CruzeSS? Who ya gonna call?

Since the 2.0t is an optional engine in the Verano it would be a plug and play install.

However, Chevrolet said several years ago the SS label will only be applied to rear wheel drive performance varients.

Frankly, a RS that actually meant something beyond plastic panels would ring well IMO.

Rob

Robby said:

Since the 2.0t is an optional engine in the Verano it would be a plug and play install.

However, Chevrolet said several years ago the SS label will only be applied to rear wheel drive performance varients.

Frankly, a RS that actually meant something beyond plastic panels would ring well IMO.

Rob

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I suppose the last FWD cars to use the SS badge were the 2010 line up weren't they? The Cobalt SS and the HHR SS. They discontinued the Impala SS after 2009. Same year they got rid of the Trail Blazer SS. And I believe the Silverado SS was cut after 2007 when they changed body styles.

This is refreshing to hear, looking forward to seeing more performance variants of GM cars. They'll just have to be extra careful that they don't make the Cruze faster than the Camaro, or a lot of muscle car owners will be upset.

Robby said:

Frankly, a RS that actually meant something beyond plastic panels would ring well IMO.

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Honestly - the RS being solely appearance-based is pretty much how it always has been, ever since it appeared on the 1967 Camaro.

Hideaway headlights, different taillights, repositioned backup lights, and some trim...basically what it is on the Camaro today...headlights and some appearance stuff. True to its heritage - as it is on the Cruze.

SS should be brought back, I personally think. It worked well on the Cobalts/HHRs, so why not apply it to the Cruze. The 2.0T has a lot of potential, and I'm sure it'll feel right at home in the engine bay there.

I agree, the SS badge belongs to GM. They should take advantage of it. Too bad they're struggling to meet the EPA's strict demands. If they didn't have to concern themselves with getting a certain average mpg across their fleet, they might be able to have some fun.

Ford figured out how to offer enough economy to please the bottom line while still offering performance options with their ecoboost engines. Every single vehicle they offer in their current line up has a turbo-charged option.

chevrasaki said:

Ford figured out how to offer enough economy to please the bottom line while still offering performance options with their ecoboost engines. Every single vehicle they offer in their current line up has a turbo-charged option.

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Until the EPA tests change - most of those EcoOrBoost engines are downright awful on fuel in the real world.

My mom's 2013 Fusion with the 1.6L EcoFail, I mean, EcoBoost, got worse fuel economy than my 1998 Cavalier, which, at the time, had about 225k miles - as well as a 3-speed Automatic, and leaks fuel.

Her 2015 with the 1.5L EB does much better (still not meeting the EPA figures, though). It's about on par with the 2.5L in her 2011 Fusion.

MP81 said:

Until the EPA tests change - most of those EcoOrBoost engines are downright awful on fuel in the real world.

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Doesn't matter, as long as they meet the EPA numbers. That's the bottom line. What good is street smarts when the test is the only grade people look at. /Sarcasm

The ecoboost engines are also known to have a large variety of issues with the largest one being issues their direct injection.

There has to be a better way for the EPA to measure manufacturers impact to the environment without forcing manufacturers to get rid of their performance options and a better way test these vehicles realistically.

How would a Performance Cruze eat into the Camaro's sales, as the article implies? Seems to me that these are two totally different market segments.

Blancmange said:

How would a Performance Cruze eat into the Camaro's sales, as the article implies? Seems to me that these are two totally different market segments.

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How many people on the forums and FB groups have you seen ditch their Cruze for a Camaro?

Robby said:

Since the 2.0t is an optional engine in the Verano it would be a plug and play install.

However, Chevrolet said several years ago the SS label will only be applied to rear wheel drive performance varients.



Frankly, a RS that actually meant something beyond plastic panels would ring well IMO.

Rob

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Took the words right out of my mouth. Make the RS actually mean something. They make a 2.0T Cruze Hatch I would seriously buy one if I liked everything else about it.

Merc6 said:

How many people on the forums and FB groups have you seen ditch their Cruze for a Camaro?

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Good question Merc ..I am aware of atleast 3 members that have traded for the Mustang though ....

I would be VERY surprised if it happened, since you can have a 2.0 Turbo Camaro now at about the same price a Cruze SS would sell.

Merc6 said:

How many people on the forums and FB groups have you seen ditch their Cruze for a Camaro?

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Thats my goal btw, already started to calibrate my budjet so that when i change my car in 3 years, it will be for a Camaro.

It's a different market, really.

The Focus RS is the same price as a Mustang GT - but those are two very different buyers of vehicles. Likewise with a Focus ST and, say, a base or EcoFail Mustang.

I think the Cruze SS and Camaro 2.0T would follow a similar pattern.

MP81 said:

It's a different market, really.

The Focus RS is the same price as a Mustang GT - but those are two very different buyers of vehicles. Likewise with a Focus ST and, say, a base or EcoFail Mustang.

I think the Cruze SS and Camaro 2.0T would follow a similar pattern.

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The only logical reason why they would make one would be for the Euro market, since they like Hot hatches a lot, so a Cruze hatch SS could be possible and since its a world car, then we could get it here.

Why not use the 1.6L turbo from the Cascada? If it can push that 2 ton vehicle round it should really do good in the Cruze.

MP81 said:

It's a different market, really.

The Focus RS is the same price as a Mustang GT - but those are two very different buyers of vehicles. Likewise with a Focus ST and, say, a base or EcoFail Mustang.

I think the Cruze SS and Camaro 2.0T would follow a similar pattern.

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It depends, some people like me would see the same or similar HP/Tq numbers on paper from a lighter car with the ability to put car seats in and go eff a Camaro. If there wasn't a huge amount of blind spots I would have gotten a V6 Camaro when I had just 1 kid. Then again the Verano has the 2.0 and you really don't hear anyone make a fuss and that's kinda sorta the same car. Not like they had to super redesign the 2.0t to fit in the 1st gen Cruze.

Merc6 said:

It depends, some people like me would see the same or similar HP/Tq numbers on paper from a lighter car with the ability to put car seats in and go eff a Camaro. If there wasn't a huge amount of blind spots I would have gotten a V6 Camaro when I had just 1 kid. Then again the Verano has the 2.0 and you really don't hear anyone make a fuss and that's kinda sorta the same car. Not like they had to super redesign the 2.0t to fit in the 1st gen Cruze.

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It is basically the same car - the diesel got all the Verano NVH treatments.

I never quite got that one...but it would be an interesting swap.

Dammit...now I feel like I should buy an Eco and plop a 2.0T in there...Thanks.

MP81 said:

It is basically the same car - the diesel got all the Verano NVH treatments.

I never quite got that one...but it would be an interesting swap.

Dammit...now I feel like I should buy an Eco and plop a 2.0T in there...Thanks.

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You're right that it would be easy to do, but why do it?

Verano turbo is still on sell and a **** good car and even better is the new Malibu Premier with 19'' wheels, the 2.0 and 8 speed tranny.

Robby said:

Chevrolet said several years ago the SS label will only be applied to rear wheel drive performance varients.


Rob

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Was that before or after the Cobalt SS?