Holden heralds top-spec Cruze diesel

HOLDEN has confirmed well publicised expectations that it will introduce a more highly specified version of its diesel-powered small Cruze sedan by announcing an oil-burning CDX variant for release in early 2010.

To be available with both five-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions, the top-shelf diesel Cruze sedan will be priced at $27,990 ($29,990 auto), making it $4000 more expensive than both the Cruze CD Diesel and the similarly-equipped 1.8-litre petrol CDX ($23,990).

Nevertheless, that’s cheaper than Holden’s own discontinued Astra 1.9 CDTi five-door (from $29,290) and undercuts many small-car diesel rivals, including five-door hatchbacks like Ford’s Focus 2.0 TDCi ($28,290), Skoda’s Roomster 1.9 TDI ($28,990), Peugeot’s 308 1.6 XS HDi ($30,990) and 2.0 XSE HDi ($34,590), Dodge’s Caliber SXT CRD ($32,490), Volkswagen’s Golf 2.0 TDI ($33,190) and the Citroen C4 2.0 HDi Exclusive ($36,990 auto).

However, while Mazda is yet to reveal the price of the diesel version of its new Mazda3 to be released next month and Toyota’s Corolla continues to eschew diesel power, Hyundai’s smaller-capacity i30 1.6 CRDi SX hatch sells for a bargain-basement $21,890 ($26,390 for the SX).

The Cruze CDX Diesel will come with the same 110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel as the CD, officially consuming 5.7 litres of distillate every 100km as a manual (6.9L/100km auto).

It will offer the same five-star ANCAP safety rating as the rest of the Cruze sedan range, production of which will shift from Korea to Adelaide for Australia by September 2010, alongside a Holden-designed hatch version.

The specification of the flagship Cruze diesel will mirror that of the petrol CDX, with the exception of a spare wheel, as per the CD diesel. Instead, both diesel Cruzes will come with a tyre inflator kit, with a spare wheel available as a no-cost option.

Standard equipment includes electronic stability control (ESC), an anti-lock braking system (ABS), six airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, a leather-clad steering wheel, partial leather (heated) front seats, rear parking sensors, steering wheel audio and cruise controls, a trip computer, four power windows and automatic headlights.

Holden sales and marketing director John Elsworth said the addition of the CDX diesel to the Cruze sedan range was a direct result of customer demand.

“Since we launched in June, Cruze has really struck a chord with motorists, selling over 6144 units to date, and market feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said.

“Cruze has shot straight into the top 10 of Australia’s best-selling cars – we’re delighted with the reception it’s getting in the marketplace.

“Cruze offers outstanding value for money and we’re seeing many customers opting to buy the higher specified model with the petrol powertrain.

“Diesel is proving a popular alternative, so it made sense to introduce a new model that offers the best of both worlds.

“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.”