Holden releases final Aussie Cruze

GM Holden has released Z-Series versions of its Cruze, which will be the final small cars it produces in Australia.

Previously seen on the Cruze in 2014 before the introduction of a facelifted model in January 2015, Holden's Z-Series badge was also applied to the VE Commodore in late 2012, before the VF's release in June 2013.

Holden won't comment on its small-car plan until later this year, but it has confirmed it will release the new-generation Cruze and Opel's latest Astra.

The new Astra hatch will hit Holden showrooms around September and should be followed by its yet-to-be-revealed sedan counterpart. Once again both models are likely to be positioned as premium small cars with higher prices than the Cruze.

However, Holden has not confirmed when it will replace th locally-made Cruze hatch and sedan, which were first released in 2008. The new Cruze hatch was revealed at the Detroit show earlier this month.

The timing of the new Cruze is vitally important for Holden, given the ramifications for its Elizabeth plant outside Adelaide, which is scheduled to close by the end of next year, and Holden's presence in Australia's largest sales segment.

Cruze sales were down 18 per cent last year with just 15,222 sold, accounting for just seven per cent of the mainstream small-car segment and ranking fifth in popularity behind the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai i30 and Volkswagen Golf.

Holden desperately needs a new small car and today's release of the Cruze Z-Series and the November introduction of tighter Euro 5 emissions regulations, which the model's entry-level 1.8-litre engine does not meet, indicates Holden will end Cruze production by the end of this year.

On sale nation-wide from today, the Z-Series and SRi-Z joins the 2016 Cruze line-up and comes with a range of extras over the base Cruze Equipe.

For the Cruze Z-Series, that includes new two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and Z Series floor mats, sill plates and badging.

Meantime, the Cruze SRi-Z (which replaces the SRi-V) boasts unique 18-inch alloys in a Satin Medium Android colour, a rear spoiler for hatch models, alloy pedal covers and Z-Series floor mats, sill plates and badging.

The Z Series is powered by an unchanged 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and the SRi-Z, which continues to feature a sports bodykit and suspension, offers a carryover 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four.

Both models will be available in both hatch and sedan body styles and with manual and automatic transmissions.

At the same time, Holden has upgraded the base Cruze Equipe with new 17-inch alloys and a new Slipstream Blue exterior paint available across the range.

These features are in addition to standard equipment including Holden’s MyLink infotainment system with 7.0-inch colour touch-screen and voice recognition with Siri, leather-appointed seats, push-button starting and a reversing camera.

“The 2016 Cruze Z-Series and SRi-Z boast an impressive range of features and design upgrades that add another dimension to an already popular car,” said Holden's executive director of sales, Peter Keley.

"The Z-Series range has always represented exceptional customer value, and with new, aggressive driveaway pricing to support the list of feature upgrades, there’s never been a better time for customers to get into Cruze.”

Pricing remains unchanged at $19,890 for the base Cruze Equipe manual sedan and hatch, rising to $29,340 for the SRi-Z auto sedan and hatch.

In between, the Z-Series effectively the CDX specification on which it's based, while the Cruze SRi is discontinued and there are no changes to the Cruze Sportwagon.

Full recommended retail pricing is as follows, but Holden is offering the Cruze Z-Series sedan and hatch for $22,990 drive-away, and the Cruze SRi-Z sedan and hatch for $27,990 including on-road costs.

2016 Cruze sedan and hatch pricing (plus ORCs):
Equipe 1.8 -- $19,890
Equipe 1.8 (a) -- $22,090
Z-Series 1.8 -- $22,640
Z-Series 1.8 (a) -- $24,840
SRi-Z 1.6T -- $27,140
SRi-Z 1.6T (a) -- $29,340