- General Motors design boss Ed Welburn has an idea for a hotter Chevrolet Cruze.
- Welburn envisions a performance Cruze sedan inspired by the WTCC racing version.
- His vision: Black exterior, butterscotch interior, air extractors.
GENEVA — Ed Welburn has an idea for a hotter Chevrolet Cruze.
General Motors' vice president of global design is thinking of developing a performance Cruze sedan inspired by the WTCC racing version.
Asked how Chevrolet would strengthen the link between its high-performance Corvette and Camaro and more mainstream models, Welburn said that he had been imagining how a performance Cruze would look.
"A black exterior, butterscotch interior, a tidied-up treatment of the WTCC car's wheel arches and air extractors in the hood" are on his wish list, together with "a 2.0 turbo motor."
Clearly fired by the thought, Welburn departed the interview looking for key personnel who could help trigger the program. Inside Line suggested that readers propose a specification wish list for the car.
Welburn also said that Chevrolet was researching the possibility of selling the new five-door Cruze hatchback in the U.S., this version currently not planned for Stateside sale.
"Ford is selling hatchbacks," he added. "We'll see what they do."
Inside Line says: A WTCC-inspired Cruze would make a lot of sense, assuming it performs on the road. Wait to see if Welburn's idea produces a concept taster. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent
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litewerk says:
01:34 AM, 03/04/2011
This possible upcoming Cruze SS would be the logical successor to the previous Cobalt SS, which at various times offered a turbo or supercharged engine. I like that Ed Welburn is receptive to a sporty, performance model Cruze. While I agree with most of the ideas offered, 18" wheels is overkill and bling to me for this class size of vehicle. A 16 or 17" wheel would be plenty. I agree with Recaro seats, or something similar that would be far superior to the standard seats. I'd suggest not making the big rear wing standard, yet making it available as an option.
Will also throw out here that would hope for the possibility of a sport model of the all-new (in a year or two) Malibu sedan. There has been a Fusion Sport for several years and seems like the General should offer something comparable in the Malibu.
samster231 says:
04:47 PM, 03/01/2011
"-2.0T/6-speed manual or DSG style tranny
-18" forged wheels 236 section tires
-LSD
-upgraded dampers, springs, roll bars (IRS out back?)
-Recaro or similar seats
-HID headlights
-Limited colors (all dark)
-no wings spoilers etc keep it subtle but powerful
-single exhaust with dual outlet pipes no phony duals. "
That is what I am talking about. The only things I would change from the above:
1. 17" wheels are fine - just big enough to fit around some decent brakes
2. I don't need a DSG
This is the Cruze that we have all been waiting for.
skid666 says:
11:25 AM, 03/01/2011
As a reminder, GM is currently capacity constrained on the Cruze and will be for awhile (in February they built 22,000 and sold 19,000 Cruze's - which means that each dealership basically gained one extra car on the lot).
As long as the 'current' line is hot, we probably won't see the manual available in all trims or the hatchback or the diesel, etc. (12 - 18 months from now it will probably be a different story).
jacton says:
11:07 AM, 03/01/2011
This would be my wish list:
-2.0T/6-speed manual or DSG style tranny
-18" forged wheels 236 section tires
-LSD
-upgraded dampers, springs, roll bars (IRS out back?)
-Recaro or similar seats
-HID headlights
-Limited colors (all dark)
-no wings spoilers etc keep it subtle but powerful
-single exhaust with dual outlet pipes no phony duals.
randomlyant10 says:
10:42 AM, 03/01/2011
The ECO probably isn't offered with a sunroof because of the added weight. What GM should do is just offer the manual across the bored, but there aren't many companies doing that.
ed124c says:
09:45 AM, 03/01/2011
@throwback: I agree. A follower gets the dregs. But in this case, the situation isn't that bad for GM-- the Cruze is selling well and the Cruze ECO gets (theoretically) better EPA numbers than any other non-hybrid, non-diesel car. So, they have a leg up there. Augmenting the line with the 5-door would be a bit late to the table, but Ford deprived us of a Focus 5-door for how many years--4?
What I really would like to see is the options column expanding for the ECO Cruze-- right now you can't get a sunroof on the ECO, even though it is available on some LTs and the LTZ. I hate that kind of thinking, which would, in this case, cause me to buy an automatic Cruze in order to get a sunroof. Ford does it much better. Wake up, GM, Ford is leading and you are following at some distance.
Bottom line: Welburn should concentrate on the basics right now. Gas is going to go way up, and people would probably not buy an overpowered Cruze, just as most people rejected the Cobalt Turbo.
The first basic for Welburn is to get the 5-door Cruze over here. Seems like it should be a no-brainer. Oh, maybe that is the problem.
stovt001 says:
09:44 AM, 03/01/2011
I completely second 5711cb. That's about all you need and want on a Cruze SS. I'd maybe add the option of a dual clutch transmission. The Cruze SS seems the logical car for GM to launch their first version of this increasingly popular transmission choice, and it would befit the sporting character of the car and possibly even drop lap times if made correctly, but I also fear that would make finding a proper manual more difficult. One reason why I respect the Mazdaspeed3, SI, and WRX so much is because you know everyone you see has a manual transmission.
I would ask that they include a real "off" switch for the electronic nannies. Don't be like VW. Oh and make the wheels lightweight. None of this chrome dub stuff. Unsprung weight is the enemy. Channel Colin Chapman and you'll be OK.
I'm glad Welburn realizes the Cruze's success in WTCC could be a nice boost for Chevy. No one else in GM seems to grasp that, sadly. From what I know, he's one of the guys at GM who really gets it and I wouldn't mind him just leading the company. He definitely ranks up there with Earl and Mitchell with design already.
And I also second Throwback. That line about following Ford was the one weak point in this otherwise great idea.
5711cb says:
08:19 AM, 03/01/2011
Wish list? Here?
OK... LNF, six-speed manual, LSD, sport-inspired suspension(Hi-Per like the Regal GS?), Recaros... I like Welburn's exterior ideas as a start. And being a former Cobalt SS owner, bring back the high wing!! :-)
throwback says:
08:01 AM, 03/01/2011
"Ford is selling hatchbacks," he added. "We'll see what they do."
Sorry to hear GM is still a follower. How mcuh would it cost to add the 5 door to the same line as the sedan? Why concede any sales to Ford?