Cruze Hatchback first view

Following the unveiling of the Cruze Hatchback ‘show car’ in Paris last September, Chevrolet has released the first images of the production version that’ll be at Geneva next week.

Apart from some elements that gave the concept a bit more pizzazz - such as the lights and large wheels - not a lot has changed.



Adding a hatch to the existing saloon is bound to extend the Cruze’s appeal, especially in Europe. However, one potential snag for GM could be that the Chevrolet cannibalises sales from its slightly more upmarket cousin, the very, very similar Vauxhall / Opel Astra.



Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback are set to start this summer. Prices and specifications have yet to be confirmed, but a fresh line-up of engines is promised, including a 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) diesel.



The new model is also going to be built in Australia, where it’ll be marketed as the Holden Cruze.



Images © GM Corp.



Related post:

Cruze hatch show car

Revised Vauxhall VXR8

UK buyers will once again be able to get their hands on the Vauxhall VXR8. Available from next March, this latest version is based on the just-launched E Series 3 GTS model from Holden’s HSV division.

Power comes from GM’s 6.2 litre LS3 V8, which also sees service in the Chevrolet Camaro SS and Corvette LT. In the VXR8, it’s rated at 425 bhp (316 kW / 431 PS) with 550 Nm (405 lb/ft) of torque, which is enough to propel the Vauxhall from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).



Drive is to the rear wheels, although customers can choose whether this goes through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. A mechanical limited slip differential features as standard.

The VXR8 also comes with some trick chassis technology. Magnetic Ride Control has been borrowed from the Corvette ZR1, and it allows for continuously adjustable suspension via magnetic particles in the dampers. Launch Control meanwhile does pretty much as the name suggests. Engaged when the Electronic Stability Control’s Competition Mode is selected, it governs how much torque is delivered to the rear wheels for maximum traction when accelerating away from standstill.



Inside the cabin, the 2011 VXR8 is equipped with leather-trimmed HSV performance seats, which have eight-way electric adjustment. Those of an enthusiastic nature can monitor their progress via the Enhanced Driver Interface. This displays things like G-force, how much the car is drifting and lap times on the dashboard’s five-inch screen. The data can then be downloaded later to let the driver bore their friends with endless analysis and bragging. Handy for track days, though.

Only six dealers have been chosen to sell the VXR8 in the UK, although a further 28 have been authorised to service it. The on the road price, including VAT at 20%, has been set at £49,500 and orders can be placed from later this month.



That’s certainly a lot for a Vauxhall, and it’ll doubtless put some badge snobs off. But that would be missing the point. Similarly-sized V8 sports saloons from the premium manufacturers are much more expensive, with the Jaguar XFR and Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Saloon costing £62,600 and £71,900 respectively. The smaller BMW M3 Saloon is currently listed at £51,805, and it's probably more of a natural competitor to the VXR8 on price and performance, if not on size.

2011 Holden VE Series II Commodore

A fountain of tears was shed when the Pontiac G8 sedan bit 'the dust along with their parents' brand, the poncho-market Holden Commodore was one of our best races -.. Especially in its delicious appearance LS3 GXP powered with a six-speed stick as You know, Holden are now ready for export Zeta-based sedans in the U.S. as a new long-wheelbase Chevy Caprice police car, but the civilian versions are not part of the program. This brings us to the latest Scuttlebutt by Drive.com.au, after which a new export agreement for sending standard pitch Holden VE Commodore returns to the United States could be on the horizon like a Chevrolet published reports.

Drive prices of General Motors engineer Al Heiser Oppen to confirm that negotiations are taking place now, GM and a second anonymous source told the site that is a done deal. A spokesman said Holden Drive in terms of exports, the focus is currently on PPV Caprice, but added that other deals being pursued. There are good reasons for hope. The president of GM North America Mark Reuss was the head of Holden 2008 and 2009, and clearly knows how good the product.

The G8 has won much praise during his short tenure, and the lack of a legit sport sedan is a glaring gap in the otherwise comprehensive Chevy lineup. It is also important to remember that, thanks to the Pontiac G8, the majority of developing countries federalization of the Australian four-door has already been done. Probably not much to the current VE Series II sedan to get ready for an encore of the United States. Hell, if it really happened, perhaps this time GM could ute also to the introduction go. Rename the Chevy version would be a breeze after all.

Holden has started serial production of the concept Efijy live pics

Presented at the Sydney Motor Show 2005 Australian Holden brand under the patronage of General Motors, Efijy was to remain a concept only.
This model was created in honor of the legendary brands FJ. But her style, halfway between design 30s and 50s and "crazy" look so
came to taste someone from the rich world that they were able to convince GM to produce serial Efijy, a few copies.

Cruze hatch show car

Chevrolet’s Cruze is the best selling compact saloon in several major European markets, including Germany, Italy and the UK.



The problem is that it’s a small segment, because hatchbacks take the lion’s share of compact sales in Europe. That also explains why Chevrolet’s sister brands Vauxhall and Opel have yet to produce a saloon version of the current generation Astra, the model which shares its ‘Delta II’ platform with the Cruze.



So, perhaps realising that having just one body style is hampering sales, Chevrolet has announced it’ll be unveiling a Cruze hatchback at this month’s Paris Motor Show. Although the hatch is being referred to as a ‘show car’ (which means it’s not a concept, but it’s not quite the final production spec either), sales are due to start from the middle of 2011.

Reflecting the Cruze’s global presence, the hatchback show car has actually been designed and built by GM’s Australian subsidiary, Holden, at its studios in Melbourne. The result is an elegant looking vehicle which - unsurprisingly - appears to share its proportions with the Astra, which is no bad thing. It could even tempt some buyers away from Vauxhall and Opel?



Australia will also become a manufacturing location for the Cruze hatch, to satisfy the local market. Like the existing saloon version (pictured below), cars sold there will be badged as Holdens and get a slightly different nose.

All images © GM Corp.

Holden Efijy Concept

The Holden Efijy Concept is a radical pillarless custom coupe boasting V8 Supercar power under the bonnet, Chevrolet Corvette underbody and state-of-the-art automotive technology throughout. The 'Soprano Purple' paintwork highlights its curvaceous 5.2-metre body, reinterpreting the classic design cues of the iconic 1953 FJ Holden. It delivers retro, mumbo and gizmos in one glorious package. Obviously not intended for production, Holden Efijy has been a passionate side project for some Holden Design team members otherwise dedicated to creating the all-new 2006 Commodore. A long-term dream for Chief Designer Richard Ferlazzo, Holden Efijy brought together almost 20 suppliers to highlight the latest in mechanical, electronic and material products and ideas. Automotive excess pounds through a 480-kilowatt, supercharged six-litre V8 engine and air-adjustable shock absorbers through to a touch control LCD screen and fan-cooled LED headlamps.

The Design philosophies:
Holden Chief Designer and Holden Efijy project leader Richard Ferlazzo, who sketched the first Efijy designs in 1989 and is a long-time custom car fanatic, said the car existed purely for automotive entertainment. "Invariably, people smile when they see it for the first time. Holden Efijy is our accolade to the talented designers who cut loose with some fantastically flamboyant styling in the post-war 1940s and 1950s," Ferlazzo said. "Ask the question, 'what would these people have created using all the skill sets and technology we have now', and Holden Efijy might be the all-Australian answer to that question. Efijy is also aimed at the legions of custom car and hot rod enthusiasts out there whose appetites aren't generally met in the concept car arena. Most importantly, itsends the message that the same people who have sensible day jobs designing entirely practical cars have the passion and inspiration to create something as outrageous as Efijy. We're all car nuts together and the fact that Holden Efijy stands on our Sydney motorshow stand goes some way to legitimising this form of automotive design in the mainstream."

The Exterior and interior highlights:
The design team has cleverly incorporated FJ design cues into Efijy's radicalcustom coupe body, acknowledging the most important aspects of the iconic 1953 release. The famously familiar FJ grille looms larger than life, fronting a low, wide and handsome body extravagantly elongated and brimming with retro chic style. The Corvette rolling chassis was lengthened to accommodate the Holden Efijy body, which is more than 700 millimetres longer than the FJ by which it was inspired. The Soprano Purple paint has multiple layers of translucent pigmented topcoats which creates the rich, deep effect. All brightwork on the vehicle is hand-made billet aluminium to maximise its authentic look, nowhere more evident than the stunning grill salute to FJ's distinctive front. A proximity sensor opens the door automatically as the driver approaches, revealing deep cream leather twin tombstone-shaped seats equipped with integral belts. The drop-down, touch control LCD screen and an instrument cluster glowing with the number '53'- another FJ gesture - are set in the body-coloured metal dash and pulsate with a radiogram retro orange glow. There are pearlescent, Bakelite-look push button controls for the electronic automatic transmission and the hard curved floor is finished in figured maple timber veneer with aluminium inserts. Efijy's prowling appearance can be accentuated by the air-adjustable suspension. At the touch an LCD screen, At a touch of the LCD screen, Holden Efijy can hunker down to just 27 millimetres from the ground or rise to a more practical drive height. The use of LED headlights and tail lights is accompanied by liberal LED applications inside the vehicle, including courtesy lamps and sill plate illumination lamps. Several are dual filament, allowing them to throw different colors depending on the application. Like any great showcar, Holden Efijy Concept is stocked with a cutting edge entertainment system featuring hard drive audio and video storage driven through a major amplifier and speaker setup.

The Mechanical highlights
The 6.0-litre LS2 V8 engine has been supercharged and modified by Ron Harrop, well known throughout the Australian automotive and motorsport industry and an ex-FJ Holden racer. Driven by a Roots-type supercharger, the engine delivers peak power of 480kW (645 horsepower) at 6400rpm and peak torque of 775Nm (560 foot-pound) at 4200rpm. Such performance figures are equal to the stated output from 2005 Series V8 Supercars, and almost 11 times greater than the 45kW (60 horsepower) offered in the 1953 FJ Holden. Efijy's engine is mated to a rear-mounted four-speed automatic transmission featuring push button electronic control. Limited slip differential has been fitted for obvious reasons. The custom designed exhaust is a stainless steel 2.5-inch dual system with customised compact headers and billet aluminium exhaust tips. The power output is transferred to massive 22-inch by 10-inch billet aluminium wheels with fluting which echoes the FJ's more modest original 15-inch by 4-inch wheels. Reflecting its street sled heritage, the front wheels are 20-inch by 9-inch. The brakes feature 381mm (15-inch) grooved and ventilated rotors front and rear, combined with six-piston aluminium calipers at the front and four-piston aluminium calipers at the rear.

Holden Volt

The Volt - Vehicle Details
The design of the Volt production car has evolved from an original concept that was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The General Motors created an energy efficient design for the production vehicle, resulting in one of the most aerodynamic cars in the company's history.
The design cues from the concept car have been carried over in the production Volt, including the closed front grille, athletic stance and rear design graphics.

The Inside, Volt offer the space, comfort, convenience and safety features that customers expect in a four-passenger sedan.

The Volt - Battery Details
GM will establish the first lithium-ion battery pack manufacturing facility operated by a major automaker in the United States to produce the Volt's battery pack system.
It consists of lithium-ion cells that are grouped into modules, along with other key battery components. The plant will be located in Michigan, subject to negotiations with state and local government authorities.

Holden Efijy Concept

Holden Efijy Concept is a radical pillarless custom coupe boasting V8 Supercar power under the bonnet, Chevrolet Corvette underbody and state-of-the-art automotive technology throughout. The 'Soprano Purple' paintwork highlights its curvaceous 5.2-metre body, reinterpreting the classic design cues of the iconic 1953 FJ Holden. It delivers retro, mumbo and gizmos in one glorious package. Obviously not intended for production, Holden Efijy has been a passionate side project for some Holden Design team members otherwise dedicated to creating the all-new 2006 Commodore. A long-term dream for Chief Designer Richard Ferlazzo, Holden Efijy brought together almost 20 suppliers to highlight the latest in mechanical, electronic and material products and ideas. Automotive excess pounds through a 480-kilowatt, supercharged six-litre V8 engine and air-adjustable shock absorbers through to a touch control LCD screen and fan-cooled LED headlamps. GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, said the Holden Efijy project was a bold statement on the creative talent available within Holden's design ranks. Mr Mooney said the project was developed as a collaboration with suppliers which reduced impact on the company's heavy work schedule and ensured the highest possible quality result for the showcar.

"Efijy is all about fun, emotion and imagination. It shows what a bunch of clever and talented design people can do when they are let loose to create something really wild," Mr Mooney said. "This year was a fantastic opportunity for us to create something which highlights our designers' ability and versatility. Efijy is sure to evoke different memories for everyone who sees it. People might focus on the FJ links, the glorious custom coupes of the 1930s or the great design flair of the 1950s."

Design philosophies
Holden Chief Designer and Holden Efijy project leader Richard Ferlazzo, who sketched the first Efijy designs in 1989 and is a long-time custom car fanatic, said the car existed purely for automotive entertainment. "Invariably, people smile when they see it for the first time. Holden Efijy is our accolade to the talented designers who cut loose with some fantastically flamboyant styling in the post-war 1940s and 1950s," Ferlazzo said. "Ask the question, 'what would these people have created using all the skill sets and technology we have now', and Holden Efijy might be the all-Australian answer to that question. Efijy is also aimed at the legions of custom car and hot rod enthusiasts out there whose appetites aren't generally met in the concept car arena. Most importantly, itsends the message that the same people who have sensible day jobs designing entirely practical cars have the passion and inspiration to create something as outrageous as Efijy. We're all car nuts together and the fact that Holden Efijy stands on our Sydney motorshow stand goes some way to legitimising this form of automotive design in the mainstream."

The exterior and The interior highlights
The design team has cleverly incorporated FJ design cues into Efijy's radicalcustom coupe body, acknowledging the most important aspects of the iconic 1953 release. The famously familiar FJ grille looms larger than life, fronting a low, wide and handsome body extravagantly elongated and brimming with retro chic style. The Corvette rolling chassis was lengthened to accommodate the Holden Efijy body, which is more than 700 millimetres longer than the FJ by which it was inspired. The Soprano Purple paint has multiple layers of translucent pigmented topcoats which creates the rich, deep effect. All brightwork on the vehicle is hand-made billet aluminium to maximise its authentic look, nowhere more evident than the stunning grill salute to FJ's distinctive front. A proximity sensor opens the door automatically as the driver approaches, revealing deep cream leather twin tombstone-shaped seats equipped with integral belts. The drop-down, touch control LCD screen and an instrument cluster glowing with the number '53'- another FJ gesture - are set in the body-coloured metal dash and pulsate with a radiogram retro orange glow. There are pearlescent, Bakelite-look push button controls for the electronic automatic transmission and the hard curved floor is finished in figured maple timber veneer with aluminium inserts. Efijy's prowling appearance can be accentuated by the air-adjustable suspension. At the touch an LCD screen, At a touch of the LCD screen, Holden Efijy can hunker down to just 27 millimetres from the ground or rise to a more practical drive height. The use of LED headlights and tail lights is accompanied by liberal LED applications inside the vehicle, including courtesy lamps and sill plate illumination lamps. Several are dual filament, allowing them to throw different colors depending on the application. Like any great showcar, Holden Efijy Concept is stocked with a cutting edge entertainment system featuring hard drive audio and video storage driven through a major amplifier and speaker setup.

The mechanical highlights

The 6.0-litre LS2 V8 engine has been supercharged and modified by Ron Harrop, well known throughout the Australian automotive and motorsport industry and an ex-FJ Holden racer. Driven by a Roots-type supercharger, the engine delivers peak power of 480kW (645 horsepower) at 6400rpm and peak torque of 775Nm (560 foot-pound) at 4200rpm. Such performance figures are equal to the stated output from 2005 Series V8 Supercars, and almost 11 times greater than the 45kW (60 horsepower) offered in the 1953 FJ Holden. Efijy's engine is mated to a rear-mounted four-speed automatic transmission featuring push button electronic control. Limited slip differential has been fitted for obvious reasons. The custom designed exhaust is a stainless steel 2.5-inch dual system with customised compact headers and billet aluminium exhaust tips. The power output is transferred to massive 22-inch by 10-inch billet aluminium wheels with fluting which echoes the FJ's more modest original 15-inch by 4-inch wheels. Reflecting its street sled heritage, the front wheels are 20-inch by 9-inch. The brakes feature 381mm (15-inch) grooved and ventilated rotors front and rear, combined with six-piston aluminium calipers at the front and four-piston aluminium calipers at the rear.

Development schedule
Advanced designs for Holden Efijy were prepared during 2003, the 50 th anniversary of the original FJ release. Clay models were prepared but plans were shelved to make way for other stunning concept cars such as last year's Torana TT36. The project was finally approved early this year for the 2005 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. This gave the team eight months to bring like-minded suppliers on board and complete the Holden Efijy build in a way which greatly reduced costs compared with most showcars. "Efijy has been a real labor of love for everyone involved and it shows in the way it feels. It gave us a unique opportunity to showcase Holden's creative abilities, and those of some of our key partners, in a way which will appeal to a broader audience," Ferlazzo said. "It's been a long road to bring this to reality and the perfect time to do it before we pull the covers off our new Commodore range. We're pretty sure that an Australian motor show has never seen anything like Efijy from a local carmaker before."

Technical Specifications
* Dimensions
o Length: 5162 mm
o Width: 1999 mm
o Height - drive setting: 1386 mm
o Height - show setting: 1274 mm
o Ground clearance - drive: 139 mm
o Ground clearance - show: 27 mm
o Track front: 1640 mm
o Track rear: 1660 mm
o Wheelbase: 2946 mm
* Powertrain
o Engine: GM 6.0-litre, LS2 aluminium V8 with Roots-type supercharger
o Bore and stroke: 101.6 mm x 92.0 mm
o Compression ratio: 10.9:1
o Power and torque: 480kW (645 bhp) @ 6400 rpm
o Torque: 775Nm (560 ft/lb) @ 4200 rpm
* Exhaust: Custom designed, block hugger headers, stainless steel 2.5-inch dual system, billet aluminium exhaust tips
* Transaxle: GM four-speed electronic automatic transmission, push button electronic control, limited slip differential

Holden Efijy