Holden expands Cruze line-up

The surprise success of Holden's compact Cruze sedan has resulted in the company expanding the range with the new CDX turbodiesel. The Port Melbourne-based company claims demand from customers is behind the move that will see the new high-spec model hit showrooms early in 2010.

"Diesel is proving a popular alternative so it made sense to introduce a new model that offers the best of both worlds," says Holden sales and marketing boss, John Elsworth.

"The high level of features offered on the CDX combined with the performance and fuel efficiency of the diesel makes it a smart choice.

"We've been listening to what our customers have been asking for and this is our response."

When Holden launched the sedan in June it did so with the diesel engine only available on the entry-level CD specification. The new model will add several new features to the car -- including 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, leather trim, trip computer and rear parking sensors -- but will push the compact sedan closer to the midsized Epica diesel in price.

Holden has priced the CDX Diesel at the top of the Cruze range with the manual at $27,990 and the automatic from $29,990 (both prices are manufacturer recommended retail price and not inclusive of government and dealer charges). That compares with a starting price of $30,490 for the Epica CDX diesel automatic.

It's more bad news for the Epica with only 1715 sales year-to-date leaving it already lagging behind its smaller sibling.

Mechanically the CDX Diesel remains the same as the CD. The only change is a slight increase in fuel consumption for the automatic. The manual still returns 5.7L/100km as per the CD but the auto is 0.1L/100km worse off at 6.9L/100km.

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