Holden Cruze to challenge Golf GTI

[mfl]

Holden
Word has it there'll be a highly strung 1.6-litre turbo version of the Cruze brought in to fight against VW's Golf GTi - but whether it will make it here in 2011 isn't clear. "affordable" - we're predicting a sub-$40K price-tag.

HSV
HSV's big move came in 2010 with the E3 update that brought more gadgets and features, but 2011 is looking slim as far as all new models go.

While rumours persist of an upcoming supercharged V8, it appears 2012 will be the earliest we'll see it. As for this year, expect the occasional limited edition variant before HSV possibly starts looking at making its mark on the locally produced Holden Cruze (artist's impression shown) further down the track.

had a good laugh reading this,

I drove and bought a few Holdens (Commodores, Vectra, Astra, Gemini) for almost 25 years, and there is no way Holden can make a GTI competitor, especially if it is based on a Korean car, as for HSV, think they will lose their credibility doing a Cruz.

When Holden stopped selling the Vectra, I wrote to them to complain and they responded by telling me that they didn't cater to minority customers like me. if I wanted a European car, look else where.

[anthony]

I went from an Astra to a Jetta,and there is NO WAYS I would ever own another Holden/GM product again.

The car was nice and drove like a VW product being an Opel,but too many major problems...

I would not worry too much VW...

[flyingfridge]

they responded by telling me that they didn't cater to minority customers like me. if I wanted a European car, look else where.

now that's caring for your customers.... o_0

[sabloke]

Holden
e track.

...as for HSV, think they will lose their credibility doing a Cruz.

What credibility?! If GMH was serious about selling proper cars they would bring over the Insignia and the Astra. Top shelf models are giving VW a run for their money in Europe. Cruze, powered by a 1.6 turbo, competing with the GTI? That's a joke, surely.

[mfl]

What credibility?! If GMH was serious about selling proper cars they would bring over the Insignia and the Astra. Top shelf models are giving VW a run for their money in Europe. Cruze, powered by a 1.6 turbo, competing with the GTI? That's a joke, surely.

Have to agree there, despite being a fan of V8 Holdens, I just don't like the current HSV cars, they are just over the top, they are just crass and the current commodore is just too big a car. A long time ago I had a heavily modified Vk HDT Commodore and my dad a HSV SV89, neither of them had any sophistication, but they certainly didn't have the contrived bling you see now on the HSV.

I noticed recent articles saying that Opel, wanted to establish its own network here. as for the rest of the article, I checked to see if it was dated 1st April.

[anthony]

Opel are coming to Australia in 2011,and I think the Astra and Insignias will definatly be sold locally.

GM are hoping to steal a few sales away from VW locally....

[sabloke]

I'd have the Insignia Sportswagon over the Passat R36 any day. Turbo V6 and AWD with those looks, hard to beat that
2.8-litre V6 twin-scroll turbocharged ECOTEC engine producing 239kW and peak torque of 400Nm.

Bring it on Opel! The more competition the better for us buyers.

[anthony]

I must say,the Insignia sedan looks very nice too.....

[ryana89]

Whats with the "Dame Edna Glasses" look (quoted from Jeremy Clarkson) that all new cars seem to be aquiring?
Just isn't my thing