Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon (2013)

Chevrolet MyLink aggregates content from a smartphone onto the seven-inch, high resolution, full color touch-screen display. Connectivity will be ensured via USB or Bluetooth for mass storage devices, including MP3 players, iPod, iPad, etc. There is also a dedicated plug-in outlet for certain personal music devices and smartphones that do not use USB or Bluetooth connections.

MyLink enables:

• the caller to choose a name from the stored directory, touch the call function and project the call through the vehicle speakers, thereby obviating the cumbersome process of having to manually dial a number
• easy access to personal playlists, photo galleries, phone books, other stored media and data
• playback of videos and personalized slide shows when the car is stationary
• customers to download special apps such as navigation which will be offered for download later in the year

Manufactured by LG electronics, the seven-inch color touch screen has a clean intuitive design with five menus, each of them comprising a list of easy-to-select functions. The MyLink radio unit can be operated through steering wheel controls used for digital audio broadcasting (DAB). Six speakers will provide excellent sound quality for all occupants.

A rearview camera will be standard in cars with MyLink as well as in vehicles whose infotainment package features the proven integrated navigation device. This package also includes Bluetooth technology for streaming and hands-free connectivity, aux-in and USB jacks, steering wheel controls, CD player and six premium speakers.

Spacious trunk and practical interior layout

Space is abundant in the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon, both for the occupants and the cargo they wish to transport. The carpeted trunk measures 1,024 mm in length in its basic configuration and allows for storage of up to 500 liters up to the window line. When the rear seatbacks (60/40 split) are folded flat, some 1,478 liters of cargo be packed under the roof of the car.

Further trunk highlights include:

• a luggage compartment cover that retracts fully into a cassette. The fully expanded cover can be moved up and out of the way for better access into the trunk
• a storage tray with three storage compartments between the rear seatbacks and the cassette for the luggage cover
• a separate small load space below the rearmost section of the cargo deck which holds the standard tire repair kit
• two extra storage compartments, located behind the wheel arches
• several ears on the sides of the cargo deck for tying down bulky cargo

Smaller stowage spaces inside the car include door pockets with integrated bottle storage (1.5 liters front, 0.5 liters rear), a large illuminated two-tier glovebox, seat-back pockets sufficiently large to carry slim laptops, and a compartment for stowage of smaller items in the instrument panel.

Available accessories may include cargo nets, a cargo organizer box with flexible partition walls, a roof box, as well as bicycle, ski and surf board carrier systems.

Enhanced engine line-up: more punch at each stroke

Under the hood, a 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine and a 1.7L diesel engine will complement the powertrain line-up, in addition to the 1.6L and 1.8L gasoline and 2.0L diesel engines already on offer.

The 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine delivers a performance comparable to engines of a larger displacement while requiring less fuel and producing a smaller carbon footprint. Matched to a standard six-speed manual transmission, it develops 140 hp (103 kW) and a maximum torque of 200 Nm at 1,850~4,900 rpm while 0-100 km/h acceleration requires 9.5 seconds. On a combined cycle, the 1.4L turbo gasoline engine consumes 5.7 liters/100 km, which corresponds to 134 g of CO2 per km.

The 1.7L diesel engine, equipped with an intercooled turbocharger, standard Start/Stop and electric power steering, cranks out 130 hp (96 kW) that propel the station wagon to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds, and to a top speed of 200 km/h. This solid performance is matched by impressive peak torque ratings of 300 Nm at 2,000~2,500 rpm.

With a fuel consumption of 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers on a combined cycle and 119 g of CO2 emissions per kilometer, the 1.7L diesel unit is the most frugal ever to have powered a Chevrolet Cruze.

On the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon, the 1.6L gasoline engine variant will incorporate standard electric power steering (EPS), which helps reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of this unit. In a number of European markets, EPS as well as Start/Stop will also be incorporated on the 2.0L diesel engines as of this summer.

The 1.4L turbo gasoline, the 1.7L and the 2.0L diesel engines will come with a six-speed manual gearbox whereas the 1.6L and 1.8L gasoline engines will be mated to five-speed transmissions. Both the 1.8L gasoline and the 2.0L diesel engine will also be offered with an automatic transmission.

Proven architecture puts safety first

Chassis and suspension engineers have made sure that the station wagon's dynamics match the vehicle's nimble looks. The experience gained on the race track in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), which the Cruze has won for two years in a row, in 2010 and 2011, has been put to good use in the further development of the road car.

The Chevrolet Cruze station wagon shares the same planted, confident stance as the sedan and the hatchback, as well as the highly rigid unibody structure, more than 60 percent of which is made of high-strength steels. Proven McPherson strut front and compound crank type rear suspension designs have been specifically tuned for the car's mission and contribute to the vehicle's low center of gravity, balance of ride and responsive handling.

Steering is electrically power-assisted on the 1.4L turbo and 1.6L gasoline, the 1.7L diesel and the 2.0L diesel engine with Start/Stop, providing the driver with a solid on-center feel. Customers who order a navigation or Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system will be able to use a rearview camera, a novelty on the Cruze which is rather uncommon in the segment. Cruise control is also available, depending on the trim level.

The safety architecture of the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon is nearly identical to that designed for the sedan, a compact car that has earned top five-star safety ratings from both EuroNCAP and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In addition to the vehicle's sophisticated body structure, six standard airbags, Eletronic Stability Control, Traction Control, as well as four-channel anti-lock brakes contribute to its excellent safety performance. Five three-point seatbelts, ISOFIX anchoring system on the two rear outboard positions and a collapsible pedal assembly are also standard.

Head-turning good looks

The Chevrolet Cruze station wagon carries forward the sporty design language embodied by its siblings, the Cruze sedan and hatchback, but has its stand-alone identity. Its proportions, and dynamic styling give Chevrolet's newest entry to Europe a strong presence.

"The station wagon is the latest variant to join the Cruze family and yet, its flowing, harmonious body lines and consistent design illustrate that the nameplate was conceived with this important model in mind from the very outset," said Taewan Kim, Vice President Design, GM Korea. "We were inspired to give the car a fast and distinctive appearance without compromising on spaciousness, versatility and practicality in any way."

From the B-pillars rearward, the bodywork is all new. The station wagon's confident posture is emphasized by a "wheels out, body in" stance, a powerful concave shoulder line and a single arch roofline that tapers off toward the D-pillar. The slim roof rails are a standard feature and contribute to the vehicle's poised looks.

A dual-port grille, with the golden bowtie positioned in the center, instantly communicates the station wagon as a Chevrolet. Among the design changes incorporated into all model year 2013 Cruzes are an angular drawn fascia with horizontal slats which will replace the honeycomb previously used in the grille. An enhanced front bumper with fog lights that are accommodated in newly styled housings give the car a sharper, sportier appearance.

At the rear end, the raked angle of the tailgate consolidates the dynamic profile that is so manifest in the swept frontal section. All model year 2013 Cruzes will sport a fresh five-spoke wheel design. Depending on the trim level, steel or alloy wheels are 16 or 17 inches in size. The station wagon is also offered with stylish black-painted wheels.

Stylish and comfortable interior

The all-new Chevrolet Cruze station wagon offers a modern passenger cabin that is progressively styled and has the degree of flexibility to meet the demands and active lifestyles of modern families and individuals alike.

The interior features Chevrolet's signature dual cockpit, with wrap-around front fascia that flow into the driver and passenger door. Mid and up-level trims will boast a seven-inch high resolution touch screen located in the integrated center stack.

The mid-instrument panel is colored to match the seat inserts and door trims. A new interior color, Brownstone, will be introduced on mid and up-level specifications.

In cars that come with the brand-new Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, or with the new base and mid-level radios, the layout of the instrument panel and center console has been re-designed. The storage compartment in the upper instrument panel is flanked by tall and sleek HVAC outlets. It has been moved forward, closer to the radio unit, and now houses USB and aux-in sockets.

Those connectivity features remain in the storage compartment located under the center console armrest in vehicles featuring the current integrated navigation system available in both left and right-hand-drive markets. In front of the driver, the instrument cluster is efficiently packaged, featuring Chevrolet's trademark ice-blue backlighting. A centrally located digital readout highlights average speed, selected gear in automatic transmissions and fuel range as well instantaneous and average fuel economy.

Vehicles equipped with Start/Stop technology will sport a cluster display with a eco drive assistance menu. It highlights an intuitive selection of data related to the ecological aspects of driving, in particular fuel efficiency.

Thanks to Passive Entry, Passive Start (PEPS), another up-market feature that is new in the Cruze, entering into and disembarking from the station wagon becomes a truly effortless affair. The system allows drivers to keep the car key in their pocket when unlocking, locking and while starting their vehicle with a push-button.

Customers can choose from two kinds of seat fabric or opt for heated leather seats, for a maximum of comfort. Depending on the trim level, air conditioning systems will be either manual or automatic and incorporate a filter that reduces the inflow of particulates and pollutants which may cause asthma and other respiratory conditions.

New convenience in infotainment

As of this summer, a brand-new cutting-edge infotainment technology available on the Cruze is set to inspire customers in many ways. Chevrolet MyLink will set new standards in terms of convenience and flexibility by bringing smartphone capabilities into the vehicle.

Chevrolet MyLink aggregates content from the smartphone onto the seven-inch, high resolution, full color touch-screen display. Connectivity will be ensured via USB or Bluetooth for mass storage devices, including MP3 players, iPod, iPad, etc. There is also a dedicated plug-in outlet for certain personal music devices and smartphones that do not use USB or Bluetooth connections.

With Chevrolet MyLink, the smartphone, functions very much in the same fashion a hard drive would in an embedded infotainment system. Owners of compatible devices can bring their own media into the vehicle through USB or by pairing the smartphone using the system's Bluetooth connection.

Phone calls can be made without dialing, as the caller can select a name from the stored directory, touch the call function and project the call through the vehicle speakers. Personal playlists, photo galleries, phone books, other stored media and data can also be accessed easily. As long as the car remains stationary, occupants may also watch videos or personalized slide shows. A selection of special apps, such as navigation, will be offered for download later in the year.

The seven-inch color touch screen is manufactured by LG electronics and has a clean, intuitive design with five menus (Audio, Pictures & Movies, Telephone, Smartphone Link and Settings), each of them comprising a list of easy-to-select functions. The MyLink radio unit has been engineered to enable digital audio broadcasting (DAB) and can be operated through steering-wheel controls. It will be wired to six speakers.

A rearview camera will be standard in cars with MyLink as well as in vehicles whose infotainment package features the proven integrated navigation device. This package also includes Bluetooth technology for streaming and hands-free connectivity, aux-in and USB jacks, steering wheel controls, CD player and six premium speakers.

The more upscale unit of the two other radio systems to be offered will consist of a standard CD player and six speakers, Bluetooth and hands-free functionality as well as steering wheel controls. The device is DAB-capable and will feature USB and aux-in connectivity.

Spacious trunk, numerous storage opportunities for smaller items

Space is abundant in the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon, both for the occupants and the cargo they wish to transport. Head room is 999 mm (rear seats: 988 mm) while front and rear leg room is 1,074/917 mm and shoulder room 1,391/1,370 mm.

The carpeted trunk measures 1,024 mm in length in its basic configuration and allows for storage of items of up to 500 liters in volume up to window line. When the rear seatbacks are folded flat (60/40 split), the enlarged luggage compartment can hold some 1,478 liters of cargo up to the roof. The maximum payload is approximately 530 kg, depending on the engine variant.

A number of ears attached to the sides of the cargo deck enable customers to tie down larger goods they do not want to slosh about while the car is moving.

The luggage compartment cover retracts fully into a cassette if bulkier cargo needs to be accommodated. The cassette itself can be removed, if necessary. Fetching smaller items out of the trunk is easy, too, as the cover can be conveniently moved upward and out of the way. Just behind the luggage compartment cover lies a storage tray with three storage compartments. Below the rearmost section of the cargo deck, a separate small load space holds the standard tire repair kit.

Smaller stowage spaces inside the car include door pockets with integrated bottle storage (1.5 liters front, 0.5 liters rear), a large and illuminated two-tier glovebox, seat-back pockets sufficiently large to carry slim laptops, and a compartment for stowage of smaller items in the instrument panel. The large center console has an adjustable dual cupholder.

The Chevrolet Cruze station wagon has standard roof rails and a roof load capacity of 100 kg. Bicycles can be carried externally by attaching them to the roof rails by means of a lockable system. Alternatively, they may be mounted onto a carrier that is attached to the trailer hitch. Other accessories such as cargo nets that keep small items from moving around in the cargo area, a cargo organizer box with flexible partition walls, a roof box, as well as ski carriers and a surf board carrier are also available.

New fuel-efficient engines deliver a lot of punch

The Chevrolet Cruze station wagon will be offered with a new 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine that will complement the carline's proven powertrain line-up. This engine delivers a performance comparable to units of a larger displacement while requiring less fuel and producing a smaller carbon footprint.

Featuring standard Start/Stop, the four-cylinder unit has a dual overhead camshaft with variable valve timing and a multi-point injection fuel system.

Coupled to a standard six-speed manual transmission, the 1.4L turbo gasoline engine develops a maximum power output of 140 hp (103 kW) , enabling the station wagon to hit 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds. When it comes to maximum torque, which is rated at 200 Nm at 1,850~4,900 rpm, the 1.4L turbo gasoline engine will, by a considerable margin, be the most potent of the three gasoline engines.

At the same time, its efficiency makes the 1.4L turbocharged gasoline a compelling choice for environmentally and financially conscious drivers. On a combined cycle, the 1.4L turbo gasoline engines consumes 5.7 liters/100 km which result in 134 g of CO2/km.

1.7L diesel - the Cruze's most frugal powerplant

The much anticipated 1.7L diesel engine is equipped with an intercooled turbocharger and boasts an intake manifold with integrated swirl flaps. Diesel fuel is supplied through a common-rail injection fuel system which enables up to 18 injections per cycle at a pressure of 1,800 bar.

At full throttle, the engine cranks out a maximum of 130 hp (96 kW) that propel the vehicle to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds, and to a top speed of 200 km/h. This solid performance is matched by torque ratings of 300 Nm at 2,000~2,500 rpm.

More crucial still, the 1.7L diesel unit is the most frugal powerplant ever to have been mounted into a Chevrolet Cruze. Fuel consumption is 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers on a combined cycle, which translates into 119 g of CO2 emissions per kilometer.

Start/Stop technology as well as electric power steering (EPS) are standard on the 1.7L and will also be featured on 2.0L diesel engines in several European markets. The upgraded 163 hp (120 kw) 2.0L diesel unit will need 4.8 liters per 100 kilometers and emit 126 g of CO2 per kilometer.

On the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon, the 1.6L gasoline engine will be sold with standard electric power steering in all markets, which helps reduce fuel consumption to 6.4 liters on a combined cycle of 100 kilometers, and CO2 emissions to 151 g/km.

The 1.4L turbo gasoline, the 1.7L and the 2.0L diesel engine will come with a six-speed manual gearbox whereas the 1.6L and 1.8L gasoline engines will be mated to five-speed transmissions. Both the 1.8L gasoline and the 2.0L diesel engine will also be offered with an automatic transmission of six speeds.

Race-track-inspired, responsive handling

Chassis and suspension engineers have seen to it that the station wagon's ride and handling characteristics are in tune with the car's nimble appearance. Cruze has won the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) for two years in a row, in 2010 and 2011, and the experience gained on the race track has been put to good use in the further development of the passenger car.

The Chevrolet Cruze station wagon shares the same planted, confident stance as the sedan and the hatchback. It also features a very rigid unibody structure more than 60 percent of which is made of high-strength steels, with the upper body and the car's frame engineered as a single unit.

Proven McPherson strut front and compound crank type rear suspension designs have been specifically tuned to meet the requirements of a modern and versatile station wagon and contribute to the vehicle's low center of gravity, ensure balance of ride and agile handling.

Steering is electrically power-assisted on variants with the 1.4L turbo gasoline and the 1.6L gasoline, 1.7L diesel and the 2.0L diesel engine with Start/Stop, providing the driver with a solid on-center feel. Less than three turns of the steering wheel are required lock-to-lock, giving the Cruze station wagon a turning diameter of 10.9 m curb-to-curb. Available rear parking sensors and cruise control further enhance driving comfort.

A key enabler to the quiet running of the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon is the isolation of its sub-frame by means of four rubber mountings. Other measures to control noise and vibrations include:

• the comprehensive insulation of the entire car body with an array of sealants
• the use of damping patches that were melted at interfaces between small body sections
• molding special nylon baffle packs in strategic locations
• shielding the front bulkhead panel with two damping mats
• attaching a pre-formed fiberglass sheet to the underside of the hood
• a three-layer acoustic headliner with two-layer polyurethane outer skin
• a fiberglass blanket in the doors as a barrier against noise, airflow and water

Proven safety architecture

The safety architecture of the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon is nearly identical to that designed for the sedan, a compact car that has earned top five-star safety ratings from both EuroNCAP and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Ideally, a driver can avoid an accident from occurring in the first place. To this end, the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon features a host of advanced active safety systems which include:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): ESC helps the driver maintain control in challenging driving situations and keeps the vehicle heading in the intended direction. It also enables more precise, controlled anti-lock braking performance as well as exceptional traction and steering stability.
• Traction Control which limits wheel spin when one or both of the front drive wheels begin to lose traction
• four-channel Anti-Lock Brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). The latter proportions brake pressure during braking.

Customers whose car will be fitted with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment or the integrated navigation systems will be able to use a standard rear view camera, a feature still rather uncommon in this segment.

If an accident does happen, six standard airbags are ready to be deployed by the sensing diagnostic module. The station wagon's rigid body structure, welded tubular section members in the doors, door beams made of ultra-high strength steels, and strong cross suspension members at the rear provide excellent all-round protection.

The front and rear crush zones, meanwhile, have been engineered to collapse in a controlled fashion, so as to maintain the integrity of the passenger cabin. A collapsible pedal assembly reduces the risk of injuries to the driver's legs and feet during moderate-to-severe impacts.

All Chevrolet Cruze station wagons are equipped with five three-point seatbelts and six standard airbags. Safety seats for children can be secured using the ISOFIX anchoring system on the two rear outboard positions.