All-new Holden Viva Cruzes in
Next-gen compact sedan looks better, but will it deliver a sharper drive?You're looking at the next-generation Holden Viva, which makes its world debut at October's Paris motor show -- albeit wearing Chevrolet Cruze badges.
The Cruze (not to be confused with the Suzuki-built pint-sized SUV Holden Cruze formerly sold here) is due on sale internationally in the second quarter of 2009, and GM is billing the sedan as "an entirely global car" that will go on sale "across all continents as one of Chevrolet's core new models".
In Australia it's set to replace the Holden Viva, which started life in 2003 as the Daewoo Lacetti.
Keen pricing saw the Viva notch up a respectable 11,487 sales in 2006, but it found only 7400 buyers last year as newer, safer and more dynamically capable rivals have dented its prospects.
Expect the next-gen model pictured here to raise the bar dramatically as it shares most of its underpinnings with GM's third-generation Astra.
At launch, three engines will be offered --1.6-litre and 1.8-litre petrol units with 82kW and 103kW respectively, and a 2.0-litre common-rail turbodiesel with 110kW.
Externally, the newcomer debuts much sharper design language than the current, staid-looking Viva, and there's more than a hint of Audi in its curved roofline, high waistline and broad shoulders.
The frontal treatment could be described as bold, with its aggressively swept-back headlights, two-tier grille and thrusting snout. Expect our version to look much the same, but obviously with the Chevy bowtie badge making way for the Holden lion.
Inside, the car features a 'twin-cockpit' design, with a distinct centre console dividing the front into separate areas for the driver and passenger -- a styling cue supposedly borrowed from "various iconic Chevrolet performance cars".
"Our goal with the design of the Cruze was to be bold, not evolutionary," said chief designer Taewan Kim. "We wanted to take a big step forward, making a strong design statement for Chevrolet products around the world."
The all-new Viva and its light car, Barina partner, will obviously be vital cars for Holden as the small and light car categories combine to dominate the non-SUV market Down Under. Their arrival and successful launch are key if Holden is to narrow the gap to all-conquering Toyota.
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