Watch This Space: High Performance Holden Cruze SS said to be in the Works

In Australia, the SS badge has a special meaning to Holden owners. Its most frequently associated with the Commodore large car and to a lesser extent, the ultra-rare Torana SS of the 1970s. It’s all about big Aussie V8’s and rear-wheel-drive. It’s as Australian as Fosters beer and Four’N Twenty pies.

So now, there’s talk of a performance version of the Cruze small car in the works - and insidious rumors this front-wheel-drive econobox may carry the prestigious double ‘S’ moniker previously reserved only for V8 models. “Sacrilege!” you scream, and I’m more than willing to agree. Nevertheless, let’s push on and see what the Australian rumor mill has in store for us.

It’s possible a high performance version of the Cruze would use the same 132 kW, / 180HP and 230 Nm 1.6-liter turbo four from the European Vauxhall / Opel Astra as there drivetrains are readily interchangeable thanks to both using the GM’s Delta II architecture.

In the words of an unnamed Holden insider:

“We are investigating all possibilities. We would love to explore a performance version. It is obviously on our wish list. Every engine option available in the Astra is under review.”

A firmer and lower suspension setup and weightier electronic power steering are also on the cars, and are likely to be gradually phased into the rest of the Cruze range as time goes on. Holden’s insider continues:

“We just did not have the resources to develop (revised) suspension and steering for the SRi models. But watch this space.”

A HSV badged model, potentially using the upcoming Opel Astra OPC’s 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo four is also a possibility, however unlikely.

Expect a late 2011 launch for the Cruze “SS” if it makes production. It’s all part of Holden’s plan to overtake the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 as leaders of the Aussie small car market.

At the moment it’s in third place between the Corolla and the Hyundai i30. Deliveries of the Cruze Series II sedan begin in April, with the hatchback expected to follow in October.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Go-auto

2011 HOLDEN CRUZE SERIES II

Chevrolet Rolls Out 2011 Cruze BTCC Racer

GM has pulled the wraps off its Silverline Chevrolet team’s 2011 cars, with which it will campaign in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship [BTCC]. The two Cruze racers enter the 2011 season with a new livery, consistent with that of the WTCC cars, and featuring prominent sponsorship from Silverline, as well as a series of other sponsors including Dunlop, Holiday Inn, Auto Express and Evo.

Chevrolet will continue with the same driver line-up as in 2010, with driver’s champion Jason Plato and 20-year old Alex MacDowall. The first race of the season is on Sunday April 3 at Brands Hatch, Kent.

In the beginning of March, Chevrolet also revealed its 2011 Cruze racers for the World Touring Car Championship [WTCC]. As the 2011 series inaugurates a new set of technical rules and moves to 1.6 turbo petrol engines, Chevrolet had to design and build a new powertrain for its cars.

According to the company, the fitment of the smaller in size, but with increased power and torque, 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, lead to several changes on the engineering of many other elements, from cooling and ancillary systems to front suspension, brakes, aerodynamics and the overall weight distribution of the car.

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Holden Unveils its Own Version of the Cruze Hatchback

Even though it was Chevrolet that came out first with both a thinly disguised concept in 2010 and this year’s production version of the Cruze hatchback at the Geneva Show, the five-door model was actually penned by GM’s Holden division at the Port Melbourne studio in Australia. Now, it’s finally time for Holden to reap the benefits of its work with the release of the first official photos of the compact hatchback with the Australian brand’s lion logo.

“In designing the new five-door hatch we wanted to retain the sporty ‘Cruze’ proportions and bring the same Holden appearance to the hatch that we developed for the new locally-built Series II Cruze sedan,” said Holden Design Director, Tony Stolfo.

It’s worth noting that the Holden Design Studio is one of only GM three facilities in the world with the capability to design and build prototype concept vehicles for exhibitions and international auto shows. According to Mr. Stolfo, the Australian studio is currently working on several new secret projects.

“The Holden design team works on a range of global design projects from small hatchbacks like the new Cruze to large wheel drive performance vehicles and also a number of exciting vehicles yet to be revealed,” Mr Stolfo added.

Like the recently revealed Cruze Sedan Series II, the Australian-market version of the hatchback model will be manufactured locally at the Elizabeth plant with series production set to start in the second half of the year. Holden did not announce details on the hatchback model’s engine range but Australian buyers should expect the same gasoline and diesel options as the sedan.

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