[BlackGranite]

Hi all, new member here! I've driven a Cruze since 2011 and it's been a dependable ride but there's no denying it's character: Chevy clearly aims to compete with the Corolla instead of a MazdaSpeed 3, VW GTI, or Focus ST. I'm moving on to a truck but if Chevy reads these forums I hope they realize how many Chevy enthusiasts want a fun to drive and relatively fuel-efficient FWD hatchback from a domestic automaker. Sure there is the Ford Focus but I want a hot hatch that doesn't break down all the time. I would be all over a 2.0 L Turbo I4 Ecotec Cruze Hatchback if it handled as almost as well as a GTI.

Does anyone else pine for a 270hp Hot Hatch Cruze?

 

[EricSmit]

We've covered this so much. hahaha. Won't happen. There is a Vauxhall Astra VXR that is a proper hot hatch, but it won't make its way here.

 

[EricSmit]

 

[BlackGranite]

Holy Schnikes now that is what I'm talkin' about! Why won't GM sell such a car in the US? Do they really believe everyone wants to don a wife-beater t-shirt to drive around in a gas guzzling V8 muscle car that needs to be stored for the winter?

 

[EricSmit]

emissions.

 

[Blasirl]

Holy Schnikes now that is what I'm talkin' about! Why won't GM sell such a car in the US? Do they really believe everyone wants to don a wife-beater t-shirt to drive around in a gas guzzling V8 muscle car that needs to be stored for the winter?

Welcome Aboard!:welcome:

You know, I might have a photo in a wife beater in my AMX hmmm...

 

[BlackGranite]

emissions.

Nope, Ford sells the Focus ST and Focus RS right here in the USA. And a Hot Hatch Cruze would definitely get better mileage than a big-arsed Camaro. Tune it for high mileage under normal driving but high performance when pushed.

I believe Chevy would be surprised at how well a 250+hp Cruze hatchback would sell. I saw one today on the expressway and it has "all show no go" written all over the sporty exterior. Reminds me of how Pontiac used to be.

 

[Jim Frye]

emissions.

Then there's the 306 hp Civic Type R. Guess Chevy could use better engine designers/engineers to meet emissions regs.

 

[Merc6]

You also have to factor in this...

Everyone wants to have these cool features, a 100% distinct interior/exterior makeover than the rest of the trim levels, and a manual trans. When the car maker listens and makes it, nobody buys it. A company stays in business selling things that sell vs looks and sounds cool.

A fully loaded non fast gas Cruze Sedan here runs $32K before tax, title, tags, and that negative equity carried over from trade in. Now picture all that on a Fast Cruze Hatch, you just put yourself in the price rage of an AWD ATS or going to a different company altogether. The 2LT RS 6MT Cruze slowly deleted itself from the US market and then the whole trim level entirely in Gen 2 because it was an obsolete trim for the Cruze. A Premier with no extras is in the 2LT pricing range. People are bothered the Challenger is AWD in V6 only but who do you know will buy a V8 AWD Challenger?

We've covered this so much. hahaha. Won't happen. There is a Vauxhall Astra VXR that is a proper hot hatch, but it won't make its way here.

Out of curiosity, how much would that little guy cost if built there and shipped here? The Buick Casada is a bit up there in price being built over there and shipped here. I'm wondering if they would even give it a Chevy badge if it came this way, hypothetically.


http://www.simsgm.com/VehicleDetail...a-2dr_Conv_Sport_Touring-Euclid-OH/2933400863

 

[Jim Frye]

As far as cost "over there" goes, I ordered a 2008 Saturn Astra XR five door and the sticker was not much different than the competition. They were built in Austria and shipped to a NJ POE for distribution across the U.S. Also, the new Civic hatchback is built in Swindon, UK and shipped here. MSRP is also competitive with the competition. Haven't seen Type R pricing yet to see how it compares with the Focus beasts.

 

[pontiacgt]

dropping a the 2.0 in the cruze should cost much more if it fits. I bet the engine doesn't cost anymore than the 1.4t to build. all your paying for is horsepower which i don't understand why they charge so much for it. Put the bigger engine in it. Upgrade the suspension and maybe charge 2k more. it will sell. But again people may not buy however, the bigger issues is dealers won't stock them. That's the main reason manuals don't sale well is because the dealers are not stocking them so when you go buy a car and you need one you can't wait for the order. If don't have them in stock you can't sell them.

 

[EricSmit]

Why do you ask questions if you're just going to disagree with the answer? I've covered this before, in depth. It's not cost effective to do it.

 

[EricSmit]

Will Chevy offer a "Hot Hatch" Cruze?

You also have to factor in this...

Everyone wants to have these cool features, a 100% distinct interior/exterior makeover than the rest of the trim levels, and a manual trans. When the car maker listens and makes it, nobody buys it. A company stays in business selling things that sell vs looks and sounds cool.

A fully loaded non fast gas Cruze Sedan here runs $32K before tax, title, tags, and that negative equity carried over from trade in. Now picture all that on a Fast Cruze Hatch, you just put yourself in the price rage of an AWD ATS or going to a different company altogether. The 2LT RS 6MT Cruze slowly deleted itself from the US market and then the whole trim level entirely in Gen 2 because it was an obsolete trim for the Cruze. A Premier with no extras is in the 2LT pricing range. People are bothered the Challenger is AWD in V6 only but who do you know will buy a V8 AWD Challenger?








Out of curiosity, how much would that little guy cost if built there and shipped here? The Buick Casada is a bit up there in price being built over there and shipped here. I'm wondering if they would even give it a Chevy badge if it came this way, hypothetically.


http://www.simsgm.com/VehicleDetail...a-2dr_Conv_Sport_Touring-Euclid-OH/2933400863

and this is before shipping, import tax, emissions certification.

 

[shockz]

You don't even need a 2.0L, take the 1.5L in the nox/terrain, get a sportier exhaust, intake and get a more aggressive flash in there and you'd be close to 190hp/220lbs. That puts it right in par with the new Civic SI. These certainly wouldn't be high volume cars, but nobody wants a casada outside the nicer climates and nearly every automaker has some sort of sportier compact in their base brand. Even the Yaris is getting a hot hatch spec.

 

[EricSmit]

You don't even need a 2.0L, take the 1.5L in the nox/terrain, get a sportier exhaust, intake and get a more aggressive flash in there and you'd be close to 190hp/220lbs. That puts it right in par with the new Civic SI. These certainly wouldn't be high volume cars, but nobody wants a casada outside the nicer climates and nearly every automaker has some sort of sportier compact in their base brand. Even the Yaris is getting a hot hatch spec.

My 1.4 is right there with a tune, no need for the bigger engine.

 

[pontiacgt]

Yea but you also technically voided your warranty. Again it may not every come up but it could. Again they could do it easily they have the parts. But they also need to make money on small cars. However i pretty sure the cobalt SS sold well. **** i would be happy with small coupe more than a performance 4 door.

 

[EricSmit]

No, I'm saying that with an exhaust and an intake and a more aggressive tune, you could be there from the factory. No need to go to the bigger engine.

The Cobalt SS did not sell well.

2005 SS/SC = 3,093

2006 SS/SC = 17,464

2006 SS/2.4 (coupe) = 21,688

2006 SS/2.4 (sedan) = 9,068

2007 SS/SC = 10,566

2007 SS/2.4 (coupe) = 12,469

2007 SS/2.4 (sedan) = 3,397

2008 SS = 1,766

2009 SS (coupe) = 3,040

2009 SS (sedan) = 759

That sounds well and great, but do you know how many Cobalts were sold overall? 1020707.

And that's including the 2.4 NA SS, which accounts for roughly half of all SS Cobalts sold.

 

[jblackburn]

Much lower #'s than I thought for the SS. I'm surprised they sold that many with the 2.4 honestly.

Considering they're putting the 1.6 w/ DI in (Gen 2) hatches overseas, I think that's much more of a possibility than the 2.0T will ever be.

 

[EricSmit]

Much lower #'s than I thought for the SS. I'm surprised they sold that many with the 2.4 honestly.

Considering they're putting the 1.6 w/ DI in (Gen 2) hatches overseas, I think that's much more of a possibility than the 2.0T will ever be.

I'll put a 2.0T in my Cruze when I blow up the 1.4T. I don't know how long that will take.

 

[JDH]

The Sonic RS sitting out in the driveway that belongs to my son fits the bill of the US domestic hot hatch for Chevrolet very well. Same engine, lighter weight than a Cruze.