Two from Chevy: Diesel Cruze and 2011 Spark

The Chevrolet Cruze, General Motors’ first new global product to hit the market after emerging from government-sponsored bankruptcy in the United States in 2009, is viewed by many as the American auto giant’s most successful entry in the compact car segment in years. The 2010 Cruze was a great start for the new GM as it heralded a refreshed, competitive lineup of fuel-efficient models bearing the Gold Bowtie badge, which remains GM’s biggest mainstream brand.

But when the Cruze won the 2010-2011 Philippine Car of the Year Award, I was puzzled because, despite its many attractive features, I found the Cruze to be underpowered due to its body weight. This was my impression after test-driving the top-of-the-line Cruze LT (P1,078,888) with 6-speed automatic transmission (A/T) and the same 1.8 liter DOHC 141 ps Ecotec engine as in the lower-priced variants. Driving the Cruze CMP (Chevy Motorsports Program) Street Edition prepped by BRE (Blanco Race Engineering) didn’t change my mind since the body kit and other upgrades just made the car heavier.

Then The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the importer and distributor of Chevrolet in the Philippines, let me try the 4-cylinder 2.0-liter, SOHC common rail direct injection (CRDi) turbo diesel Cruze with 6-speed A/T. What a difference CRDi makes! The diesel Cruze, packing 148 ps/4000 rpm and 320 Nm/2000 rpm max torque, sprints from standstill to 100 kph in 9.9 seconds and delivers combined (highway and city) fuel consumption of 17.6 kilometers per liter.

EARLY PEAK

The torque of the diesel Cruze peaks much earlier than its 4500 rpm redline which means that with its 60-liter fuel tank, the economy translates into a range of over 960 kilometers. Even at low speeds, the pickup is brisk and power is readily available. Although the diesel engine gets noisy when fired up, it quiets down very soon afterward. For fast expressway and more moderate city driving, the diesel Cruze is definitely the best of the five-variant batch.

Add to this superior performance the array of convenient and safety features also found as standard equipment in the petrol LT A/T Cruze: dual front and side-impact airbags, vehicle stability and traction control, disc brakes on all four 17-inch alloy wheels, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, reverse assist sensor, 6 CD/MP3 player with six speakers and steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power-folding side view mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, start/ stop button, leather seats.

Although the diesel variant is the most expensive Cruze at P1,228,888, the high price is offset by the low price of diesel fuel compared with gasoline, which is from five to 10 pesos less per liter.

Meanwhile, the total revamp of the Chevy Spark minicar shows GM’s commitment to building cars for all markets. Unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the all-new Spark was built by GM Daewoo in South Korea on a global platform designed to withstand road conditions all over the world. The first Spark, known as the Daewoo Matiz, was copied so closely by Chery of China as the Chery QQ that several body panels were interchangeable.

EDGIER

The 2011 Spark looks edgier and more substantial than its predecessor with its angular lines, big headlights and heavily sculpted body side. But it remains a tallish, short-length 5-door hatchback ideal for city traffic and tight urban parking space. The rear door handles are located in the C-pillar because of the strong creases defining the car’s rear shoulders.

Inside, the Spark is surprisingly roomy and space-efficient with a satisfactory front seating position and enough legroom and headroom for rear seat passengers—even those over six feet tall. The interior is colorful and futuristic-looking with a LED-lit instrument cluster and a combination of analog and digital displays. These plus the funky upholstery reflect the influence of contemporary electronics, computer games and performance motorcycles, underscoring the theme that this is a car for young, fashion-conscious, eco-minded urbanites on a budget.

Unlike other budget minicars, the new Spark has all-power features, keyless entry with anti-theft alarm, roof rails, a rear spoiler and glass hatch wiper. There are enough cupholders and compartments for documents and loose items. But the 1.2 liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder DOHC engine derived from the Chevy Aveo is disappointing. Rated at 80.5 hp and 110 Nm max torque and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, the engine is so underpowered that it cannot test the limits of the rather competent chassis. This Spark certainly won’t light a fire.

But then the Spark was not built for fast highway driving. Its selling points are its vaunted fuel economy and low price (P568,000.) Its sassy looks and city-friendly size make it attractive to young urbanites buying their first car. Incidentally, it’s nice to know that all Chevys, from the largest (the Suburban) to the smallest (the Spark) are covered by a five-year warranty.

TODAY’S BUMPER STICKER DEFINITION: Experience: the name men give to their mistakes.