US will not get the 7-seater Chevrolet Orlando

Automotive News has reported that General Motors will not sell the 7-seater Orlando in the US and said that the company intends to focus on its current models. Nevertheless the Cruze (Delta II)-based Orlando which was presented as a concept back in 2008 will make its market introduction in Canada, Europe and Asia. 

In the US General Motors has decided to increase the output of the Equinox, Traverse and Malibu models to make up for the missing Orlando. At the same time the production of the Cruze in the US later this year is still on schedule. If we’re lucky, we may just see Chevy’s new distributors Naza bring in the Orlando as a Honda Stream competitor since it seems to use the same formula – use a C-segment sedan platform to make an MPV.

Chevrolet Cruze for North America

GM has revealed that the American market version of the Chevrolet Cruze will get refinement upgrades for it to be ‘good enough’ for the American consumer. “We have a different set of competitive vehicles here in North America than what exists in Europe. We needed to make a number of adjustments,” said Chuck Russell, GM’s vehicle line director for compact cars in North America.

Here are a list of the changes:

• The windshield has been replaced with an acoustic laminated version.
• Doors get more insulation and sealters were added to some of the door headers.
• Airbag count tops at 10 including knee airbags and rear seat side airbags.
• The Cruze gets a different rear suspension design – an Opel Astra-like Watt’s Z-link as opposed to the regular torsion beam suspension on the world market Cruze.

Chevrolet Cruze SS for Singaporean market

In case you’re in the market for a C-segment car in a few months time, here’s a piece of news to remind you that you might have one more option soon!

Chevrolet Singapore is now offering a “Cruze SS” bodykit for Cruze customers, consisting of a front, rear and side skirts, a rear spoiler, 17 inch alloy wheels wrapped with Falken tyres, and illuminated skuff plates.

The Cruze SS kit is priced at SG$4,980 which translates to about RM12,075. The yellow stripes are of course quite clearly milking the appearance of the Camaro in the Transformers franchise, though in the movie Bumblebee is yellow with black stripes.

We’re still waiting for our Cruze. There were plans to launch it here in Malaysia last year but the GM and DRB-HICOM partnership fell through. Things should pick up again once new distributors Naza start operations and it’s only logical that they’ll start their distributorship with the introduction of Chevrolet’s C-segment ‘world car’.

We’ll likely see it with a 1.8 liter normally aspirated engine mated to a 6-speed auto but one can still harbor some hope for a juicy1.4 liter ecotecs turbo instead?

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible production confirmed

GM reassigned the contract to Magna when a rival supplier, Germany’s Edscha AG, filed for insolvency, according to sources close to the project. Magna is slated to build the Camaro top at its Bowling Green, Kentucky plant, with fabric from its Mexican operations.

GM put first-year Camaro convertible production at about 20,000 units, which makes it one of the largest North American ragtop contracts alongside the open top Ford Mustang. North American convertible system production is at its lowest point in years. Only 41,380 were built through late November of last year, down from 200,000 four years ago, say industry sources.

Drastic sales declines last year and GM’s bankruptcy forced the automaker to kill several convertible programs, including the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and Cadillac XLR roadster, so it’s good to hear that the al fresco Camaro is going ahead. Last May, GM spokesman Terry Rhadigan told Automotive News that the Camaro convertible would be ready for production in the first quarter of 2011.

Chevrolet Sail compact sedan

Not too long ago; it has just been officially introduced in China by Shanghai GM. The Sail differs from previous Chevys sold in China (and the Aveo Sedan/Lova) in that it’s the first passenger car created in China from scratch by a Sino-foreign joint venture. The Sail was developed by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), both GM-SAIC joint ventures. GM also announced that the Sail will be exported to other emerging markets.

Five variants are available, with the base model priced around RMB 60,000 (US$8,800). This marks a breakthrough in the under-RMB 70,000 (US$10,300) small car segment, where Chinese brands have traditionally been dominant. Dual air bags, a retractable steering column and ABS with EBD are standard. The higher spec models come with a sunroof and power retractable side mirrors.

Detroit 2010: US-market Chevy Cruze loaded with kit

The Chevrolet Cruze is GM’s global C-segment car that will serve markets as diverse as North America and China.which can be had with a 115 bhp/150 Nm 1.6-litre or a 140 bhp/177 Nm 1.8-litre. The latter is the base engine for the US market, whch will get GM’s 1.4-litre Ecotec turbo engine with 138 bhp and 200 Nm of torque. Besides better performance, this variant has a range of over 800 km. Both manual and auto ‘boxes are six speeders.

The North American Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio. It comes with an equipment list that’s alien to Cruze buyers in Asia. Heated leather seats, ten airbags (including knee airbags), electronic stability control with rollover sensing, Bluetooth, USB, navigation system, XM Satellite Radio and OnStar are all standard.

Chevy focuses a lot on quality and refinement in its press documents. It claims that the Cruze’s panel gap tolerances are among the best in the class. Hydraulic ride bushings and an isolated engine cradle reduce vibration, while 18 distinctive acoustical treatments reduce noise.

Detroit 2010: Chevrolet Aveo RS Show Car

Damn, this Aveo RS destined for the Detroit floors when it opens in the USA our time tonight is pretty good looking, and its has a suitably equipped powertrain as well.

The Aveo usually has to make do with mundane engines putting out just over a 100 horses but for this Aveo RS, it gets a turbocharged 1.4 liter Ecotec engine making 138 horses and 200Nm of torque, the equivalent of a 2.0 liter normally aspirated engine. It’s mated to a 6-speed manual transmission in this car.

The reason GM developed the Aveo RS is so that it could show that it’s possible for B-segment cars to look good and convey excitement. Americans do not historically touch (relatively) tiny cars like these unless they absolutely have to, but these days even Detroit are pushing small cars, like this new Aveo and the new Ford Fiesta which was just launched in the US not too long ago.

Chevrolet Beat unveiled ahead of Delhi show

GM has launched the Chevrolet Beat in India ahead of the Delhi Motor Show. Production started mid-December 2009 at GM’s Talegaon plant, which will export 20% of its output by the end of this year. India is one of the first few markets to get the Beat; it’s not yet launched in Europe and North America, where it will replace the Daewoo Matiz based Spark and take over that nameplate. The Beat will be sold alongside the old Spark in India.

The Beat is powered by a 1.2-litre S-TEC II twin-cam with 79 bhp, capable of 18.6 km/l fuel consumption. The engine features what GM calls PDA (Port De-Activation) which ensures high exhaust gas recirculation for combustion stability at low speeds, improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. The sole transmission is a five-speed manual, but an auto ‘box and diesel engine is on the way.

GM says that the Beat’s body is the stiffest and toughest in its segment with 66.5% high-strength steel and over 16% ultra-high-strength steel. With this, it expects a good EuroNCAP rating. Two airbags, ABS and EBD are options in the top LT spec, but climate control, integrated audio with USB and AUX-in, steering column mounted LED back-lit speedo and LCD digital rev counter are standard. Roof rails are also included.

The Beat carries Chevrolet’s design language which appeared in the Cruze. It’s a five-door hatch, but looks like a three-door because the rear door handles are hidden in the C-pillars. Looks familiar? The Beat, in concept form, starred as Skidz in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.