The right-hand-drive Chevrolet Cruze hatchback was launched on the Leicestershire venue last weekend and it gave the UK journalists the chance to test it on the flowing country roads around Donington. The car model was also used in a rally-inspired event on Donington Park. The Chevrolet Cruze hatchback is scheduled to hit the markets later this month and featuring a starting price of ?13,995. This launch coincided with the British round of the World Touring Car Championship. Regarding its powertrain, two petrol engines are available, one of them being a 1.6-liter 16 V, delivering 124 HP and the other a 1.8-liter 16V, producing 141 HP, mated either to a five-speed manual or to a six-speed automatic gearbox. Furthermore, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) provides the control of the front and rear braking effort, thus ensuring stability in extreme situations. Other standard features of the new Chevrolet Cruze include ABS to control braking, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which has the ability to work with both in case of an emergency maneuver, and TCS, traction control, in order to keep it firmly on the road.
Chevrolet's Craig Cheetham stated that the location and timing were perfect for them to launch the new Cruze hatchback as they were able to make use of the great facilities at Donington before allowing press the opportunity to test the new car on the local roads. He also added that they could offer the press an all-encompassing opportunity to try their new car, throwing it in a bit of fun on a specially prepared rally stage with a great mix of rural and urban routes.