Cruze Hatch Joins Holden’s Growing 5-Star Line-Up
Holden’s soon to be released Cruze hatch has been awarded the highest possible five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
Launching in November, the Australian designed and built Cruze hatch maintains the high safety standards set by the Series II Cruze sedan which went on sale earlier this year.
Like the sedan, hatch receives the maximum safety rating thanks to standard fitment of a comprehensive range of high-technology active and passive safety features.
Six airbags including driver and front passenger, front side impact and side curtain airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control and a collapsible pedal assembly system all come standard.
The entire Cruze range also benefits from a robust body structure and a technically advanced chassis system which delivers enhanced accident avoidance capabilities.
Energy-absorbing load paths protect the passenger safety cell and offer optimum protection in the event of a collision.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mike Devereux said Holden had always been very confident in the real world safety capabilities of Cruze.
“We knew we were building an extremely safe car but it’s great to get this third party recognition,” Mr Devereux said.
“The high level of safety features is just one of the many reasons Cruze has been so well received in this country, making it Australia’s third best selling passenger car in 2011* with just one body style.
“With stunning Cruze hatch styling, a high level of standard features and now this safety stamp of approval, we believe we’re on to a real winner.
“We can’t wait to get the hatch version into our showrooms next month and into customer’s hands.”
*Year to date VFACTs figures as at August 2011
All-New Barina Makes a Bold Statement
Holden’s stylish new Barina hatchback is set to make a bold statement about GM’s small car design philosophy when it goes on sale in November.
The Barina’s striking interior and exterior design was led by Holden’s Ondrej Koromhaz while on assignment at General Motors’ South Korea design centre and takes familiar design cues from its Barina Spark and Cruze siblings.
Incorporating sporty, sophisticated styling features and clever interior storage ideas, the Barina hatchback’s design is intended to broaden its appeal to a wider range of customers who appreciate style, technology and quality.
Holden Designer Richard Ferlazzo said the new-generation Barina was a serious small car with a fun and energetic appearance that captures key design elements synonymous with the Holden brand.
“Ondrej has done a fantastic job with Barina. It’s a global car but there’s something about Barina’s design that still says Holden,” Mr Ferlazzo said.
“Barina is a fun, energetic and aspirational light car. It’s got great compact proportions, great stance and a stable, sporty look and that’s what gives Barina the edge.
“Ondrej has imparted a lot of Holden DNA in the surface language and the way it sits on the road. Barina projects a road presence way beyond its size and, even though it’s small, Barina really looks the part.”
Exterior design
Inspired by a four-wheel motorcycle advance concept, Barina boasts a muscular appearance with a wide stance, sculpted body panels and dynamic proportions.
Concealed rear door handles and aggressive, steeply raked feature lines give it a three-door, coupe-like profile while the rounded, exposed head and taillights with black bezels and chrome rings add a three-dimensional, sporty element.
Barina’s proportions are key to its appearance of sportiness and stability. The wheels have been pushed out to all four corners, helping Barina look well planted on the road.
Ten-spoke 15″ alloy wheels and an integrated, body-coloured rear spoiler reinforces Barina’s sporty appearance.
Interior design
Barina’s compact dimensions conceal a spacious and edgy interior – one of the largest in its segment – complete with motorcycle-inspired instrument panel and multiple clever storage pockets.
On the driver’s side, the detailed instrument cluster features a large, round analogue tachometer set within an asymmetrical LCD readout alongside an easy-to-read digital speedometer.
Ice blue interior illumination and LED backlighting feature throughout, adding to the cabin’s upmarket feel.
Thoughtful design solutions have been employed to maximise Barina’s generous cabin dimensions, helping it achieve high levels of driver and passenger comfort in the front and back seats.
Unique pockets have been created on either side of the centre stack and upper instrument panel for smaller items like wallets and personal devices. The bi-level glove box has two concealed storage areas complete with USB and auxiliary outlets with a recessed channel to accommodate an MP3 player cable.
In the back, 60/40 split fold rear seats genuinely fold flat to give Barina a roomy and flexible cargo space. The Barina has 290 litres of space with the rear seats up, and 653 litres with the seats folded fully flat.
Colours
The Barina exterior colour palette features seven choices, which are:
- Olympic White
- Urban Grey (prestige)
- Nitrate Silver (prestige)
- Flame Red
- Boracay Blue (prestige)
- Misty Lake (prestige)
- Carbon Flash Black (prestige)
Jet Black cloth interior trim is standard with all exterior colours.
26 Years in the Making – All-New Barina Launched
Holden launched an all-new Barina hatch today bringing strong, sporty Holden design language, must-have technology and five-star safety to the light-car segment.
Barina has a proud history over 26-years in Australia but it’s also a truly global vehicle and will be sold in over 60 countries as the Chevrolet Aveo and Sonic.
Introducing the car to media in Melbourne today Executive Director, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, John Elsworth said the high standard specification would make Barina a standout in the competitive light car segment.
“Barina is one of Australia’s favourite small cars and most recognised nameplates and the new-generation Barina has taken a huge leap forward,” Mr Elsworth said.
“It also makes the technology and safety features you’d expect on a large car available as standard in the light segment – which will be hugely appealing to customers,” he said.
“Standard features on the all-new Barina include Bluetooth and Bluetooth audio streaming, USB input and iPod connectivity, steering wheel controls, cruise control and “follow me home” headlamps as well as clever interior storage options.”
Mr Elsworth said Barina’s design credentials would also help reinvigorate Holden’s light car range.
“Holden’s design influence is instantly recognisable with dynamic looks and the strong road presence Holden is famous for,” he said.
“Barina hatch was designed by Ondrej Koromhaz, an Australian design team member, while he was on secondment to the GM Design studio in Korea and we think he’s done a great job at capturing Holden’s DNA.
“The Holden DNA isn’t limited to Barina’s exterior design, it’s also obvious in the internal design and smart packaging, on-road performance and safety.”
Boasting a spirited 85kW 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine, the Barina has one of the largest powertrains in its segment. The Barina is equipped with a standard 5-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic transmission with Active Select.
Barina shares impressive safety credentials with its Commodore and Cruze siblings, recently receiving the maximum five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
Safety features on the all-new car include driver, front passenger, front side and curtain airbags, dual front seatbelt pretensioners, front seatbelt reminders, Electronic Stability Control, a collapsible pedal release system and head restraints for all seats.
“We know that light car buyers have been looking for more from Holden and the all-new Barina is designed to beat other entrants and not just compete,” Mr Elsworth said.
“We think Barina is everything a light car buyer is looking for today: it’s very sharply priced, it has a five-star ANCAP rating and includes standard features you’d expect in much more expensive cars.
“It’s another world away from the first Barina 26 years ago which includes innovations of that time like a 1.3-litre SOHC 4-cylinder engine with 50kW power, an AM/FM radio, vinyl trimmed seats, and a digital clock.”
Barina plays a key role in Holden’s continuing product renaissance which will see the Adelaide-built Cruze hatch on sale date in November, all-new Colorado in 2012 and the extended-range electric Holden Volt on sale in the second half of next year.
Holden Barina hatch is launching with a driveaway price of just *$16,990 with a manual transmission. The new generation Holden Barina will go on sale around Australia from November.
*Prestige paint is a $500 option
Holden kicks off local Cruze hatch testing
Holden’s highly-anticipated Cruze hatch has been put through its paces on Australian roads this week as Holden engineers began local testing of the new hatchback.
Holden has released exclusive images of early production models of the Aussie made Cruze hatch being test driven in Victoria.
The new Cruze hatch was designed by Holden’s Port Melbourne design studio and will be sold as the Holden Cruze in Australia and as a Chevrolet Cruze around the world.
The new Cruze hatch will join the sedan, which is already the best-selling small sedan in Australia, in Holden showrooms in the last quarter of 2011.
First look at new Holden Cruze hatch
Holden has released the first images of the all-new Holden Cruze hatchback which goes into production at Holden’s Vehicle Operations in South Australia later this year.
The highly-anticipated hatchback version of the Cruze was designed by Holden’s Port Melbourne design studio and will be sold as the Holden Cruze in Australia and as a Chevrolet Cruze around the world.
The Cruze hatch with its sweeping coupe roofline and short overhangs was first shown as a concept at the Paris Motor Show followed by the Chevrolet production version which made its world premier in Geneva earlier this month.
Images of Holden’s own model were shown to Australian motoring media for the first time as part of the national launch of the new Australian-made Series II Cruze sedan in Melbourne this morning.
Holden Design Director, Tony Stolfo, said Cruze hatch highlighted the breadth of skill in the Holden Design Studio.
“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 said.
“The Cruze sedan is already a huge hit in Australia – so it was rewarding to work on a global project that we would also be able to adapt specifically for Australia.
“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.
“Holden is very proud of the global design work it does for other brands and countries around the GM world – but it’s especially gratifying to work on a new vehicle designed and built in Australia.”
The Holden Design Studio is an important part of General Motors global design network and 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.
The new Cruze hatch will join the sedan, which is already the best-selling small sedan in Australia, in Holden showrooms in the last quarter of 2011.
The new locally-built Series II Cruze sedan line-up has been engineered for the Australian market and boasts new powertrains including the new efficient and fun-to-drive 1.4 iTi petrol models and the most fuel-efficient car made in Australia, the 2.0 litre turbo diesel manual Cruze.
New Hatchback on the way?
Holden’s design talents will be showcased to the world next month when a five-door Cruze hatchback showcar is unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.
Chevrolet Europe has released the first images of the highly anticipated global model which was designed and built by Holden’s Port Melbourne design studio.
The showcar with its sweeping coupe roofline and short overhangs is a precursor to a production model, also designed by Holden that will be built in several countries, including Australia where it will start product in late 2011.
Holden Chief Designer Richard Ferlazzo said the project had been a significant undertaking for the studio which had spent more than 12 months working with GM designers from around the world developing the hatch variant.
“Our brief was to create an alternative body style to the traditional sedan that retained the same dynamic proportions that has made Cruze such a success around the world,” Mr Ferlazzo said.
“We are very proud of the result which will be tailored further for the Australian market and given an appearance consistent with the rest of the Holden portfolio next year.”
The Holden Design Studio is an important part of General Motors global design network, as one of only three facilities in the world with the capability to design and build prototype concept vehicles for exhibitions and international auto shows.