New hatches cruise into town

General Motors South Africa has launched a new hatchback model in the fiercely competitive compact car segment.

Two Chevrolet Cruze hatch models, both featuring the comprehensive Chevrolet LS trim level, with the option of either 1.6-litre or 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, complement a revised range of five sedan models in the Cruze lineup for 2013.

What is it?

The Cruze hatch is aimed four-square at the Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Polo and the Hyundai i30 and is very competitively priced at R212400 for the 1.6 LS MT and R224800 for the 1.8 LS MT.

How does it look?

There's a fresh look to the range, with the hatch taking the honours in the image department.

It has an attractive arching roof line that extends from the steeply raked windshield through the sloped rear hatch.

A distinctive concave shoulder styling-line emphasises the vehicle's dynamic posture.

What's it like to drive?

Both the 1.6 (91kW at 6000rpm with maximum torque of 155Nm at 4000rpm) and 1.8 (104kW at 6200rpm and 176Nm at 3800rpm) petrol engines performed well in a launch drive around the Cape Peninsula, with enough torque to satisfy most urban drivers.

Naturally the 1.8, with more torque, was the model that stood out on the open road.

There's also enough room for four adults and their luggage and the finish and fit are good.

Any special features?

The lack of road noise is a big plus factor in a small hatch such as this. Aside from the obvious safety benefits of a strong and rigid body structure, a torsionally stiff structure also makes it easier for engineers to isolate residual power-train, road and wind noise for high levels of cabin comfort. The Cruze has achieved interior acoustic and wind noise ratings that rank with the best in its class.

Should you buy one?

The price of the Cruze - starting at R212400 - makes it one of the most competitively priced hatches around.

That, together with its Chevrolet pedigree, makes it a very attractive proposition for anyone wanting a small family hatch.

Peugeot  208

By BRUCE FRASER

IN THE sweet words of Thomas Merchant. "Africa is growing, Europe is not!" Merchant, the international communications manager for Peugeot uttered these thoughts at the launch of their new 208 range last week in the quaint fishing village of Paternoster on the Cape west coast.

Shifting vehicles off showroom floors in Europe these days is apparently no easy task, which is why Peugeot - along with many other manufacturers - is tapping into the largely unexplored markets of Russia, China, South America - and don't forget Africa!

What is it?

Three models make up the 208 range. You have the choice of two three-cylinder, VTi petrol engines along with three spec levels offering various degrees of comfort.

The 1.2 litre Access (R154900), 1.2 Active (R169900) and 1.6 Allure (R189900) all come with five-speed manual gearboxes; no automatics or diesels are available yet.

Falling into the B-segment - where over 40% of all sales in the motor industry take place - this is a big launch for Peugeot and the car has already won numerous awards in Europe, where it was launched in April.

How does it look?

Much like the car it is replacing - the 207.

The lines are very similar but they have utilised space better. It is smaller in exterior dimensions, but inside space has increased.

The interior is fuss-free and extremely user friendly. The use of materials and colours is attractive and practical with the finishing touches on the doors lending a bit of class. The plastics are also of a good quality.

What's it like to drive?

If I had driven the Active with its 1.2-litre engine, not knowing what was lying under the bonnet, I would have sworn it had a 1.4-litre power plant.

It is extremely nippy and on the open roads it held 130km/h with ease - and that with a strong southeaster howling in off the Atlantic ocean.

The small steering wheel gives a fun feel to the car, while the 7-inch touch screen is simple enough to navigate.

Any special features?

Pretty standard innovations. You pay for what you get but even the entry level Access comes with accessories such as air-conditioning, electric front windows, a height-adjustable driver's seat, height and reach-adjustable steering wheel, multifunction trip computer and a refrigerated glovebox.

Safety and security are equally comprehensively addressed. ABS brakes with EBD and EBA are standard, as are dual front airbags.

Should you buy one?

If you are in the market for a B-segment vehicle - and more and more motorists are these days with the ever-increasing fuel costs - then the 208 gets more boxes ticked than many other cars.

It has the looks, drives very well, is fuel efficient and has an impressive after-sales package. At just over R150000 and up, you can't ask for much more.