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The story of the Chevrolet Cruze goes from strength to strength with the latest chapter heralding the launch of a new 5-door hatchback model, further evidence of Chevrolet’s intention to bring value for money to all mainstream segments in Europe.

-Hatchback show car to be unveiled at Paris Motor Show
-New model will build on Cruze sedan’s global appeal
-Cruze hatchback cements Chevrolet’s mainstream credentials in Europe
-One of four Chevrolet premieres in Paris

A show car version of Chevrolet’s compact contender will be seen for the first time at the Paris Motor Show, on September 30. It will be one of four world Chevrolet premieres at the show.

With the introduction of the new Cruze hatchback, customers have an alternative body style to the traditional sedan and Chevrolet has raised the bar again with a vehicle that brings new levels of value against some of the more established competition.

According to Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe, the potential for meeting further customer demand is significant. “Cruze is turning out to be a real success story. We are selling it in 70 countries around the world and it has recently surpassed the Aveo as our top selling passenger car nameplate globally.

“Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets. The total compact segment in Europe represents around 4.8 million units which is over a quarter of the total market, with hatchbacks representing around 65% of that volume. We therefore expect to see increased business in a number of regions, while sending out a signal that Chevrolet is now a serious mainstream player in Europe.”

Since its launch in the spring 2009, the Cruze sedan has been warmly welcomed by markets all over the world, greeted as a step change for the brand with customers attracted to its coupe style, build quality, 5-star NCAP rating and driving dynamics. It was also elected the AUTOBEST car of 2010 by a jury of leading auto writers in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Chevrolet Cruze is a car particularly well suited to European driver tastes, a fact borne out by sales success across many of markets. So far in 2010, Cruze tops the compact sedan sales charts in many of the larger European markets including Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the U.K., where it is exceeding forecasted sales.

Outside of Europe, Cruze’s sales momentum is equally evident. In China alone, Chevrolet has sold nearly 90,000 Cruze since the start of the year, while the sedan is also selling well in Russia, parts of South America, and in India and other emerging markets.

Hatchback design
With its attractive sweeping coupe roofline and short overhangs at both the front and rear, the new Cruze hatchback has the same dynamic ‘stance’ as the sedan and will be instantly recognizable. It will benefit too from the same taut body ‘feel’ on the road, being built using the new body-frame integral system (BFI) which is complemented by the final tuning to chassis components. The BFI system results in high levels of stability and solidity.

Cargo capacity for the Cruze hatchback is close to 400 liters and will feature 60/40 split rear seating.

Chevrolet’s participation in the World Touring Car Championship with the Cruze is also currently paying great dividends. With four races left in the season, it currently leads both the drivers’ and team championships while also showcasing the dynamic qualities of the car to great effect.

The new Chevrolet Cruze 5-door hatchback will go on sale across Europe mid 2011 with prices announced nearer the launch date.

Chevrolet’s first entrant into the European MPV segment, the Orlando, will be one of the star attractions at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris on September 30, when the full production model makes its world debut. It will be one of four Chevrolet world premieres at the show.

-Function with attitude: striking crossover look combined with 7-seater versatility
-Chevrolet brings great value entry to compact MPV segment
-World premiere at Paris Motor Show, start of sale in early 2011
-One of four Chevrolet world premieres to be presented in Paris

Based on the show car concept first seen at Paris in 2008, the Chevrolet Orlando is a true family car for the times, combining 7-seater practicality and interior flexibility with striking crossover style design.

Chevrolet’s new compact MPV eschews the bland designs sometimes seen in the segment, and instead adopts a bolder look with its low roofline and crossover inspired silhouette, while retaining the distinctive and recognizable Chevrolet ‘face’ depicted by the split radiator grille and bow-tie badge.

The Orlando’s low swept roof line is complemented by the muscular, protruding wheel-arches, housing 16, 17 or 18 inch wheels.

The new Orlando MPV has a key role to play in Chevrolet’s continued product offensive in Europe, as Wayne Brannon, president and managing director for Chevrolet Europe explains. “The new Orlando MPV kicks off an ambitious seven-product launch program over the next 15 months.

“We’re confident the Orlando not only brings great value for money to the MPV class but also something fresh – function with attitude if you like – and the opportunity for us to continue building our volume across Europe. I believe it will also bring more new customers to the Chevrolet brand.”

While the exterior of the new Orlando is sure to draw plenty of attention, the interior too features the latest design cues from Chevrolet such as the Corvette inspired dual cockpit and ambient blue backlighting to the centre console. However, it’s the theatre style seating arrangement of the Orlando’s three rows of seats, the generous load area and the numerous storage solutions that will also grab the attention of family motorists.

In spite of the sweeping roof-line, the designers have succeeded in raising the second and third row of seats, which means Orlando’s occupants get an even better view both forwards and to the side. And with a wide variety of seating configurations possible, the Orlando can be quickly transformed into one of the most voluminous MPVs in the class when it comes to carrying loads.

Any hard working family car needs plenty of interior storage space for all the ‘paraphernalia’ that builds up. Like the Orlando concept car, the Orlando obliges with a range of compartments of different shapes and sizes situated in the center console, front and rear doors, rear cargo area and even the roof.

However, perhaps the most ingenious is a storage area hidden behind front fascia of the audio, and within easy reach of the both the driver and passenger. Seen originally on the Orlando concept car, the designers have been able to integrate a usefully large area which is revealed by flipping up the face of the audio, and large enough for such items as an MP3 player, sunglasses and wallets. Within the space itself, there is also a USB port – ideal for re-charging the MP3 or iPod when on the move.

The Orlando is based on Chevrolet’s successful and award winning Cruze saloon, already proven to offer excellent ride and handling. Under the hood there will be a choice of three of Chevrolet’s latest fuel efficient engines: one petrol engine will be available, a 1.8 litre with power output of 141 hp and two diesel units, the latest version of Chevrolet’s 2.0 litre engine with outputs of 131hp (low output) or 163 hp (high output).

Customers will also be able to choose from four trim levels in the UK with standard equipment on all cars including electronic stability control, six air-bags, air conditioning and electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors.

Full production of the Chevrolet Orlando starts in October with the car going on sale across Europe in early 2011.

Surf’s up dudes – and here’s the proof! Chevrolet, the manufacturer behind the market-leading 5-Year Promise aftercare package, has pulled the wraps off a one-off special version of its top-selling Spark supermini, created to celebrate the brand’s American heritage and connection to youth culture.

-Chevrolet unveils Spark Woody Wagon art car
-One-off created to coincide with Boardmasters festival
-Continues European ‘Art Spark’ theme
-To feature at Paris Motor Show

Spotted driving around Newquay, Cornwall, at the start of the annual Boardmasters surf, skate and music festival, the Spark Woody will go on to star at the grand final of this year’s Young? Creative? Chevrolet! arts competition, which takes place in Paris on the eve of the International Motor Show next month.

The car recalls the dawn of the surf movement in the USA, when, in the late Fifties and early Sixties, surfers bought ‘Woodies’. These were traditionally large estate cars based on mainstream models, but with timber framed bodywork, as they were both cheap and spacious enough to carry their boards and equipment.

Woody Wagons were immortalised in song, chiefly in The Beach Boys’ Surfin Safari and Jan and Dean’s Surf City, both widely regarded as two of the most famous surfing tunes ever.

Yet even when car makers stopped using wooden frames, an expensive and difficult production process, the Woody had become so much a part of American culture that its essence continued, with Chevrolet one of many US manufacturers who used Di-Noc woodgrained vinyl panelling to maintain the woody effect.

The Spark Woody was created in the UK for Chevrolet using a three-quarter vinyl body wrap provided by Pyramid Visuals of Weybridge, whose speciality is normally in vans and shop frontages. Its roof is adorned with an Escape Mini-Mal surfboard, made in Cornwall, as its wood-effect panelling was in keeping with the car’s retro styling.

Chevrolet chose Newquay to show off the car for the first time, as the Cornish resort is famous across the world for its surfing culture – the Atlantic Ocean meets the British Isles at one of its narrowest peninsulas, which gives naturally excellent conditions for surfing.

The Spark Woody is one of a series of Art Sparks created by Chevrolet Europe in the past year. The first, a unique interpretation of the car by German fashion designer Smeilinener, made its debut at the final of the Young? Creative? Chevrolet Art Competition in Berlin last October, while other Art Sparks include a one-off WTCC leading car by Portuguese art student Jose Rocha, a YCC winner, and a Spark DJ Car – the world’s largest record turntable, created by Chevrolet UK this year.

A further Art Spark, created by 27-year old British artist Ian Cook, will appear later this month at Silverstone Circuit to coincide with the British Touring Car Championship meeting there, while the Spark Woody will make its next public appearance this coming weekend at Snetterton, again tied in to the BTCC.

The Classic Design Concepts Firebreather is put on sale. The official price is $60 000, which seems reasonable according to the exterior and performance.

Power is provided by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with a cold-air induction system and a 3-inch cat-back dual exhaust. It produces 599 hp (447 kW / 607 PS) instead of the standard 426 hp (318 kW / 432 PS).

Inside, the cabin boasts leather upholstery, piano black trim, red ambient lighting, special floor mats, and an individually numbered plaque.

Firebreather production will be limited to 50 units.

Canadian Serge Leger released he impressive dragster – 1400hp Chevrolet Camaro.

THE ESSENTIALS
Owner: Serge Leger
Location: Shediac, NB
Vehicle: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Power: 1400whp with 900lb-ft (est.)

ENGINE
GM 6.0L LSX V8

ENGINE MODIFICATIONS
Turbonetics hybrid 91mm
Twin Turbonetics Duo 35 Blow-off Valves
Twin Turbonetics RG 45 Wastegates
Twin Spearco cores with custom end tanks
Vibrant Piping used was all 304 stainless
Custom 5-inch downpipe
Custom 3-inch dual exhaust
Custom aluminum sheet metal intake manifold
Custom exhaust manifolds
Custom charge piping
Flex-A-Lite radiator and fan combo
Custom stainless coolant piping
Custom transmission and oil cooling radiators and lines
Injectors 2150cc Fuel injector clinic
Aeromotive A1000 (x2)
Aeromotive pro series EFI FPR
Aeromotive fuel controller
Earl’s SS lines
custom fab fuel rail
custom built aluminum fuel cell with scavenger built in

DRIVELINE
TCI custom built 4l80e Transmission and stall torque converter
custom back half Carbon Fiber tub
custom made 4 link trailing arms
factory unibody rails extended and strengthened
Moser 9-inch rear end fabricated to accommodate rear suspension parts
Moser axles
custom driveshaft
shaved holes and smoothed undercarriage …all painted
QA1 coilovers

WHEELS, TIRES, BRAKES
STRUT 22×10-inch front with 3-inch
STRUT 24×15-inch rear with 7-inch
Pirelli P Zero 265/35R22 front
Pirelli P Zero 405/25R24 rear
Baer 6-piston 355mm all around

INTERIOR
Custom fabricated and reupholstered front seats
Custom fabricated rear seats
Reshaped door panels for speakers
Custom headliner
Custom rear inner quarter panels
Redesigned dash and center console (relocated factory heater and controls)
Auto Meter gauges: fuel, boost, wideband, oil pressure
Imported Italian leather with custom hand stitched (baseball stitch) interior
Custom integrated roll cage with seat belt inserts
Sparco 5-point front harnesses
Sparco 4-point rear seat belt
Carbon by design hood
Carbon by design trunk
Carbon by design radiator cover
Custom carbon panels in trunk, floor, rear tubs etc.
Custom carbon wing (pro stock style)
Custom carbon rear bumper diffuser
Custom Carbon Rear Tub

EXTERIOR
Custom side skirts dropped 1 1/2 front 3 1/2 rear (to accommodate difference in tire height)
Channelled rocker and floor to accommodate side exhaust
Redesigned custom front bumper
Redesigned custom rear bumper
STRUT Carbon fiber Camaro Front Grille
Shaved side markers front and back
Custom PPG Nexa water based black cherry paint

AUDIO & MULTIMEDIA
Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT – Flagship In-Dash Navigation AV Receiver with DVD Playback and Built-In Bluetooth
Pioneer Premier:
TS-C720PRS 6.75-inch Component Speaker Package
PRS-A900 4-Channel Bridgeable Amplifier
PRS-D2000SPL Competition-Level SPL Class D Mono Amplifier
TS-SW1201S2|S4 12-inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofer (x4)
ND-BC20PA Rear View Camera with Visual DSP
Apple Mac Mini with 3G and WiFi