I notice the spoiler was removed from the picture...

I would like to have a high rise spoiler, just one that is more stable and doesn't threaten to fly away in the wind when I drive. And it doesn't have to look complex, just accent the lines of the vehicle.

 

I say leave the cruze to be the economy car they are trying to make it in the first place.

Then keep the cobalt line but get rid of the lower end modles and only offer the cobalt in the 2 ss modles one na the other either tc or sc. Also use the concept from the first page for the new cobalt ss b/c the name cruze just dsn't belong on that concept car.

This way everyone is happy.

 

A good way to look at it. But I don't think GM is going to plan on keeping the Cobalt very long into the Cruze's production. Two FWD sub compacts is overkill in Chevy's lineup, then with the Aveo compact that's three. However I do like the idea.

 

Except GM, which is all that really matters.

 

RWD, RWD, RWD, RWD

already have the technology from the Solstice coupe.

 

that would be interesting.. looking at the s2k, mustang, genisis, koup, evo, and sti crowd then(yes i know the last two are AWD but still.. ) i think it might be a good idea

 

What about wheel options? Why not offer the wheels in diff. finishes (chrome, polished, gunmetal, black, etc.)

Another must is to perfect the RPD but incorporate it into the guage cluster or dash, but keep the boost guage on the Apillar. That is a pretty impressive piece of technology that no other competitors offer to my knowledge?

 

"Technology" what do you mean by that? Is the Solstice coupe on Delta II?

 

Exactly, name me ONE significant FWD performance car released before 2000. Not sure I can.

I guess by technology I meant the application of the LNF on a RWD platform. As far as I know there are no plans to do another Solstice. Yes I know it will never happen, but could Chevy at least get a Solstice coupe-like vehicle?

 

Sorry I just got home from a night shift, my brain is like mush. Solstice hardtop is still on Kappa, Delta II is AWD/FWD, not sure what Kappa has to do with any possible Cruze SS.

 

The Kappas are dead after 2011/2012.

GM lost a lot of $$ with the Solstice & Sky. So we won't at least be seeing any RWD Cobalt on the Kappa platform....

Now GM's new Alpha platform is RWD, and that takes components of both the Zeta, and Kappa platform from my limited knowledge of it.

In order of size at least with RWD it goes like this Zeta > Alpha > Kappa (dead as of 2011/2012)

 

Anyone have any good messages that I should add to the email stating why its important the Cruze SS gets produced?

 

well after reading through a few of the pages (oh and i LOVE the concept by the way!) I honestly have to say there are a few things I think it SHOULD have. Most importantly interior wise it should have soft to touch trim (like from the gti) this helps with rattles and noises and shouldnt be TOO expensive to put in the car. It should also have an in the dash navi system. Even Suzuki is doing this now...seriously! It should have better lateral support seats as well. As far as performance options, this is where it can get crazy! A lot of people are recommending this and that BUT once you add all of these things up (AWD etc...) now the car is beyond the price range that GM can make money on it AND sell it!! I am not bashing at all cause all of the things people said would be amazing to see!! But right now the general is going to try and make the cheapest car that they can make ANYTHING off of. So subtle things like a LSD (a must!!) and 2 or 3 rim options, also brembos are a must as well (but they can get those from the cobalt). I also believe that the SS models should be the 5sp in there now (this also saves money). The 6speed would only hinder the performance of the LNF because of the power curve it creates. More shifting equals slower times. If someone wants a model with an AUTO they should opt for a SPORT model with a 5 speed!!!!(i know this has been said, im just saying) with a detuned version of the LNF engine (using the same engine saves money AND will have potential if someone decided to mod it later on). There really is no need for a 3 engine lineup...Ok sorry about that guys lol i got carried away

 

^^ The seats are fine. Navi shouldn't be standard IMO, that should be an option. If this is a performance car that wouldn't matter anyway. 2 or 3 rim options? Your post seemed plausible up until that point.

 

Great write up...Straight to the point and pretty much spot on

 

I'd start off by saying GM has been making great strides with the Cobalt. It's not perfect, but it was light years better than the Cavalier. With everyone jumping in on the General for not making enough fuel efficient vehicles, having the reputation of only making trucks and gas guzzling V8 muscle cars, why not turn that argument on its head?

Why not give a Corvette Z06 style effort into making the Cruze SS a reality. Prove that not only can GM make a great compact car, but a compact car that can beat the snot out of every competitor in the segment, at a much lower price point. GM has a real good opportunity to start fresh with this car. Most people never gave the Cobalt a chance because they thought it was too much like a Cavalier. Most people don't even take seriously the astounding performance of the new Cobalt SS/TC, simply because the Cobalt has made its reputation on the rental fleet, not on the pages of Sport Compact Car.

Make the Cruze SS visually and mechanically distinguished enough from the base model that you know that it is something special. Then pack it with enough performance punch to keep the competition trembling in fear. Prove to the public that GM isn't a one trick pony that can only build V8 RWD muscle cars. Show them when a serious effort is put into a program, that a serious result will emerge.

Make a car that will be a credible threat to the STI and EVO crowd. You will not only have a shaken the stigma that GM can't do FWD performance, you'll be building a program that will continue to be honed, much like the Corvette is, that will assure maintained dominance in the segment.

Last but not least, as your building that car, picture Jeremy Clarkson driving it around the Top Gear test track, and all the things he will hate about this car, and eliminate those faults. Give this serious thought. Put him in a situation where he will be forced to admit that you've built a damn good car, much like he was with the ZR1

 

...I'll add this into the email.

I haven't sent off the email yet due to all the **** going down the "big 3" ...I've been sort of holding out to see whats going to happen...but dont worry I think Im just gonna send it off anyways.

 

yea thats what i was thinking, i hope it turns out ok, i kind of want to see the cruze make it to production, and see what it ends up like.

 

Much appreciated

 

AM i seeing things or do those seats say STI on it?

 

[QUOTE=Gturismo1;3125652ot turn that argument on its head?

Why not give a Corvette Z06 style effort into making the Cruze SS a reality. Prove that not only can GM make a great compact car, but a compact car that can beat the snot out of every competitor in the segment, at a much lower price point.

Make the Cruze SS visually and mechanically distinguished enough from the base model that you know that it is something special. Then pack it with enough performance punch to keep the competition trembling in fear.

Make a car that will be a credible threat to the STI and EVO crowd. You will not only have a shaken the stigma that GM can't do FWD performance, you'll be building a program that will continue to be honed, much like the Corvette is, that will assure maintained dominance in the segment.

)[/QUOTE]

While your goals are laudable--the Turbo Cobalt does most of what you say now. It's cheap, affordable to many and beats anything in its class.

I don't want an EVO/WRX priced Cruze. All the things you mention cost alot of money and an AWD 300HP Cruze would cost right in that same ball park.

I fail to see a much lower price point if theyu build car to go head to head with the EVO/WRX.

With the state oif GM and the economy thats just not going to happen.
Its neat to day dream about that stuff but its just not going anywhere.

Update the LNF, tweak it and drop it in a 2 and 4 dr Cruze. Maybe a DSG option? Keep the price resonable and they have a winner

 

I'm using those seats as an example of what Id like to see in the Cruze SS.

All they'd have to do is put stage 1 on the LNF and sell it as stock and it would be right in about that area.

 

Never said anything about making it AWD. I spoke about making it approach that performance benchmark with FWD. This car needs to go toe-to-toe with things like the major competition it its class, drive layout notwithstanding.

I fail to see when I stated any of these apparent numerous things that will be cost prohibitive. Never said AWD. All I am saying is that General Motors should put the same effort as they did into the Z06 into this car. I'm not asking them to make the car Z06 fast, I'm simply asking for a team to be set up to coax every little bit of speed and handling out of the car, while keeping the car affordable. As the Corvette team keeps making the car progressively better and better by continually tweaking the formula, this is what GM should do with the Cruze SS. Learn how to make a credible threat to the competition, at a competitive price, then keep tweaking the formula as technology progresses. It will assure GM will always be competitive in the segment.

As for a DSG option? Weren't you just talking about making the car too expensive? I'd be completely satisfied with a 5-speed that responds nicely to aftermarket power increases.

 

Your confusing me greatly----you don't think the TC SS is good enough??

(no you didn't say AWD.....but when you mentioned EVO ect thats where I got it from)

And whats the competition you speak of?? I would not call an EVO/WRX in the same class...way more money and AWD--they are in complately different class.

All they have to to is transfer the running gear/suspension brakes over to the Cruze SS......volia!
(maybe a tad more power)

 

The SS/TC is nowhere near good enough. Don't get me wrong its a great car and performs well but in the sport compact market it lacks in many areas compared to its competition. The EVO and STI are competition for this car. They may be AWD but they are still a sport compact tuner car. It needs more power, interior refinement, quality wheels namely BBS from the factory, Bi-Xenon projector headlights, and many more little things. This car could be right up there with the EVO and STI in the tuner world if they just made a few changes and they wouldn't have to increase price too much. Keep the car under 25k and add those things and it will change the minds of many tuners when it comes to American cars.