HSV Cruze

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HSV hints at go-fast Cruze
Toby Hagon
September 25, 2010


Hatching plans ... an artist’s impression of an HSV version of the Cruze.
A pocket rocket may join the fold at Holden's performance arm, writes Toby Hagon

Australia could have a home-grown hot hatch within two years, with Holden's performance-car arm, HSV, confirming it is considering a four-cylinder model.

The managing director of HSV, Phil Harding, confirmed the Cruze, which will be built in South Australia from next year, was the "best option" for the company to break its V8-led mould.

Speaking at the launch of the E3 range (the E-Series 3 line-up of Commodore-based V8s), Harding confirmed the brand was looking to expand beyond its large-car repertoire, giving a hint a small car could be in HSV's future.

"We're constantly on the lookout for that sort of stuff," he said when quizzed about vehicles other than V8-powered derivatives of the Commodore.

"The Cruze [small car] is probably our best option for showing progress [outside the Commodore-derived range]."

Stopping short of confirming HSV was working on a version of the Cruze - which will be produced at Holden's Elizabeth plant from March - Harding said small cars could reduce the brand's reliance on large V8s.

The Cruze will have the option of 1.8-litre four-cylinder or more-powerful 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines, as well as a diesel. The sedan version of the car will be launched first, with a hatch expected to arrive towards the end of the year.

A HSV version of the Cruze isn't likely to happen soon, as HSV appears focused on its core business and ensuring the V8-powered large cars have a solid future. It added a raft of technology to its V8 range recently in the new E3 models.

HSV has barely touched the power outputs of its vehicles for four years and has, instead, been steadily adding features and technology, partly to appeal to more computer-literate and tech-savvy buyers, who include younger drivers.

However, many youngsters are bypassing the Australian large car in favour of a hot hatch or turbocharged four-cylinder. Volkswagen says about a quarter of its Golf sales are the performance-oriented GTI.

Four-cylinders are far from foreign to HSV. One of the first cars it built in the late 1980s was a tweaked version of the Astra, the SV1800.

More recently, HSV sold a turbocharged four-cylinder version of the Astra coupe, which it sold as the HSV VXR. The car was never a hot seller but opened the brand to new customers.

"When we did the Astra, we met a whole new customer base who would only buy a turbo small car because they thought that's what technology was," Harding said.

He said the VXR tended to appeal to younger buyers, something crucial for the future of the muscle-car brand.

Small cars account for about one in five new-vehicle sales in Australia and turbocharged pocket rockets continue to prove popular for those chasing performance in a compact, more frugal package.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

FORD needs to make the Focus RS a permanent model !!! or be left behind, AGAIN !!!

[Polyal]

Do I laugh or cry?

I think the XR5/RS is pretty safe for now, but it would be good if they do it so Ford responds with a FPV/RS in their line up full time.

Pretty hard to ignore such a large part of the market.

[SpoolMan]

Some time back was it HSV did an turbo Astra that didn't sell to well..

[irlewy86]

Tweaked version of the SV1800?

It had a body kit and bucket seats, and the body kit was as bland as poridge.

[Polyal]

Yeah you can develop a car for the aussie market that is that niche. Much better pinching something from OS and fiddling with it if need be.

GM still have Opel dont they? They make some cracking small cars, if HSV/Holden want to be cheap then that seems to do ok with the lower models, but I would have though performance consumers would know where the car is coming from, its specs etc...cant see the Cruze pulling that one off.

[Bakis]

LOL thats a joke, HSV should be still bringing in the Vauxhal Stuff from europe... You see the insigma and new astra there so much better then the Korean Cruze.

HSV Astra didn't sell well cause it was hard to get your hands on one there is only like 300 - 400 in australia.

[Sizey]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Some time back was it HSV did an turbo Astra that didn't sell to well..

HSV VXR - Based on an AH astra turbo platform. Sold jack didly squat of them.

This thing looks like it is a VE, WRX, EVO and CRUZE that have had a pile up.

However we all must remember that SA only assembles the cars not build them as such. The base of the vehicle is the Chevy Cruze which is a Daewoo powered car.

SO when it comes down to it, It will be a little turbo Deawoo. I would personally rather be seen in a Nissan Micra than that thing!

[Sizey]

Originally Posted by Bakis

LOL thats a joke, HSV should be still bringing in the Vauxhal Stuff from europe... You see the insigma and new astra there so much better then the Korean Cruze.

HSV Astra didn't sell well cause it was hard to get your hands on one there is only like 300 - 400 in australia.

The whole reason Holden as a company stopped bringing in OPEL stuf ie. Opel Barina, Astra and Vectra was because in the UK they were good cars however in Aus, the climate and conditions proved them to be absolute lemons!

That is the reason that the Holden Barina is now a Deawoo Kalos.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Sizey

HSV VXR - Based on an AH astra turbo platform. Sold jack didly squat of them.

This thing looks like it is a VE, WRX, EVO and CRUZE that have had a pile up.

However we all must remember that SA only assembles the cars not build them as such. The base of the vehicle is the Chevy Cruze which is a Daewoo powered car.

SO when it comes down to it, It will be a little turbo Deawoo. I would personally rather be seen in a Nissan Micra than that thing!

Unfortunately Holden are very good at hiding that point. The cruze has worked pretty well for them so far. My theory is that people who buy higher spec cars typically have more of an idea of the background and hence wont touch a "hot" cruze.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Bakis

LOL thats a joke, HSV should be still bringing in the Vauxhal Stuff from europe... You see the insigma and new astra there so much better then the Korean Cruze.

HSV Astra didn't sell well cause it was hard to get your hands on one there is only like 300 - 400 in australia.

I suspect it did not sell because HSV (and most FPV) buyers are RWD V8 people.

FTE Cougar
HSV VXR

Probe, Mondeo ST24, Calibra, Turbo Laser etc.

None were all that successful.

WRX, Ralliart, MPS, 200SX, Golf R32/GTi etc. all have one thing in common.

They are not Ford or Holden.

If Hyundai bought out a RWD V8 that was as quick as a XR8 or SS would you buy one?
Or would you just ignore it because it is a Hyundai not a Ford (or Holden).

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Sizey

The whole reason Holden as a company stopped bringing in OPEL stuf ie. Opel Barina, Astra and Vectra was because in the UK they were good cars however in Aus, the climate and conditions proved them to be absolute lemons!

That is the reason that the Holden Barina is now a Deawoo Kalos.

Lemons, no way. I think it came down to the $$$.

Maybe the early models but the later ones before the introduction of Daewoo were good solid cars. The barina in my sig has been 10 times more reliable than the AU, and the AU has been ok...LOL

[xr8 007]

Originally Posted by flappist

I suspect it did not sell because HSV (and most FPV) buyers are RWD V8 people.

FTE Cougar
HSV VXR

Probe, Mondeo ST24, Calibra, Turbo Laser etc.

None were all that successful.

WRX, Ralliart, MPS, 200SX, Golf R32/GTi etc. all have one thing in common.

They are not Ford or Holden.

If Hyundai bought out a RWD V8 that was as quick as a XR8 or SS would you buy one?
Or would you just ignore it because it is a Hyundai not a Ford (or Holden).

I never saw it like that but great point and well put!!! Nah mate i wouldnt buy a v8 RWD Hyundai either.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Do I laugh or cry?

I think the XR5/RS is pretty safe for now, but it would be good if they do it so Ford responds with a FPV/RS in their line up full time.

Pretty hard to ignore such a large part of the market.

Absolutely my my opinion.
An RS et al car wont be seen in the FPV line up only Ford, would still be good so see the XR5 continued albeit with 4 pots

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Some time back was it HSV did an turbo Astra that didn't sell to well..

saw one of these in Geelong the other day and it actually went bloody hard

took off like a little rocket

Jason

[malazn mafia]

Haha, I wonder if Cruze is going to be to the Commodore what Commodore was to the Kingswood 30 years ago

[Bud Bud]

Originally Posted by flappist

I suspect it did not sell because HSV (and most FPV) buyers are RWD V8 people.

Then you would suspect correctly, cos even the previous FPV Boss V8 variants out gunned its better equipped T6 cousin in the sales arena if now where else as we all well know, however Holden did not sell Astras in anything like the numbers they are now consistently selling the Cruze in either. HSV would be mad not to at least look at the business case for producing an HSV Cruze, especially when you consider that it will go into local production soon. This may make for some cost effective changes that could be integrated on the production line the same way they do with the Commodore now.

Bud Bud

[EgoFG]

Originally Posted by Toby Hagon

HSV ... considering a four-cylinder model.

Toby is either a spin sucker, or banging the drum.
In the SMH on Saturday this HSV article got three times the space of definite plans of Ford for a Hot Focus RS.

[FPV GTHO]

I dont think the Cruze is a suitable platform for a hot hatch, at least not something equivalent to what the VXR Astra was or some of the other stuff Vauxhall/Opel had done. Something at XR/ST level i think could be done though.

[Chopped]

That chop looks foul.

The Cruze is screaming for some sought of sporty variant.


http://www.motortrend.com/future/fut..._ss/index.html

Whatever they come up with will be beaten by the XR5 (or 4!) and destroyed by the RS Focus!

How long before we see a local Cruze with "Chev" badges ?! lol

[Iggypoppin']

Originally Posted by Chopped

That chop looks foul.

The Cruze is screaming for some sought of sporty variant.


http://www.motortrend.com/future/fut..._ss/index.html

Whatever they come up with will be beaten by the XR5 (or 4!) and destroyed by the RS Focus!

How long before we see a local Cruze with "Chev" badges ?! lol

VE, concertina style. That's vomit right there, terrible looking car. I say, stick to what you do best HSV...

[HULK EF]

Rear wing sucks but apart from that.... yes a bit VE looking. but not everyone wants a large family car..