsion beam with Watts linkage for a more precise, responsive driving experience
- Extensive noise and vibration suppression features, including isolated suspension/powertrain mounts and targeted applications of liquid-applied sound deadener.
“The Chevrolet Cruze is going to challenge notions about what a compact car can offer,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “Our goal is to provide consumers with a highly fuel-efficient car that offers the quietness, smoothness and amenities customers appreciate in midsize sedans.”
Production of the Cruze for the United States and Canada begins in the third quarter at the re-tooled Lordstown Assembly Plant. The Eco model will be available in the fourth quarter.
New family of efficient powertrains
Equipped with an exhaust-driven turbocharger, the Cruze’s Ecotec 1.4L turbo performs like a larger engine when needed, but retains the efficiency of a small-displacement four-cylinder in most driving conditions. It is standard on Eco, LT and LTZ models, with power ratings estimated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm).
Standard on LS models is a naturally aspirated Ecotec 1.8L four-cylinder that has the same basic architecture as the 1.4L turbo. Both engines are part of GM’s family of global small-displacement engines designed with fuel efficiency in mind, including technology such as full variable valve timing that optimizes performance and fuel economy across the rpm band.
Backing the Cruze’s new four-cylinder engines are six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Each contributes to Cruze’s excellent fuel economy and, with their carefully matched gears, enhances its fun-to-drive quotient.
Cruze Eco technology
The Cruze Eco is the most fuel-efficient model in the lineup, delivering an estimated 40 mpg on the highway with the standard six-speed manual transmission. Its greater fuel economy is achieved through a number of technologies that enhance aerodynamics, optimize weight and reduce rolling resistance, including:
- A lower front grille air shutter that closes at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics and opens at lower speeds to optimize engine-cooling airflow
- The upper grille has more “closeouts” to improve aerodynamics
- A lower front air dam extension, extensive use of underbody panels and a rear spoiler enhance aerodynamics
- A lowered ride height improves aerodynamics
- Unique 17-inch lightweight aluminum wheels used with ultra-low rolling resistance 17-inch Goodyear tires.
Responsive, quiet driving experience
Complementing Cruze’s new powertrains is a strong body structure and chassis system designed to deliver a responsive and fun driving experience. The body structure is tight and stiff; and its solidity enabled engineers to more precisely tune the chassis for comfort and driving control.
“We are convinced that Cruze customers will appreciate the driving experience,” said Gary Altman, chief engineer. “The strong foundation on which the Cruze is built enabled our engineers to dial in a great balance of comfort and driving fun.”
The front suspension uses decoupled MacPherson struts for better isolation, providing greater separation of extreme road conditions – monster potholes, for example – from everyday driving conditions. At the rear, a technically advanced Watts Z-link design is used. It helps center the rear axle during cornering, helping to keep the Cruze’s handling responses symmetrical on both left-hand and right-hand turns. The linkage’s capability to center the axle during cornering delivers a more balanced driving experience, as the rear suspension better follows the lead of the front suspension.
StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, traction control and anti-lock brakes are standard.
Electric power steering
Electric power steering is standard on all models. It helps save fuel because it removes the conventional power steering pump from the engine’s driven accessories. Engineers tuned the system to provide excellent driver feedback, with quick, direct reaction to steering actions and a strong on-center feel. The system has a ratio of 15.5:1 and requires only slightly more than two turns, lock to lock.
Engineered for quietness
The Cruze delivers unexpected levels of quietness and refinement. Hydraulic ride bushings and an isolated engine cradle reduce or eliminate vibration pathways that could be transmitted to the passenger compartment. Similarly, a number of noise-reducing and noise-cancelling technologies are employed throughout the body structure, including 18 distinctive acoustical treatments. Examples include:
- The steel front-of-dash panel is sandwiched between two damping mats
- Nylon baffles are used in various hollow portions of the body structure and filled with sound-absorbing foam that expands when the body enters the paint oven
- The headliner comprises five layers of thermal fiber acoustic material, including a premium woven fabric on the visible outer layer
- Patches of sound-damping material are applied strategically throughout the body structure and melt into place when the body passes through the paint oven, allowing the patches to follow the contours of the sheet metal below
- Sound insulation material between rear-body structural components that is made from recycled denim
- The doors have triple seals and feature fiberglass “blankets” that serve as water, airflow and noise barriers. The doors are also beta-braced, meaning they close with a solid, precise sound and no resonance.
Production technology
Precision is also seen in the Cruze’s build quality. The Lordstown assembly plant’s body shop was retooled with the latest in body-framing and welding equipment to optimize the manufacture of a very solid body structure. That strong structure fosters minimal production variance and repeatable gap tolerances of 3 mm or less between most exterior panels. To the customer, this means a better-looking car when new and one that feels solid for years to come.
Chevrolet engineers have already logged more than 4 million miles in quality and durability testing worldwide, making Cruze one of the most real world-tested products prior to a U.S. launch. It is backed by Chevrolet’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty – the best coverage in America.
Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from “gas-friendly to gas-free,” Chevrolet has nine models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers two hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Chevrolet delivers expressive design, spirited performance and strives to provide the best value in every segment in which it competes. More information can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
