The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety awarded the Mazda 3 with its Top Pick honor in the small car category. The Mazda3 met the criteria by scoring a “Good” rating in all crash test categories (front, side, rear and rollover) and has electronic stability control.

The Mazda3 is the first car from the automaker to score a Top Pick since the IIHS enacted new roof strength regulations, but it is also joined by 12 other small cars in receiving the accolade, including the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze and Kia Forte.

While the Mazda3 was judged to be capable of withstanding forces on the roof equal to more than five times the vehicle’s weight, the IIHS noted that injuries to the pelvis, ribs and right leg are possible, although the risk is low.

[Source: KickingTires]

For all the dismissive attitudes surrounding GM CEO Dan Akerson, his latest machinations seem particularly astute, even if they don’t quite jibe with the tastes of “car guys”.

For months, Akerson has been creating a contingency plan for when oil prices rise to $120 per barrel. Akerson is on record stating that “I don’t think the industry learned a lot of lessons from 2008 — they will this time around,” and who can blame the guy. GM was sunk last time around in part because there were too many SUVs and trucks sitting on dealer lots when gas prices were high and credit was unavailable.

Cars like the Chevrolet Cruze, Sonic (above) and Buick Verano should help flesh out a lineup that was devoid of small cars during the last crisis, and Akerson has also demanded that the company find ways to reduce the cost of the Chevrolet Volt by $10,000. GM sources say that the goal has nearly been achieved, and that the Volt could either see an increase in production, a price cut – or more likely, a bump in profits for GM.

[Source: Detroit News]

One strange aspect about the Chevrolet Cruze hatchbackhas less cargo room than its sedan counterparty. While the Cruze sedan has 450 liters of cargo space, the hatchback has 50 fewer liters because of the model’s shorter rear overhang.

Nevertheless, 65 percent of vehicles sold in Europe are hatchbacks, and a Cruze hatch is a necessity to compete on the world stage. Unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show, the Cruze hatch has the same 1.6L and 1.8L gas engines and 2.0L turbodiesels as other world markets. If it makes it to North America, expect the familiar 1.4L Turbo and 1.8L 4-cylinder engines instead.

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

The production version of the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback has broken cover ahead of its debut at the Geneva Auto Show, and interestingly has less cargo room than its sedan counterparty. While the Cruze sedan has 450 liters of cargo space, the hatchback has 50 fewer liters on account of the shorter rear overhang.

Nevertheless, 65 percent of vehicles sold in Europe are hatchbacks, and a Cruze hatch is a necessity to compete on the world stage. The same 1.6L and 1.8L gas engines and 2.0L turbodiesels wil be available, but there’s no word on whether the Cruze hatch will be available on this side of the pond.

[Source: Carscoop]

The Ford F-150 and its 8-cylinder bretheren may have a lock on America’s auto market, but rising gas prices and improving technology have helped the once-pedestrian 4-cylinder engine dominate the automotive world, with 65.4% of cars built in 2010 powered by a 4-banger. About 18 percent of light trucks were similarly equipped.

While we lost one of the best 4-cylinders ever in 2009, when the Honda S2000 finally ended production, top-notch inline-4s entered the mainstream this past year, as turbocharging and direct-injection helped everyman cars like the Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Sonata and even the Range Rover Evoque punch way above their weight in terms of fuel economy and horsepower, while down on displacement. Look for this trend to continue as oil is now over $100 per barrel, and consumers have found satisfaction without having to go to 6 or 8 cylinders.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

With hatchbacks playing a significant role in auto markets outside North America, the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback will bow at this year’s Geneva Auto Show, where Chevrolet will try and further its push into the European market with a well-targeted product like the 5-door Cruze.

While Chevrolet showed a concept version at the Paris Auto Show this past September, the production Cruze will retain the same styling and come with a 2.0L diesel 4-cylinder making 165 horsepower, with a 6-speed manual as standard equipment. The Cruze has been a strong seller across the world, despite only being offered as a sedan, and the hatchback version will undoubtedly add significant sales volume in other regions. No plans have been announced as far as bringing the car over to the United States, but with Ford and Hyundai’s moves towards compact 5-doors, it’s certainly feasible.

[Source: World Car Fans]

The Fiat 500 just missed the now coveted 40 mpg mark, returning 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg highway with the 5-speed manual, while automatic versions will net 27 mpg in town and 34 mpg while cruising. While the numbers are nothing to frown about, expectations were higher considering the car’s 1.4L four-cylinder engine and compact packaging.

The Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus will all offer 40 mpg capability with more practicality, but we doubt they’ll be as fun to drive. With that said, the $15,995 price point is fairly close to the three compacts, and we expect the lines to be drawn according to those who desire an all-purpose, efficient car versus something stylish and sporty.

Check out Autoguide’s review of the 2012 Fiat 500 here

Daewoo, one of South Korea’s most famous nameplates, is being retired by parent company General Motors, in favor of Chevrolet. GM is hoping to make Chevrolet a global brand, and the move fits in with their overall strategy.

Daewoo has a deservedly poor reputation in the United States for making and selling cars that were less than stellar, but the firm has made enormous strides, becoming an invaluable engineering arm for GM’s small car division. But despite their laudable work behind the scenes (such as playing a huge role in developing the Cruze, Spark and Sonic small cars), the new company, known as GM Korea Co., will be undergoing a radical transformation this year.

The biggest marker of change will be the launch of the Camaro in Q1 of 2011, along with a refresh of 8 other vehicles. “We have studied the brand issue in depth for a long time and have come to the conclusion that launching a new brand strategy and making Chevrolet our primary brand is good for all stakeholders, including especially Korean consumers,” spokesman Park Haeho said.

Daewoo only has 9 percent market share in South Korea, compared to Hyundai’s 47 percent and Kia’s 33 percent. GM is hoping to increase it to 10 percent, despite Daewoo being a Korean nameplate in a market where domestic cars are heavily favored.

[Source: Automotive News]

Although there is no high-performance version of the Chevrolet Cruze, its platform-mate, the Buick Verano, could see a GS version sometime in the future, according to GM’s Ed Wellburn, a senior figure in the General’s design department.

Wellburn claimed that GM was “toying” with the idea of a Verano GS, and that concept sketches have been completed, but that customer reaction to the Verano will need to be gauged before any hot versions can be produced. Wellburn also mentioned that a Verano Hybrid was a possible addition to the lineup but declined to give specifics.

[Source: egm Car Tech]

For all the hype surrounding Ford‘s Fiesta subcompact, which is capable of hitting 40 mpg, it looks like subcompacts, especially those than can hit the vaunted number, aren’t selling all that well in the USA.

Even though gas prices will almost certainly hit $3 a gallon, customers are still gravitating towards compact cars, according to Cars.com’s David Thomas. This means vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra are well positioned with their 40 mpg fuel economy numbers, spacious interior and premium features…but if gas prices keep going past $3 (and they almost certainly will) then the sub compact segment may see a resurgence, just like the summer of 2008 when gas was around $4.

The big winners in the segment are still the Nissan Versa and Honda Fit respectively, with the Versa enjoying a nearly 3,000 unit lead over the Fit in November. Hyundai’s Accent and the Fit are nearly neck and neck, while the Fiesta comes in at fourth place, but cars like the Chevrolet Aveo and Toyota Yaris are nipping at its heels, even with stale-dated designs and no 40 mpg capability. We think the significant delta in price between a bare bones Aveo and a more expensive Fiesta hatch may have something to do with this.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

In the history of automotive transmissions, the CVT undoubtedly ranks near the bottom of the pile, as one of the car world’s poorly thought out inventions.

The CVT offers the worst of all worlds, combining the worst parts of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual. It makes you feel like you’re driving something with an outboard motor, thanks to its ability to hold a constant rpm, but somehow it has survived and is still offered by many companies today.

Now we have word that GM may offer the CVT on upcoming versions of the Chevrolet Cruze, Spark and Aveo, thanks to the fact that it will bump up fuel economy by roughly 10 percent. GM needs to increase mileage by this amount for the next model cycle, and this is simply the most expedient route. Most consumers may not even notice, but color us ticked off.

[Source: Automotive News]

It’s barely arrived on the market in North America, yet the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is already the subject of several technical service bulletins (TSBs).

According to our sources, there are currently three individual service bulletins for U.S. and Canadian market Cruze models, which dealers will fix free of charge under warranty. The first of these concerns a potential squeaking noise originating from the front strut assembly, caused by contact between the strut top mount and wheel splash shield during turning maneuvers at temperatures of 35 degrees Fahrenheit and below. Dealers will add heavy-duty lubricant to the affected area to cure the problem.

The second issue concerns a water leak around right rear taillight. Mis-applied sealer could cause water to seep in through gaps in the sheetmetal seam behind the right rear taillight housing, allowing water to pool in the trunk. Dealers will fix the problem by applying sealant to eliminate any gaps in the seam.

The third and final bulletin concerns a malfunctioning indicator lamp and Brake Apply Sensor on 2011 Cruze models fitted with automatic transmissions, which dealers will replace under warranty.

By issuing these TSBs Chevy is agreeing to fix the issues under warranty, while managing to stave-off the dreaded “R” word.

[Source: Cruzetalk]

Chevrolet‘s Cruze Eco compact sedan has returned 28 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway, allowing it to capture the top spot in its segment for fuel economy.

Using the new 1.4T engine that displaces 138 horsepower, the Cruze Eco also has a few aerodynamic tricks up its sleeve, including a front air dam, rear spoiler, a revised underbody surface and a lowered ride height, as well as a host of weight reductions. Low rolling resistance tires at 17″ wheels also help lower the car’s drag coefficient.

Best of all, the Cruze only costs $18,895, but you’ll have to wait until January to order one.

[Source: GM]

Chevrolet debuted three new compact cars, as part of its new Z-Spec factory upgrades lineup, with the new Cruze and Volt, as well as the upcoming Spark subcompact rounding out the lineup.

While the concepts modifications are cosmetic in nature, the upgrades really elevate the conservative lines of the Cruze, with an orange paint job, Recaro seats and big wheels featuring prominently. The Spark could be considered a throwback to the days of “The Fast and the Furious”, with its creamsicle orange paintjob, white BBS wheels and Altezza taillights. Of the three, our favorite was the Volt, whose sharp angles, white paintwork and big wheels complimented the car in a way that the stock styling just doesn’t do.

Hit the jump to see all three galleries of the Chevrolet Volt, Cruze and Spark Z-Spec

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While only a small percentage of buyers actually opt for a manual transmission, offering one usually indicates that a company seriously cares about how their products perform.

The Chevrolet Cruze, with it’s 1.4L turbo engine, has all the right stuff to be a fun-to-drive compact, but the sole transmission choice, a 6 speed automatic, wasn’t exactly cutting it. Now, GM looks to be offering a proper manual on their sportiest Cruze, and with a lack of an SS trim level, we’re pretty pleased. The Cruze Eco was slated to be available with a 6-speed manual and a 1.4L engine, but adding the manual across the range will allow consumers to get that combination without the Eco’s aerodynamic additions and low rolling resistance tires.

Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com

[Source: GM Inside News]

Companies have been using major sporting events to pitch new products for decades, and now Chevrolet will use the World Series, starting this month, to premiere ads for the debut of the Volt plug-in hybrid sedan.

General Motors Co.’s marketing chief Joel Ewanick says that the ads will start during the World Series and run throughout the fall. On the ad specifics, he didn’t get into too much detail, but hinted that they would remind viewers of Chevrolet’s nearly 100-year heritage and the place in American culture that the brand shares with baseball.

Volt production for retail sales is scheduled to start on November 11 at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, and as being marketed as a “halo car” to highlight GM’s green initiatives.

Other commercial that will begin at the same time as the Volt’s include the second round of ads for the Cruze compact. The first group of ads featured narration by actor Tim Allen.

The Volt ad campaign will run on television, radio and across other media outlets.

[Source: Automotive News]

Ford‘s 2012 Focus has kept a low profile since it’s debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. While we heard endless stories about the Chevrolet Cruze in the run up to its launch, the only news coming out from the Ford camp is the admittedly big announcement about the Focus ST.

Now comes another nugget of information leaking out from Dearborn, this time in video form. A pre-production 2012 Focus is seen lapping the track, and while it’s hard to decode much from the video, The Truth About Cars seems to be enthusiastic about the car’s handling prowess. Judge for yourself after the jump.

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

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The Gaza Strip has received its first car shipment in three years, after an economic blockade left the territory devoid of goods like cars, unless they were smuggled in via illegal tunnels originating in Egypt.

The cars, mostly Hyundai and Kia models, are a mixture of new and used models that have come from Israel. Cars, including Hyundais, can be sold for vastly inflated prices in Gaza, which has been hit by sanctions after Hamas, an Islamic fundamentalist government, took control of the territory.

Despite the grinding poverty, it turns out that a portion of the population can afford to buy new cars, as evidenced by this video, showing a Chevrolet Cruze going for $45,000.

[Source: BBC]

General Motors plans to launch a fleet of Chevrolet Cruze-based electric vehicles in Korea, but the company says that there are no plans to sell such a car in the United States.

GM is partnering with Korean conglomerate LG to develop the battery technology needed to make the Cruze EV a reality. A range of 100 miles is said to be possible and according to one GM spokesperson, “provide real-world data on customer acceptance of battery electric vehicles, studying driving patterns and charging behavior.”

“This Cruze EV demonstration project reinforces GM’s commitment to being a leader in the development of electric vehicles and green technologies, building on our portfolio of hybrids and the Chevrolet Volt,” said Karl Stracke, vice president of GM global vehicle engineering, in a statement.

The Cruze EV is apparently not slated for production, but it should give us a good look at the company’s plans once the Chevrolet Volt has been launched.

Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com

[Source: Inside Line]

Excited to hear Tim Allen’s voice as the official voice of Chevrolet? The highly anticipated wait is finally over as Chevrolet has launched a pair of video ads on their new compact Cruze model that should be hitting dealerships any minute now. Both video ads are pretty standard in highlighting what the Cruze is about, but the first one is fairly daring, targeting one of the Cruze’s main competitors: Toyota’s Corolla.

While we’re not convinced that having standard keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation is enough for the Cruze to steer potential buyers to their vehicle over the Corolla, but we have to commend Chevrolet for taking a proactive approach in making their vehicles more attractive. (In fact, we were pleasantly surprised with the new Cruze).

The other video really just introduces the Cruze as the “new kid” on the block, highlighting all it offers at a cheaper price compared to its competitors. Is it enough to get the Cruze cruising off the lots and down the streets? We’re not sure, but at least it’s not your boring run-of-the-mill ad that doesn’t even strike any interest in the car.

Read AutoGuide.com’s review on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze by Clicking Here.

Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com

Check out both video ads after the break:

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Chevrolet’s Volt plug-in hybrid isn’t the only vehicle that will get its own smartphone app. The Chevrolet Cruze compact will also join the bandwagon with an OnStar-supported program that gives owners new access to various functions of their vehicle via a smartphone.

Owners using the Chevy Connect feature on their phones will be able to monitor the fuel guage, door locks, tire pressures and activate the horns, lights and alarm system.

GM also announced that many of its 2011 vehicles from across the brand spectrum would be able to utilizie the Connect system, which could easily become an attractive selling feature to technology-savvy customers.

Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com

[Source: Inside Line]

General Motors is hoping that their Chevrolet Cruze compact car will increase sales in Europe, where Chevrolets have previously been re-branded versions of cheap Daewoos.

While the Cruze sedan is a sharp looking vehicle, the most popular bodystyle over there is the hatchback, with three and five door versions of compact cars outselling sedans by a vast margin. Noticeably absent from the Cruze range is a hatchback, but things may change if Holden has its way.

GM’s Australian division, which had a hand in developing the Cruze sedan, was apparently tasked with designing a hatchback Cruze, set to debut at the Paris Auto Show. The Cruze hatchback will be part of an onslaught of smaller, more efficient cars, among them the Orlando minivan and the Aveo subcompact.

The Cruze hatchback is a bit of a long shot for the United States, where hatchbacks have never been popular, but there’s always the possibility that it could come to Canada, much like the Orlando.

Be sure to check out our Paris Auto Show preview page

Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com

[Source: Go Auto]

Before Chevrolet‘s Cruze compact sedan has even launched in Canada or the United States, the automaker has already sold 340,000 units across the globe.

With the vehicle already on sale in Chevrolet has already moved 270,000 units in Latin America and Europe, and another 70,000 units in Australia and South Korea, where the car is badged as a Holden and Daewoo respectively.

In North America, GM delayed the Cruze repeatedly, taking another 18 months to bring it to market. While no explanation has been given, the Cruze is perhaps GM’s most vital product moving forward (more so than even the Volt), and nailing every aspect of the car is likely a reason for the hold up.

Stay tuned for Autoguide’s first drive of the Chevrolet Cruze coming soon.

Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com

[Source: Left Lane News]

Chevrolet has a lot of experience stuffing bigger engines into Corvettes, Camaros and other factory hot rods, but this may well be the first and last time the subcompact Spark gets the same treatment.

In order to give the Spark enough oomph to properly pace the FIA World Touring Car Championship field, the engineers at Chevrolet have found a way to bolt up the larger 140 horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine out of the Cruze (which goes on sale in the United States this fall), replacing the smaller sub-100 horsepower engine options that normally live under the Spark’s hood.

The WTCC “Super Spark” is scheduled to make its first appearance during the World Touring Car event at Zolder, Belgium coming up this weekend (June 19-20). But for those of you lucky enough to have attended the 24 Hours of Le Mans this past weekend, you may have spotted the turbocharged Spark pace car on display along side Chevy’s WTCC Cruze and its awesome GT2 C6.R Corvettes. As we reported earlier today, the GT2 Corvettes ran strong during this year’s Le Mans, the #64 car leading the class as late as the 17th hour, but unfortunately both cars retired before the end of the race due to engine problems.

Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com

[Source: autoblog]